Energoatom
Nordic and Baltic countries condemned Russian energy terror against Ukraine, demanding an end to strikes on critical infrastructure. They emphasized that the destruction of the energy system violates international law and bears the hallmarks of war crimes.
Ukraine calls on the IAEA for Russia's complete isolation and suspension of its membership in the organization. Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of IAEA missions for conveying truthful information.
Russia's attacks on power substations in Ukraine threaten nuclear safety, ignoring IAEA warnings. This creates risks of power outages at Chornobyl and other nuclear power plants.
The Chornobyl NPP remains connected to Ukraine's Integrated Energy System. This happened despite the night attack on energy hubs on January 20.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine states that Russian attacks on energy infrastructure create risks for nuclear facilities. Ukraine calls on the IAEA to respond to Russia's actions, which uses nuclear risk as a tool of coercion.
Several Ukrainian power substations vital for nuclear safety have been damaged by extensive military activity. The Chornobyl NPP lost external power supply, and power lines to other NPPs were also affected.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has prepared for a massive strike and is awaiting the moment to launch it. He urged Ukrainians to be attentive to air raid alerts.
Denys Shmyhal and Rafael Grossi discussed an extraordinary IAEA meeting to assess the consequences of Russian attacks. The agency is preparing a report and methodology for assessing the impact on nuclear power plants.
Denys Shmyhal informed IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi about Russia's preparation of attacks on energy infrastructure serving nuclear power plants. The parties agreed to hear from the heads of nuclear power plants and IAEA missions, and also discussed an extraordinary meeting of the governing board.
Distorted information about a French TV channel's story discrediting the activities of Ukrainian intelligence is being spread on social media. This information has no objective basis and is a fake being spread by Kremlin bot farms.
Repair work has begun on the 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 backup power line near the Zaporizhzhia NPP. This became possible thanks to another ceasefire achieved through the mediation of the IAEA.
Foreign Minister Sybiha urged the IAEA and leading states to force Russia to abandon strikes on substations that power Ukrainian nuclear power plants. According to intelligence, Russia is planning dangerous strikes that will have catastrophic consequences.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is preparing strikes on Ukrainian energy and infrastructure, including nuclear power plant facilities. He emphasized that every strike on energy infrastructure in winter weakens the efforts of states to end the war.
The High Anti-Corruption Court set bail for Yulia Tymoshenko at UAH 33. 28 million. She is suspected of offering an improper benefit to MPs.
The Ministry of Veterans Affairs has launched an official investigation into information regarding the reservation of blogger Volodymyr Petrov at the National Military Memorial Cemetery. The head of the agency, Natalia Kalmykova, announced this during the question hour to the government in the Verkhovna Rada.
Russian occupation forces continue to use the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant as a military facility. They launch drones from the plant's territory and store weapons near the power units.
The Verkhovna Rada summoned Natalia Kalmykova, head of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, to report on the provision of fake exemptions from mobilization. This concerns, in particular, Serhiy Ivanov and Volodymyr Petrov, hosts of the YouTube channel "ISLND TV".
The Verkhovna Rada appointed Denys Shmyhal as First Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Energy on the second attempt. 248 people's deputies voted for this decision.
Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, envoys of Donald Trump, plan to visit Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. The purpose of the visit is to promote a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the third session of negotiations in two days with US representatives in France. The most difficult issues regarding ending the war will be discussed, including the Zaporizhzhia NPP and territories, as well as formats for leaders' meetings.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has amended the procedure for conducting electronic auctions, which will allow NEC "Ukrenergo" to buy electricity from NNEGC "Energoatom" at a forecasted price. This is aimed at reducing costs in the electricity transmission tariff for industry and curbing its growth.
Overnight, the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP lost power from one of its high-voltage lines as a result of hostilities. Russian shelling has repeatedly damaged the ZNPP's power lines, causing 12 blackouts at the plant.
Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on New Year's Eve, leading to power outages in the Volyn, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions. Power outage schedules are being applied in all regions to stabilize the energy system.
The Nomination Committee approved four independent members of the new supervisory board of NNEGC "Energoatom", including experts in nuclear safety, finance, and energy regulation. The selection of three state representatives to the supervisory board will be completed in January.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda stated that Russia's appetites in peace negotiations regarding Ukraine are too great, and the Kremlin's lack of reaction indicates Moscow's unwillingness to end the war. He noted that the United States has leverage, but Moscow's appetites are currently "exorbitant."
As a result of enemy shelling in Chernihiv region, more than 75,000 consumers are without electricity, and settlements in Kharkiv and Sumy regions are also de-energized. Due to large-scale destruction, there are no blackout schedules on the left bank of Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Odesa region.
Restoration work at the Zaporizhzhia NPP has been completed, and the external power transmission line has been connected to the power system. The IAEA confirmed stable radiation levels and safe operation of the plant.
Negotiations between Zelenskyy and Trump in Miami did not yield decisions on key issues such as territories and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, but Trump is ready to present security guarantees for Ukraine to Congress. This is the only serious breakthrough that could become an international treaty, not a political commitment.
President Zelenskyy stated that the 20-point plan is 90% complete, with two issues still remaining. These concern the functioning of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the issue of territory.
Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that a call between Kremlin head Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is expected "in the near future" following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Peskov also noted that the Kremlin agrees with Trump's assessment that peace in Ukraine has become significantly closer.