Closing summary
… and on that note, it’s a wrap for today!
The co-owner of the Swiss bar Constellation which saw a fire kill 40 during a New Year’s celebration, Jacques Moretti, was arrested and is held in custody after being questioned by prosecutors on Friday morning (15:33, 15:43, 16:16).
Switzerland held a national day of mourning on Friday, commemorating the victims of the fire with church bells ringing across the country for five minutes, and a minute of silence (16:04).
The Swiss media reported that the decision to detain Moretti was taken after a six-hour hearing, with prosecutors worried about him posing a flight risk (16:42).
In other news,
Russia’s military has fired its new hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine during a massive overnight strike, leaving hundreds of thousands without energy and heat as temperatures plummet in the country (9:30, 9:38).
Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Svyrydenko accused Russia of “energy terror,” as the effects of the attack caused widespread disruption (9:53) and prompted Kyiv mayor to urge people to temporarily evacuate from the capital (11:19, 14:37).
European leaders condemned the attack, calling Russian strikes ‘escalatory and unacceptable,’ with Kremlin “using fabricated allegations to justify the attack” (12:05, 14:16, 14:57, 15:13).
And in Brussels,
European Union member states have backed the biggest ever free trade agreement with a group of Latin American countries (12:15), ending 25 years of negotiations but stoking further tensions with farmers and environmentalists around the bloc (13:10, 13:57).
France (15:28) and Poland were among the most prominent critics of the deal, but Italy’s change of heart was enough to unblock the agreement (15:27).
But Germany led the line of countries happy with the end of the 25-year negotiation process (12:45).
And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com.
I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa.
Grief turns to anger over Swiss bar fire as Le Constellation owner arrested
Eight days have now passed and Switzerland is still struggling to process the scale of the event.
A national day of mourning was observed on Friday and a memorial ceremony attended by top European officials, including the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, was held in a town close to Crans-Montana.
Swiss authorities have confirmed the total death toll at 40, the majority in their teens and 20s – the youngest 14 – and mostly from Switzerland, France and Italy. A further 116 were injured, 83 of whom are still being treated in hospital for severe burns.
Anger and dismay have meanwhile mounted as details on the cause of the fire and staggering lapses in safety procedures emerged.
Jacques Moretti, the French owner of the bar who together with his wife, Jessica, is under investigation for manslaughter through negligence, was arrested and held in custody after the couple were questioned by prosecutors in Sion on Friday morning, a source told the Guardian.
The couple, who bought the bar in 2015 before renovating it, have denied any wrongdoing and in a statement this week said they were “devastated and overwhelmed with grief” while promising “full cooperation” with the investigation.
The investigation is focusing on renovations made to the bar, the fire-extinguishing systems and escape routes, as well as the number of people in the building when the fire started.
In an astonishing admission on Tuesday, Nicolas Féraud, the mayor of Crans-Montana, said no safety inspections had been made on the premises since 2019. Furthermore, he could not explain why the annual inspections were not done despite the procedure being required by local law.
“We’re profoundly sorry, and I know how hard that will be for the families,” Féraud said, adding that his administration wanted to show “full transparency”.
We are getting a bit more detail on the decision, via the Swiss media, with SWI reporting that the decision to detain co-owner Jacques Moretti was taken after a six-hour hearing.
24 Heures reported that the prosecutors decided on his detention after he was considered a flight risk given his French citizenship and “extensive mobility” in recent years.
Constellation bar co-owner arrested, held in custody, source tells Guardian
The Constellation bar co-owner Jacques Moretti was arrested and is held in custody after being questioned by prosecutors on Friday morning, a source confirmed to the Guardian.
Switzerland honours victims of Le Constellation fire during day of national mourning
Earlier today, Swiss leaders, victims’ families and firefighters were joined by the Italian president, Sergio Mattarella, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, at a ceremony on Friday in the city of Martigny, where a minute’s silence was held to remember the victims of the fire.
Dozens of people also stood near the shuttered bar in nearby Crans-Montana in silence, heads bowed, Reuters reported. Authorities placed hundreds of letters, teddy bears and bouquets of flowers for the fire victims beneath an igloo to protect them from snowfall.
Elsewhere, Swiss residents also paid their tributes as church bells across Switzerland rang for five minutes, and a minute of silence was held as part of a national day of mourning, commemorating the 40 people killed in the fire.
Updated
French news agency Agence France-Presse is now also reporting that the co-owner is in custody, confirming 24 Heures’s report (15:33).
Earlier today, Swiss media and Reuters reported that prosecutors had summoned the owners of the ski resort bar amid growing frustration with the handling of the probe.
Reuters said that the owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, did not answer reporters’ questions as they entered the prosecutors’ office in the nearby town of Sion on Friday, which Swiss authorities have designated a national day of mourning.
The couple have expressed their grief over the fire and said they would cooperate fully with the investigation.
Updated
Operator of Swiss bar 'Le Constellation' detained due to flight risk – media report
We are getting a major news line from Switzerland, with local media reporting that the operator of the bar “Le Constellation” in which 40 people died and more than 100 were injured on the New Year’s Eve has been detained.
Regional daily 24 Heures has reported the 49-year-old man was put under arrest after it was deemed he posed a “flight risk,” in what the publication says was a change of heart for the investigators after they previously decided against such a move.
More on this when we have it or when we get the official information.
Updated
French opposition to seek to topple government on back of opposition to Mercosur deal
France’s far-right and far-left opposition parties will try and topple the government on the back of opposition to the Mercosur deal between the EU and Argentina, Brazil, Paraquay and Uraquay.
Mathilde Panot, deputy leader of the parliamentary group of the far-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, has already filed a no confidence motion, saying the prime minister Sébastien Lecornu and president Emmanuel Macron “must go.
As trade falls within the exclusive competence of the EU, no further approval from member states is needed allowing the European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen to sign it as early as Monday.
In France it also presents yet another opportunity to try and collapse the government with support from farmers who have spent years blocading the streets with tractors and slurry.
The no-confidence motions underlines the continued fragility of Macron’s position as the French government battles to pass an already-late 2026 budget through a truculent parliament.
France, along with Poland, Hungary, Austria and Ireland voted against the deal but with Italy on board it was not enough to stop the majority approval needed.
Italy's change of mind critical to EU-Mercosur deal adoption
Going back to Mercosur for a bit, Italy’s change of mind has proved to be critical to the expected adoption of the trade deal, after the country blocked the original deal last month.
But foreign minister Antonio Tajani now hailed it as “good news for Italy,” saying that while the deal required a long negotiation, Italy had secured protections for its farmers, “especially regarding production standards,” AFP reported.
Speaking at her press conference earlier today, prime minister Giorgia Meloni insisted she never had “any ideological objections” to the Mercosur agreement.
“We have always said we will be in favor of it when there are sufficient guarantees for our farmers,” she said. “The agreement’s potential is good, but not at the expense of the excellence of our products.”
Updated
Poland's Tusk says prospect of Ukraine peace 'still remains distant'
Polish prime minister Donald Tusk has just responded to the overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine, saying “the world today is being shaken by various disturbing events,” and “first and foremost, Ukraine, the Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
But he conceded that “the prospect of peace, or at least a ceasefire, certainly still remains distant,” despite this week’s discussions on EU and US security guarantees for Ukraine in Paris.
European leaders condemn Russian strikes on Ukraine
We also had other reactions from top EU politicians to the overnight strikes on Ukraine, including the Oreshnik strike on western city of Lviv.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on X that “Russia’s reported use of an Oreshnik missile is a clear escalation against Ukraine and meant as a warning to Europe and to the US.”
“EU countries must dig deeper into their air defence stocks and deliver now. We must also further raise the cost of this war for Moscow, including through tougher sanctions.”
Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal said that “Russia’s answer to Ukraine’s and its partners’ efforts for peace is ballistic missiles, damage, civilians killed and wounded.”
“Homes without heat, electricity, or water in the middle of winter. This is not a step toward negotiation. This is terror. Russia deliberately prolongs the war.”
He added the EU needs to keep pressure on Russia as it “does not respond to goodwill; it responds only to force.”
Meanwhile, German chancellor Friedrich Merz insisted that “threatening gestures are intended to instil fear, but they will not work.”
We stand with Ukraine.
Kyiv mayor calls for temporary evacuation as blackouts continue
Following the Russian attack overnight, Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko has urged the residents of the capital to consider temporarily leaving the city “for places with alternative sources of power and heat” amid worsening weather conditions and extensive blackouts caused by the strikes.
It’s currently -8 degree Celsius in Kyiv and it’s set to fall to -17 tomorrow night.
But AFP journalists at train and bus stations in the capital saw no signs of large crowds or panic.
Russian strikes on Ukraine 'escalatory and unacceptable,' with Kremlin 'using fabricated allegations to justify attack', UK says
UK prime minister Keir Starmer, French president Emmanuel Macron, and German chancellor Friedrich Merz have condemned Russia’s use of the hypersonic Oreshnik missile in western Ukraine as “escalatory and unacceptable,” Downing Street said.
The three leaders spoke on the phone this afternoon to coordinate on foreign policy issues, it said.
A spokesperson for Starmer said the leaders “reflected on the strong unity in support of Ukraine at Tuesday’s meeting” in Paris and “the good progress made on next steps.”
Starmer said that “it was clear Russia was using fabricated allegations to justify the attack,” his spokesperson said.
The three leaders also discussed “security in the High North” - read: Greenland - with Starmer saying “the Nato alliance needed to step up in the region to deter adversaries such as Russia.”
They also talked about Iran, stressing the need to closely coordinate their responses to the events unfolding there.
Irish MEP vows to vote against Mercosur agreement in European Parliament
The adaptation of the Mercosur deal is “devastating” for Irish farmers, a Sinn Fein MEP said, as she vowed her party would vote against the deal when it goes before the European parliament.
The Irish MEP Kathleen Funchion called on other Irish MEPs, who previously supported the deal, to also vote against it given the Irish government representatives voted against the deal today.
“We know this is a bad deal for Irish farming, public health, and the environment. It contradicts so many other policy objectives, not least among them food security, protecting farm incomes, and supporting farm succession.
It will see Irish farmers forced into unfair competition with Mercosur ranchers who produce under far less strict regulation.”
“Furthermore, the so-called safeguards are far from adequate to protect our farmers, and there have been no changes to the deal since it was announced in December 2024,” she said.
Updated
EU's Mercosur deal will be bulwark against China, think tank says
The EU’s deal with Latin American countries will act as a vital bulwark against China, giving the bloc a chance to reduce dependency on Beijing in key industries, a leading think tank has said.
“The deal is not only about economics. Latin America is a region of intense competition for influence between western countries and China. Failing to sign the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement risked pushing Latin American economies closer to Beijing’s orbit. The conclusion of the deal also signals that Europeans are serious about diversifying their export markets away from the US,” said Agathe Demarais, senior policy fellow.
China already controls up to 90% of rare earths and has a stranglehold on the world’s supply of refined lithium, the end product used in electric vehicle batteries.
Demarais pointed out that Brazil accounts for around 20% of the world’s reserves of graphite, nickel, manganese and rare earths.
But it also holds 94% of global reserves of niobium, a metal that is used in the aerospace industry, while Argentina is the third largest producer of lithium, a material used in batteries in electric vehicles.
“By lowering tariffs on EU exports to Mercosur economies, notably for chemicals (currently facing an 18% tariff) and machinery (hit by tariffs of 14-20%), the deal could help convince EU firms to develop production lines in Latin America instead of China,” she said.
EU ambassadors sign off Mercosur deal – snap analysis
European nations have backed the biggest ever free trade agreement with a group of South American countries, ending 25 years of negotiations but risking further tensions with farmers around the bloc.
France, Poland, Austria, Ireland and Hungary opposed the deal in the face of protests from the agricultural sector, but Italy dropped its opposition allowing the landmark deal to be adopted under the majority voting system.
The deal with Brazil, Argentina, Paraquay and Uruguay, must still get the approval of the European parliament but bar any major U-turns by member states, it could be signed off as early as next week by European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.
The European Commission, which concluded negotiations a year ago, had hoped to get the deal over the line at the European Council summit but it was pulled from the agenda at the last minute after opposition by France and Italy, two of the bloc’s biggest agricultural producers.
On Thursday night, French president Emmanuel Macron announced it would vote against the deal after farmers rolled into Paris on tractors in the latest protests against the pact which they fear will flood the bloc with cheap and substandard meat.
A senior European Commission official described Ireland’s decision to also vote against the deal as “disappointing” claiming the country’s concerns had been addressed.
Belgium abstained from the vote, reflecting differences in the federal government.
Supporters of the deal say it will help the EU diversify and compensate for the new trade barriers erected by Donald Trump and lower tariffs on the equivalent of just 1.5% of beef produced in the EU.
It will see import duties phased out on 91% of EU goods and allow freer access to critical raw materials like lithium needed for batteries in the European car industry.
Greenpeace has slammed the EU’s provisional approval of the Mercosur trade deal as a “harmful” agreement that will ultimately harm the Amazon and cause further deforestation.
“This agreement encourages the import into Latin America of highly polluting and health-damaging products like cars, plastics and pesticides from Europe, in exchange for commodities often sourced from deforested areas,” said Greenpeace Brazil senior forest campaigner Romulo Batista.
Updated
Ukrainian security services classify Russian hypersonic missile attack as 'war crime'
Back to Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine said it classified the Russian strike with the hypersonic Oreshnik missile on the western city of Lviv as a “war crime,” stressing it appeared to be targeted at civilian critical infrastructure.
“By attacking civilian objects of our state near the border with the European Union, the Kremlin attempted to destroy the region’s life-support infrastructure in the face of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions,” the SBU said.
The investigators looking at the strike found a number of parts of the Oreshnik missile in the area, which they said confirmed the type of weapon deployed.
Earlier today, a senior Ukrainian official said the ballistic missile was likely carrying inert or “dummy” warheads, and it struck the workshop of a state enterprise.
Updated
German industries welcome Mercosur deal
Meanwhile, the German federation of industries has welcome the Mercosur deal, saying it is an important day for the Germany and European economies.
Tanja Gönner, the managing director of the federation, said: “The European Union is demonstrating its ability to act and sending a strong signal in favour of free trade. The agreement proves that the EU can be a relevant geostrategic actor.”
She said the deal would mean a saving of around €4bn a year annually in tariffs and give European businesses access to one of the biggest markets in the world accounting for 750m people.
It will also give it ready access to critical raw materials such as lithium and copper, particularly important for Germany’s auto industry and wind turbines.
“Europe remains under pressure as the US and China systematically expand their spheres of influence. Mercosur can therefore only be the beginning. The EU must further diversify its strategic partnerships and open up new markets. This includes the trade agreements with India and Indonesia,” she added.
Updated
EU-Mercosur deal provisionally approved despite farmers' opposition
Elsewhere, we are getting a line from Brussels that EU ambassadors have given their provisional backing to the controversial EU-Mercosur trade agreement, despite growing farmers’ protests against the deal.
Ireland, France and Poland are reportedly among the countries that opposed the deal, but found themselves in minority.
Updated
Meloni reiterates her support for Ukraine
Meloni also reiterated her support for Ukraine, while acknowledging that there are contrasting views on what’s the best way to stave off the prospect of war with Russia.
But she insisted that the best way to do that is to stand with Ukraine, as she talked about the need to put forward strong security guarantees for Kyiv in case of a ceasefire or a peace deal with Russia.
She also made it very clear that it was “absolutely premature” to talk about readmitting Russia to G8.
Updated
Italy's Meloni says she doesn't believe US could launch military action on Greenland, calls for Nato to step up its operations in Arctic
Meanwhile, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said she still didn’t believe that the US would launch a military action to take control of Greenland.
Asked about it during her annual major press conference, Meloni also stressed she made it clear that she would not support any such move and she believed it would “not be in anyone’s interests, not even the US”.
She argued that the Trump administration wanted to use its “highly assertive methods” to “draw attention” to the issue of strategic importance and security of the high north.
“I continue to believe that the message the US wants to send is that it will not accept excessive interference from other foreign actors,” she said.
She added that Greenland should be classified as a priority area for Nato, with “a serious debate” on how to protect it, and “to ease the pressure” on the issue.
Pressed on that a bit further, she added that “the implications” of any potential US military movement on Greenland were “clear to everyone”, which is why she didn’t consider them “realistic.”
But she stressed that Europeans should show they treat US warnings about the region’s importance seriously and do more to secure the Arctic, including a “serious and significant presence” of Nato forces there.
Updated
US releases two Russian crew members of seized oil tanker
We are also getting a line from Russia that the US has released two Russian members of the crew of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized near Iceland earlier this week.
AFP quoted Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, as confirming the release by the US in response to a Russian request.
“We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership,” she said, quoted by AFP.
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Telegram that Trump decided to release “all Russians” on board the Marinera tanker.
Updated
Half of Kyiv's apartments without heat supply after Russian strikes, mayor Klitschko says
Back to Ukraine, Kyiv’s mayor Vitaly Klitschko said that half of the city’s apartments are without heat supply due to the damage sustained in overnight Russian attacks on the capital.
“We are doing everything to [restore supply] as soon as possible. But the combined attack on Kyiv last night was the most painful for the capital’s critical infrastructure facilities,” he said.
He added that “city services are working in emergency mode,” but acknowledged that “the weather conditions, unfortunately, are forecast to be difficult in the coming days.”
Respect will of Venezuelan people, Pope Leo says
Pope Leo also chooses to express a view on the recent events in Venezuela, calling for world governments – I think he means US president Donald Trump in particular – to “respect the will” of the Venezuelan people.
Goes without saying that it’s particularly important coming from the first US pope.
“I wish to repeat my urgent appeal that peaceful political solutions to the current situation should be sought, keeping in mind the common good of the peoples and not the defence of partisan interests.”
He goes on to say:
“This pertains, in particular to Venezuela. In light of recent developments in this regard, I renew my appeal to respect the will of the Venezuelan people and to safeguard the human and civil rights of all ensuring a future of stability and concord.”
He then also mentions Haiti, Sudan, Bosnia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, before ending the speech to applause from the audience.
Updated
Pope Leo calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Ukraine and dialogue to end war
Pope Leo directly addresses the issue of Ukraine, stressing “the suffering inflicted on the civilian population”.
He says:
“The Holy See strongly reiterates the pressing need for an immediate ceasefire and for dialogue motivated by a sincere search for ways leading to peace.
I make an urgent appeal to the international community, not to waver in its commitment to pursuing just and lasting solutions that will protect the most vulnerable and restore hope to the afflicted peoples.”
He says the Vatican is ready to support “any initiative that promotes peace and harmony.”
He then moves on to the Holy Land, calling for guarantees for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip as he backed the two state solution there.
Updated
Pope Leo says 'deplorable' public resources are used to 'suppress life', criticises 'safe abortion' movement
Pope Leo also talks about the importance of family and caring for life, “especially in those countries that are experience a dramatic decline in birthrates”.
He also pointedly criticises proposals to “finance cross-border mobility for the purpose of accessing the so-called right to safe abortion”.
He says the Vatican “considers it deplorable that public resources are allocated to suppress life rather than being invested to support mothers and families”.
“The primary objective must remain the protection of every unborn child and the effective and concrete support of every woman so that she is able to welcome life,” he says.
He also urges civil society and states to “respond concretely to situation of vulnerability” through better care “rather than encouraging deceptive forms of compassion, such as euthanasia”.
Updated
Pope Leo warns about 'Orwellian' language of inclusion, and backs right to 'conscientious objection'
Pope Leo also warns that “language is becoming more and more a weapon with which to deceive or to strike and offend opponents”.
“We need words once again to express distinct and clear realities unequivocally. Only in this way can authentic dialogue resume without misunderstandings.”
He continues with a warning about “the space for genuine freedom of expression” rapidly shrinking, particularly in the west, and criticises “a new Orwellian-style language … which in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fuelling it.”
He also backs the people’s right to “conscientious objections” to refuse to engage in practices they don’t morally agree with.
He says:
“We should also note the paradox that this weakening of language is often invoked in the name of freedom of expression itself.
However, on closer inspection, the opposite is true for freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed precisely by the certainty of language, and the fact that every term is anchored in the truth.
It is painful to see how, especially in the west, the space for genuine freedom of expression is rapidly shrinking.
At the same time, a new Orwellian-style language is developing, which, in an attempt to be increasingly inclusive, ends up excluding those who do not conform to the ideologies that are fuelling it. Unfortunately, this leads to other consequences that end up restricting fundamental human rights, starting with the freedom of conscience.
In this regard, conscientious objection allows individuals to refuse legal or professional obligations that conflict with moral, ethical or religious principles, deeply rooted in their personal lives. This may be the refusal of military service in the name of non violence, or the refuse on the part of doctors and healthcare professionals to engage in practices, such as abortion or euthanasia. Conscientious objection is not rebellion, but an act of fidelity to oneself.”
He goes on to warn about “the persecution of Christians” as “one of the most widespread human rights crises today,” including “a subtle force of religious discrimination against Christians”, which he says “is spreading even in countries where they are in the majority,” including in Europe and the Americas.
Updated
Pope Leo criticises military attacks on civilians
In a passage passionately defending international law, Pope Leo says:
“We cannot ignore that the destruction of hospitals, energy, infrastructure, homes and places essential to daily life constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law.”
He adds by saying “the Holy See firmly reiterates its condemnation of any form of involvement of civilians in military operations.”
Who could he possibly be thinking about?
Updated
'War is back in vogue,' Pope Leo warns at meeting with diplomats
Pope Leo XIV is now speaking in the Vatican City, addressing the Vatican’s diplomatic corps, and he warns that “weakness of multilateralism is a particular cause of concern” as force replaces diplomacy and “war is back in vogue”.
He says:
“A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies.
War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading.
The principle established after the second world war, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.
Peace is no longer sought as a gift and a desirable good in itself, or in the pursuit of the establishment of the ordered universe willed, by God, with a more perfect form of justice among men and women. Instead, peace is sought through weapons as a condition for asserting one’s own dominion.
This gravely threatens the rule of law, which is the foundation of all peaceful civil coexistence.”
Extensively quoting from the writing of St Augustine, he also warns that “those who make war” who “desire nothing but victory … to attain peace with glory.”
“[They] have no hatred of peace, but only wish it changed into a peace that suits them better.
They do not, therefore wish to have no peace, but only the peace that they desire. It was precisely this attitude that led humanity into the tragedy of the second world war.”
Updated
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight - in pictures
Ukrainian PM accusses Russia of 'energy terror' as 500,000 left without power in Kyiv
Meanwhile, the country’s prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, offered a bit more detail on the power and water supply outages in the aftermath of the Russian attacks overnight.
In a short update on Telegram, she said that work was under way to restore power to “more than 500,000 consumers” in Kyiv, after damage to substations, lines and generation facilities.
She said “the enemy purposefully attacked district boiler houses – this is energy terror and an attempt to turn winter into a weapon.”
Russian strikes kill four, damage Qatari embassy, Zelenskyy says, as he calls for 'clear reaction' against Russia
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has now also commented on the overnight Russian strikes on Ukraine, saying that at least four people were killed after 20 residential buildings were damaged.
A building of the Embassy of Qatar was also damaged in the strikes, he said, stressing that Qatar “does so much to mediate with Russia in order to secure the release of prisoners of war and civilians held in Russian prisons”.
He also accused Russia of conducting a “double tap” attack, with the second strike coming “precisely at the moment when first responders were providing assistance after the first strike”.
Zelenskyy said that the work was under way to “restore heating and electricity supply for the people”, with further meetings on this expected during the day.
He added:
“A clear reaction from the world is needed. Above all from the United States, whose signals Russia truly pays attention to.
Russia must receive signals that it is its obligation to focus on diplomacy, and must feel consequences every time it again focuses on killings and the destruction of infrastructure.
Today’s strike also serves as a very loud reminder to all our partners that supporting Ukraine’s air defence is a permanent priority. Not a single day can be lost in deliveries, in production, or in agreements.”
Updated
Morning opening: So much for Putin's intentions to end the war
Russia said it had fired a hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a critical infrastructure target in western Ukraine on another night of heavy strikes which Kyiv said demonstrated a “grave threat to the security on the European continent.”
36 missiles and 242 drones were reportedly launched at Ukraine overnight, according to the Ukrainian air force statement this morning.
The attacks came just hours after a specific warning from the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said last night that “another massive Russian attack may happen tonight,” and warned that “the Russians haven’t changed one bit” as “they are trying to exploit the harsh winter weather” to disrupt the lives of Ukrainians.
Reuters noted that it is the second time that Russia has used the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile, which president Vladimir Putin has boasted is impossible to intercept because of its reported velocity of more than 10 times the speed of sound.
Moscow said the strike was in retaliation for what it claimed was an attempted Ukrainian strike at Putin’s residence, despite serious doubts about whether it actually took place. US president Donald Trump said recently that he didn’t believe the strike happened.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, said this morning that Ukraine was in the process of informing the US, European partners and others “about the details of this dangerous strike”.
He added:
“It is absurd that Russia attempts to justify this strike with the fake ‘Putin residence attack’ that never happened. Another proof that Moscow does not need any real reasons for its terror and war.”
Sybiha also noted that Russia used the missile to strike targets near Lviv, about 50 miles (80km) from Ukraine’s border with Poland, an EU and Nato member.
“There needs to be more strong steps against Russian tanker fleet – and the US is right to take action here – as well as Russia’s oil revenues, schemes, and its assets. Not only in the EU but across the world,” he said.
The attack comes just days after the latest summit on the thorny issue of security guarantees for Ukraine in case of a peace deal, prompting further questions over Russia’s genuine willingness to strike any agreement.
Expect some strong reactions from across Europe and updates on the aftermath of the attack.
I will bring you all the key developments here.
It’s Friday, 9 January 2026, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.
