Newsletter 28/01/2026
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Shadow fleet of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela: Ukrainian intel releases data on 66 vessels
The Main Directorate of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has published data on 66 vessels belonging to the so-called shadow fleet of Russia, Iran, and Venezuela on the War&Sanctions portal, as well as ships involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain and those exposed for violating Ukraine’s state border.
Ukrainian MFA summons Hungarian ambassador over anti-Ukrainian statements by Budapest
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned the Hungarian ambassador, Antal Heizer, and lodged a strong protest regarding false statements by Hungarian leadership alleging Ukraine’s supposed interference in Hungary’s parliamentary elections.
Water supply issue in Donetsk worsens, says CCD
The situation with access to water in the temporarily occupied Donetsk is only getting worse, despite recent statements by representatives of the Russian “administration” about “increasing the number of water trucks.”
Ukrainian forces hit Khokholskaya oil depot in Russia’s Voronezh region
The Ukrainian Defense Forces have struck the Khokholskaya oil depot in Russia’s Voronezh Region, as well as a Russian drone warehouse and a UAV control point.
Russian shadow fleet tankers receive warnings from 14 European countries
A group of 14 European countries has issued an open warning to shadow fleet tankers operating in the Baltic and North Seas, raising the stakes for vessels that threaten maritime safety.
Belarus provides Russia with its mobile communication towers, helps coordinate drone attacks on Ukraine – expert
Russia is increasingly launching drones that use Starlink satellite communications and alternative navigation systems to bypass Ukrainian electronic warfare. Belarus is also actively assisting in coordinating Russian drone operations.
Rubio says US will play ‘key role’ in security guarantees for Ukraine
The United States will play a “key role” in providing security guarantees for Ukraine, with the active involvement of Europe.
War
Russian attack damages UOC-MP monastery building in Odesa
In Odesa, a building of the Holy Dormition Monastery was damaged as a result of a Russian drone attack overnight into January 28, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
Fedorov rules out mass installation of anti-drone nets in Zaporizhzhia, more effective methods available
There are currently no plans to install anti-drone nets on a large scale in Zaporizhzhia, as more effective methods of countering strike drones are available.
State Border Guard Service refutes reports that Deineko resigned from military service
The State Border Guard Service has denied reports in some media outlets that the former head of the agency, Serhii Deineko, had allegedly resigned from military service following a decision by a military medical commission.
Defense Forces refute claims about capture of Kutkivka in Kharkiv region
Statements by the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, claiming alleged “street fighting” and “clearing operations” in the village of Kutkivka, Kharkiv region, do not correspond to reality.
Ukrainian border guards destroy advanced Russian EW system Tirada-2
In the Southern Slobozhanshchyna sector of the front, border guards, together with a neighboring unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, destroyed the Russian electronic warfare system Tirada-2, designed to disable communication satellites.
Fighters of ‘Steel Border’ unit destroy howitzer, seven Russian shelters with drones in Kursk sector
In the Kursk sector, fighters of the Aquila strike unmanned aerial systems company of the “Steel Border” brigade destroyed a camouflaged D-30 howitzer and seven shelters of Russian invaders.
Russians concentrate forces in Serebrianskyi Forest and Siversk to storm Dronivka — AFU/Video
War update: 46 clashes on front line since morning, Pokrovsk sector most active
Russia actively using infiltration tactics with assault groups on Eastern axis – CCD
Enemy lacks capability to reach Zaporizhzhia with tube artillery – governor
Russians concentrate forces in Serebrianskyi Forest and Siversk to storm Dronivka — AFU
Russia’s war casualty toll in Ukraine up by 690 over past day
Shellings
Russian drones hit energy facility in Chernihiv region, causing power outages
Over 240 buildings left without heat in Kryvyi Rih after overnight attack – Zelensky
Geopolotics
Danish PM says 2035 can be too late for Europe’s rearmament
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that the world order as it has been known has ended and expressed doubt that it will return. She also believes that 2035 is too late a deadline for Europe’s rearmament.
China supports Russian production of Oreshnik missiles – The Telegraph
China is helping Russia expand the production of Oreshnik ballistic missiles by supplying specialized equipment and machine tools.
Economy
Switzerland to finance components for Ukrzaliznytsia railway tracks
The Swiss government will finance components for Ukrzaliznytsia’s railway tracks and power networks worth more than EUR 29 million.
Energy
Hot water supply to be suspended in Chernihiv to preserve heat in homes
In Chernihiv, the hot water supply will be temporarily suspended starting January 30 in order to preserve heat in residential buildings.
Another shipment of generators sent to Ukraine from Germany
Another convoy carrying generators for Ukrainian cities has been dispatched from Germany as part of the “Heat for Ukraine” campaign.
Angolan businessman donates 75 electric generators to Ukraine
Angolan businessman Bento Adriano Mendes has provided Ukraine with humanitarian assistance in the energy sector, donating 75 electric generators for civilians in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, as well as servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Society
War correspondent rescues child from burning apartment in Kyiv region after Russian strike kills her mother
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Marian Kushnir rescued a child from a high-rise apartment building in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region that was attacked by Russian forces.
War correspondent Kushnir saved a four-year-old child from a burning apartment building in the Bucha district, where he himself lives, after it caught fire as a result of a Russian attack.
As police reported, a man and a woman were killed in the building as a result of the Russian attack. The four-year-old child was provided with assistance at the scene. Three other people were also injured but refused hospitalization.
“I have a tactical medical backpack at home, so I ran to help. In the chaos, I saw a door slightly open. Inside the apartment, there was a child on the bed, crying and shouting ‘Mom’…,” the journalist said.
Ukrzaliznytsia introduces additional security restrictions in Kharkiv region
JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” has decided to restrict a number of rail connections in the Kharkiv region; some direct long-distance routes will be replaced with connecting services using suburban electric trains.
Ukrainian athlete Merkushyna wins gold at 2026 European biathlon championships in individual race
At the IBU Open European Championships in Sjusjøen (Norway), Ukrainian Anastasiia Merkushyna won the second event, the women’s individual race.
Court arrests Belarusian spy who previously worked as journalist in Kyiv
The Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv has ordered the pre-trial detention, without the right to post bail, of a Belarusian spy who had worked as a journalist in Kyiv for an extended period and attempted to infiltrate a unit of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate.