Newsletter 13/01/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Zelensky: Russians launch nearly 300 drones and 25 missiles at Ukraine overnight, main target is energy sector
“Almost 300 attack drones, most of them ‘shaheds,’ along with 18 ballistic and 7 cruise missiles, were launched by the Russians against Ukraine last night. Once again, the main target of the strike was our energy – generation facilities and substations. Sadly, there has been extensive destruction of residential and civilian infrastructure. Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions came under attack,” Zelensky said.
According to him, the Russians struck a postal terminal in Korotych, Kharkiv region, with missiles “With no military purpose whatsoever,” killing four people. The President expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
The situation is also difficult in the Kyiv region, he said, where several hundred thousand families are currently without electricity. All emergency services are working on site, and resilience centers have been deployed.
Russia attacked 15 critical infrastructure facilities overnight – communities ministry
“Last night, the enemy attacked 15 critical infrastructure facilities, including thermal power plants and combined heat and power plants in various regions,” said Ukraine's Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development Kostiantyn Kovalchuk.
He noted that 472 residential buildings in Kyiv are currently without heat, mostly in the Pecherskyi and Shevchenkivskyi districts. All local utility teams, as well as emergency crews from other regions, are working to restore heating.
Ukraine initiates emergency OSCE debate over Russian strikes
At Ukraine’s request, the OSCE will hold an emergency debate on Thursday, January 15, to consider Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities and its disregard for U.S.-led peace efforts.
Parliament dismisses Maliuk as SBU chief
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, has approved the resignation of Vasyl Maliuk as head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
Russia’s winter strikes fall under Genocide Convention – FM Sybiha
Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during extremely low temperatures are aimed at creating conditions calculated to bring about physical destruction of the Ukrainian people, which falls under the definition of Article II (c) of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
Netherlands pushes to let Ukraine spend EUR 15B EU aid on U.S. weapons
The Netherlands and its allies want at least €15 billion from the EU aid package to be spent on purchasing weapons from the United States or other countries outside the European Union.
War
Drones attack military and aircraft repair plants in Taganrog, Russia
On the night of January 13, Taganrog, Russia, in the Rostov region, was attacked by UAVs. A drone manufacturing plant and an aircraft repair plant were targeted.
Ukraine’s Defense Forces foil Russia’s plans to defeat Ukraine in 2025 – CinC Syrskyi
In 2025, Russia sought to end the war by defeating Ukraine, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces prevented critical enemy breakthroughs and thwarted those plans.
Ukrainian drones destroy weapons depot in Makiivka, strike energy hub in Crimea
00Operators of the 1st Separate Unmanned Systems Center and the Kairos Battalion of the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Strike Aviation Systems destroyed an enemy missile and artillery weapons depot and struck electrical substations in temporarily occupied territory in Donetsk region and in Crimea.
Graves in courtyards, burned-out houses: How Russian shelling destroys Kostiantynivka
Soldiers of the 11th Army Corps of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to hold their positions in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, which has suffered significant damage as a result of Russian attacks.
Ukrainian forces destroy Russian radar, two air defense systems in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk sectors
Drone operators of the 412nd Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “Nemesis” destroyed a Russian Prima P-18 radar station, a Tor surface-to-air missile system, and a Tunguska air defense missile-gun system in the Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk sectors.
Enemies drop guided aerial bombs on village in Zaporizhzhia region, one person wounded
“The morning in the village of Yurkivka, Tavriiske rural community, began with the sound of explosions. The settlement was hit with guided aerial bombs. For residents, this meant destroyed homes, broken windows, damaged roofs, and fear for their lives,” reported on the Facebook Proliska Humanitarian Mission.
A 56-year-old man was injured. He was given medical assistance. As a result of the strikes in Yurkivka, 12 private houses and eight outbuildings were damaged, with three of the houses destroyed.
Volunteers have been working in the community since early morning. Twenty-one people were provided with building materials to repair damaged roofs and windows as quickly as possible, thereby protecting their homes from the cold and adverse weather conditions. In addition, 14 people received essential non-food items.
Shellings
Druzhkivka blacked out, backup power keeps heat and communications running
Russians attack Zaporizhzhia district with drones, two injured
Educational building heavily damaged in Odesa due to Russian attack
Russian troops strike critical infrastructure in Zhytomyr region overnight
Russians launch more than 20 strikes on Sumy region, one person injured
Defense
Umerov discusses strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities with Norwegian FM
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide discussed steps to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities during a meeting in Kyiv.
Politics
Verkhovna Rada does not appoint Shmyhal as First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Energy
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not support the appointment of Denys Shmyhal as First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Energy.
New EU sanctions package against Russia expected by February 24 – Euractiv
Luxury goods priced above €300 are already subject to sanctions, but many high-end European brands – including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Yves Saint Laurent – are still sold in Russia, at a steep mark-up, the article explains.
Many goods are re-exported to Russia from China, Turkey, and other third countries.
Geopolotics
Drones attack three oil tankers in Black Sea — Reuters
Drones attacked three oil tankers operated by Greek companies in the Black Sea. The ships were heading to load oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal off the coast of Russia.
Zelensky: 20% of Russia’s shadow fleet has stopped operating
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following a report by First Deputy Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Oleh Luhovskyi, has stated that 20% of Russia’s shadow fleet vessels have halted operations, and Russia is now trying to compensate for these losses by involving new ships.
Russia plans to ratify agreement with Belarus on refusing to extradite citizens to international courts
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has submitted an agreement with Belarus to the Russian State Duma for ratification, which provides for the refusal to extradite or arrest citizens of both countries at the request of third countries and international courts.
Society
Generators deployed in Kyiv to supply power to residential buildings
In those districts of the capital where the power supply situation is currently the most difficult, the State Emergency Service is connecting high-capacity generators.
SES deploys around 730 “points of invincibility” across Ukraine
Currently, around 7,000 “points of invincibility” have been deployed across Ukraine, with over 10% of them operated by the State Emergency Service (SES).
Unit of soldier who helped find dog from Khmelnytskyi to be rewarded with pickup truck
The unit of the reconnaissance soldier who, during his rehabilitation, joined the search for a Cane Corso dog named Bella from Khmelnytskyi, which lasted more than a week, will receive a pickup truck from her owner as a gesture of gratitude.
Forty countries become Ukraine’s partners in digital security
In 2025, Ukraine concluded more than 30 international agreements aimed at strengthening digital security. In total, 40 countries have now become Ukraine’s partners, 13 of them under the Tallinn Mechanism.