How Russia profits from arms exports despite sanctions

7:29 PM

Defense Ministry approves Ukrainian-made Hromylo drone for military use.

The Ukrainian-made Hromylo unmanned aerial vehicle has been approved for military use, the Defense Ministry announced on Jan. 31.

6:48 PM

Ukraine’s inflation set to peak by mid-2025, cool to 8% by year-end, central bank says.

Ukraine’s inflation rate is expected to peak at 15% by mid-2025 before dropping to 8.4% by year's end, Ukraine’s Central Bank said on Jan. 31.

6:30 PM

SBU probes alleged leak of Budanov’s statement on threat to Ukraine’s existence.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has launched a criminal investigation following media reports alleging that Ukraine’s spy chief made a statement about a threat to the country’s existence during a closed-door parliamentary meeting, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Jan. 31, citing the SBU.

6:08 PM

Opinion

Norway should cede its war windfall to Ukraine

6:02 PM

Ex-president Poroshenko may be suspended from parliament for 3 days instead of 6 months, lawmaker says.

Ukraine's parliament may suspend former President Petro Poroshenko from sessions for three days rather than six months, Mykyta Poturayev, head of the Verkhovna Rada's Humanitarian and Information Policy Committee, told RFE/RL on Jan. 31.

5:52 PM

Slovakia bans Georgian Legion commander, linking him to alleged coup plot.

Slovakia has banned Georgian Legion commander Mamuka Mamulashvili from entering the country after the government linked his unit to an alleged coup plot, Denník N reported on Jan. 31.

5:29 PM

Video

How Russia profits from arms exports despite sanctions.

The Kyiv Independent analyzed leaked emails of a Russian defense company revealing Russia’s arms trade after the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The letters confirm that Russia continued to fulfill a huge contract signed shortly before the attack on Ukraine to supply its air defense systems and missiles to Saudi Arabia.

5:06 PM

Putin clears Goldman Sachs' exit from Russia with sale to Armenia-based firm.

Goldman Sachs has entered into a binding agreement to offload its Russian subsidiary, making it one of the few Western banks to exit the country entirely, Bloomberg reported.

3:52 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko gets himself reelected for 7th consecutive term

3:47 PM

Norway detains Russian-crewed vessel over undersea cable damage suspicion.

The vessel, which operates under the Norwegian flag and travels between St. Petersburg and Murmansk, was seized in Tromso at Latvia's request following a local court order.

3:35 PM

Ukraine destroys Russian command post in Kursk Oblast, General Staff claims.

"As a result of the coordinated and precision strike, (Russia's) command and control post was destroyed," the statement read.

3:18 PM

Finland announces $206 million military package for Ukraine.

This brings Finland's total defense aid provided to Ukraine since the outbreak of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 to 2.5 billion euros ($2.6 billion).

2:40 PM

Arms procurement chief Bezrukova dismissed, Defense Ministry says after disputes.

The Defense Ministry cited several reasons for Maryna Bezrukova's removal, including alleged failure to fulfill planned deliveries for the front, poor procurement planning and delays, lack of timely communication with the General Staff, and leaks of classified information, which are reportedly expected to be investigated.

2:21 PM

'100% tariffs' — Trump vows trade war if BRICS replaces dollar as reserve currency.

The BRICS group, composed of Russia, China, India, Brazil, and other nations, has been exploring ways to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

1:57 PM

Ukraine's arms procurement chief asks Zelensky to 'stop the destruction' of the agency.

“Further delays threaten critically important supplies to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and destroy the trust of donors and partners,” Bezrukova said.

1:53 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — Record wartime private sector investment

1:39 PM

China is Russia's sole supplier of key military-use rare metals amid sanctions, RFE/RL reports.

As Russia's options to purchase gallium and germanium from around the world almost disappeared, China became the sole supplier in 2023, the investigation said, citing leaked data from Russian customs databases.

1:02 PM

North Korean troops not seen for 3 weeks in parts of Kursk Oblast, Ukraine’s Special Forces say.

"These are standard measures – rotation due to large casualties," a military intelligence source commented for the Kyiv Independent, confirming the reports.

12:40 PM

Ukrainian drones strike 'one of 10 largest oil refineries in Russia,' military says.

"This refinery is one of the 10 largest oil refineries in Russia in terms of design capacity and is involved in supplying the Russian occupatying army," the General Staff said in a statement.

11:57 AM

EU denies any links between Russian gas purchases, Ukraine peace talks.

Earlier the same day, the Financial Times (FT) reported that EU officials are discussing the possibility of resuming purchases of Russian gas as part of a potential settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine.

11:35 AM

'Dishonest' to suggest Ukraine could have fully defeated Russia, retake Crimea, Rubio says.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the U.S. has been "fund(ing) a stalemate" that "set (Ukraine) back a 100 years" and called for a swift resolution.

6:51 PM  (Updated:  January 31, 2025 11:24 am)

Chasiv Yar

Ukraine 'still fighting' in Chasiv Yar, despite reports of Russian capture.

10:13 AM

Explosion at Rheinmetall plant in Spain leaves 6 injured.

The explosion occurred at 4:20 p.m. local time on Jan. 30, starting a large fire that spread to about 2,000 square meters. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, Spanish authorities said.

9:42 AM

1 killed, 35 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched 102 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported. Fifty-nine drones were shot down over 12 oblasts, while 37 were lost in the airspace without causing damage, according to the statement.

9:30 AM

Ukrainian drones set fire to Russian oil refinery in Volgograd Oblast, authorities say.

The wreckage of a downed drone fell on the refinery, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished, Governor Andrey Bocharov said.