General Staff: Russia has lost 835,940 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,270 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine
Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa named transitional president
Ahmad al-Sharaa, the leader of the main rebel group who led the overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, has been named Syria's transitional president, the country's military command announced on Jan. 29.
Rescue operations end in Sumy with 9 killed, 13 injured after Russian drone attack on residential building
A Shahed-type attack drone hit a multistory building in Sumy shortly after midnight local time, Governor Volodymyr Artiukh said.
NATO on track to send Kyiv over $40 billion in 2025
"Allies are on track to deliver on the pledge made at the Washington summit," a NATO press statement said following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on Jan. 29.
Zelensky looks to domestic, EU funders for key projects amid US aid freeze
Following an initial report into U.S.-funded projects affected by the freeze, Zelensky said the government was prioritizing the energy sector, military veterans, and border crossings.
Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian drones hit Lukoil oil refinery, missile arsenal in Russia, sources claim
Key developments on Jan. 29: * Ukrainian drones hit Russian missile arsenal, oil pumping station in Tver Oblast, SBU source claims * '4 out of 4' — Russian Lukoil oil refinery struck by multiple Ukrainian drones, military intelligence source claims * Russian assault intensity declines, focuses on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports * Australian POW
Slovakia summons Ukrainian ambassador over Zelensky's criticism of Russian gas purchases
According to the statement, the Slovak ministry delivered the Ukrainian ambassador "a strong protest" against statements by the Ukrainian side.
Nearly 100 companies in Ukraine quietly change Russian ownership in 6 months, monitoring service reports
Within the last six months, 93 companies in Ukraine have removed signs of Russian ownership and continue to do business in the country, despite a moratorium on altering the registration of companies with Russian owners, the monitoring service Opendatabot reported.
Ukrainian lawmakers seek to temporarily replace USAID with European funding
The pause in U.S. funding could last for three to six months, according to the Ukrainian parliament's humanitarian and information policy committee.
Finland, Ukraine develop warfare drone, media reports
The Finnish company Insta describes the system as a combination of an "explosive charge and a drone." The drone can be used to transport an explosive charge that can detonate above a target.
Ukrainian drones hit Russian missile arsenal, oil pumping station in Tver Oblast, SBU source claims
Drones operated by the SBU and the Special Operations Forces attacked the oil pumping station, which is part of the Baltic Pipeline System-2 operated by Russian state-owned oil pipeline company Transneft.
Russia's 25% military budget hike demands stronger sanctions, more Ukraine aid, PM Shmyhal says
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said "peace through strength" must guide the response to Russian aggression.
Russian assault intensity declines, focus on Pokrovsk sector, monitoring group reports
Despite suffering heavy losses, Russian forces have reportedly been able to replenish their combat strength.
Slavoj Zizek: Leftists falsify the choice that Ukrainians face during wartime
In times of war, the fundamental questions of survival, morality, and identity not only dominate the discourse but also expose the fissures in global political ideologies. Amid the clamor of media narratives and entrenched partisan frameworks, a few voices manage to rise above the fray, offering incisive critiques and grappling
Australian POW feared executed by Russia is alive, Penny Wong says
Oscar Jenkins went missing on Dec. 16 in 2024 while on a combat mission near the village of Mykolaivka in Luhansk Oblast.
Zelensky orders report on Ukrainian programs affected by Trump's foreign aid freeze
U.S. President Donald Trump suspended all foreign aid programs for 90 days in an executive order signed on his day of inauguration.
'4 out of 4' — Russian Lukoil oil refinery struck by multiple Ukrainian drones, military intelligence source claims
According to a military intelligence source, the Lukoil oil depot in the city of Kstovo was targeted by four drones, all of which struck their target and caused "significant damage."
General Staff: Russia has lost 834,670 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,670 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
2 killed in Mykolaiv amid Russian missile attack
Two people were killed in the city of Mykolaiv amid a Russian missile strike, regional governor Vitalii Kim reported on Jan. 28.
Drone strikes target multiple Russian regions, hit oil refinery in Nizhny Novgorod
Drone strikes were reported across several Russian regions, including the Nizhny Novgorod, Smolensk, Tver, and Bryansk regions, causing fires and prompting air defense responses.
Mayor in Ukraine's Lviv Oblast fined for disrupting mobilization activities
Taras Kuchma, the mayor of Drohobych in Lviv Oblast, has been fined for interfering with mobilization efforts, Ukrainian media outlet Zaxid.net reported on Jan. 28.
US transfers 90 Patriot missiles from Israel to Ukraine, Axios reports
In preparation for the transfer, U.S. Air Force cargo planes recently transported the interceptors from an air base in southern Israel to Rzeszów, Poland, a key logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine.
Trump’s foreign aid freeze stranded independent media in Ukraine. Here's how you can help
Editor's Note: After this op-ed was published, the Kyiv Independent launched a fundraiser to save three Ukrainian newsrooms that suffered from the aid freeze. It probably made sense on paper. In his first week in office, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a 90–day freeze on U.S. foreign
'Putin afraid of negotiations' — Zelensky hits back after Kremlin leader labels him 'illegitimate'
"Today, Putin once again proved that he is afraid of negotiations, afraid of strong leaders, and is doing everything possible to drag out the war. Every step he takes, every cynical maneuver, is aimed at making this war endless," Zelensky said on Jan. 28.
Defense Minister Umerov under investigation for possible abuse of power, office position, media reports
Proceedings against Rustem Umerov opened at the request of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, NABU said.
Ukraine war latest: Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal
Key developments on Jan. 28: * Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal * 'Pure propaganda' — Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna * Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025 * SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets * Government dismisses
Putin claims Zelensky doesn't have a right to sign any potential peace deal
"Negotiations can be held with anyone," Putin said. "But due to his illegitimacy he has no right to sign anything. If (Zelensky) wants to take part in talks, I will delegate people who will conduct such talks. But the (key) issue is the ultimate signing of the documents."
Trump's stance on Ukraine, Russia — what we know from his first week in office
For those with a vested interest in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump's first week in office was a bit of a rollercoaster. His inauguration speech on Jan. 21 made no explicit mention of Ukraine or Russia's full-scale invasion, prompting some to question if either was anywhere near a priority
Italian parliament extends military support for Ukraine through 2025
Earlier, the Italian Senate approved the measure with 192 votes in favor and 41 against.
SBU says it dismantled Russian spy network targeting F-16 jets
The operation, conducted near a military airfield, led to the arrest of two agents who were caught photographing a Ukrainian F-16 fighter jet during takeoff.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 11
Editor’s note: This is issue 11 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from Jan. 13–19, 2025. This newsletter was until recently titled “Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial
'Pure propaganda' — Kharkiv Oblast governor denies Russian claims of capturing Dvorichna
Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov on Jan. 28 refuted the Russian Defense Ministry's claims that Russian forces had captured the village of Dvorichna in the Kupiansk district, emphasizing that fighting in the area is ongoing, Ukrinform reported.
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