Newsletter 15/01/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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Tusk responds to Trump’s words: It is Russia that rejected US peace plan, not Ukraine
It was Russia that rejected the US peace plan, not Ukraine, and everyone knows it. The only solution in this case is to increase pressure on the Russian Federation.
This was written on the social network X by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk in response to US President Donald Trump’s statement that Russian President Vladimir Putin is allegedly ready to end the nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, but Ukraine’s restrained position is standing in the way, according to Ukrinform.
“It is Russia who rejected the peace plan prepared by the US, not Volodymyr Zelensky. The only Russian response was further missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. This is why the only solution is to strengthen pressure on Russia. And you all know it,” Tusk wrote.
As reported by Ukrinform, in an interview with Reuters, Trump suggested that Putin is allegedly ready to end the nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, while President Volodymyr Zelensky is more cautious about concluding an agreement.
Zelensky: Government taking Kyiv under its wing as city authorities fail to cope
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the capital’s authorities had not done enough to prepare for an emergency in the energy sector. The situation will now be overseen at the government level.
Czech president arrives in Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel has arrived on an unannounced visit to Ukraine.
Pavel began his visit on January 15 with a trip to Lviv, where he held meetings with local officials, in particular, with the head of the regional military administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, and Minister for Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova. He spoke, among other things, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Oleksandr Mischenkov about what mutual assistance in defense could look like, for example, in the field of countering drones.
Photo: Lviv Regional Military Administration
For his part, Kozytskyi said that the key topic of the meeting was the consequences of the enemy attack that Lviv experienced and further security cooperation.
Accompanied by Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and other representatives, Pavel also attended a memorial service at the Lychakiv Cemetery, where he honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
Russia destroys large energy infrastructure facility in Kharkiv
The enemy has destroyed a large critical energy infrastructure facility. The headquarters for overcoming the consequences of emergency situations is working 24/7, emergency services and specialized specialists are on site. We are doing everything possible to minimize the consequences of enemy strikes and maintain control of the situation.
War
Russians prevented from breaking through border in Kharkiv region, enemy retreats with losses
Fighters from the Hart border brigade thwarted an attempt by the Russian army to break through their positions on the Ukrainian state border in the Kharkiv region.
Russians drop guided aerial bomb in Bilopillia center: One dead, four wounded
“On January 15, 2026, at around 10:15 a.m., the occupiers dropped, according to preliminary data, a guided aerial bomb on the central part of the city of Bilopillia in the Sumy district. As a result of the attack by the occupiers, a 35-year-old resident was killed. Four more people were injured.
Russian drone falls on playground near Bandera monument in Lviv
In Lviv, a Russian drone fell on a children’s playground near the monument to Stepan Bandera, head of the leadership of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists.
Shellings
In Kharkiv region, Russian troops strike police car heading to evacuate people
More than 500 people need to be evacuated from two districts of Zaporizhzhia region
Eight houses damaged in Bucha district of Kyiv region due to Russian night attack
Russians hit eight settlements in Kharkiv region in 24 hours
Russians strike critical infrastructure facilities in Zhytomyr region at night
Defense
Ukrainian F-16 pilots successfully adapted tactics to realities of war with Russia - Turkish media
Ukrainian pilots, who, despite the complexity of the process, mastered the F-16 fighters, not only integrated these aircraft into combat operations, but were also able to adapt the tactics of their use to the specifics of a full-scale war with Russia.
Poland says it will be able to send up to ten MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine
Poland’s Deputy Minister of National Defense, Pawel Zalewski, has said that the country will be able to transfer fewer than ten of its MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine to help protect it from Russian aggression.
Politics
Macron: Coalition of the Willing provides 100% military support to Ukraine
The coalition of willing countries currently provides all international support for Ukrainian military resistance, with France alone providing two-thirds of Ukraine’s intelligence capabilities in the war against Russia.
Ukrainian president, Albanian foreign minister discuss development of PURL program
“Today, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania Elisa Spiropali is visiting Ukraine. This visit comes at a very challenging time for Ukraine and for our people. And it is a strong signal of support. We also value the fact that today the Minister is not only here, but also personally visiting and supporting our warriors undergoing rehabilitation,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
According to Zelensky, both sides “discussed military cooperation - defense production, the integration of Ukraine and Albania into the EU - this is a common goal of our countries - and the development of the PURL program, namely - the possible accession of Albania to the program this year.”
Geopolotics
EU to lower price cap on Russian oil in February
The European Union will lower the price cap on Russian oil to $44.1 per barrel starting February 1.
Society
Zelensky: Decisions on curfew to be made today
After a special energy conference call, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that decisions on easing the curfew would be made today.
Economy
Ukraine’s PM meets with IMF chief
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko held a meeting with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, during which they discussed preparations for the adoption of the IMF support program for the next period.