ISW: Russia may attempt to reframe invasion of Ukraine as 'counterterrorism operation'

1:36 PM  (Updated:  January 17, 2025 7:54 pm)

Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 4, injures 14, including children.

Russia launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on Jan. 17, killling four people and leaving 14 others injured, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

7:09 PM

Biden administration secretly funded Ukraine's drone industry, NYT reports.

U.S. intelligence officers reportedly assisted in advancing Ukraine's drone capabilities, helping to design a new generation of drones intended to revolutionize modern warfare.

5:54 PM

Basic military training to start in Ukrainian higher education institutions in September 2025.

The course will consist of 90 academic hours of theory study and 210 academic hours of practical training.

5:42 PM

Putin, Pezeshkian sign strategic Russia-Iran partnership agreement in Moscow.

Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed drones used in attacks against Ukrainian cities, as well as short-range ballistic missiles.

5:41 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills

5:25 PM

Hungary's Orban urges EU to lift Russia sanctions, media reports.

Viktor Orban also described the European Union as being in a "drunken stage" but predicted a "sobering up" in Brussels.

5:04 PM

Explainer

How will Russia’s war end?

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump promised to end the Ukraine-Russia war during his campaign. As inauguration approaches on Jan. 20, the Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell lays out the four scenarios that could see an end to the war in Ukraine — for better or worse.

4:53 PM

Ukrainian special forces target Russian soldiers behind POW executions — several reportedly killed, captured

The captured Russians were identified as marines from the 40th Arctic Brigade.

3:58 PM

Russia’s seaborne oil exports decline 9.1% in 2024 amid Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reports

Ukraine has targeted Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure as part of its strategy to undermine a key funding source for Russia's war effort.

3:26 PM

Opinion

Europe needs plans A, B, and C for Trump and Russia

2:54 PM

Slovak opposition leader arrives in Kyiv to 'reopen door Fico slammed.'

"Our goal is clear — to reopen the door that Robert Fico slammed with his aggressive outbursts," pro-Western opposition leader Michal Simecka said on social media.

2:50 PM

Opinion

First Deputy Education and Science Minister: Rebuilding Ukraine, one classroom at a time

1:51 PM

Opinion

The flaws in Ukraine's new brigades and foreign training programs

1:28 PM

US assured Putin no nuclear weapons in Ukraine, Biden says.

The United States assured Russian President Vladimir Putin it would not deploy nuclear weapons in Ukraine, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said in a Jan. 17 interview with MSNBC.

12:58 PM

There's no evidence that Australian fighter was executed by Russia, prosecutors told media.

"There has been no transfer of the body (of Oscar Jenkins)," Ukraine's Ground Forces Command told a Ukrainian investigative journalism outlet Slidstvo.Info.

11:58 AM

Trump has opportunity to 'negotiate a good deal' in Ukraine, Blinken says.

"And President (Donald) Trump talks about having good, strong deals. I think there’s an opportunity to get one," outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

11:23 AM

Ukraine produced over 30,000 bomber drones in 2024, minister says.

The bomber drones were created during Russia's full-scale invasion and operate mainly at night. They can also remotely disperse mines or transport ammunition, food, and medicine to Ukrainian positions.

11:17 AM

Navalny's lawyers sentenced to 3.5-5.5 years in prison.

Vadim Kobzev, Alexei Liptser, and Igor Sergunin were sentenced after a closed-door trial on "extremism" charges over their involvement with Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation.

10:32 AM

Ukraine strikes Russian S-400 radar equipment in Belgorod Oblast, military claims.

"The termination of the functioning of the 92H6 radar station of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system was recorded, which indicates a successful target hit," the statement read.

9:49 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 1, injure 16 over past day.

Ukrainian forces downed 33 out of the 50 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Another nine were "lost," and one more drone flew in the direction of Romania, according to the statement.

9:44 AM

Allied support for Ukraine won't suddenly change with Trump's inauguration, top NATO officer assures.

NATO has taken over some responsibilities in coordinating aid for Ukraine from the U.S. with Washington's consent, ensuring a stable support mechanism going forward, NATO Military Committee Chief Admiral Rob Bauer said on Jan. 16.

9:08 AM

Italy's upcoming military aid package to Ukraine includes 'modern weaponry,' Umerov says.

"(The military aid package) is already on its way to Ukraine. This is modern weaponry that will help our soldiers to deliver powerful strikes against the enemy," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

9:02 AM

German FM slams her government over hesitancy on Ukraine aid.

Germany is not currently seen as a "driving force for peace policy in Europe," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told Politico in comments published on Jan. 17, criticizing her own government for hesitancy in supporting Ukraine.

8:10 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 815,820 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,670 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:25 AM

Russian hackers target WhatsApp in new tactic, Microsoft warns.

The Russian hacker group Star Blizzard impersonated U.S. government officials in emails directing recipients to join a WhatsApp group that claimed to focus on "the latest non-governmental initiatives aimed at supporting Ukraine NGOs."