Lilia Podolyak
Russian attacks on the Donetsk region this week killed 8 civilians and injured 33, including 5 children. 21 children still need to be evacuated from the frontline areas.
A 66-year-old Ukrainian pensioner was detained at Munich airport with €455,000 in cash hidden in his luggage. The money was confiscated by authorities investigating possible money laundering.
Russia is recruiting Belarusian youth to its military universities, holding "open days" in Belarus to offer training at Russian higher military educational institutions. Russia is facing a shortage of junior officers due to heavy losses in the war against Ukraine.
Russian drones attacked Zaporizhzhia, damaging an infrastructure facility. Ukrainian defense forces reportedly shot down some of them.
On January 26, Russian troops shelled 15 settlements in Kharkiv region with artillery and mortars, wounding a Ukrainian policeman. The shelling damaged houses and buildings in several districts. Ukrainian troops repelled 13 Russian attacks near Tabayivka.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian troops conducted 86 attacks on 19 localities in the Zaporizhzhya region of Ukraine, destroying 7 residential buildings, but there were no casualties.
The Southern Defense Forces reported that Russia has increased its naval presence in the Black Sea to 7 ships, including 4 missile carriers capable of launching up to 22 Kalibr missiles. They warn that the level of missile threat is now extremely high.
Russian forces launched an Iskander missile at civilian infrastructure in Sloviansk, Ukraine, on January 27. The missile hit and nearly destroyed a ceramic workshop. Nearby residential buildings and a kindergarten were damaged, but no casualties were reported.
Russian troops fired 85 shells and 340 mortar shells at Kherson region on March 6, hitting residential areas and an educational institution, wounding at least one person. The shelling targeted both the city of Kherson and other localities in the region.
According to officials, Washington is developing a new strategy for Ukraine that focuses on helping to repel Russian offensives rather than regaining lost territory. The long-term plan aims to provide support despite funding difficulties, although it does not include Ukraine's attempts to regain control of lost territory.
Ukraine's Air Force confirmed that four Iranian Shahed drones launched by Russia were shot down in Kirovohrad region on January 27. Russia also fired an Iskander missile from Russian territory at Donetsk region, but there were no casualties.
Since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops have lost approximately 381,370 personnel and 6271 tanks.
The Ukrainian Air Force shot down all 4 Iranian Shahid drones that Russia used in its attempts to strike Ukraine on March 7, according to the General Staff of Ukraine. The report does not specify where in Ukraine the drones were intercepted.
Russian forces shelled the Ukrainian cities of Nikopol and Marhanets with heavy artillery on the night of January 27. No casualties were reported, but damage is still being assessed.
China and North Korea have agreed to strengthen tactical cooperation and protect common interests during a meeting between Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Song Hui. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which they plan to use to deepen friendship and cooperation.
Russian troops struck civilian infrastructure in Sloviansk with an Iskander ballistic missile on January 27. This was reported by the General Staff of Ukraine. The day before, Russia also launched an air strike using 4 Shahid attack drones, which, according to the General Staff, were shot down by Ukrainian air defense.
The General Staff of Ukraine reported 98 combat engagements along the frontline over the past day. Ukrainian troops repelled attacks in various parts of the frontline, while the enemy continues to advance despite significant losses.
The US military launched an air strike on Yemen on January 27, targeting a Houthi anti-ship missile that was ready to launch and posed a threat to commercial vessels and US Navy ships in the Red Sea region.
Several UNRWA staff members are under investigation on suspicion of involvement in the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel. This forced the UN Agency to immediately terminate their contracts and launch an investigation to establish the facts and bring those responsible to justice.
The US State Department has authorized a potential $23 billion sale of 40 new F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits for Turkey's existing F-16 fleet. This happened shortly after Turkey ratified Sweden's accession to NATO. At the same time, Greece will receive 40 F-35 fighter jets in order to balance relations between the two NATO allies.
The EU condemned the US for the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith in Alabama using nitrogen gas. The EU opposes the death penalty in all cases as a violation of the right to life and human dignity.
Ukrainian Special Forces destroyed a Russian BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle and a communication antenna in Kherson region using unmanned aerial vehicles. The BMP-2 was firing at Ukrainian positions on the right bank of the region. Special forces also shot down a Russian flag flying on the antenna.
Denmark will allocate $8. 75 million to support Ukraine's anti-corruption efforts as part of the EU's Anti-Corruption Initiative in Ukraine. This was announced by the Danish Foreign Minister during his visit to Ukraine.
NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered the remains of ancient lakes in Mars' Jerez Crater, confirming previous theories that the area was once filled with water and could support microbial life. The rover used ground-penetrating radar to detect sedimentary lake deposits underground.
The number of road accidents in Ukraine increased by 25% in 2023 compared to 2022. This year, more than 3,000 people died in accidents, with speeding causing more than half of the fatal accidents.
Two teenagers were killed in a shooting in downtown Chicago. Unknown gunmen opened fire on a group of six students leaving school, fatally wounding two boys aged 16 and 17.
The World Health Organization has prepared guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence technologies in healthcare. These technologies have the potential to improve healthcare, but also carry risks if poor quality or biased data is used for training.
Colombia recalled its ambassador from Argentina after Argentine President Javier Milei made disrespectful comments calling Colombian President Gustavo Petro a "communist murderer," which led to a deterioration in relations between the two countries.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin plans to return to the Pentagon on January 30 after being absent due to treatment for prostate cancer. Austin, 70, has not publicly discussed his health problems.
Biden is ready to take tough measures to prevent illegal migration if approved by Congress. He called on Congress to pass a bipartisan bill to address the border crisis if they are serious about it, and he will sign it.