Ukraine war latest: Russian drones attack Dnipro, damage US-owned sunflower oil plant, major spill reported
Hello, this is Kateryna Hodunova reporting from Kyiv on day 1,412 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story:
An oil extraction plant in Dnipro was damaged in a Russian drone strike on Jan. 5, spilling about 300 tons of sunflower oil onto city streets, Mayor Borys Filatov said.
The spill forced the closure of the city's embankment to traffic for two to three days, Filatov said.
The facility reportedly belongs to Bunge, a U.S. agribusiness company based in St. Louis, Missouri, according to Filatov.
The mayor did not specify what the enterprise produced, but said it was a "civilian site."
"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is targeting American business — striking U.S. investments in Ukraine and humiliating American interests," Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, told the Kyiv Independent following the attack.
"This must stop. Washington must act to defend American business."
Bunge told the Kyiv Independent that the damage to part of its facility in Dnipro is still being assessed and that the company is working with local authorities to mitigate the impact.
"We can confirm that there were no injuries at the facility, and our immediate focus is on the safety of the people at the site and restoring operations," the spokesperson told the Kyiv Independent, adding that the company currently has no additional details on the consequences of the attack.
In a statement to social media, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the strike, adding that "Russia has been targeting American businesses in Ukraine systemically."
"This attack was not a mistake—it was deliberate, as the Russians attempted to strike this facility multiple times," Sybhiha said. "Putin's attacks on American businesses and American interests in Ukraine show his complete disregard for peace efforts led by (U.S.) President Donald Trump."
"Moscow's refusal to reciprocate Ukraine's constructive steps toward peace must come at a cost and the Kremlin must feel that this cost is serious," Sybiha added, noting that approximately half of "US Chamber members in Ukraine saw damage or destruction to their facilities on various scales."
The damaged facility is reportedly an oil plant related to Oleina, one of Ukraine's largest brands of bottled sunflower oil. The plant specializes in processing, refining, and bottling sunflower oil, according to the Ukrainian media outlet Liga.net.
The attack also damaged a car and a power line, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Vladyslav Haivanenko said.
Local authorities reported no civilian casualties at the time of publication.
Dominic Culverwell contributed to this report.
Kyiv police detain woman suspected of planting explosive under National Guard soldier's car
Last updated 8:47 p.m. Kyiv time.
Kyiv police and the Security Service of Ukraine detained a 24-year-old woman suspected of blowing up a car belonging to a Ukrainian National Guard soldier, local authorities said on Jan. 5.
The explosion occurred on Jan. 4 in Kyiv's northern Obolon district around 10:30 a.m., according to a Kyiv Independent reporter on the ground.
A 30-year-old soldier, who was opening the trunk at the time of the explosion, suffered mine-blast trauma and shrapnel wounds to his leg. A nearby woman sustained injuries to her right hand and bruises to her face, the city's prosecutor's office said.
The attack has been classified as a terrorist act, and she faces up to 10 years in prison, the statement read.
A court has ordered the suspect held without bail for 60 days.
The woman allegedly carried out the attack on instructions of Russian special services after being recruited on social media.
The suspect reportedly made a homemade explosive device and placed it under the soldier's Land Rover. Russian operatives promised to pay the Kyiv resident, who lives in the Obolon district, $1,500 for carrying out the attack, the police said.
The detainee may also be connected to the December arson of a military vehicle, according to the police.
Zelensky says Russia lost 90,000 troops over 3 months as Fedorov readies Defense Ministry overhaul
Last updated 8:34 p.m. Kyiv time.
The Ukrainian army has eliminated more than 90,000 Russian troops over the past three months, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Jan. 5 after meeting with Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who is expected to lead the Defense Ministry soon.
The news follows Zelensky's Jan. 2 nomination of Fedorov, Ukraine's deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation, to head the Defense Ministry. The appointment must also be approved by parliament under Ukraine's constitution.
Fedorov has led the Ministry of Digital Transformation since 2019 and is the only minister whose post has remained unchanged during Zelensky’s presidency.
Zelensky and Fedorov discussed the changes the minister will potentially implement in his new role. Fedorov is expected to present draft decisions within a week aimed at strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities, according to Zelensky's statement.
"Of course, Ukraine is fully committed to diplomacy and wants to end this war as soon as possible. But Russia is not demonstrating a similar approach and is prolonging its aggression," Zelensky said.
"We will counter this through greater technological advancement and transformation of the defense sector," the president added.
The Ukrainian army, aided in part by "technological solutions," eliminated 35,000 Russian troops in December, 30,000 in November, and 26,000 in October, according to the data verified by available video footage from the front line, Zelensky said.
"It is clear that the (Ukrainian) technologies are working effectively," Zelensky said. "There is a clear increase in the supply of drones to the troops."
"We are preparing our new special formats to strengthen the drone component of our defense," he added.
Ukrainian forces repel Russian assaults north of Pokrovsk as situation in Myrnohrad remains difficult, military says
Last updated 6:40 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukrainian troops have been repelling repeated Russian assaults near the village of Hryshyne over the past two days, while the situation in the town of Myrnohrad remains difficult in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps said on Jan. 5.
The Russian army "has increased pressure" in the Pokrovsk area, which includes the cities of Pokrovsk, Dobropillia, Myrnohrad, Novohrodivka, and Selydove, since the beginning of 2026, the statement read.
Russian forces are attempting to bypass the area primarily at night to minimize their losses, advancing via the settlements of Hryshyne and Rodynske, according to the 7th Rapid Response Corps.
Hryshyne lies northwest of Pokrovsk, while Rodynske is to the north. Both settlements are less than 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the embattled city.
Ukrainian forces killed over 30 Russian soldiers and destroyed up to 10 pieces of equipment in the area over the past two days, the corps said.
Ukrainian forces are also observing small Russian groups of six to eight soldiers attempting to operate north of Pokrovsk.
The situation in Myrnohrad, a satellite town of Pokrovsk, remains difficult, according to the statement.
The 7th Rapid Response Corps, in conjunction with the 14th Operational Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard, is concentrating on securing the northern part of the city, containing Russian forces in central areas, and preventing them from bringing in equipment from the south.
Russian troops are attempting to gain a foothold on Myrnohrad's eastern outskirts, but Ukrainian forces "remain in control of the situation," the corps said.
5 Russian missile strikes injure man, cause 'very significant damage' to Kharkiv energy infrastructure, mayor says
Last updated 3:45 p.m. Kyiv time.
Russia launched five missile strikes on Kharkiv on Jan. 5, injuring a 58-year-old man and causing "very significant damage" to the city's energy infrastructure, local authorities said.
The injured man, an employee of a company near the strike site, was hospitalized, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov and the Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office.
The first strike occurred at 12:45 p.m. local time, followed by four more at intervals of several minutes.
The first two strikes hit an industrial area in the Slobidskyi district, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram. The mayor did not specify where the remaining strikes landed.
"The enemy deliberately launched five missile strikes on Kharkiv's energy infrastructure. The damage is very significant," Terekhov said.
The mayor added that while it is possible to strengthen the protection of facilities, "no concrete structures can withstand five ballistic missiles."
3 Russian drones attack humanitarian aid center in Kherson Oblast, killing 1, injuring 2
Last updated 3:04 p.m. Kyiv time.
Russia attacked a facility where local residents were receiving humanitarian aid with three drones, killing a 64-year-old man, and injuring a 79-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man in the Dariivka community in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Jan. 5.
Those injured suffered blast injuries and shrapnel wounds. The victims were taken to the hospital in moderate condition, Prokudin said.
Russian attempt to storm Kupiansk using gas pipeline 'thwarted,' 40 soldiers 'eliminated,' Ukraine's 7th Corps says
Last updated 2:34 p.m. Kyiv time.
Ukraine's 7th Rapid Response Corps said on Jan. 5 that it had thwarted Russia's latest attempt to launch an attack on the Kupiansk sector in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast by using the Soyuz ("union" in English) gas pipeline.
Russia attempted to use the pipeline for "a covert exit and further accumulation of forces" in the Kupiansk area, in an operation that involved around 50 people, according to the 7th Corps. It claimed it "eliminated" at least 40 of them.
Russia's recent pipeline operation had occurred north of Novoplatonivka, a village just five kilometers above the town of Borova, trying to move upward along the Oskil River in the direction of Kupiansk, the 7th Corps said.
While its latest pipeline operation failed to achieve its objectives, Russia continues to deploy its troops in small groups to infiltrate between positions, according to the 7th Corps.
The report comes as Russia tries to push across the front by launching heavy offensive operations on multiple axes, including in the Kupiansk sector, to recapture the city it lost to a 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Russian troops attempting to expand combat zone in Sumy, Kharkiv oblasts, Border Guard Service says
Last updated 2:13 p.m. Kyiv time.
Russian troops are trying to expand the combat zone near the state border area in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, Border Guard Service spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said on Jan. 5 on national television.
The most active fighting is in the Khotyn and Yunakivka communities in Sumy Oblast, as well as the Vovchansk sector of the front line and near the settlements of Dvorichanske and Sotnytskyi Kozachok in Kharkiv Oblast, Demchenko said.
Russian forces are also attempting to widen the combat zone near the Krasnopillia community and the border village of Hrabovske, Sumy Oblast, where fighting has continued for several weeks, Demchenko said.
In these areas, Russian forces are using small assault groups without heavy equipment, he said, adding: "But the enemy cannot achieve results or advance deeper into our country's territory. And at the same time, it is suffering heavy losses."
Ukraine's Security Service chief resigns under Zelensky pressure, to focus on operations against Russia
Last updated 1:36 p.m. Kyiv time.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Jan. 5 that Vasyl Maliuk will step down as head of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) but remain in the agency to focus on asymmetric operations against Russia.
Zelensky has also appointed Yevhenii Khmara, head of the Special Operations Center "A," as the acting head of the SBU.
"(Maliuk) knows how to do this best and will continue within the SBU system," Zelensky said. "Together, we discussed candidates for the new head of the SBU."
In a statement, Maliuk said he would stay in the service to carry out what he described as world‑class asymmetric operations aimed at inflicting "maximum damage" on Moscow.
Despite leading several of Ukraine's most consequential operations against Russia, Maliuk's tenure has been marked by controversy, particularly over his involvement in actions targeting anti-corruption bodies.
His departure follows days of speculation that Zelensky was preparing to dismiss him.
The move is one of several key dismissals and appointments Zelensky has announced in 2026, in a government reshuffle driven in part by Ukraine's recent corruption scandal.
Most of the officials who were dismissed from their posts were soon reappointed to positions of similar rank.
At least 4 killed, 15 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
At least four people have been killed and 15 others injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said on Jan. 5.
Russia launched nine Iskander-M ballistic missiles and S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, as well as 165 drones at Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 137 drones.
At least 26 drones made it through, striking 10 locations. The fall of debris was recorded at nine locations.
Russian forces attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure overnight on Jan. 5, causing power outages in Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv oblasts in the morning. The strike also left the city of Slavutych in Kyiv Oblast completely without electricity, Ukraine's state grid operator Ukrenergo said.
In Kyiv, Russian forces targeted a private hospital in the Obolonskyi district, killing a patient and injuring four others, Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said. Two victims are in serious condition, Klitschko added.
The Russian attack sparked a fire, forcing the transfer of 16 of the private hospital's 26 patients to public facilities. Firefighters extinguished the blaze by morning.
In Kyiv Oblast, a Russian attack also killed a man in the village of Kozhukhivka, the local military administration said.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 33 settlements, injuring three people over the past day, the local military administration said in its daily report at around 8 a.m. local time.
On the morning of Jan. 5, a Russian drone injured a 64-year-old man in the Beryslav district at 7:20 a.m. Russian forces shelled a hospital in Kherson at 11 a.m., injuring a 36-year-old woman and a 57-year-old medical worker.
In Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed and two others were injured in Russian strikes against the city of Kramatorsk, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a Russian drone attacked the regional center of Zaporizhzhia, killing a driver, according to the local military administration. Russian forces also targeted the Polohy district, injuring a 69-year-old woman.
In Sumy Oblast, a 54-year-old man suffered injuries in the Putyvl community due to a Russian drone strike, the local military administration said.
In Kharkiv Oblast, Russian forces attacked the village of Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, injuring a 67-year-old woman, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,212,520 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,212,520 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Jan. 5.
The number includes 990 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,507 tanks, 23,857 armored fighting vehicles, 72,945 vehicles and fuel tanks, 35,785 artillery systems, 1,592 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,268 air defense systems, 434 airplanes, 347 helicopters, 100,564 drones, 28 ships and boats, and two submarines.
