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Ukraine says it's preparing for elections, referendum. Is it realistic?
Politics

Ukraine says it is preparing for elections, referendum. Is it realistic?

In recent weeks, President Volodymyr Zelensky began actively promoting the idea of holding a referendum and potentially presidential elections immediately after a ceasefire is reached. The goal of these preparations is to convince U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine is serious about a potential peace deal. However, there are many obstacles to holding an election and a referendum before the official end of the war. First and foremost, Russia has shown no indication of agreeing to any ceas
Ukraine war latest: Russian troops inch forward near 2 villages in northern Donetsk, DeepState says
 (Updated:  

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine war latest live: Russian troops inch forward near 2 villages in northern Donetsk, DeepState says

This is Jared Goyette, blogging from a cold, blacked-out apartment in Kyiv on day 1,420 of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Our top stories today: * 'Russia is trying to disconnect Kyiv' — Supermarkets, public transport struggle after yet more strikes on energy infrastructure * Project Nightfall — Everything we know about the UK's ballistic missile program for Ukraine * ‘The situation now is the worst’ — Kyiv’s energy crisis deepens after Russia pounds power grid What we're coverin
Parliament fails to appoint energy minister; Vacancy left open for months as energy crisis deepens
 (Updated:  Politics

Parliament fails to appoint energy minister; Vacancy left open for months as energy crisis deepens

Parliament failed to appoint former Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal as the country's next energy minister. The nomination failed to gather enough support, stopping 16 votes short. The energy ministry remains without a head for nearly two months, as Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions are facing a dire energy situation, with Russia targeting the country's critical infrastructure. The parliament convenes on Jan. 13 to vote on a proposed government reshuffle initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump wants Venezuela's oil — markets may not care

Trump wants Venezuela's oil — markets may not care

U.S. President Donald Trump made no secret of his plan for Venezuela. "One of the things the United States gets out of this will be even lower energy prices," Trump said in a Jan. 9 meeting with energy executives. “Our giant oil companies will be spending at least $100 billion of their money (in Venezuela),” the president said. Darren Woods, head of oil giant Exxon Mobil, wasn’t sold on Trump’s idea. “We’ve had our assets seized there twice, and so you can imagine that to reenter a third tim
Zelensky orders final review of US security guarantees; White House source praises 'tremendous progress' in ending war
 (Updated:  Politics

Zelensky orders final review of US security guarantees; White House source praises 'tremendous progress' in ending war

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 12 that he instructed Ukraine's negotiating team to finalize a security guarantees document with the U.S. and submit it for review "at the highest level." In his evening address, Zelensky added that Ukraine "is coordinating meeting schedules with U.S. President (Donald) Trump's representatives — our documents are largely ready for signing." No further details were provided by the president. The directive comes amid growing indications that Washington
‘The situation now is the worst’ — Kyiv’s energy crisis deepens after Russia pounds power grid

‘The situation now is the worst’ — Kyiv’s energy crisis deepens after Russia pounds power grid

Latest: 70% of Kyiv without electricity after Russia hammers Ukraine once again with drones, cruise, ballistic missiles. As Kyiv faces prolonged blackouts and subzero temperatures, officials and energy experts warn that the city's infrastructure is nearing its limits. Although the number of buildings without heat has decreased since the Jan. 9 mass missile and drone attack, the broader impact of the crisis on daily life is only deepening. According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, about 800 re
Ukraine war latest: Khartiia Brigade raises flag over Kupiansk city council building, releases video
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Ukraine war latest: Khartiia Brigade raises flag over Kupiansk city council building, releases video

Hello, this is Asami Terajima reporting from Kyiv on day 1,419 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade on Jan. 12 said it had recaptured the city council building in Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, and flown the country's flag from its roof. A video accompanying the announcement on social media shows intense street fighting as the unit makes its way into the building. 0:00/1× "The Kupiansk operation proves that thanks to planning, training of comm
Project Nightfall — Everything we know about the UK's ballistic missile program for Ukraine

Project Nightfall — Everything we know about the UK's ballistic missile program for Ukraine

In what could be a huge boost for Ukraine's offensive capabilities, the U.K. announced on Jan. 11 it had launched Project Nightfall, a competition to rapidly develop new long-range ballistic missiles for Kyiv. Ukraine has repeatedly stressed the need to reinforce its ability to target Russian military sites and energy infrastructure with long-range weapons, aiming to increase the economic costs of Moscow's war while strengthening its own air defense network against Russian strikes on Ukraine's
‘They don’t know it’s war’ — How Ukraine's pets endure sirens and explosions

‘They don’t know it’s war’ — How Ukraine's pets endure sirens and explosions

One night in late November, there was a loud explosion. The sky flashed white. Yura didn’t know what the sound was. She only knew it meant death might be near. She ran. Yura — or Yurha, as her family calls her — is a 12-year-old shepherd dog. Her legs ached. She could barely hear anymore. But her body remembered what to do. She pushed through the 1-meter-long yard, past the fence she had never crossed before. In the dark, she looked like a wolf — large, black, moving fast despite her age. By
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits Russian drilling platforms in Caspian Sea, military reports
War

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits Russian drilling platforms in Caspian Sea, military reports

Key developments on Jan. 10-11: * Ukraine hits Russian drilling platforms in Caspian Sea, military reports * Ukraine brings US-made Tempest air defense system into combat, footage suggests * Russia seeks to set stage for new offensive, potentially threatening Sumy, Ukraine warns * Russia deploys new Geran-5 jet-powered drone against Ukraine, intel says * Ukraine's military confirms strike on oil depot in Russia's Volgograd Oblast Ukrainian forces struck three Russian drilling platforms be