War in Ukraine
On January 1, Russian troops lost 910 soldiers and 590 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 02.01.26 are estimated at 1,209,880 personnel.
Ukraine's defense forces are under heavy pressure in the south, outnumbered by Russian brigades that have seized hundreds of square kilometers. The Russians have advanced in the Zaporizhzhia region, the situation remains tense, with the most intense fighting taking place in Huliaipole.
A poll by The Economist/YouGov showed that 49% of Americans disapprove of Donald Trump's actions regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine. Only 30% of respondents support his approach.
Mykolaiv was attacked by enemy drones on the night of Friday, January 2. Mayor Sienkevych reported explosions and the threat of UAVs.
As a result of the enemy's night attack on Zaporizhzhia on January 2, another fire broke out. The head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, Ivan Fedorov, reported 9 strikes, and the air raid alert is ongoing.
Czech Parliament Speaker Tomio Okamura spoke out against providing weapons to Ukraine, calling the war "senseless. " He stated that the money of Czech pensioners should not go to support "pro-war propaganda."
Late in the evening on January 1, Russians attacked Zaporizhzhia with two attack UAVs, causing a fire. The attack took place in the Voznesenivskyi district.
According to the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, in November 2025, Russia's GDP grew by only 0. 1% year-on-year, which is the worst indicator since the beginning of 2023. Industrial production went into negative territory for the first time in nine months (-0.7%), signaling the exhaustion of the economic model.
On January 1, 97 combat engagements were recorded at the front, the enemy used 92 guided aerial bombs and over 4,000 kamikaze drone strikes. The greatest enemy activity was observed in the Pokrovsk, Lyman, Kostiantynivka, and Huliaipole directions.
The Russian Federation officially appealed to the US State Department with a demand to stop pursuing the oil tanker Bella 1, which the American authorities consider a stateless vessel. The tanker, en route from Iran to Venezuela, is currently trying to evade the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean.
In Bashkortostan, payments for signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense have been increased again from 500,000 to 1 million rubles. New payments will take effect on January 1, 2026, despite previous reductions and budget problems.
Australian Russell Allan Wilson was killed on December 12 during combat operations in the Donetsk region, fighting for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He was supposed to get married a week after his last mission.
According to Kaliňák, Ukraine will never be in NATO. In his opinion, Ukraine will also have problems joining the European Union.
On January 2, hourly power outage schedules will be applied in most regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
President Zelenskyy announced a meeting of the chiefs of general staffs on January 5 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. On January 3, national security advisors will meet, and on January 6, European leaders will meet.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to resume prisoner exchanges. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov is holding meetings in Turkey to facilitate this process.
President Zelenskyy held a conversation with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides regarding the priorities of Cyprus's presidency of the EU Council, which begins on January 1, 2026. Ukraine expects continued support and emphasizes the importance of EU membership as a guarantee of security.
Russia stated that it had decrypted a file from a Ukrainian drone, which, it claims, indicates that the target was the residence of the Russian dictator. These materials will be handed over to the American side through established channels.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas announced the strengthening of critical infrastructure after damage to underwater cables between Estonia and Finland. The EU will invest in new cables, enhance surveillance, and counter Moscow's shadow fleet.
On January 1, Ukraine celebrated the 117th anniversary of the birth of OUN leader Stepan Bandera. Ceremonies took place in cities in the west, south and east of the country.
As of January 1, an updated procedure for military training of reserve officers, stipulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1612, is in force in Ukraine. The program allows citizens to obtain an officer rank and prepare for contract or conscription service.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. The security situation, negotiation processes, and the return of Ukrainians were discussed.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has uncovered a new Russian tactic on TikTok: mass registration of accounts before holidays with emotional AI content. After gaining an audience, the profiles change their theme, promoting manipulative narratives.
Since the beginning of the day, 45 combat engagements have been recorded, the enemy launched nine attacks each in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions. The enemy also tried to storm the area of the Antonivskyi Bridge twice.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored 53 Ukrainian men and women from various regions of the country with state awards. Among the awardees are people who rescued the wounded, restored power plants, performed surgeries, and engaged in volunteering.
Oleksandr Usyk congratulated Ukrainians on the New Year 2026 on Instagram, emphasizing that victory is possible only through unity. The boxer thanked soldiers, teachers, and doctors for their work.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov in Ankara. The meeting took place on the eve of the talks between national security advisers of the "coalition of the willing" countries on January 3.
The State Tax Service of Ukraine announced the postponement of the deadlines for mandatory cashless payments for sole proprietors of the first group and some other merchants. The obligation will arise three months after the end of martial law.
The National Resistance Center published New Year greetings from Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. Residents of the captured cities conveyed words of support and holiday wishes, demonstrating their loyalty to Ukraine.
Uzhhorod has become the most expensive city in Ukraine in terms of the average cost of apartment rental, surpassing Kyiv and Lviv. The average rental price in Uzhhorod is 21,300 hryvnias per month, which is 12% more.