Newsletter 14/01/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Parliament appoints Shmyhal as energy minister on second attempt
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, has approved the appointment of Denys Shmyhal as first deputy prime minister and minister of energy.
Parliament appoints Fedorov as Ukraine’s defense minister
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, has approved the appointment of Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine’s minister of defense.
NABU, SAPO notify Tymoshenko of suspicion
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) have notified the leader of one parliamentary faction of suspicion in connection with offering unlawful benefits to members of parliament.
Tymoshenko calls NABU suspicions unfounded in parliament, claims political pressure
Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Batkivshchyna faction, reacted sharply from the rostrum of the Verkhovna Rada to the suspicion, the delivery of which was confirmed today by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine.
Shmyhal on energy situation: Kyiv was completely unprepared, crisis measures must be taken
The newly appointed First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Denys Shmyhal, believes that Kyiv was not ready for winter under conditions of attacks.
Shmyhal supports completion of new nuclear power plant units
Ukraine should build new nuclear power units as quickly as possible, and the Khmelnytskyi Nuclear Power Plant is the closest to this.
War
Zelensky discusses air defense, frontline supply, issues with territorial recruitment centers with Fedorov
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with Mykhailo Fedorov, who was appointed Minister of Defense today. The key topics of discussion were air defense, frontline supply, drone deliveries, and problems related to territorial recruitment centers (TCCs).
Russians begin equipping Molniya-2 drones with Starlink terminals – ISW
Russia continues to increase the production of low-cost strike drones and to introduce innovations in their use, creating battlefield conditions favorable to occupying forces.
Five more settlements in Zaporizhzhia region announce mandatory evacuation of families with children
The Coordination Headquarters for Evacuation has decided to evacuate children and their parents from five settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Mine barriers installed along border with Transnistria in Vinnytsia region
“Ptakhy Madiara” thwarted Russian assault in Donetsk direction
Russia launches three ballistic missiles, 113 drones at Ukraine overnight – Zelensky
Paratroopers using Grad destroy Russian equipment in Pokrovsk
Air Defense Forces shoot down ten jet drones launched by Russians toward Kyiv during day
Shellings
Russians attacked White Angels evacuation vehicle with drone in Sumy region
During the evacuation of people from the border area of the Shostka district, an enemy drone attacked a vehicle belonging to the White Angel special police unit. The vehicle suffered significant damage. It was precisely because of the vehicle's armour plating that the people being evacuated were not injured, although they did experience severe stress. Police officers with minor injuries are currently undergoing examination.
Russian troops attack two districts of Chernihiv region with drones over past day
Russian troops attack Dnipropetrovsk region with missiles, drones, artillery
Enemy launches massive UAV attack on Kryvyi Rih, damaging infrastructure facilities
Defense
Rheinmetall delivers Skyranger air defense systems to Ukraine on schedule
Rheinmetall is sticking to the schedule for supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine with self-propelled Skyranger 35 air defense systems.
Ukraine allocates new site for Rheinmetall ammunition plant
The construction of Rheinmetall’s new ammunition plant in Ukraine may begin soon, as the Ukrainian government has selected a new location for it.
Spain to provide Ukraine with Lanza LTR-25 radar
Spain will transfer a Lanza LTR-25 tactical early warning radar, produced by Indra, to Ukraine.
Politics
Czech FM sees good prospects for cooperation with Ukraine in field of countering drones
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic Petr Macinka praised Ukrainian innovations in the defense sector and prospects for cooperation with Ukraine in the field of anti-drone protection.
Geopolotics
Moscow’s allies complain Putin did not help when it was needed – Bloomberg
While Russia is focusing its attention on the war against Ukraine, its strategic allies around the world feel forgotten by the Kremlin.
Despite repeated public statements by U.S. President Donald Trump about his intention to remove Maduro, officials in Caracas complain that the Cuban and Russian security services they relied on were unable to identify vulnerabilities or provide any concrete information about threats to the Venezuelan dictator.
For the Kremlin, relations with the United States are now more important than Venezuela, and the capture of former Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro would be unpleasant for Russia, but not catastrophic.
EU delays vote on trade agreement with US due to Trump’s threats regarding Greenland
In the European Parliament, leading trade lawmakers have postponed a decision on holding a vote on a trade deal with the United States because of threats by White House head Donald Trump to annex Greenland.
Finland plans to produce anti-personnel mines
Finland, which recently withdrew from the Ottawa Convention, plans to begin developing and producing anti-personnel mines.
Economy
EUR 90B for two years: European Commission president reveals details of loan for Ukraine
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has unveiled details of the approved proposal for a joint European loan to Ukraine worth EUR 90 billion for the next two years.
Britain may sell oil seized from Russia’s shadow fleet to fund Ukraine – The Times
The UK government is considering plans to use any oil seized from vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet to help finance Ukraine’s war effort.