Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia is planning a “large-scale attack” in the coming days, and called on the population to remain “extremely vigilant”.
“In the coming days, we must remain extremely vigilant – Russia has prepared for a strike, a large-scale strike, and is waiting for the moment to carry it out,” Mr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
“Please pay attention to all air-raid warnings, and every region must be ready to respond as quickly as possible and support people."
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has suffered heavily under repeated mass Russian air attacks this year, with five different regions left without power on Monday after another barrage of drone attacks.
Kyiv last week declared an energy emergency amid increased pressure from the heavy Russian bombardment, bitter cold temperatures and accumulated wartime damage. Vitali Kitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said the capital had only about half of the energy that it needs.
Elsewhere, Kyiv’s lead negotiator hoped to make progress in peace talks with the United States at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, after delegations held talks over the weekend in Florida.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury: Putin is a heretic – he has no holy mission in Ukraine
Drone strikes cut power to over 200,000 homes in Russian-occupied Ukraine, local official says
Union boss ‘held up communist flag alongside people singing pro-Russia chants in occupied Ukraine’
UK announces £20m emergency fund to repair Ukraine’s battered power grid
Key Points
- Zelensky warns of 'large-scale attack' in coming days
- Ukraine continuing peace proposal talks with US in Davos
- Ukraine transforms air defence system to deal with mass Russian attacks
- Russia planning big boost in drone production, says Ukraine's top military commander
- Putin invited to join Board of Peace in Gaza, says Kremlin
Russia is preparing to attack nuclear plant infrastructure, says Ukraine
04:35 , Arpan RaiRussia is preparing for more strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities, including those that ensure smooth operations of nuclear power plants, Ukrainian energy minister Denys Shmyhal said.
“Just had an important conversation with @rafaelmgrossi. I informed him about [Russia's] preparations for another massive attack on energy infrastructure, including facilities and networks that ensure the operation of NPPs (nuclear power plants).
"We agreed to jointly hear briefings from the heads of [Ukrainian] NPPs and the leaders of @IAEAorg missions in the near future," he said on X.
Shmyhal said the UN nuclear watchdog IAEA - an intergovernmental agency that promotes the safe use of nuclear energy - was working to send a new expert mission to Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, including to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which is currently occupied by Russia.
Russia claims two settlements in Ukraine
04:00 , Alex CroftRussia claimed to have taken control of two settlements in Ukraine on Monday.
The defence ministry said forces had taken Pavlivka, in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Novopavlivka, in the Donetsk region.
The Independent could not independently verify the battlefield report.
UN nuclear watchdog says local ceasefire helps power restoration at Zaporizhzhia plant
03:54 , Arpan RaiThe UN nuclear watchdog said the 330-kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 line was reconnected to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after a ceasefire was observed in the area.
The Ferosplavna-1 line is one of two high-voltage lines supplying electricity to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, and was disconnected earlier this month.
"The 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 back up line was reconnected to Ukraine’s ZNPP at 19:17 local time today after successful repair work was carried out by Ukrainian technicians under an IAEA-brokered ceasefire," the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a post on X.
Ukraine captures Russian soldier who 'executed nine Ukrainian POWs'
03:34 , Arpan RaiUkraine’s Security Service (SBU) has captured a Russian soldier accused of allegedly shooting and killing nine Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kursk oblast in October 2024, Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Zelensky shared the report after his briefing with SBU’s first deputy chief Oleksandr Poklad yesterday.
“The Russian serviceman responsible for the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war in October of last year in the Kursk region has been taken captive,” Zelensky said. “Every Russian murderer must be held accountable for their actions. And so it will be. We are also countering Russian sabotage in the rear,” he said.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office started investigation into reports of Russian soldiers killing Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered as prisoners, in violation of Geneva Convention on war crimes.
A report by Oleksandr Poklad. The Russian serviceman responsible for the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war in October of last year in the Kursk region has been taken captive. Every Russian murderer must be held accountable for their actions. And so it will be. We are also… pic.twitter.com/s4knYGUAEj
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 19, 2026
Watch: Zelensky warns of 'large-scale' Russian attack in coming days
03:21 , Arpan RaiRussia attacks Kyiv with drones and missiles overnight
03:03 , Arpan RaiRussian forces have carried out a major overnight attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv with a combined drone and missile onslaught, officials reported in the early hours today.
The attack has triggered cuts in power and water supplies, at a time Ukraine is reeling under its worst winter attack from Russian forces.
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said a strike on the east bank of the Dnipro river had disrupted both power and water supplies. A non-residential building had been hit and one person injured, he said.
Unofficial Telegram news channels posted photos of darkened high-rise apartment buildings.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the capital's military administration, said a storage area had been damaged and several cars set ablaze.
Ukraine announces new air defence system in face of massive Russian attacks
02:58 , Arpan RaiUkraine is introducing a new facet of air defence to transform its system as it faces a sustained wave of nightly Russian attacks, Volodymyr Zelensky announced.
The war-hit nation is reeling from an unusually strong period of Russian airstrikes that have knocked out power and heating to thousands of apartment blocks, particularly in the capital Kyiv.
President Zelensky has repeatedly called for air defences to be strengthened, including increased assistance from Ukraine's Western allies.
Zelensky also announced the appointment of a new deputy Air Force Commander, Pavlo Yelizarov, to oversee and develop the innovation.
“There will be a new approach to the use of air defences by the Air Force, concerning mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and other 'short-range' air defence assets," he said in his nightly video address.
“The system will be transformed,” he said.
Ukraine announces new air defence system as it braces for ‘massive’ Russian strikes
'We recognise Trump's role in pushing for Ukraine ceasefire', says Starmer
02:00 , Alex CroftSir Keir Starmer praised Trump for his role in pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a press conference this morning to address the spiralling situation in Greenland.
He reiterated the importance of the UK-US relationship and urged calm in resolving differences on the Danish territory.
European partners have been threatened with fresh US tariffs over their support for Denmark.
Poland to hike gas transmission to Ukraine as Russia ramps up strikes on energy infrastructrure
01:00 , Alex CroftPolish pipeline operator Gaz-System will increase gas transmission capacity to Ukraine between February and April, it said in a statement on Monday.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine's energy sector on an almost daily basis since last year, targeting electricity producers and transmission systems as well as gas production and transportation facilities.
Gaz-System said it was increasing the total capacity of gas transported to Ukraine to 720,000 cubic metres per hour from 600,000 cubic metres per hour.
Energy grid restoration works 'complicated' due to constant Russian strikes, says Zelensky
00:00 , Alex CroftZelensky warns of 'large-scale attack' in coming days
Monday 19 January 2026 23:29 , Alex CroftVolodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia is preparing a large-scale attack on Ukraine in the coming days.
"In the coming days, we must remain extremely vigilant – Russia has prepared for a strike, a large-scale strike, and is waiting for the moment to carry it out,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly video address.
“Please pay attention to all air-raid warnings, and every region must be ready to respond as quickly as possible and support people."
In the coming days, we must remain extremely vigilant—Russia has prepared for a massive strike and is waiting for the moment to carry it out. Please pay close attention to air raid alerts. Every region must be ready to respond quickly and support our people. pic.twitter.com/eC5mH7QmMc
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 19, 2026
Ukraine transforms air defence system to face huge Russian attacks
Monday 19 January 2026 23:11 , Alex CroftUkraine's armed forces are transforming their air defence, bringing in a new system made up of small groups deploying interceptor drones, as the country braces for new mass Russian attacks, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday.
Ukraine is still reeling from a wave of Russian strikes earlier this month that knocked out power and heating to thousands of apartment blocks, particularly in the capital Kyiv.
"There will be a new approach to the use of air defences by the Air Force, concerning mobile fire groups, interceptor drones and other 'short-range' air defence assets," Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address.
"The system will be transformed."
The president announced the appointment of a new deputy Air Force Commander, Pavlo Yelizarov, to oversee and develop the innovation.
Ukraine has rapidly developed its drone manufacturing system since Russia launched its invasion of its smaller neighbour in February 2022, and has emphasised interceptor drones as an effective and economical way to parry Russian strikes.
In his remarks, Mr Zelensky warned Ukrainians to be "extremely vigilant" ahead of anticipated new Russian attacks.
Nuclear watchdog says power reconnected to Zaporizhzhia plant
Monday 19 January 2026 23:07 , Alex CroftThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Monday that the 330-kilovolt (kV) Ferosplavna-1 line was reconnected to Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Reuters is reporting.
The Ferosplavna-1 line is one of two high-voltage lines supplying electricity to the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, and was disconnected earlier this month.
"The 330 kV Ferosplavna-1 back up line was reconnected to Ukraine’s ZNPP at 19:17 local time today after successful repair work was carried out by Ukrainian technicians under an IAEA-brokered ceasefire," IAEA said.
Recap: What happened on Monday?
Monday 19 January 2026 22:00 , James Reynolds- Ukraine recorded continued Russian strikes on energy infrastructure nationwide. One person was hurt in Odesa.
- Poland said it would hike gas transmission to Ukraine from next Monday to help correct a shortfall in power.
- The Kremlin said that Vladimir Putin was among the leaders invited to join Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace.
- Sources told Reuters that Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will travel to Davos this week for meetings with members of the US delegation.
- Keir Starmer said he recognised Trump’s role in pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine as tensions between Washington and Europe were inflamed by rhetoric over the future of Greenland.
President of Peace? How Donald Trump’s claims to have ended eight wars in his second term fall apart
Monday 19 January 2026 21:00 , James ReynoldsThe US president believes he has resolved enough global conflicts to have earned him a Nobel Peace Prize.
James C. Reynolds and Alex Croft report on how his boasts stand up to scrutiny:
President of Peace? How Donald Trump’s claims to have ended eight wars fall apart
Recap: Russia prepares possible strikes on nuclear plants' power supply, Kyiv says
Monday 19 January 2026 20:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday that he had informed the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency about Russian preparations for more strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, including those that ensure the operations of nuclear plants.
Shmyhal said on the Telegram app that the IAEA - an intergovernment agency that promotes the safe use of nuclear energy - was working to send a new expert mission to Ukraine's nuclear power plants, including to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which is currently occupied by Russia.
Will Davos make the difference?
Monday 19 January 2026 19:00 , James ReynoldsUkraine’s top negotiator Rustem Umerov said on Sunday that talks with US officials would continue at the World Economic Forum opening this week in the Swiss resort of Davos.
It was unclear whether two days of talks in Florida about security guarantees and a post-war recovery plan had produced any solid agreements. But Ukraine’s Zelensky said that he hoped that proposals would be signed this coming week.
Both Zelensky and Trump are set to attend the forum. Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said on Monday afternoon he had arrived and briefed his Swiss counterpart on the situation in Ukraine, including peace talks.
Sources told Reuters that Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev would also travel to Davos this week for meetings with members of the US delegation.
Separately, Danish officials were to skip the forum amid the intensifying dispute over Greenland, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.
Recap: What happened on Monday?
Monday 19 January 2026 18:00 , James Reynolds- Ukraine recorded continued Russian strikes on energy infrastructure nationwide. One person was hurt in Odesa.
- Poland said it would hike gas transmission to Ukraine from next Monday to help correct a shortfall in power.
- The Kremlin said that Vladimir Putin was among the leaders invited to join Donald Trump’s so-called Board of Peace.
- Sources told Reuters that Vladimir Putin’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev will travel to Davos this week for meetings with members of the US delegation.
- Keir Starmer said he recognised Trump’s role in pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine as tensions between Washington and Europe were inflamed by rhetoric over the future of Greenland.
Kremlin claims Putin was invited to join Trump’s ‘board of peace’ for Gaza
Monday 19 January 2026 17:00 , James ReynoldsVladimir Putin has been invited to join Donald Trump’s “board of peace”, the Kremlin claimed on Monday, adding that it was seriously studying the proposal.
“Putin received an invitation through diplomatic channels to join the board of peace,” the Russian president’s longtime press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced, adding: “We are studying all the details of this proposal, including hoping to contact the American side to clarify all the nuances.”
Read the full story:
Putin invited to join Trump’s ‘board of peace’ for Gaza, Kremlin claims
Russia prepares possible strikes on nuclear plants' power supply, Kyiv says
Monday 19 January 2026 16:45 , James ReynoldsUkraine's Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Monday that he had informed the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency about Russian preparations for more strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities, including those that ensure the operations of nuclear plants.
Shmyhal said on the Telegram app that the IAEA - an intergovernment agency that promotes the safe use of nuclear energy - was working to send a new expert mission to Ukraine's nuclear power plants, including to the Zaporizhzhia plant, which is currently occupied by Russia.
Russia says power fully restored at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, RIA reports
Monday 19 January 2026 16:40 , James ReynoldsPower supply to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant has been fully restored, with both of its external power lines now back in operation, the RIA news agency reported, citing Rosatom head Alexei Likhachev.
Europe should focus on Ukraine, says Trump amid Greenland row
Monday 19 January 2026 16:19 , James ReynoldsSpeaking on Monday, Donald Trump said that Europe should focus on the war in Ukraine and “not Greenland” amid a deepening rift with allies over the future of the Danish territory.
Russia strikes energy infrastructure across Ukraine, says Kyiv
Monday 19 January 2026 15:57 , James ReynoldsRussia launched a barrage of drone strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight on Monday, cutting off power in five regions across the country amid freezing temperatures and high demand, Ukrainian officials said.
The Ukrainian air force said that Russian troops had launched 145 drones. Air defence units shot down 126 of them, it said.
"As of this morning, consumers in Sumy, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions are without power," the energy ministry said in a statement. "Emergency repair work is underway if the security situation allows."
In the southern Odesa region, energy and gas infrastructure was damaged, the regional governor said, adding that one person was hurt in the attack.
In pictures: Aftermath of Russian attack in Odesa
Monday 19 January 2026 14:57 , James Reynolds
Watch: 'Diplomacy not a priority for Russia', says Zelensky
Monday 19 January 2026 14:00 , James ReynoldsCzechia will not sell Ukraine jets to shoot down drones
Monday 19 January 2026 13:00 , James ReynoldsCzechia will not sell or donate to Ukraine light combat planes that can shoot down incoming drones, the prime minister said today, rejecting a plan outlined by president Petr Pavel.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis told a press conference that the Czech army needed the planes and they could not be provided.
"The planes are not available and we do not have any other ones," Babis said.
Pavel has been a strong supporter of Kyiv during Russia's war in Ukraine. Babis has pledged not to provide military aid to Ukraine and opted out of the financial costs of a European Union loan to Kyiv in December.
Poland to hike gas transmission to Ukraine as Russia ramps up strikes on energy infrastructrure
Monday 19 January 2026 12:30 , James ReynoldsPolish pipeline operator Gaz-System will increase gas transmission capacity to Ukraine between February and April, it said in a statement on Monday.
Russia has been attacking Ukraine's energy sector on an almost daily basis since last year, targeting electricity producers and transmission systems as well as gas production and transportation facilities.
Gaz-System said it was increasing the total capacity of gas transported to Ukraine to 720,000 cubic metres per hour from 600,000 cubic metres per hour.
Putin has no holy mission in Ukraine, former Archbishop of Canterbury tells The Independent
Monday 19 January 2026 12:00 , James ReynoldsFor years, the Russian Orthodox Church has given its blessing to Moscow’s brutal invasion and attempted to frame it in religious terms. The former archbishop tells Maira Butt that Vladimir Putin’s violence directly contradicts the message preached by Christ:
Ex-Archbishop of Canterbury: Putin is a heretic – he has no holy mission in Ukraine
Russia claims two settlements in Ukraine
Monday 19 January 2026 11:30 , James ReynoldsRussia claimed to have taken control of two settlements in Ukraine on Monday.
The defence ministry said forces had taken Pavlivka, in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Novopavlivka, in the Donetsk region.
The Independent could not independently verify the battlefield report.
Russian strikes 'damage critical infrastructure' in Ukraine
Monday 19 January 2026 11:00 , James ReynoldsA Russian missile attack damaged a critical infrastructure facility in Kharkiv, the mayor said on Monday.
"The enemy attacked a critical infrastructure facility with several missiles, causing significant damage," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on the Telegram messaging app.
Terekhov gave no details about the type of facility that was struck.
Kharkiv is Ukraine’s second-biggest city.
'We recognise Trump's role in pushing for Ukraine ceasefire', says Starmer
Monday 19 January 2026 10:30 , James ReynoldsSir Keir Starmer praised Trump for his role in pushing for a ceasefire in Ukraine during a press conference this morning to address the spiralling situation in Greenland.
He reiterated the importance of the UK-US relationship and urged calm in resolving differences on the Danish territory.
European partners have been threatened with fresh US tariffs over their support for Denmark.
Recap: Putin mediating in Iran
Monday 19 January 2026 10:00 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said today that Vladimir Putin had been invited to join Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Gaza.
Only on Friday, the Kremlin revealed that Putin was playing a role in mediating the Iran situation, having spoken to both Israel’s Netanyahu and Iran’s Pezeshkian.
Russia has pursued closer ties with Iran since the start of its war in Ukraine, and Putin last year signed a 20-year strategic partnership pact with Pezeshkian. Moscow also has a long-established working relationship with Israel.
Kremlin: Trump would 'go down in history' if he annexes Greenland
Monday 19 January 2026 09:52 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said on Monday that it was hard to disagree with experts who said that US President Donald Trump would go down in world history if he took control of Greenland.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he was not discussing whether such a step would be good or bad - simply stating a fact.
Breaking: Putin invited to join Board of Peace in Gaza, says Kremlin
Monday 19 January 2026 09:42 , James ReynoldsThe Kremlin said on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been invited to join US President Donald Trump's "Board of Peace", and that Moscow is studying the proposal and hopes for contacts with Washington concerning it.
US invasion of Greenland 'would make Putin happiest man on earth', says Spanish PM
Monday 19 January 2026 09:30 , Arpan RaiSpanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said a US invasion of Greenland "would make Putin the happiest man on earth".
Sanchez said any military action by the US against Denmark's vast Arctic island would damage Nato and "legitimise" the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
“If we focus on Greenland, I have to say that a US invasion of that territory would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man in the world. Why? Because it would legitimise his attempted invasion of Ukraine," he told La Vanguardia.
“If the United States were to use force, it would be the death knell for Nato. Putin would be doubly happy,” he said.
President Donald Trump on Saturday appeared to change tack over Greenland by vowing to implement a wave of increasing tariffs on European allies until the United States is allowed to buy Greenland.
Watch: 'Diplomacy not a priority for Russia', says Zelensky
Monday 19 January 2026 09:00 , Arpan RaiZelensky holds special energy coordination meeting
Monday 19 January 2026 08:30 , Arpan RaiVolodymyr Zelensky said he held a special energy coordination meeting yesterday, noting that the situation remains most difficult in several areas.
He said Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia and the surrounding regions are the worst hit due to Russian attacks.
Ukraine needs to ramp up electricity imports and acquire additional equipment from its partners, the Ukrainian president said.
Zelensky said he has ordered a separate review in Kyiv to identify buildings that are still without heating.
“Unfortunately, there are discrepancies between city-level and government-level reports even concerning the number of such buildings. The Ministry of Energy and all central government bodies must fully engage to help people,” he said.
Zelensky says Ukraine 'doing everything they can' to restore energy
Monday 19 January 2026 08:00 , Arpan RaiUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Telegram post that repairing the country's energy system remains challenging, "but we are doing everything we can to restore everything as quickly as possible".
He said two people were killed in overnight attacks across the country that struck Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa.
More than 1,300 attack drones, 1,050 guided aerial bombs and 29 missiles of various types were used by Russia to strike Ukraine this week, he added.
"If Russia deliberately delays the diplomatic process, the world's response should be decisive: more help for Ukraine and more pressure on the aggressor," Mr Zelensky said.
He spoke the day after a Ukrainian delegation arrived in the US for talks on a US-led diplomatic push to end the war.
Kyiv will improve electricity transmission from western Ukraine to east
Monday 19 January 2026 07:52 , Arpan RaiUkraine, whose power system is under constant Russian attacks, will implement projects to improve electricity transmission from western part of the country to its power-hungry east, energy minister Denys Shmyhal said this morning.
The three operational Ukrainian nuclear power plants, which currently provide Ukraine with most of its electricity, are located in the west of the country, while eastern Ukraine previously relied on thermal power plants that have been almost completely destroyed.
Russia planning big boost in drone production, says Ukraine's top military commander
Monday 19 January 2026 07:32 , Arpan RaiRussia is showing no signs of interest in talks leading to a peace deal and is instead focusing on boosting arms production, including a target of 1,000 drones a day, Ukraine’s top military commander has said.
“On the contrary, we see an increase in intensity of military actions, an increase in the number of offensive enemy groupings, an increase in production of strike weapons, missiles and drones,” General Oleksandr Syrskyi told the online media outlet lb.ua in an interview.
“At the moment, the enemy produces daily 404 ‘Shaheds’ (Iranian-designed drones) of different kinds. And the plans are to increase that. The enemy plans to boost production significantly, up to 1,000 drones a day,” he said.
