Exclusives
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Ukraine cuts red tape for rooftop solar, but market barriers remain. A small step toward decentralization—bigger reforms still needed. |
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FT: Europe mobilizes intelligence agencies to fill gap left by Washington’s retreat. Macron: France now provides two-thirds of Ukraine's intelligence |
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Ex-Westinghouse CEO among global nuclear chiefs appointed to clean up Ukraine’s Energoatom (INFOGRAPHIC). New board tasked with auditing contracts and appointing management after $100 million Mindichgate scandal. |
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US returns seized tanker to Venezuela while Russia’s stays in custody. Both vessels were captured on 7 January. One country yielded to pressure. The other requires more. |
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France may give Ukraine all 26 Mirage 2000s—none have bombed Russians yet. Ukraine is getting more Mirage 2000s. Will it use the fighters offensively instead of defensively? |
Military
False reporting by Russian officers leaves assault groups trapped under Ukrainian fire – Atesh. Russian artillery units refuse to fire on coordinates marked as "already occupied" by Russian forces in Kupiansk.
Black Sea goes quiet: No Russian warships or subs spotted for over a week, Ukraine's Navy says. Navy says air threat remains high despite surface fleet absence.
Russia strips nuclear forces, Navy, and Air Force to fill infantry ranks. Analyst reports three consolidated regiments fighting as infantry, drawing on elite military branches.
Ukrainian forces destroy $100 million Russian radar system in Luhansk Oblast. Russian forces lost a Nebo-SVU radar station worth $100 million, several drone command facilities, and an ammunition depot in Ukrainian strikes on occupied territories.
Ukrainian officials report Russian Su-30 and Su-34 aircraft destroyed in single day. Russia has lost 435 aircraft since the start of its full-scale invasion, according to Ukraine's General Staff.
Russia controls most of Myrnohrad and moves its commanders into the city, Ukrainian marine officer says (MAPS). Ukrainian marines are repositioning to block Russian forces from expanding beyond the city they now largely control.
CSIS: Russia's losses in Ukraine exceed any state since WWII. What it gained for it is staggering.
Intelligence and technology
Ministry of Defense and SpaceX working to resolve Starlink use on Russian drones – Fedorov. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense contacted SpaceX within hours of detecting Russian drones with Starlink connectivity over Ukrainian cities and proposed specific measures to block unauthorized use, Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
Europe abandoned at least three projects that could track Russia's Oreshnik. Now it depends entirely on US for missile warnings. 1990s: France started Spirale. Never finished. 2019: EU launched TWISTER. Not operational. 2025: Germany's ERNST 12 U.
For first time in history, Ukrainian combat AI-robot takes captive three Russian soldiers (VIDEO). "This is what modern war looks like."
International
Lithuania protests after Belarusian smuggling balloons ground Vilnius Airport three times in one night. Largest incident this year strands 1,700 passengers. Incursions resume despite Lukashenka's pledge to US envoy.
France working on new EU sanctions against Russia after more strikes on civilians, Macron says. President condemns strike on passenger train in Kharkiv Oblast as "unacceptable."
Germany delivers first energy equipment from €120 million winter aid package to Ukraine. Equipment already operational, supplying heat and power to homes, hospitals, schools.
Poland delivers first generators to Kyiv as winter energy aid arrives from strategic reserves. This is part of a 400-unit commitment to help Ukraine's capital and surrounding communities weather energy shortages.
EU announces over $150 mn emergency aid package as Ukraine to face -24°C temperatures. "Russia is trying to freeze the Ukrainian people into submission. Europe will not allow this," EU Crisis Management Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said.
Merz tells Bundestag: Europe must become a power, not remain subordinate to US. Chancellor Friedrich Merz told parliament that Europeans must prepare for a "rough wind" in a world increasingly dominated by great power competition.
Latvia prepares plan to rip up roads and railways to Russia if military threat grows (MAP). The country's defense minister announced Latvia is working on a plan to dismantle transportation links at the eastern border if necessary.
Humanitarian and social impact
Blackout schedules restored in Kyiv, DTEK warns Russian strikes could end them again. After weeks of chaos, Kyiv residents can now check when power will return again.
Ukraine's new survival program: grants for generators and solar panels to power apartment blocks. 800 million hryvnias approved for first phase of SvitloDIM funding program covering Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast residents.
"People are freezing to death": EU Commissioner announces $58 million Naftogaz loan. The loan comes with a condition: the state company must reinvest an equivalent sum in renewable energy and decarbonization projects.
Ukraine receives 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers in first repatriation of 2026. This is the first such return in 2026 following the transfer of 1,003 remains on 19 December 2025.
Political and legal developments
German Chancellor called Ukraine's accession to the EU in 2027 impossible. Ukraine will need to complete the multi-year Copenhagen criteria process before joining the European Union, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
Rubio says Donetsk territorial dispute remains key obstacle in Ukraine peace talks. The status of Ukraine's Donetsk region—where Russia demands Kyiv surrender 5,000 square kilometers it still controls—remains the central unresolved issue in US-mediated peace negotiations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators.
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