Friday, January 17
Russia’s war against Ukraine
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Volodymyr Zelensky (not pictured) attend a presentation of Ukrainian military drones at an undisclosed location on Jan. 16, 2025 in Kyiv. (Carl Court/Getty Images)
UK PM Starmer visits Kyiv to sign ‘100 Year Partnership’ with Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Jan. 16 amid an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital, where Starmer is set to sign a wide-ranging “100 Year Partnership” treaty, covering a number of areas including defense, energy, and trade.
Russian drone flew over presidential palace during Zelensky-Starmer meeting, Guardian reports. The drone was spotted and heard buzzing above the Mariinsky Palace, a presidential residence, located not far from the Presidential Office, The Guardian reported.
Ukrainian drone strike reportedly targets gunpowder factory in Russia’s Tambov Oblast. A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a Russian gunpowder factory in the village of Kuzmino-Gat in Tambov Oblast overnight on Jan. 16, local Telegram channels and a Ukrainian official claimed.
Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil depot in Voronezh Oblast, military claims. At least three drones hit the facility, causing a large-scale fire, the General Staff said.
Ukraine blows up mine shaft to hamper Russian advance to Pokrovsk, NYT reports. In December, Russian troops advanced to within a mile of mine No. 3, raising fears that they could seize it and use its tunnels to outflank Ukraine’s positions, according to the NYT.
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Trump sending ‘non-public messages’ on war, he must force Putin to diplomacy, Zelensky says. “These are his (Trump’s) messages, both public and non-public. And he is a capable leader to put pressure on Russia,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Zelensky, Italian Defense Minister discuss security guarantees at meeting in Kyiv. “Now is the moment — perhaps the most critical moment in the past three years — to increase support,” Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told the president.
Ukrainian paratroopers capture 27 Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast. “Among them are officers, sergeants, and privates from motorized rifle units, Marines, airborne troops, and other units, coming from various Russian regions and the occupied city of Sevastopol,” the Airborne Assault Troops’ press service said.
Ukrainian military releases footage of rare Russian reconnaissance drone downing. “A rare bird was shot down by anti-aircraft gunners and pilots of the 63rd Brigade — a Russian experimental reconnaissance drone Merlin-VR,” the brigade’s statement read.
Ukrainian forces repel Russian assault on border with Russia’s Kursk Oblast, military says. The 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade repelled an assault of Russian troops near the village of Zhuravka in Sumy Oblast on the border with Russia’s Kursk Oblast, according to the brigade’s Jan. 15 statement.
Russian officer jailed for accidentally shooting down own helicopter in Crimea. A Russian air defense officer stationed in occupied Sevastopol, Igor Pashkov, has been sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for shooting down a Russian army helicopter after mistaking it for a drone, pro-government outlet Kommersant reported on Jan. 16.
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How Ukraine captured a North Korean POW, told by the soldiers who took part
“(One North Korean soldier) was about to be taken prisoner, but with the words ‘Glory to the Party’ or ‘Glory to Kim Jong-un,’ he blew himself up with a grenade,” a Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces soldier with the callsign “Borsuk” told the Kyiv Independent.
Photo: Jason Blevins/The Kyiv Independent
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‘Absurd phenomenon’ — The manpower issue threatening to weaken Ukraine’s Air Force
Critically lacking manpower on the front lines where Russia continues to use its vast manpower advantage to make grinding advances, Ukraine has been scrambling specialists into the infantry in an effort to replenish losses. The short-term solution has frequently led to their death or injury.
Photo: Libkos / Getty Images
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Partners, not allies: What to expect from Russia-Iran agreement
For Moscow, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Russia on Jan. 17 is a diplomatic victory. The trip’s centerpiece will be the finalization of a long-heralded partnership deal between Russia and Iran, signed by Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin.
Photo: Iranian Presidency/Anadolu/Getty Images
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How Trump could use sanctions in negotiations with Russia
In less than a week, President-elect Donald Trump will take over from Biden, casting uncertainty over the future of the sanctions. Experts agree, however, that Trump will follow the proposal of Keith Kellog, Trump’s Ukraine envoy who has suggested offering Russia sanctions relief as part of potential peace agreements.
Photo: Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Human cost of war
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 4, injure 27 over past day. Ukrainian forces downed 34 out of 55 drones, including Shahed-type ones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Another 18 were “lost,” it added.
Russian drone attack in Kyiv Oblast injures child. Falling wreckage from an intercepted drone caused a fire and injured a 12-year-old boy, the regional military administration reported. The boy is being treated for his injuries in the hospital.
General Staff: Russia has lost 814,150 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,480 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Opinions and insights
Putin’s war economy is running on fumes as inflation and shortages surge
While Russia projects resilience, its economy shows cracks: inflation is rising, labor and technology shortages worsen, and liquid reserves may run out by fall 2025, creating a critical budget shortfall, according to Anders Åslund, senior fellow at the Stockholm Free World Forum.
Photo: Contributor / Getty Images
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International response
Netherlands announces $27 million in aid for Ukraine following Dutch Foreign Minister’s visit to Kyiv. Following his visit to Kyiv, Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp announced 27 million euros ($27.8 million) in new aid for Ukraine on Jan. 16.
Biden administration prioritized sanctions strategies over designating Russia as state sponsor of terrorism, US official says. The Biden administration believes that large-scale sanctions have been more effective politically than designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism, Ukrinform reported on Jan. 16, citing U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
‘Ukraine is still free’ — Biden touts his admin’s accomplishments in farewell speech. Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden briefly mentioned Ukraine during his farewell speech on Jan. 15, saying his administration helped to preserve the country’s freedom.
UK pledges $3.6 billion in military support for Ukraine, to deliver artillery barrels, mobile air defense. The United Kingdom will also provide new military aid for Ukraine, including 150 artillery barrels, a mobile air defense system, and an expanded training initiative with allied nations, the government announced on Jan. 16.
UK to play ‘full part’ in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, Starmer says. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he had discussed the possibility of deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine with President Volodymyr Zelensky during their meeting in Kyiv.
Fico may meet with Zelensky in ‘next few days’. “We are looking for another date, which should be in the next few days,” Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said.
Trump advisers draft sanctions plan to pressure Moscow toward peace, Bloomberg reports. Advisers to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are developing a comprehensive sanctions strategy aimed at facilitating a diplomatic resolution to the Russia-Ukraine war, Bloomberg reported on Jan. 16, citing anonymous sources familiar with the discussions.
In other news
Ukrainian families of war victims can now seek compensation through The Hague’s Register of Damage. The International Register of Damage for Ukraine has begun accepting applications for compensation from families who lost close relatives due to Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s Presidential Office announced on Jan. 16.
North Korean troops to join Russia’s Victory Day for the first time, media reports. North Korea will reportedly participate in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9, marking the first such instance in history, the Japanese broadcaster NHK World reported on Jan. 16, citing undisclosed sources.
Russia discusses buying gas for Transnistria in Europe, media reports. According to the Kommersant’s sources, gas may be purchased from January to April in the amount of up to 3 million cubic meters per day. The outlet estimates the price at $164 million. The costs are likely to be compensated by the Russian budget, the newspaper reported.
‘You were shot. Why didn’t you forgive?’ Zelensky tells Fico, drawing parallels to Russian aggression. The Slovak government is playing very dangerous game by criticizing military support for Ukraine and getting closer to Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Polish media on Jan. 16.
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