Sunday, January 26
Russia’s war against Ukraine
54-year-old surgeon Yuri Kuznetov, who was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, shows the amputation he suffered from a landmine in Izium on Jan. 25, 2025. (Wolfgang Schwan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Zelensky believes Trump can end war in Ukraine, must include Kyiv in talks. While the specifics of a potential agreement under U.S. President Donald Trump remain unclear, Zelensky emphasized that Vladimir Putin has no interest in ending the war.
US diplomats push for exemption on Ukraine aid amid 90-day freeze, Zelensky says military aid has not stopped. Senior diplomats in the State Department’s Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs requested a full waiver to exclude U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) operations in Ukraine from a 90-day foreign aid freeze, the Financial Times reports.
Sandu, Zelensky say they are ready to meet Transnistria’s energy needs. Earlier in the day, Maia Sandu arrived in Kyiv on an official visit to meet with Zelensky and discuss several issues, including the energy crisis.
Parliament committee head calls for defense minister’s resignation as defense procurement scandal escalates. Umerov has been lambasted by pro-reform MPs and anti-corruption activists for what they see as his efforts to destroy the independence of the Defense Procurement Agency. Anti-corruption watchdogs have also argued that Umerov’s actions jeopardize Western military aid for Ukraine.
Russia’s Ryazan oil refinery in flames after drone strike, reports say. The reported strike comes two nights after Ukrainian forces launched a joint attack against the refinery that allegedly damaged multiple facilities at the site.
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US considers buying weapons for Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, Kellogg says. The approach can be part of a comprehensive solution that will support Ukraine in its war against Russia and strengthen the American defense industry, Keith Kellogg said.
Zelensky backs Slovak protests as Fico criticizes opposition, organizers. “Bratislava is not Moscow, Slovakia is Europe,” President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X on Jan. 25, voicing support for protests against Slovakia’s government.
Zelensky offers Ukraine as transit hub for Azerbaijani gas to Europe. The president emphasized that Azerbaijan has significant export capacity, with the ability to send up to 25 billion cubic meters of gas, and that Ukraine can provide the necessary infrastructure to transport it.
Russia launches four drone strikes in Kharkiv during day. Russia targeted the Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, and Kholodnohirskyi districts, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported.
Donetsk Oblast to forcibly evacuate children from over 20 settlements. Due to the increased threat to civilian lives, authorities will begin mandatory forced evacuations of children in several settlements in the Komar and Kryvorizhzhia communities, Governor Vadim Filashkin said.
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Human cost of war
Russian attacks across Ukraine injure 10 over previous day. Russian forces launched 61 drones and two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles at Ukraine overnight on Jan. 25.
General Staff: Russia has lost 828,470 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,650 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
International response
US suspends programs for entry of migrants, including Ukrainians, NYT reports. Among the wide list of suspended programs is Uniting for Ukraine (U4U), a Biden-era initiative that allowed Ukrainian immigrants to temporarily enter the U.S. if they had financial sponsors.
In other news
Ukrainian sailors return home from Houthi captivity. The three sailors arrived in Odesa on Jan. 25, where they were greeted by relatives after 14 months in captivity.
Trump fires Defense, State department watchdogs in latest government purge. Inspectors general provide oversight of federal agencies, investigating cases of possible fraud, waste, and abuse of power. Defense Department watchdogs have played a role in tracking U.S. military aid to Ukraine throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Trump serious about annexing Greenland, aggressive with Danish PM, FT reports. Trump’s territorial ambitions and disregard for international norms are “serious, and potentially very dangerous,” a senior European Official told the Financial Times.
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