31 December 2025
News
Russia struck Kyiv and a number of regions: there are fatalities and injuries among civilians, along with widespread destruction
As a result of Russian military shelling on the night of January 20, 2026, in Kyiv and the Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Vinnytsia regions, destruction of infrastructure and, in some places, fatalities and injuries among civilians have been reported
Russians killed a woman and injured seven civilians in attacks on Kharkiv region on January 17, seven more people were injured.
In Kharkiv, the shelling continued between 14:10 and 14:30. According to preliminary data, the city was attacked by "Tornado-S" multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS). As a result of the strikes, a critical infrastructure facility was damaged. Two men and a woman were injured
Ukraine urges IAEA and countries to stop Russia’s planned strikes on nuclear plant substations
Ukraine is sharing relevant intelligence with its partners and warning of potentially catastrophic repercussions, Sybiha reported
Most Ukrainians see Russia’s war as an attempt at genocide and the destruction of the Ukrainian nation
Almost a year ago, in February 2025, 66% of respondents agreed that Russia’s goal in Ukraine is genocide or the destruction of Ukrainian statehood and Ukrainians as a nation. Since then, the share of those holding this view has increased slightly to 69%
Two people were killed in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region in Russian artillery shelling
Russians killed two women in Nikopol. Additionally, seven people were injured across the region due to Russian attacks, with one person in critical condition on January 16, 2026
Majority of Ukrainians oppose trading Donbas for Western security guarantees
The majority of Ukrainians – 54% – consider it categorically unacceptable to transfer the entire Donbas to Russia in exchange for security guarantees. At the same time, 39% are ready for such a concession, though most admit it is a difficult condition. Another 5% could not decide on their opinion
Russian bomb strike on Bilopillia kills 1, injures 4 in Sumy Oblast
The attack killed a 35-year-old local resident, while four other people sustained injuries
The ICRC “expressed concern” over strikes on Ukrainian and Russian cities: Sybiha called this statement “shameful”
According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, the ICRC's statement was perceived in Ukraine as a false moral equivalence between the aggressor and the defending country, which undermines trust in the organization
Russia strikes civilian ship at Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk, wounds crew member
Kuleba emphasized that this is yet another act of Russian terror against civilian port infrastructure, international trade, and maritime security
Video showing Russian mistreatment of African mercenary spreads among Kenyan social media users
In the video, a Russian serviceman humiliates an African fighter by strapping an anti-tank mine to him in what the narration frames as a cruel prank or punishment, labeling him with a racist expression as "coal"
Russia attacked 15 critical infrastructure facilities on January 13
The Kyiv mayor stated that as of 10:15 p.m., the city's electricity situation remains extremely challenging, noting that energy workers are struggling to restore power
Seven people were killed by Russian shelling across Ukraine on January 12
Ukraine's National Police reported that as a result of Russian military shelling on January 12, 2026, seven civilians were killed in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kherson regions, while eleven others sustained injuries, including in the Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions
Polish Prosecutor’s Office supports Ukraine’s request for the extradition of Russian archaeologist Butyagin
Alexander Butyagin, a Russian scientist and head of the ancient archaeology department at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg. He has illegally crossed the state border of Ukraine and led an archaeological expedition in temporarily occupied Kerch
Two medics injured in Chernihiv Oblast after Russian strike hits ambulance
In Semenivka, the Russian military has repeatedly shelled those who help border residents survive; for instance, they have struck bread delivery trucks several times
Civilians without Russian passports denied medical care in occupied Luhansk region
Such a practice effectively deprives some local residents of access to basic medical services and serves as yet another tool of pressure on the population in the temporarily occupied territories
Since the start of the full-scale war, 142 media workers were killed in Ukraine — NUJU
Tomilenko also drew attention to the change in approaches to journalist safety while working near the front. Specifically, media workers are advised to refrain from using "Press" markings on clothing, body armor, helmets, and vehicles
Four civilians killed, 14 wounded as Russia shells eastern Ukraine
On January 10, 2026, the Russian Federation continued to shell residential areas in Ukraine. One person was killed, and three were injured in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as a result of Russian attacks. In Donetsk Oblast, three civilians were killed, and nine were injured. One person was also injured in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and one in Kharkiv Oblast
Russian commander Denis Kuznetsov has been notified of suspicion in absentia for the shooting of a civilian car in Bucha
The suspect's name was not explicitly stated in the police report; however, the Office of the Prosecutor General recently published a document regarding a Russian citizen, Denis Kuznetsov, whose details match those in the police report
Four civilians were killed in Russian shelling across Ukraine on January 8
The National Police reported that as a result of Russian military shelling on January 8, 2026, four civilians were killed in the Kherson region, and nearly four dozen others sustained various injuries, specifically in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Dnipropetrovsk regions
Russian combined attack hits Kyiv and Lviv Oblasts, kills at least 5 and injures 25 civilians in capital
There are reports that Russians struck a critical infrastructure facility in the Lviv Oblast. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi stated that it is currently unknown whether Russia attacked the Lviv region with the "Oreshnik" missile
Russian military strikes across Ukraine killed four civilians on January 7
The National Police reported that as a result of shelling by the Russian military on January 7, 2026, four civilians were killed in the Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and more than 40 others sustained various injuries, specifically in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts
Crimean political prisoner Tofik Abdulgaziev has begun losing consciousness due to significant deterioration of his health condition
The Crimean Tatar is being held in solitary confinement, so if he becomes unwell, there is no one to help him
Sybiha invites Ghana’s FM to Ukraine amid appeal over captured Ghanaian fighter on Ukrainian soil
Andrii Sybiha stated that Ghanaian diplomats will be granted access to prisoners of war upon their request, in accordance with international humanitarian law
Russian strike on Odesa Oblast ports kills two, injures at least five
Russians killed two people and injured at least five others as a result of a combined missile and drone strike on the ports of Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi in the Odesa Oblast in the afternoon of January 7, 2026
Russian forces killed five people in shelling attacks across Ukraine on January 5
The National Police of Ukraine reported that as a result of shelling by the Russian military on January 5, 2026, five civilians were killed in Kyiv, and in the Kyiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, while more than ten others were injured, including in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts
Ukrainian men submitted 70% of applications for interim reparations for victims of sexual violence during the Russia’s war – Global Survivors Fund
During the pilot project’s operation, 1,080 individuals were recognized as eligible for the interim reparation payments
Russian serviceman who threatened the mother of a Ukrainian soldier in occupation with gang rape received a sentence in absentia
The individual is 35-year-old Dmitrii Shugankov, who at that time was on Ukrainian soil as the head of intelligence for the 2nd self-propelled howitzer artillery battalion of the 205th Separate Motorized Rifle Cossack Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, holding the rank of "Senior Lieutenant."
Ukraine’s EU accession timeline can be politically shortened – Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka
Taras Kachka clarified that 2027 could be a theoretical and exceptionally record-breaking possible date
Russia deliberately attacked U.S.-owned Bunge facility in Dnipro — Ukraine’s Foreign Minister
The foreign minister recalled that last year, Russian strikes damaged Boeing offices in Kyiv, a major American electronics manufacturer in Zakarpattia, and other sites
Russia struck Ukraine with missiles and drones overnight: There are casualties, injured people and destruction (updated)
The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched more than 170 missiles and drones overnight, with strikes recorded in at least 26 locations
Human rights activists have identified 25 individuals involved in the persecution of citizen journalist Remzi Bekirov
Those implicated in Bekirov’s persecution include Russian judges, prosecutors, and Federal Security Service (FSB) officers. A journalist and activist with the "Crimean Solidarity" movement, Bekirov has faced harassment since 2017. Following his arrest in 2019, he was held in Russian pretrial detention centers and penal colonies under inhumane conditions, subjected to forced transfers and psychiatric evaluations, and denied the full right to a legal defense
Russian missile strike on the center of Kharkiv: At least 5 civilians killed and 31 people injured (updated)
As a result of the attack, 31 people were injured, including a six-month-old infant. Victims also included individuals ranging in age from 20 to 79 years old
Russia kills man in Kherson, injures 2 others in New Year’s Day attacks on Ukraine
Russian forces hit a multistory residential building in the central district of Kherson with a strike UAV in the morning
Zelensky vows not to sign weak peace deal with Russia despite pressure
According to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia does not end its wars on its own. There has never been a war in history that ended on its own free will. Only pressure from others – only coercion from others, which they themselves call "a goodwill gesture," the President highlighted
