Ukraine

As part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, two children who had been living under occupation since 2014 were returned. After the full-scale invasion, they left for Russia, but were looking for a way to return to Ukraine, where their uncle was waiting for them.

Moldova will supply 3 million cubic meters of gas to Transnistria starting February 1. According to the agreement between Moldovagaz and Tiraspoltransgaz, the gas is provided on credit with repayment by March 2025.

Romanian rescuers are searching for five Ukrainians who tried to cross the border through the Maramures Mountains. The search using drones was suspended after six hours due to a lack of leads.

ROA carries out repair work on the roads of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The restored roads are used for military logistics, transportation of ammunition and equipment.

The UK government has renewed the Homes for Ukraine program, which facilitates the entry of children to sponsor parents. Children will receive a residence permit for 18 months with access to education and healthcare.

A Russian ballistic missile hit the historic center of Odesa, where Norwegian diplomats were staying. The strike injured three people and damaged historical monuments, museums, and the Philharmonic.

Over the last day, 132 combat engagements took place, including 54 breakthrough attempts in the Pokrovsk sector. The enemy launched 49 air strikes and used 900 kamikaze drones, firing about 5,000 artillery rounds.

The Presidential Office is preparing for important talks with European partners and the United States. At a meeting with international experts, they discussed the need for joint solutions for a lasting peace.

At the PACE Winter Plenary Session in Strasbourg, the testimonies of three released Ukrainian prisoners were heard. Maksym Butkevych, Lenia Umerova and Yulian Pylypey shared their experiences in Russian captivity.

In Bali, nine Russian citizens kidnapped and robbed Ukrainian Igor Yermakov of $214,000 in cryptocurrency. Police arrested one of the suspects, 30-year-old Hasan Ashkabov.

The State Tax Service fulfilled its January revenue target by 114. 8%, collecting UAH 76.1 billion to the state budget. VAT refunds increased 1.6 times year-on-year.

Ukraine has joined the Confédération Interalliée des Officiers de Réserve (CIOR) as an associate member. The decision was unanimously supported by the heads of national associations of reserve officers of NATO countries.

The command of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces confirmed the use of a UAV carrying a 250-kg bomb with a range of 2,000 km. The drones of the 14th UAV regiment have been successfully hitting strategic targets behind enemy lines for a year now.

Defense forces maintain fire control over Russian logistics routes in Vovchansk. The enemy is limited to infantry assaults and occasionally uses Soviet equipment, but without success.

The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine excludes 15 cultural heritage sites in Poltava from the State Register of Monuments. The decision concerns monuments related to the Battle of Poltava and Russian imperial history.

The Dutch Ministry of Defense will train 26 Ukrainian F-16 crew chiefs until the end of April. The technicians will be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the fighters before and after flights.

The audit confirmed serious problems in ARMA's work. Experts emphasize that its conclusions should become the basis for rebooting the agency and also emphasize the responsibility of the management.

The Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the President of the Ukrainian Hockey Federation sent an official letter to the President of the IIHF. The letter calls for maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus over the deaths of more than 90 members of the hockey community.

The Czech Republic is preparing a new project to supply ammunition to Ukraine in 2025. The volume of new supplies will depend on available funding, but there is still enough ammunition in the world to purchase.

Former MP Natalia Korolevska from the OPFL maintains access to the MP chat and communications of the Opposition Platform for Life group. She also keeps in touch with Viktor Medvedchuk, who is in Russia.

Deputies of the Ostroh City Council dismissed Mayor Yuriy Yahodka from his post. The reason was failure to fulfill his duties and a scandal involving the singing of Russian songs while drunk.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with his Dutch counterpart to discuss the transfer of F-16s. The two sides also discussed a €400 million drone program and the development of joint defense enterprises.

Vitaliy Sachko won his first match for the Ukrainian national team in the Davis Cup. The Ukrainian tennis player defeated Aziz Dugaz with a score of 6:3, 6:7(6), 6:3, putting Ukraine ahead in the match against Tunisia.

The SBU opened a criminal investigation into the disclosure of state secrets after a closed meeting between the head of the DIU and MPs. The DIU denied information about Budanov's statements about the threat to Ukraine's existence.

Putin authorized Goldman Sachs to sell its Russian business to Balchug Capital. This made Goldman Sachs one of the few western banks to exit the Russian market.

There were 77 combat engagements in the frontline, with 38 attacks in the Pokrovsk sector. The enemy is actively storming Ukrainian positions in various sectors, including Kharkiv, Kupyansk and Lyman.

The Ministry of Defense has authorized a new Ukrainian-made Gromylo unmanned aerial vehicle for use in the Armed Forces. The drone is equipped with powerful engines, can carry a combat charge and is resistant to electronic warfare.

According to KIIS, 87% of Ukrainians faced at least one stressful situation in 2024. The most common causes of stress were bombings and shelling (39%), separation from loved ones (30%), and death of loved ones (26%).

Yaroslav Lavreniuk won a bronze medal at the European Junior and U20 Championships in Sigulda. The 17-year-old athlete from Zhytomyr showed a time of 1:42.82, losing to two Latvian athletes.

The court has set deadlines for submitting positions on Russia's counterclaims in the Ukraine v. Russia genocide case. Ukraine has until May 20, 2025, and Russia has until September 22, 2025.