Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard called on the EU to increase economic pressure on Russia. She proposed including in the 20th sanctions package a ban on maritime services for vessels transporting Russian energy resources, and strengthening restrictions on the export of Russian fertilizers.
The Cabinet of Ministers plans to introduce additional payments for energy workers of repair crews who go to the sites of attacks in freezing weather. This applies to specialists who restore the supply of heat, electricity, water, and gas.
President Zelenskyy warned about Russia's preparation for a massive attack with missiles and drones. The enemy plans to use the cold snap for maximum damage.
Two Chinese supertankers, en route to Venezuela to load oil, have changed course and are returning to Asia. This occurred amid the ongoing oil embargo imposed by the US against Venezuela.
The Verkhovna Rada is not planning to appoint Denys Maslov as the head of the Ministry of Justice. The official reason is the lack of a replacement for the position of committee head.
In Oryol, Russia, a fire broke out at a thermal power plant as a result of an attack. This is the second attack on the Oryol TPP, the first took place on January 8-9.
For the first time in Ukraine, a winner has been selected for the tender to develop the "Dobra site" lithium deposit in the Kirovohrad region under a production sharing agreement mechanism. The winner is Dobra Lithium Holdings JV, LLC, which will attract at least $179 million in investments.
Specialists from the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the State Enterprise "National Information Systems" have restored the operation of state registries. This occurred after temporary access restrictions due to power outages at the data center.
Kyiv residents report the closure of large supermarkets, such as "Silpo", "Aurora", "ATB", due to prolonged power outages. The "Aurora", NOVUS, and "Fozzy Group" chains confirm temporary difficulties, while "ATB-Market" refutes information about mass closures.
Norway will allocate a $400 million aid package to Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, "this is very important and will truly support our people."
On January 13, hourly outage schedules and power restrictions for industrial consumers will be in effect throughout Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
In Kyiv, most buildings already have heating, but almost 800 high-rise buildings are still without heat supply. This applies to the Pecherskyi, Holosiivskyi, and Solomianskyi districts.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia is using Oreshnik missiles against Ukraine, particularly Lviv, to intimidate and deter support. He emphasized that NATO will not succumb to intimidation, and Ukraine's security is the Alliance's security.
On the Left Bank and in the Dnipro district of the city of Dnipro, power is being restored after recent Russian shelling. More than 18,000 families remain without electricity due to significant damage.
At the beginning of the year, the hryvnia began to weaken against the dollar and euro due to seasonal factors and the influence of external financing. A fintech expert predicts a gradual weakening of the hryvnia without sharp collapses.
In December 2025, Russian oil companies sharply reduced crude oil production. This happened against the backdrop of increased Western sanctions pressure and falling world prices.
Part of the shadow fleet has begun to massively change flags to Russian ones. The American military continues to seize tankers, despite attempts to circumvent the blockade.
Due to power outages at one of the data centers, access to some Ministry of Justice registries has been temporarily disrupted. Restoration work is already underway.
Pneumatic frame modules have been deployed and generators installed for emergency power in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.
Part of the Kyiv region, following the capital, is switching to emergency power outages. This is due to serious damage to the energy system after shelling and low temperatures.
Serhiy Kovalenko, head of YASNO, announced that Kyiv is fully switching to emergency power outages. The city's infrastructure cannot withstand the current load.
Goldman Sachs forecasts a gradual decline in oil prices in 2026 due to rising supply. The bank expects prices to reach lows of $54/$50 per barrel for Brent/WTI in Q4.
Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council, reported a drone attack on the city. The enemy is attacking infrastructure facilities, explosions were heard.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that the EU and India could sign a free trade agreement by the end of January after meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The presidents of the European Commission and the European Council will visit India to sign the agreement if it is finally agreed upon.
The most difficult energy situation is observed in certain areas of Kyiv and on the left bank of Kyiv region. Restoration work is also underway in Odesa, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions after night shelling.
Finnish authorities have lifted the arrest of the vessel Fitburg, which was detained on suspicion of sabotaging the Helsinki-Estonia telecommunications cable. Police have completed their work on board, but some crew members are prohibited from leaving Finland.
US President Donald Trump said he could block ExxonMobil's investments in Venezuela after the company's CEO called the country "unsuitable for investment. " Trump noted that his administration would decide which companies would be allowed to operate in the country.
Due to a new Russian attack, power outages affected 7 regions of Ukraine. Emergency blackouts are in effect in Kyiv and 4 oblasts, and bad weather has caused power disruptions in 4 oblasts.
In Odesa region, 33. 5 thousand families remain without electricity due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. DTEK energy workers are operating in an enhanced mode to restore damaged equipment.
On the night of January 12, drones attacked the Novocherkassk GRES in Russia's Rostov region. This facility, one of the most powerful in southern Russia, had been hit before.
