Governor: Ukrainian forces ‘gain foothold’ in Luhansk Oblast

12:17 AM

Biden administration prioritized sanctions strategies over designating Russia as state sponsor of terrorism, US official says.

The Biden administration believes that large-scale sanctions have been more effective politically than designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, Ukrinform reported on Jan. 16, citing U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

10:12 PM

Ukrainian Air Force

'Absurd phenomenon' — The manpower issue threatening to weaken Ukraine's Air Force

10:03 PM

NATO deploys Norwegian F-35 fighters for 1st time during Russian Jan. 15 attack on Ukraine.

Russia attacked Ukraine using cruise and ballistic missiles on Jan. 15, targeting critical infrastructure in several oblasts.

9:56 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, UK sign 100-year partnership agreement

9:13 PM

North Korea

How Ukraine captured a North Korean POW, told by the soldiers who took part

9:05 PM

Fico may meet with Zelensky in 'next few days'.

"We are looking for another date, which should be in the next few days," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.

8:23 PM

Ukrainian forces repel Russian assault on border with Russia's Kursk Oblast, military says.

The 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade repelled an assault of Russian troops near the village of Zhuravka in Sumy Oblast on the border with Russia's Kursk Oblast, according to the brigade's Jan. 15 statement.

7:29 PM

Russia

Partners, not allies: What to expect from Russia-Iran agreement set to be signed on Jan. 17

6:55 PM

Ukrainian military releases footage of rare Russian reconnaissance drone downing.

"A rare bird was shot down by anti-aircraft gunners and pilots of the 63rd Brigade — a Russian experimental reconnaissance drone Merlin-VR," the brigade's statement read.

6:39 PM

Sanctions

How Trump could use sanctions in negotiations with Russia

5:21 PM

Trump advisers draft sanctions plan to pressure Moscow toward peace, Bloomberg reports.

Advisers to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are developing a comprehensive sanctions strategy aimed at facilitating a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 16, citing anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.

4:22 PM

UK pledges $3.6 billion in military support for Ukraine, to deliver artillery barrels, mobile air defense.

The United Kingdom will also provide new military aid for Ukraine, including 150 artillery barrels, a mobile air defense system, and an expanded training initiative with allied nations, the government announced on Jan. 16.

3:57 PM

North Korea

'They've overcome the shock' — North Korean soldiers adapting to war in Russia's Kursk Oblast

3:56 PM

Russian drone flew over presidential palace during Zelensky-Starmer meeting, Guardian reports.

The drone was spotted and heard buzzing above the Mariinsky Palace, a presidential residence, located not far from the Presidential Office, The Guardian reported.

3:44 PM

Ukrainian families of war victims can now seek compensation through The Hague's Register of Damage.

The International Register of Damage for Ukraine has begun accepting applications for compensation from families who lost close relatives due to Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's Presidential Office announced on Jan. 16.

3:17 PM

Ukraine, UK sign 100-year partnership agreement.

The wide-ranging deal encompasses cooperation in military, energy, scientific, cultural, economic, and other sectors.

3:06 PM

North Korean troops to join Russia’s Victory Day for the first time, media reports.

North Korea will reportedly participate in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, marking the first such instance in history, the Japanese broadcaster NHK World reported on Jan. 16, citing undisclosed sources.

2:52 PM

Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil depot in Voronezh Oblast, military claims.

At least three drones hit the facility, causing a large-scale fire, the General Staff said.

2:45 PM

Russia claims it struck Lviv Oblast gas storage facilities; Ukraine reports no disruptions.

Russia claimed it had damaged ground facilities at one of Ukraine's largest natural gas storage sites in Lviv Oblast during a series of missile and drone attacks on Jan. 15.

2:35 PM

'You were shot. Why didn't you forgive?' Zelensky tells Fico, drawing parallels to Russian aggression

The Slovak government is playing very dangerous game by criticizing military support for Ukraine and getting closer to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Polish media on Jan. 16.

1:43 PM

Trump sending 'non-public messages' on war, he must force Putin to diplomacy, Zelensky says.

"These are his (Trump's) messages, both public and non-public. And he is a capable leader to put pressure on Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

7:54 AM  (Updated:  January 16, 2025 1:35 pm)

UK PM Starmer visits Kyiv to sign '100 Year Partnership' with Ukraine.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 16 amid an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital, where Starmer is set to sign a wide-ranging "100 Year Partnership" treaty, covering a number of areas including defense, energy, and trade.

1:26 PM

Russian officer jailed for accidentally shooting down own helicopter in Crimea.

A Russian air defense officer stationed in occupied Sevastopol, Igor Pashkov, has been sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for shooting down a Russian army helicopter after mistaking it for a drone, pro-government outlet Kommersant reported on Jan. 16.

1:08 PM

Ukraine’s Emergency Service denies claims of mass mobilization, says 90% of staff are exempt.

This denial follows opposition MP Oleksii Honcharenko's Telegram post alleging plans for widespread State Emergency Service mobilization after Feb. 28.

12:33 PM

Ukraine extends cooperation with Norwegian NASAMS systems supplier.

Ukraine and Norway discussed the possibility of integrating Ukrainian-made air defense systems into the NASAMS systems "to increase its effectiveness," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.