War in Ukraine
Elite units of the British Royal Marines are undergoing intensive training in Norway, preparing for a potential conflict with Russia. The exercises are taking place at the 'Viking' camp at temperatures below minus 20°C.
Caspian CPC Blend oil prices plummeted due to drone attacks on tankers in the Black Sea. ExxonMobil increased the discount on its products, but no buyers were found.
Czech President Petr Pavel stated that the Czech Republic will transfer combat aircraft to Ukraine to destroy Russian drones. These are medium-class aircraft, possibly L-159s.
Five men (four Ukrainians and one Russian) in Poland have been charged in a sabotage operation case. They attempted to send parcels with explosives to various countries, for which they face life imprisonment.
Over the past day, 153 combat engagements took place at the front. Russian troops used over 4,700 kamikaze drones and 144 guided aerial bombs.
King Charles III of Great Britain wished Ukraine a just and lasting peace on the anniversary of the signing of the Agreement on Centenary Partnership. He expressed admiration for the resilience of Ukrainians and recalled the ties between the countries.
Uklon and Bolt companies are resuming 24/7 operations in Kyiv starting January 17, having coordinated this with the city authorities. This will allow residents to reach important facilities during curfew hours.
President Zelenskyy announced intelligence information regarding Russia's preparation for new strikes. He urged Ukrainians not to ignore air raid alerts.
Delegations from Ukraine and the United States will meet in Miami to discuss agreements on security guarantees and $800 billion for Ukraine's economic prosperity.
In Kyiv, 67 high-rise buildings remain without heating after the massive attack on January 9. Utility workers and energy specialists are working to restore infrastructure amid emergency blackouts.
Ukrzaliznytsia is dimming external lighting at railway stations in Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Kyiv, and Kharkiv to save electricity. Invincibility Points continue to operate as usual.
The new Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal, presented anti-crisis measures to overcome the consequences of blackouts. Experts assess these decisions as quick managerial gestures that do not solve systemic problems.
Germany is providing Ukraine with an additional aid package of 60 million euros. The funds will be used for winter and energy support, strengthening heating systems.
President Zelenskyy met with David Lammy, discussing Ukraine's protection against Russian missile strikes on its energy infrastructure. The situation at the front and sanctions policy were also discussed.
On January 17, hourly power outage schedules and power restrictions for industry will be in effect throughout Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Experts believe that Hiiumaa Island in the Baltic Sea could be seized by Russia, allowing it to control sea and air routes. This would create significant difficulties for the Baltic states and Finland.
President Zelenskyy expects that the energy "Ramstein" will become a platform for agreements on the continued transfer of air defense systems and missiles to Ukraine. He emphasized the need for constant supplies to protect energy infrastructure.
In Odesa, three employees of a district TCC and a member of a public organization were exposed for kidnapping a man. They drove him around the city for an hour, demanding $6,000 for not delivering him to the RTCC.
The head of the Ministry of Defense, Mykhailo Fedorov, stated that the digitization of drone distribution in the Armed Forces of Ukraine will speed up their receipt by units threefold. This will allow reducing the path of UAVs from the warehouse to the unit to one day.
Gerhard Schröder refused to transfer documents about conversations with Putin to the German Federal Archives, keeping them at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. These documents concern his time in power from 1998 to 2005.
From January 16, the use of electricity for outdoor lighting will be restricted in Kyiv. This decision was made by the City Defense Council due to the difficult situation in the energy system.
The General Staff clarified the results of the strike on the "Atlant Aero" enterprise in Taganrog, confirming damage to the UAV assembly workshop, two production workshops, and an administrative building. Also, on January 16, an ammunition depot in Primorsk was hit.
Ukraine and the United Kingdom will jointly produce a thousand Octopus interceptor drones monthly starting from February 2026. These drones are designed to destroy Shahed-type attack UAVs.
By the end of 2025, the volume of cargo transportation by "Russian Railways" decreased by 5. 6%, which is the lowest figure since 2009. This is a consequence of Western sanctions and the cooling of economic activity in Russia.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 98 combat engagements at the front as of 4 p. m. on January 16. 36 attacks were repelled in the Pokrovsk direction, and 21 combat engagements in the Huliaipole direction.
In Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian shelling led to the death of two women. Six more people, three men and three women, were injured.
The head of a private company is suspected of supplying substandard protective equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and embezzling almost UAH 60 million in budget funds. The purchased ballistic goggles did not meet technical specifications but were paid for.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine and the US do not see eye to eye on some issues of a peace agreement, although both countries strive for peace. He emphasized that Russia is delaying all processes, including exchanges.
Great Britain will provide Ukraine with additional energy support totaling over 1 billion hryvnias, said Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha.
The Ukrainian delegation in the US is finalizing agreements on security guarantees and the reconstruction of Ukraine for $800 billion. Signing is possible in Davos if the US agrees to all aspects.