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.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi announced a 13% increase in the штатна чисельність (staffing level) of the instructor staff and changes in the basic combined arms training program. He also emphasized the need to improve the quality of training and control over its conduct.
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.
A Russian strike severely damaged a civilian sunflower oil production plant in Dnipro, owned by the American company "Bunge". Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha stated that it was a deliberate attack, not a mistake.
In December, passengers exchanged kilometers for almost 80,000 tickets, making their dream journeys. In the first month of the program, 500,000 Ukrainians registered.
Orthodox Christians in Ukraine will celebrate Epiphany on January 6 according to the new calendar. Learn about the traditions, superstitions of the holiday, official bathing spots in Kyiv, and safety rules on water bodies.
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.
The court chose a preventive measure for a Kyiv resident suspected of committing a terrorist act in Obolon in the form of detention for 60 days without the right to bail. As a result of the explosion, a National Guard serviceman and his companion were injured.
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.
President of the European Council António Costa will visit Paris on January 6 to participate in a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine. Leaders will summarize peace and security talks and agree on further support steps.
US President's Special Representative Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will participate in a meeting of the "coalition of the willing" in France on January 6, where security guarantees for Ukraine will be discussed. This information was confirmed by Axios journalist Barak Ravid.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Mykhailo Fedorov the format of work of the Ministry of Defense, emphasizing the technological aspect of defense. Fedorov will present draft decisions regarding changes in the Ministry of Defense within a week.
In Lviv, a woman used pepper spray against war veteran Andriy Kulko, who was held captive by Russia for almost two years. The incident occurred due to a request to throw out garbage that the woman was storing in the entrance.
Ukraine's security and defense forces eliminated 33,019 Russians with drones, a record high. In December 2023, Ukrainian military hit 106,859 targets and 128 air defense/radar systems using drones.
Political scientist Volodymyr Fesenko believes that the personnel changes initiated by President Zelenskyy are aimed at renewing power, strengthening the defense sector, and demonstrating his key role. The appointments of Budanov and Fedorov are aimed at forming a new defense strategy and technologizing production.
The Kyiv City State Administration urged Kyiv residents to refrain from mass events on Epiphany, but named safe places for immersion. For the safety of citizens, on January 6, from 8:00 to 17:00, rescuers will be on duty and medical support will be provided at the inspected locations.
Since the beginning of the current day, 80 combat engagements have taken place on the front, most of them in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy is also more active in the Huliaipole direction, where five battles are ongoing.
The SBU detained a Russian agent who blew up a Ukrainian serviceman's car in Kyiv's Obolonskyi district on January 4. As a result of the terrorist attack, the serviceman and his acquaintance were injured.
President Zelenskyy met with SBU Brigadier General Denys Kylymnyk, whom he awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine last summer. They discussed the results of the SBU's work in the war and the possible development of the Service.
New burial trenches have been recorded in temporarily occupied Mariupol, linked to the exhumation of bodies and rising mortality among the civilian population. Local authorities and the Center for the Study of Occupation report a shocking scale of new burials in the third year of occupation.
As a result of a drone attack on Dnipro, 300 tons of oil spilled onto the roads. Passage along the Embankment will be impossible for 2-3 days.
The model of an independent Ukrainian commercial bank, such as RADABANK, thanks to the strategy correctly chosen by the Supervisory Board under the leadership of Tetiana Horodnytska, demonstrates advantages in stability and transparency. The bank actively supports local communities and volunteer projects, ranking 27th in terms of assets among Ukrainian banks.
President Zelenskyy met with SBU Major General Oleksandr Poklad. Specific tasks and operations to strengthen counterintelligence work were discussed.
Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Oleksiy Kuleba has nominated Ihor Zelinsky for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, seeking to avoid an open competition. This comes ahead of the planned resumption of competitions for key government positions in the summer.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with SBU Colonel Vasyl Kozak, who develops active Ukrainian operations. The head of state awarded him the title of Hero of Ukraine for his combat results.
President Zelenskyy met with Yevhen Khmara, head of the SBU's Special Operations Center "A". The possibilities for the systemic development of the SBU and future special operations were discussed.
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.
Russian occupiers attacked a humanitarian aid distribution point in the village of Orlove, Kherson region, with drones. A 64-year-old man was killed, and a 79-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man were wounded.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. They discussed the information and political situation around Ukraine and agreed on further cooperation.
