German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned of a humanitarian energy catastrophe in Ukraine due to Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure. He emphasized that Russia's actions bear the hallmarks of war crimes, and lasting peace is only possible with effective security guarantees for Ukraine.
Dniprovskyi, Desnianskyi, and Darnytskyi districts of Kyiv are returning to their power outage schedules. Emergency outages were introduced after the massive shelling of the capital on December 27.
US special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, depriving Vladimir Putin of an ally and strengthening US oil influence. Moscow views this as an attempt to control Venezuela's oil wealth and a possible sign of the Monroe Doctrine's revival.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia does not take diplomatic efforts seriously, striking civilian targets. Russia is prolonging the war, trying to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine.
On January 6, hourly power outage schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be in effect in all regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
Russia may lose access to Bolivian lithium due to a review of the terms of the agreement with Uranium One Group by the new Bolivian administration. The contract, signed on September 11, 2024, provides for the construction of a lithium carbonate production plant, but has not yet been ratified by parliament.
Vasyl Malyuk confirmed that he is stepping down as Head of the Security Service, but will remain in the SBU system to implement world-class asymmetric special operations. He thanked the President of Ukraine for supporting changes in the defense sector and expressed belief in a just peace.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported five targeted missile strikes on the city's energy infrastructure. Very significant damage has been recorded.
The head of a unit of KP "Kyivteplokomunenergo" has been served with a suspicion notice after a 16-year-old girl fell into an unfenced pit of boiling water. The victim sustained burns to 73% of her body and was transported to Germany for treatment.
Russian troops continue their attempts to advance across the Siversky Donets River, using small group tactics and trying to bypass the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The enemy seeks to control the coastal part of the Siversky Donets for the deployment of artillery and UAVs.
Russian occupiers are trying to accumulate forces in Kupyansk, using a gas pipeline for penetration. The Defense Forces of Ukraine control this route, preventing enemy attempts.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. predicts that the prospect of increased oil production in Venezuela following the US ouster of its leader could impact global oil prices. The recovery in production will be gradual due to infrastructure degradation, which increases the downside risks to the oil price forecast for 2027 and beyond.
In the city of Samara, Dnipropetrovsk region, water supply has been temporarily suspended due to an emergency rupture of the main D=500 mm water pipeline. Restoration is expected today, January 5, 2026, by 6:00 PM.
On December 4 and 5, Russian occupiers attacked Chernihiv and settlements in the Chernihiv region, using various types of weapons. As a result of the strikes, garages, educational institutions, private houses, enterprises, and critical infrastructure facilities were damaged.
As a result of Russia's night attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Slavutych was de-energized, as well as consumers in Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. An attack on a generating facility in Donetsk region was recorded, and power outage schedules are ongoing.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the need for assistance from partners after Russia's night attack on a hospital in Kyiv, which resulted in one death and damage to the inpatient facility. He emphasized that Ukraine needs air defense, funds for interceptor drones, and equipment for energy, and announced work with European and American partners.
Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez called on the US to cooperate after Donald Trump's warnings. Earlier, Rodriguez criticized the US operation and the capture of Nicolas Maduro, which provoked a harsh reaction from the American president.
World oil prices fell on January 5, despite geopolitical tensions following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The market remains stable due to an oversupply of global crude oil reserves.
Russia claims that Ukraine has been attacking Moscow daily with drones since the beginning of 2026, considering it an escalation. By January 4, 437 drones were allegedly shot down over Russia, including 57 over the Moscow region, causing flight delays at Moscow airports.
Russia continues to export LNG from the sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project in winter, using only one vessel. This highlights Moscow's critical dependence on its icebreaking fleet to circumvent Western restrictions.
The house at 630 Northstar Court in Colorado, designed by architect Charles Hertling in 1976, is for sale. The estate, spanning over 340 square meters and visually resembling a double tent, features five bedrooms and glass walls with panoramic views.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto nationalized over 4 million hectares of land, equivalent to the territory of Switzerland. This led to the state-owned company Agrinas Palma Nusantara becoming the largest player in the global palm oil market.
Following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro in early 2026, international creditors have intensified their struggle to recover Venezuela's $150-170 billion foreign debt. The main players are China, Russia, bondholders, and energy giants, while restructuring is complicated by US sanctions and a lack of cooperation with the IMF.
The Yemeni government, supported by Saudi Arabia, has regained control of the city of Mukalla and Hadramaut province. This happened after a series of Saudi coalition airstrikes on separatist positions.
On the night of January 5, Russian troops attacked Kharkiv, Poltava, and the energy infrastructure of the Kyiv region with drones. Slavutych Mayor Yuriy Fomichev confirmed strikes on the city's energy facilities; the extent of the damage is being assessed.
High-ranking Venezuelan officials declare unity and support for Nicolás Maduro after his capture by a US special unit. Maduro is being held in a New York detention center on charges of drug trafficking.
Finnish police are investigating damage to a telecommunications cable between Helsinki and Tallinn. The cargo ship Fitburg, en route from St. Petersburg, dragged its anchor along the seabed, severing the communication line.
Tensions in Venezuela and Donald Trump's statements regarding Iran have provoked expectations of rising oil prices. Venezuelan oil exports have almost stopped due to the US embargo, which led to a reduction in PDVSA's production.
The Serbian oil refinery NIS, owned by Russia and under US sanctions, will start operating on January 17 or 18. This became possible after receiving a temporary license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Treasury Department.
The JSC "Energiya" plant is on fire in Yelets, Lipetsk Oblast, after a UAV attack. This is reported by Russian Telegram channels.
