Weekly Exclusives
Weekly Exclusives - a newsletter that contains author publications, interviews, exclusive comments, photos and videos.
Photos of the week
Artillerymen of the special unit "Rifle Battalion" of the Main Police Department in Zaporizhzhia region use a 122-mm D-30 howitzer to fire at Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia direction, Zaporizhzhia region, January 11, 2025.
Interview
Providing for the military is a job for the government, not just municipalities or volunteers, - Vadym Vasylchuk, AFU Officer
Vadym Vasylchuk is an officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and a member of the Kyiv City Council of the 9th convocation. An active partaker in the Revolution of Dignity, he eyewitnessed the violent dispersal of peaceful protests by riot police and subsequent tragic events on the Maidan. At the outset of Russia’s full-scale war invasion, he stood up to defend Ukraine, serving as a platoon leader, then second in command of a battalion, and he took part to the liberation of the Kharkiv region from Russian invading forces as one of the 112th Independent Territorial Defense Forces (TRO) Brigade.
In this Victory Commanders series interview with Ukrinform, our guest was speaking about the situation with AWOLs and desertions from service, challenges of forced conscription for war, the government’s and volunteers’ role in providing the military with equipment and soldier gears, and the feasebililty of holding elections amid ongoing hostilities.
The conversation furthermore discussed, among other things, the role volunteer TRO units had played defending Kyiv during the initial days and weeks of Russia’s war invasion, how they were tracking down and intercepting sabotage groups in unfamiliar areas; and the experience of fighting in the Kharkiv region wearing bulletproof vests cut out from ordinary iron doors.
Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
“We need to look five to ten years ahead, no matter how long it takes Ukraine to rebuild,” said UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, appointed in November to be responsible for humanitarian support. He assures that his organization will not leave Ukraine and will help as long as necessary.
These are encouraging words for Ukrainians while the largest humanitarian network in the world is being stretched between numerous conflicts.
Meanwhile, Mr. Fletcher says that he continues to talk to the Russians in the (un)hope of achieving assistance to Ukrainians. He does not stop convincing those who, in his words, attack humanitarian workers and civilian infrastructure.
That is the impression from an interview with Ukrinform by UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher. We spoke with him last week, during his first visit to Ukraine in Kyiv, immediately after his trip to the east.
Oleksandr Kornienko, Senior Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Ukraine's European integration is an issue of importance for Germany, which has been repeatedly underscored by German politicians. The progress of the process and the achievements and challenges it faces were among the matters discussed at an expert conference held this week in Berlin. Oleksandr Kornienko, the First Vice Speaker at the Ukrainian Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, was among those who provided comments on the event.
In an interview with Ukrinform during an official visit to Berlin, Mr Kornienko discussed how Ukraine is building up contacts with international partners amid wartime, the pressure being allegedly exerted on Kyiv over elections, the "surprises" that may await us in the legislative process on the way to the EU integration, and also shared his thoughts on what to do with the parliament members who have fled Ukraine.
Fact Checks
Russian fake: Ukrainian license plates torn off in Slovakia to protest halt in Russian gas transit
Propagandists are circulating a post from an anonymous X user with the nickname "SlavicFreeSpirit." The post alleges that Slovaks have begun tearing off license plates from Ukrainian cars in Slovakia in protest of Ukraine's suspension of Russian gas transit as of January 1. The user further claims that Ukrainian men are forced to return to their homeland to obtain new plates, where they face mobilization.
This claim is false. The "SlavicFreeSpirit" account provides no evidence to support its statements.
The account was created in February 2022, coinciding with the launch of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since its creation, the account has exclusively promoted Russian propaganda targeting an English-speaking audience. It also features a purchased blue verification checkmark, presumably to instill "trust" and project "expertise."
To fabricate this claim, images of modern Ukrainian license plates freely available online were used.
The Slovak Ministry of Interior's website contains no reports of widespread theft of Ukrainian license plates.
An Ukrinform correspondent reached out to representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora in Slovakia for comment. The public organization SME SPOLU, which administers a large Facebook group called "Ukrainians in Slovakia," stated: "We have not heard of any cases of license plate removal. If such incidents had occurred, we would already be aware of them."
The organization also refuted claims that Ukrainians who lose their license plates in Slovakia must return to Ukraine. "In Slovakia, private companies are officially authorized to produce duplicate license plates that meet all current Ukrainian state standards. These plates feature holograms, a reflective layer, and the manufacturer's markings, making them indistinguishable from the originals. Numerous companies offer this service, and license plates can also be ordered online in Ukraine. The main challenge for car owners abroad is arranging delivery of the plates from Ukraine to Slovakia," SME SPOLU explained.
For years, Russia has weaponized gas supplies to blackmail Ukraine and the EU. However, following the termination of the contract for Russian gas transit through Ukraine, the EU energy market has remained stable. According to European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the transit suspension has not caused price spikes for European consumers.
Slovakia itself is not experiencing gas shortages. Political scientist Grigorij Meseznikov, President of the Slovak Institute for Public Affairs, told Deutsche Welle that Slovakia's gas storage facilities are 80% full, ensuring the country's energy security despite the halt in Russian gas supplies.
At 07:00 on January 1, Ukraine ceased the transportation of Russian natural gas through its territory, citing national security concerns.
Previously, Russian propaganda fabricated a claim about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "failed attempt" to register on the Chinese version of TikTok.
Andriy Olenin
Video
In Warsaw, on Unity Day, the memory of UNR soldiers was honored
On the Day of Unity of Ukraine, students of Ukrainian schools, Ukrainian diplomats, and community representatives honored the memory of fighters for Ukraine's freedom at the Volsky Orthodox Cemetery in Warsaw.
Participants of the event laid wreaths and flowers, and lit candles at the graves of the UPR soldiers. Among those who spoke to those present were Vasyl Bodnar, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland, and Yuriy Reit, one of the leaders of the Ukrainian community in Warsaw, as reported by the Ukrinform correspondent.
During his speech, Ambassador Bodnar noted that on January 22, 1919, the foundations of a united Ukraine were laid. He remarked that at that time it was not possible to preserve the state, and for decades the Ukrainian people suffered without their own rights and voice.
"Now our generation has changed history. A united Ukraine is challenging the traditional narrative that dominated Europe for the last 300 years... We are now creating a new Europe thanks to a united Ukraine. It is precisely because of unity that we are resisting one of the greatest powers in the world today and showing our subjectivity and that Ukraine exists, fights, and will win," emphasized Bodnar.
He stressed that standing near the graves of Ukrainian heroes, one can feel that "this Unity is not only physical but also spiritual, because they started what we are now defending."
"We invite them into our ranks and they strengthen us morally and spiritually, giving us the opportunity to stand today," emphasized the Ukrainian diplomat.
Vasyl Bodnar also expressed gratitude to friendly Poland, which today supports Ukraine in countering the Russian aggressor.
News:
War
Russia at UN Security Council discusses tattoos instead of tortures, says Azov defender
Reconnaissance soldier from Ivano-Frankivsk region freed from Russian captivity
In assault, defense operations, 70% of tasks can be performed by robots – military officer
No problems with drone supply in Defense Forces – military officer
Ukraine holds Russian POWs in five special facilities – Coordination Headquarters
Evacuation of residents from 38 settlements in Sumy region completed
Syniehubov: Russia has intensified Shahed attacks on Kharkiv region, especially at night
Politics
Incoming Trump administration understands Europe's role in peace talks and post-war processes – expert
Nuclear energy cooperation between Russia and Vietnam may pose risks to Ukraine and global community – expert
Russia-Iran treaty on strategic partnership poses no new threats to Ukraine – expert
Agriculture ministers at conference in Berlin condemn Russian war against Ukraine – Koval
For Nuremberg-2.0 against Russia, international community unity needed – Dzhelyal
Economy
Minister Koval: Small farms in Ukraine obtain EUR 20M from EU in 2024
Society
Crimes against environment: 24 criminal cases opened against Russian military in Kherson region
European Commissioner: Part of our strategy is to allocate significant humanitarian aid to education
Embezzlement at Ukrzaliznytsia: SAPO to request arrest with UAH 190M bail for MP Bondar
See you next Friday!