Sunday, January 19
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade ‘Kholodnyi Yar’ participate in tactical training exercises in a rural area in Ukraine on Jan. 17, 2025. (Piotr Sobik / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ukrainian troops withdraw from, launch attack on Chasiv Yar refractory plant. Ukrainian forces launched an aerial attack against a Russian-occupied refractory plant in the embattled city of Chasiv Yar, confirming earlier reports that Ukraine had withdrawn from the site.
Dnipropetrovsk firm helped Russia build nuclear weapons labs, SBU says. The company allegedly shipped a large-scale batch of stainless steel profiles to Russia after the full-scale invasion. These products were used to outfit the Russian Institute for Nuclear Research, the SBU said.
SBU detains metro engineer who allegedly directed Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Kharkiv. The engineer allegedly led a network of agents who tracked the movement and positions of Ukrainian troops in order to coordinate Russian aerial attacks, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said.
Russia’s Jan. 18 attack damages Ukraine’s oldest McDonald’s in Kyiv. A Russian missile strike on Kyiv early on Jan. 18 damaged Ukraine’s oldest McDonald’s, located near the Lukianivska metro station in the city’s Shevchenkivskyi district. Open since 1997, this is the first McDonald’s restaurant in the country.
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Ukraine hits 2 oil depots in Russia overnight. Ukrainian forces attacked oil depots in Russia’s Tula and Kaluga oblasts overnight on Jan. 18, according to the General Staff and a Kyiv Independent’s source in Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR).
‘Direct threat’ — Ukraine’s 48th Separate Assault Battalion denounces commander replacement. “Changing the commander at a critical moment is a direct threat to the unit’s combat capability and undermines the trust of the fighters,” the statement read.
Russia used chemical weapons 434 times in December, Ukraine’s General Staff says. These included K-51 and RG-VO munitions, anti-riot weapons that are prohibited for use in warfare, and ammunition loaded with chemicals of “unspecified type.”
Russia condemns 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and UK. Russia criticized a newly announced 100-year partnership agreement between Ukraine and the U.K., rejecting any cooperation between the two nations in the Azov Sea.
Human cost of war
24-year-old Belarusian volunteer soldier killed in action near Bakhmut. Maria Zaitseva joined the Ukrainian army after the start of Russia’s full-scale war and fought with the 2nd International Legion Battalion.
3 killed, 3 injured following Russia’s attack on Kyiv. Russia launched an attack on Kyiv early in the morning on Jan. 18, killing three people and injuring three others, Kyiv city military administration head Tymur Tkachenko reported.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure 38 over past day. Russia launched 39 drones, including Shahed-type, and four ballistic missiles of either the Iskander-M or the North Korean KN-23 model overnight, the Air Force reported.
Opinions and insights
Europe needs plans A, B, and C for Trump and Russia
As Trump stumbles on Ukraine, Europe must prepare with plans A, B, and C for its security.
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
| Learn more |
The flaws in Ukraine’s new brigades and foreign training programs
Ukraine’s newly formed brigades face devastating losses as poor leadership, inadequate training hinder their effectiveness on the battlefield.
Photo: Valentyna Polishchuk / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
| Learn more |
International response
Germany may consider sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, defense minister says. “We’re the largest NATO partner in Europe. We’ll obviously have a role to play,” German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on Jan. 18 when asked about the possibility of sending troops to monitor a ceasefire in Ukraine.
In other news
Trump eyes China visit amid strained ties, WSJ reports. President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in visiting China shortly after assuming office, potentially within his first 100 days, sources familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal.
Ex-MP, leader of Russia-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church charged with treason. Ukrainian law enforcement officers charged former lawmaker and businessman Vadym Novynskyi with high treason and incitement to religious hatred in absentia, the State Bureau of Investigation said.
Former pro-Russian lawmaker charged with treason resurfaces in China. Former Ukrainian pro-Russian lawmaker Yevheniy Murayev published a two-hour propaganda interview on Jan. 17, marking his first public appearance after almost three years of Russia’s full-scale war.
Lukashenko frees 23 more Belarusian political prisoners. Nearly 1,300 prisoners remain behind bars in Belarus, Viasna Human Rights Center reported.
Students who fail military exam or refuse oath cannot continue higher ed, official says. “If students cannot pass the exam … if they refuse to take the military oath, they will not be able to study in higher education institutions in the future,” Deputy Defense Minister Serhii Melnyk said.
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