Newsletter 08/01/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Document on US security guarantees for Ukraine ready for finalization – Zelensky
The bilateral document on security guarantees for Ukraine is essentially ready for finalization at the highest level with U.S. President Donald Trump.
After Operation Spiderweb, Russia is still unable to restore its strategic aviation – source
After Operation Spiderweb, carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) under the leadership of General Vasyl Maliuk, Russia has still been unable to repair the damage inflicted on its strategic aviation.
National-level emergency declared in blackout-hit Dnipro – Filatov
Russian attacks have left the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions almost completely without power. The situation in Dnipro is one of the most difficult. According to Mayor Borys Filatov, this is a national-level emergency.
Read: Russian strikes leave over one million residents without heat and water in Dnipropetrovsk region
US prepares criminal charges against crew members of Russia’s shadow fleet tanker
The U.S. Department of Justice will bring criminal charges against the crew members of the oil tanker Bella 1, sailing under a Russian flag, which was detained in the Atlantic Ocean for violating U.S. sanctions.
War
War update: 54 clashes on front line since morning, one third of them in Pokrovsk sector
Since the beginning of the day, 54 combat engagements have taken place between the Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian troops. Fighting is currently ongoing on five axes of the front, with the occupiers concentrating the greatest efforts on the Pokrovsk direction.
Zaporizhstal steel plant halts operations due to blackout after massive drone attack
Following a massive drone attack, the Zaporizhstal steel plant lost external power supply and suspended production processes.
Oil tanker bound for Russia hit by drone attack in Black Sea
An oil tanker heading to the Russian port of Novorossiysk came under drone attack in the Black Sea.
Russian commanders in Donetsk region threaten subordinates with reprisals – HUR
Intelligence officers intercepted a conversation in which a Russian commander threatens a subordinate soldier with reprisals after the latter asks to postpone the time of moving to a position due to the risk to his life.
Russians afraid to deploy ships in Sea of Azov – Pletenchuk
The Russian Navy is minimizing the deployment of its vessels in the Sea of Azov due to limited navigation routes and the risk of being struck.
Ukrainian forces storm and capture Russian stronghold in Rodynske
Fighters of the special unit “OMEGA-WEST” of the National Guard of Ukraine carried out a successful assault on a stronghold of Russian invaders in Rodynske, part of the Pokrovsk community in Donetsk region.
Border guards destroy Russian equipment, depot, shelters in Kursk region
Operators of the FPV unit “Aquila” of the “Steel Border” Brigade of the State Border Guard Service demonstrated how they destroyed Russian equipment, a depot, and shelters in the Kursk direction.
Six major boiler houses shut down in Kryvyi Rih, nearly 39,000 customers without power
Andriivka in Sumy region remains under Ukraine’s control – military
Russian strike cuts power to eight mines in Dnipropetrovsk region
Air defense forces neutralize 70 of 97 Russian drones overnight
Defense
UK delivers 13 Raven air defense systems, two Gravehawks to Ukraine
The United Kingdom has delivered 13 Raven air defense systems and two prototypes of the new Gravehawk system to Ukraine.
Zelensky urges no delay in air defense aid amid Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following Russia’s January 7 attack on energy infrastructure, stressed that diplomatic discussions must not become a reason to delay the supply of air defense systems and equipment needed to protect Ukrainian lives.
Zmiy Droid 12.7 armored combat robot approved for service in Ukrainian Armed Forces
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has approved the new Ukrainian-made Zmiy Droid 12.7 strike-reconnaissance ground robotic system for use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Politics
Czech Senate to keep Ukrainian flag in front of its building
“The decision on the use of national flags on the headquarters of the Senate is made by the Senate President in accordance with the rules of the upper chamber. Senate President Milos Vystrcil currently does not plan to remove the Ukrainian flag, which has been hanging on the facade of Wallenstein Palace since February 22, 2022,” the press service said.
As previously reported, the first official institution to remove the Ukrainian flag was the Chamber of Deputies (the lower chamber of the Czech Parliament). This was done at the beginning of November on the very first day after his election by Speaker Tomio Okamura.
Level of specificity in Coalition of Willing summit declaration is encouraging – expert
Proposals by France and the United Kingdom on structuring measures to deter future Russian aggression against Ukraine across land, air, and maritime domains are encouraging.
Court allows Shufrych to be released on UAH 33M bail – media
The Kyiv Court of Appeal has changed the preventive measure for MP Nestor Shufrych of the OPZZh party, who is charged with high treason, from detention without the option of bail to detention with the possibility of release on bail in the amount of UAH 33.28 million.
Trump ‘greenlights’ bill on sanctions against Russia – Senator Graham
U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said that after a productive meeting with President Donald Trump, he received approval for a bipartisan bill on sanctions against Russia.
Geopolotics
Starmer, Trump discuss Ukraine, Greenland, Venezuela
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed recent developments regarding Ukraine, Greenland, and the operation in Venezuela during a phone call.
Security
Russian agent caught red-handed in Odesa for reconnaissance on Ukrainian forces
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained another agent of Russian military intelligence (GRU) in Odesa, who was directing enemy attacks on the city and supporting the invaders on social media.
SSU foils Russian plot to strike Kropyvnytskyi CHP plant, detains teen agent
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a 16-year-old resident of Kropyvnytskyi who, acting on orders from Russia’s FSB (Federal Security Service), was preparing a missile strike on a local combined heat and power (CHP) plant.