Ukraine war latest: 70 Russian soldiers 'destroyed' during assault near Kharkiv, Khartiia claims in new video
This is Chris York reporting from Kyiv on day 1,422 of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Today's top story:
A large group of Russian soldiers crossing snowy ground north of Kharkiv was obliterated by drones, artillery and infantry, Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade said on Jan. 15, killing around 70 of them.
The Khartiia Brigade repelled an attempted assault by the Russian Federation and "destroyed" about 70 Russian occupiers," the unit said in a post on YouTube.
"For a week, Russian occupation forces attempted to storm the area of responsibility of the 13th Brigade of the NGU Khartiia north of Kharkiv. Thanks to the coordinated interaction of the Khartiia members — infantrymen, UAV operators, artillerymen and other units — the attempt was unsuccessful," it added.
A video accompanying the post shows numerous Russian soldiers being targeted by drones and artillery.
300 apartment buildings in Kyiv remain without heating, Klitschko
Last updated 8:49 p.m. Kyiv time.
As of Jan. 15, about 300 apartment buildings in Kyiv remain without heat, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. The outages follow a Russian missile strike on Jan. 9 that initially left more than 6,000 buildings without heat.
Klitschko said utility crews are working around the clock to restore services. However, Kyiv remains under emergency blackout schedules, and regular hourly power outage timetables are no longer in effect.
The city has been powering critical infrastructure with large generators and deployed mobile boiler stations. Some large residential buildings that have been without heat and electricity for six days are being connected to temporary power sources.
To support residents, over 1,200 heating points have been set up across the capital.
"We are doing everything we can under these conditions. But the situation remains extremely difficult, both in terms of energy and the weather," Klitschko said.
Grey zone expands near Ukraine's border in Sumy Oblast, DeepState reported
Last updated 6:40 p.m. Kyiv time.
The gray zone has significantly expanded near the village of Komarivka in Sumy Oblast, close to the State Border of Ukraine, the Ukrainian open-source intelligence project DeepState reported in its latest update on Jan. 15.
"The enemy has recently increased its activity along the State Border of Ukraine, taking advantage of opportunities to infiltrate border villages, attempting to entrench themselves and destabilize the situation," DeepState wrote on Telegram.
According to the report, Russian forces are probing for weaknesses with the intent to establish a foothold and spread instability in the region.
"The enemy is testing the ground and attempting to entrench themselves in locations like Komarivka and Hrabovske. These incursions are aimed at expanding zones of influence and operational control," DeepState said.
Ukraine's Defense Forces are actively responding to these movements by targeting Russian infantry as they attempt to consolidate positions. However, full neutralization is reportedly not always possible.
The situation along the State Border of Ukraine remains dynamic, and DeepState emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring.
"There are more such zones emerging. In many cases, the enemy is eliminated at the very start of their attempt to advance, which often makes mapping unnecessary. But when these incursions become repeated, and the enemy manages to hold territory, we mark these developments on the map accordingly," DeepState noted.
Russia launches missile strike on port infrastructure in Chornomorsk
Last updated 5:21 p.m. Kyiv time.
A Russian ballistic missile struck port infrastructure in the southern Ukrainian city of Chornomorsk, targeting civilian cargo under the flag of Malta, Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, wrote on Facebook on Jan. 15.
Kuleba stated that one crew member was injured and is currently receiving necessary medical assistance following the attack.
"The ship was getting ready for a container shipment," he wrote.
The strike caused damage to three containers and resulted in an oil spill. Emergency teams have deployed a containment boom to localize the pollution and minimize environmental impact.
"This is yet another act of Russian terror against civilian port infrastructure, international trade, and maritime safety," Kuleba said.
The incident comes amid ongoing attacks on Ukraine's ports, which play a vital role in maintaining grain and goods exports under international agreements.
Kyiv energy crisis 'extremely serious,' as SBU presents evidence of Russian 'crimes against humanity'
Last updated 2:58 p.m. Kyiv time.
The ongoing energy crisis in Kyiv remains "extremely serious," officials said on Jan. 15, as Ukraine's Security Service said Russia's ongoing strikes against energy infrastructure amount to "crimes against humanity."
Air raid sirens in the capital sounded regularly over the last 24 hours as Russia launched at least 82 Shahed-type drones across the country, according to Ukraine's Air Force.
Some of the drones — including more advanced rocket-powered versions — targeted a thermal power plant in Kyiv, local monitoring telegram channels said.
Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, Ukraine's biggest private energy firm, wrote on X on Jan. 15 that Ukraine's energy sector is facing an "extremely serious situation" due to "unprecedented attacks by Russia and extreme cold across the country."
The temperature in Kyiv at 3p.m. local time was -11 degrees celsius (12 degrees Fahrenheit).
Russia has pounded Kyiv and the country with missiles and drones over the last few days, leaving around 70% of the capital without power on Jan. 13. While energy workers repair the damage, the icy temperatures are making it difficult, and replacement equipment is running out.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Jan. 14 declared a state of emergency in the energy sector, with particular attention on Kyiv, which is reeling from Russian attacks that have left residents without power, heating, or water in subzero temperatures.
2 killed, 20 injured including 4 children in Russian overnight attacks on Ukraine
At least two people died and 20 others were injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over the past day, local authorities said on Jan. 15.
Russia launched 82 Shahed-type drones overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force said. Ukraine’s air defenses said they shot down or suppressed 61 drones.
The Air Force added that 21 drones hit 13 locations.
In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured five people over the past day, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian attacks killed one person over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
In Kharkiv Oblast, one person was injured in Russian attacks, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
In Sumy Oblast, seven people including four children were injured by Russian drone strikes, regional authorities reported.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian attacks killed one person and injured six others over the past day, Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
In Chernihiv Oblast, one person was injured in a Russian drone strike, Governor Viacheslav Chaus reported.
General Staff: Russia has lost 1,223,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
Russia has lost around 1,223,090 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. 14.
The number includes 1,150 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
According to the report, Russia has also lost 11,557 tanks, 23,904 armored fighting vehicles, 74,306 vehicles and fuel tanks, 36,182 artillery systems, 1,611 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,277 air defense systems, 434 airplanes, 347 helicopters, 107,357 drones, 28 ships and boats, and two submarines.
