Ukraine This Week: Su-57s, foreign mercenaries, and an internet rumor

10:47 AM

Ukrainian drones hit Russian oil depot in Tula Oblast, source claims.

The drones, operated by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), hit the oil depot at least 10 times, a HUR source told the Kyiv Independent.

10:30 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 9, 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.

9:09 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 817,160 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,340 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:33 AM

Hungary's Orban defends ally Antal Rogan sanctioned by US, media reports.

Sanctions imposed by the outgoing U.S. administration against Antal Rogan, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's cabinet chief and overseer of the secret service, have only strengthened Rogan's position, Orban said during a state radio interview on Jan. 17.

6:20 AM  (Updated:  January 18, 2025 7:33 am)

4 killed, 3 injured following Russia's attack on Kyiv.

Russia launched an attack on Kyiv early in the morning on Jan. 18, killing at least four people, according to city authorities.

3:15 AM

Fire reported at oil depot in Russia's Tula Oblast following drone attack.

A fire erupted at an oil depot in the town of Uzlovaya in Russia's Tula Oblast following a Ukrainian drone attack on the facility overnight on Jan. 18, regional Governor Dmitry Milyaev said.

2:54 AM

Media identifies nearly 89,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine.

Journalists have identified the names of 88,726 Russian soldiers who died during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to a joint investigation by BBC Russia and Mediazona.

12:55 AM

Debris from Russian drones found in Romanian border town, defense ministry confirms.

Romania's Defense Ministry confirmed on Jan. 17 that it had found Russian drone fragments in two communities situated on the Romania-Ukraine border.

11:44 PM

French patrol aircraft was 'target of Russian intimidation' over Baltic Sea, French defense minister says.

A French maritime patrol aircraft was the target of intimidation tactics over the Baltic Sea overnight on Jan. 17, after the aircraft was locked onto by the radar of a Russian ground-to-air defense system, France's Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu said on social media.

10:56 PM

Fire erupts at oil depot in Russia's Kaluga Oblast following drone attack.

A fire erupted at an oil depot in the city of Lyudinovo in Russia's Kaluga Oblast following a Ukrainian drone attack on the facility on Jan. 17, regional Governor Vladislav Shapsha said.

10:23 PM

US imposes sanctions against Russian oil tankers under construction for 1st time.

The latest sanctions, imposed last week, targeted over 180 oil-carrying vessels of Russia's so-called shadow fleet, a group of aging tankers routinely used for sanction evasion.

10:21 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia, Iran sign strategic partnership deal; Ukraine strikes Russian S-400 radar equipment.

9:44 PM

Four Russian officers reportedly killed in Kursk Oblast by Ukraine's Dec 30 strike.

Alexander Khinshtein, the acting governor of Kursk Oblast, previously did not mention any losses among the military.

8:44 PM

Joe Biden

'It's not enough' — Ukrainians react to Biden's farewell speech

8:25 PM

Ukraine ready to help Slovakia achieve energy stability, Zelensky says.

"We are ready to help the Slovak people in ensuring their energy stability and security," Volodymyr Zelensky said.

1:36 PM  (Updated:  January 17, 2025 7:54 pm)

Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 4, injures 14, including children.

Russia launched a missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, on Jan. 17, killling four people and leaving 14 others injured, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.

7:09 PM

Biden administration secretly funded Ukraine's drone industry, NYT reports.

U.S. intelligence officers reportedly assisted in advancing Ukraine's drone capabilities, helping to design a new generation of drones intended to revolutionize modern warfare.

5:54 PM

Basic military training to start in Ukrainian higher education institutions in September 2025.

The course will consist of 90 academic hours of theory study and 210 academic hours of practical training.

5:42 PM

Putin, Pezeshkian sign strategic Russia-Iran partnership agreement in Moscow.

Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed drones used in attacks against Ukrainian cities, as well as short-range ballistic missiles.

5:41 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Belarus to host over 13,000 Russian troops for Zapad-2025 joint military drills

5:25 PM

Hungary's Orban urges EU to lift Russia sanctions, media reports.

Viktor Orban also described the European Union as being in a "drunken stage" but predicted a "sobering up" in Brussels.

5:04 PM

Explainer

How will Russia’s war end?

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump promised to end the Ukraine-Russia war during his campaign. As inauguration approaches on Jan. 20, the Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell lays out the four scenarios that could see an end to the war in Ukraine — for better or worse.

4:53 PM

Ukrainian special forces target Russian soldiers behind POW executions — several reportedly killed, captured

The captured Russians were identified as marines from the 40th Arctic Brigade.

3:58 PM

Russia’s seaborne oil exports decline 9.1% in 2024 amid Ukrainian drone attacks, Reuters reports

Ukraine has targeted Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure as part of its strategy to undermine a key funding source for Russia's war effort.

3:26 PM

Opinion

Europe needs plans A, B, and C for Trump and Russia