Exclusives
 |
Russia blew up a fake F-16. A Russian drone just took out a fake Ukrainian F-16. Kyiv might need a lot of more of these decoys. |
 |
Ukraine cuts rates for the first time since invasion—now lower than Russia’s (INFOGRAPHIC). First easing in almost four years comes as inflation falls and workers don’t return. |
 |
Ukraine cuts red tape for rooftop solar, but market barriers remain. A small step toward decentralization—bigger reforms still needed. |
Military
Russia's advance in Ukraine is the slowest of any major army in a century, analysis shows. Chasiv Yar offensive gains 10 km in two years - city still not captured.
Border guard drones destroy camouflaged Chinese Type-63 rocket system in southern Ukraine.
Ukraine intercepts 80 of 111 Russian drones in overnight attack; Iskander missile strikes recorded.
Glide bombs are main threat near Lyman, while ambush drones "significantly changed battlefield picture," brigade officer says (VIDEO, MAP). Russian infantry attacks have become easier to repel with artillery and mortars, but bomb strikes are causing the heaviest damage to defensive positions, he says.
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.
Intelligence and technology
Ukraine foils alleged FSB assassination plot targeting soldiers and their families in Odesa. Three suspects were detained while carrying homemade bombs en route to the residences of Ukrainian service members, according to the SBU security service.
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.
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.
International
Belgium cancels Russian documentary screening in Brussels. Ukrainian diplomatic pressure has led Belgium to cancel a 31 Jan. screening of Carnets de Russie, a documentary that reportedly distorts reality to justify Russian aggression and conceal war crimes.
German Bundestag calls for strengthening Ukraine support "where necessary". The Bundesrat has committed Germany's federal, state, and municipal governments to a coordinated effort in supporting Ukraine, with the upper house resolution stating that assistance must be "continued and, where necessary, intensified."
US signs three-year deal for Ukrainian F-16 maintenance in Belgium. A $235.5 million sole-source contract will fund intermediate and depot-level maintenance for Ukraine's F-16 fleet in Belgium over the next three years.
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.
"People are freezing to death": EU Commissioner announces $58 million Naftogaz loan. The $58 million loan to Naftogaz from the European Commission comes with a condition: the state company must reinvest an equivalent sum in renewable energy and decarbonization projects, according to the EC press service.
Humanitarian and social impact
Kyiv reconnects 150 buildings to heating grid as 378 remain in cold. Nearly 400 apartment buildings in Kyiv remain without heating as of 30 Jan., down from 454 the previous evening, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.
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.
72% of Ukrainians hold negative views of Trump, Rating Group survey finds. Ukrainians view US President Donald Trump more favorably than Russian President Vladimir Putin but far less favorably than they might hope.
Political and legal developments
Lithuania urges ICC to treat Russia's energy attacks as genocide: "Cannot be classified in any other way". Current ICC warrants do not fully reflect scope of Russia's crimes, Vilnius says, citing systematic attacks meant to leave Ukrainians without power, heat, and water.
Estonia and Lithuania support ban on entry to Schengen area for Russians who fought against Ukraine. Foreign ministers from Estonia and Lithuania have expressed mutual support for a proposal to prohibit Russian citizens who served in the war against Ukraine from entering the Schengen zone, with both countries citing long-term security threats including potential use in sabotage and organized crime.
"No direct deals with Russia": Zelenskyy says energy truce depends on Moscow's response. "There was no direct dialogue, no direct agreements on this between us and Russia," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists when asked about a proposed pause in energy infrastructure strikes.
Zelenskyy: Ukraine will complete EU negotiation clusters by end of 2026 despite Hungarian blockade. Ukraine will be ready to join the European Union by 2027 after completing all negotiation clusters on legislative alignment by the end of 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Read our previous daily review here.
