Ukraine has ordered the evacuation of 3,000 children as well as their parents from frontline regions, saying the situation is no longer safe for them.
The orders were issued for 44 frontline settlements “due to the difficult security situation” in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, according to Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba.
It brings the total number of Ukrainians evacuated from the frontlines since 1 June to 150,000, Kyiv said, at a time when Russia has committed huge numbers of forces to seize more territory.
Russia advanced more in 2025 than in the previous two years combined, according to new analysis – seizing about 1 per cent of Ukraine, albeit at a massive cost in terms of personnel.
Meanwhile on Friday, Russian missiles struck a multi-storey apartment building in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, killing at least two people and injuring about 25 more.
Russia denied the attack, suggesting that an explosion at the site was caused by Ukrainian ammunition.
Key Points
- Ukraine evacuates 3,000 children from frontline settlements
- Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Ukraine as tensions grow amid peace talks
- Ukraine says two killed in Russian strike on Kharkiv
- Zelensky names top spy as his new chief of staff
- Ukraine didn’t try to kill Putin, CIA tells Trump
Ukraine evacuates 3,000 children from frontline settlements
09:06 , Adam WithnallUkraine has ordered the evacuation of 3,000 children as well as their parents from frontline regions, saying the situation is no longer safe for them.
The orders were issued for 44 frontline settlements “due to the difficult security situation” in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, according to Restoration Minister Oleksiy Kuleba.
It brings the total number of Ukrainians evacuated from the frontlines since 1 June to 150,000, Kyiv said, at a time when Russia has committed huge numbers of forces to seize more territory.
Russians won't represent their country at Winter Olympics even if Ukraine war ends, IOC chief says
08:30 , Namita SinghRussian athletes at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will not be able to represent their country even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry said in an Italian newspaper interview.
At this stage nothing would change the Committee's decision allowing Russian athletes to take part in the February games only as individuals representing themselves, Coventry told Corriere della Sera in an interview published on Friday.
The IOC banned Russia and Belarus following the former's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the IOC ruled in September that Russians and Belarusians competing at Milano Cortina would do so as individual athletes, without a national flag or anthem.
In other remarks, Coventry - the IOC's first woman president - said holding the Olympics in multiple cities, as Italy is doing, would become "the new normality" and the Milano Cortina games would provide useful guidance for the future.
The IOC did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for confirmation of Coventry's comments.
The Milano Cortina games run from 6 to 22 February.
Police in Finland arrest 2 in connection with damage to undersea telecom cable
07:45 , Namita SinghFinnish authorities have arrested two people in connection with damage to an undersea telecommunications cable in the Gulf of Finland that occurred earlier this week between the capitals of Finland and Estonia, police said Thursday.
The damage was discovered early on Wednesday in Estonia's exclusive economic zone.
The cable belongs to Finnish telecommunications service provider Elisa and is considered to be critical underwater infrastructure.
Helsinki police have opened an investigation into aggravated criminal damage, attempted aggravated criminal damage and aggravated interference with telecommunications.
Officials placed two other people under travel bans as a result of the ongoing investigation, Helsinki police said in a statement Thursday.
The individuals' connections to the ship was not immediately clear and police would not release their nationalities or other details.
The ship, named the Fitburg, was flagged in St Vincent and the Grenadines. It had been travelling from Russia to Israel. The 14 crew members hail from Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan and were detained by Finnish authorities.
Finnish National Police Commissioner Ilkka Koskimïki said earlier this week that the ship was dragging its anchor for hours when it was discovered in Finland's exclusive economic zone.
He noted investigators are not speculating on whether a state-level actor was behind the damage.
Erdogan says he will discuss Ukraine and Gaza with Trump on Monday
07:30 , Namita SinghTurkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he will have a phone call with US president Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan also said Turkey's foreign minister Hakan Fidan will attend a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing", a group of nations backing Ukraine, in Paris in the coming days.
In focus: Russian ceasefire in Ukraine is going to cost Europe
07:00 , Namita SinghDespite Zelensky and Trump’s optimistic talk of an ongoing ‘peace process’ Putin seems only too happy to continue waging war in Ukraine.
And if a ceasefire is achieved in 2026, Keir Giles asks: at what cost?
Read it here:
A ceasefire in Ukraine would be fraught with danger for the whole of Europe
Ukraine says two killed in Russian strike on Kharkiv
06:30 , Namita SinghAt least two people, including a three-year-old, were killed in a Russian strike on Kharkiv, according to the Ukrainian authorities.
At least 28 others were injured and a multi-storey residential block was completely destroyed in the missile attack, president Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"Unfortunately, this is how the Russians treat life and people – they continue killing, despite all efforts by the world, and especially by the United States, in the diplomatic process," Zelensky wrote on X as he described the “heinous” attack.
Russia denied the reports, suggesting that the blast was caused by detonating Ukrainian ammunition.
Budanov thanks Zelensky for entrusting him
06:00 , Namita SinghIn his first comments after the appointment was announced as Volodymyr Zelensky’s new chief of staff, General Kyrylo Budano Budanov thanked the Ukrainian president for his trust.
"I continue to serve Ukraine," he wrote on his Telegram page. "For me, it is both an honour and a responsibility – at a historic time for Ukraine – to focus on the critically important issues of the state's strategic security."
Budanov served as part of the delegation that worked with the US negotiating team. He also has had contact with the Russian side on issues such as coordinating prisoner exchanges. It's not yet clear what role, if any, he will take in the peace process in his new position.
Who is Zelensky’s new chief of staff?
05:19 , Namita SinghPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has chosen General Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's head of military intelligence, as his new chief of staff.
Budanov has led the military intelligence agency, known by its acronym GUR, since 2020.
At 39, he is one of Ukraine's most recognisable and popular wartime figures, known for being the architect of many successful operations targeting Russian military assets, as well as for his independent and enigmatic personality.
A career military intelligence officer, Budanov brings battlefield knowledge to his new position.
He rose through the defence establishment after Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. He also took part in special operations and intelligence missions linked to the fighting with Moscow-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine and Crimea before the full-scale invasion of February 2022. He reportedly was wounded during one such operation.
Since that invasion, Budanov has become a prominent face of Kyiv's intelligence effort, appearing regularly in interviews and briefings that mix strategic signaling with psychological pressure on Russia. He has warned frequently of Moscow's long-term intentions toward Ukraine and the region, portraying the war as an existential struggle for the country's statehood.
Under Budanov, the GUR expanded its footprint, coordinating intelligence, sabotage and special operations aimed at degrading Russia's military capabilities far beyond the front lines.
Officials have credited the military intelligence service with operations targeting Russian command structures, logistics hubs, energy infrastructure and naval assets, including attacks deep inside Russian territory and occupied areas of Ukraine.
Budanov's role and public status has made him a target. He reportedly has survived multiple assassination attempts by the Russian security services. In November 2023, his wife, Marianna, was hospitalised in Kyiv with heavy metals poisoning.
Zelensky names top spy as his new chief of staff
04:56 , Adam WithnallUkraine's Volodymyr Zelensky has named the head of Ukraine's military intelligence as his new chief of staff.
Zelensky had dismissed his previous chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, after anti-corruption officials began investigating alleged graft in the energy sector.
Announcing the appointment of General Kyrylo Budanov, Zelensky said Ukraine needs to focus on security issues, developing its defence and security forces, and peace talks – areas that are overseen by the office of the president.
The president framed Budanov's appointment as part of a broader effort to sharpen the focus on security, defence development and diplomacy.
"Kyrylo has specialised experience in these areas and sufficient strength to achieve results," Zelensky said.
Budanov, 39, said on Telegram his new position is "both an honour and a responsibility – at a historic time for Ukraine – to focus on the critically important issues of the state's strategic security."
Russia claims 27 killed in Ukrainian drone strike
04:06 , Adam WithnallMoscow says the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine’s Kherson region has risen to 27 – but Kyiv denied attacking civilian targets.
Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman of Russia's main criminal investigation agency, the Investigative Committee, said a drone strike on a café and hotel in the village of Khorly, where at least 100 civilians were celebrating New Year's Eve overnight into Thursday, killed 27 people, including two children, and 31 in hospital.
Kyiv denied attacking civilians. Spokesman of Ukraine’s General Staff, Dmytro Lykhovii, told Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne that Ukrainian forces “adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law” and "carry out strikes exclusively against Russian military targets, facilities of the Russian fuel and energy sector, and other lawful targets.”
Lykhovii said an explicit list of targets that the Ukrainian army struck on New Year’s Eve did not include strikes on occupied parts of the Kherson region.
Read more:
Russia puts death toll from Ukrainian strike on village at 27
Watch: Russia releases video of drone it says was used in alleged attack on Putin residence
03:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainUkrainians strongly opposed to territorial concessions, new poll finds
02:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainMore than half (53%) of Ukrainians are categorically opposed to any territorial concessions, a new poll has found.
The survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that a third (33%) of Ukrainians were generally willing to accept certain territorial losses, with 14% unable to decide.
But nearly one in four (39%) are prepared to freeze the front line without officially recognising any occupied territories as part of Russia.
Erdogan says he will discuss Ukraine and Gaza with Trump on Monday
01:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan says he will hold a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan also said Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Paris in the coming days.
Washington praises progress in negotiations
00:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainU.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Wednesday that he, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner had a "productive call" with the national security advisers of Britain, France, Germany and Ukraine "to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process."
The U.S. efforts has faced a new obstacle earlier this week, when Moscow said it would toughen its negotiating stand after what it said was a long-range drone attack against a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in northwestern Russia early Monday.
Kyiv has denied attacking Putin's residence, saying the Russian claim was a ruse to derail the negotiations.
In his New Year's address, Zelenskyy said a peace deal was "90% ready" but warned that the remaining 10% — believed to include key sticking points such as territory — would "determine the fate of peace, the fate of Ukraine and Europe, how people will live."
Russians won't represent their country at Winter Olympics even if Ukraine war ends, IOC chief says
Friday 2 January 2026 23:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussian athletes at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will not be able to represent their country even if a peace deal is reached with Ukraine, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry said in an Italian newspaper interview.
At this stage nothing would change the Committee's decision allowing Russian athletes to take part in the February games only as individuals representing themselves, Coventry told Corriere della Sera in an interview published on Friday.
The IOC banned Russia and Belarus following the former's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the IOC ruled in September that Russians and Belarusians competing at Milano Cortina would do so as individual athletes, without a national flag or anthem.
In other remarks, Coventry - the IOC's first woman president - said holding the Olympics in multiple cities, as Italy is doing, would become "the new normality" and the Milano Cortina games would provide useful guidance for the future.
Trump riffed on Ukraine’s ‘beautiful’ women during peace talks and called former Miss Ukraine to speak with Zelensky, report says
Friday 2 January 2026 22:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDuring an August meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump reportedly interrupted discussions to make remarks about “beautiful” women from Ukraine and then arranged for former Miss Ukraine to speak with the Zelensky over the phone, according to a new report.
Trump riffed on Ukraine’s ‘beautiful’ women during peace talks with Zelensky
Zelenskiy proposes appointing First Deputy PM Fedorov as Ukraine's new defence minister
Friday 2 January 2026 21:27 , Rebecca WhittakerPresident Volodymyr Zelenskiy proposed appointing First Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov as Ukraine's new defence minister.
He praised his abilities in developing the drones and digitalisation needed for the country's defence.
Fedorov also served as minister of digital transformation and his appointment must be approved by parliament. But he could be replacing Denys Shmyhal.
"Mykhailo is deeply engaged in the 'drone line' initiative and works very effectively on the digitalisation of state services and processes," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.
"Together with all our military personnel, military command, national weapons manufacturers and Ukraine's partners, we must implement changes in the defence sector that will truly help."
Zelensky to make cabinet changes to make Ukraine 'resilient'
Friday 2 January 2026 21:23 , Rebecca WhittakerUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, has said he has “begun a substantial overhaul” to his team to make Ukraine more “resilient”.
In a post on X he defended the modifications and said: “Today, we have begun a substantial overhaul – internal changes to make Ukraine more resilient.
“Last year, there were good results from state institutions that need to be scaled up, as well as problems that should not carry over into the new year.
“Therefore, a wave of personnel changes is underway, and more decisions will follow regarding institutions. Tomorrow, we will continue the changes.”
Today, we have begun a substantial overhaul – internal changes to make Ukraine more resilient.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 2, 2026
Last year, there were good results from state institutions that need to be scaled up, as well as problems that should not carry over into the new year. Therefore, a wave of personnel… pic.twitter.com/wcqTagybnP
Russian strike on Ukraine's Kharkiv kills two
Friday 2 January 2026 21:16 , Rebecca WhittakerRussian missiles have struck a multi-storey apartment building in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, killing at least two people and injuring about 25.
But Russia has denied the attack even took place and said that an explosion at the site was caused by Ukrainian ammunition.
Photographs and videos posted online showed smoke rising from the area, with emergency crews making their way through rubble and large chunks of building materials, Reuters reported.
Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov, writing on Telegram, said that according to preliminary information the bodies of a woman and her son were found under rubble.
Speaking earlier on Ukrainian television, Syniehubov said two ballistic missiles had struck the area and "nearly destroyed a five-storey dwelling". "Rescue teams are on site," he said. "They are primarily clearing rubble and searching for people underneath."
Cargo ship accused of damaging Baltic Sea cable seized by Finland
Friday 2 January 2026 21:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainA cargo vessel sailing from Russia has been seized by Finnish police on suspicion of sabotaging an undersea telecoms cable running from Helsinki to Estonia across the Gulf of Finland.
’Fitburg’ was en route from the Russian port of St Petersburg to Israel at the time of the incident, Finland's Border Guard authority said on Wednesday.
"At the moment we suspect aggravated disruption of telecommunications and also aggravated sabotage and attempted aggravated sabotage," Helsinki Chief of Police Jari Liukku said.
Cargo ship accused of damaging Baltic Sea cable seized by Finland
Trump riffed on Ukraine’s ‘beautiful’ women during peace talks and called former Miss Ukraine to speak with Zelensky, report says
Friday 2 January 2026 20:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainDuring an August meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump reportedly interrupted discussions to make remarks about “beautiful” women from Ukraine and then arranged for former Miss Ukraine to speak with the Zelensky over the phone, according to a new report.
Just days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the U.S. president met with Zelensky and seven other European leaders in the Oval Office, where discussions about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia took a more lighthearted turn.
Trump riffed on Ukraine’s ‘beautiful’ women during peace talks with Zelensky
Kremlin release video of downed UAV ‘used in 91-drone attack on Putin residence’
Friday 2 January 2026 19:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Kremlin release video of downed UAV ‘used in 91-drone attack on Putin residence’
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Friday 2 January 2026 18:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAustralian authorities are trying to confirm reports that a national was reportedly killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.
The man, identified in social media posts as Russell Allan Wilson, was killed on 12 December in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to local media reports.
In an Instagram post on 19 December, a man identifying himself as a US army veteran said Wilson had been killed during combat and had chosen to remain in Ukraine despite the risks.
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Putin vows victory in Ukraine in defiant New Year’s address
Friday 2 January 2026 17:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussian President Vladimir Putin has vowed victory in Ukraine in a defiant speech despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war.
Putin used his annual televised New Year's address to rally his troops fighting in Ukraine, saying he believed in them and in victory in a war that he has framed as part of an existential struggle with the West.
It comes as Trump is trying to broker an end to the nearly four-year-old conflict, Europe's bloodiest conflagration since World War Two, with both sides' negotiating stances still far apart.
Did Ukraine launch 91-drone attack on Putin’s presidential residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Friday 2 January 2026 16:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussia’s claim that Ukraine launched a 91-drone strike on Vladimir Putin’s personal residence has threatened to derail months of talks over a peace deal to end Moscow’s invasion.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has called the claims a “complete fabrication” intended to lay the groundwork for future strikes on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine.
“I am sure they are simply preparing the ground for strikes, probably on the capital, probably on government buildings,” he said.
Maira Butt has more:
Did Ukraine launch a strike on Putin’s residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Death toll from Ukrainian strike on occupied village rises to 27
Friday 2 January 2026 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainRussian authorities said that the death toll from a Ukrainian drone strike they claim struck a cafe in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine's Kherson region has risen to 27.
Kyiv has denied attacking civilian targets.
Svetlana Petrenko, spokeswoman for Russia's main criminal investigation agency the Investigative Committee, said that a Ukrainian drone strike on a cafe and hotel in the village of Khorly, where at least 100 civilians were celebrating New Year's Eve overnight into Thursday, killed 27 people, including two children.
A total of 31 people, including five children, were taken to hospital with injuries, officials said.
A criminal probe on the charges of carrying out an act of terrorism has been opened, Ms Petrenko said.
Who is Zelensky's new chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov?
Friday 2 January 2026 15:30 , Daniel KeaneKyrylo Budanov has headed the Defence Ministry's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) since 2020 and brings a track record of overseeing covert and other operations against Russian forces.
He has also led talks with Russia on the exchange of prisoners of war.
Budanov makes frequent media appearances and is known for his restrained style and often cryptic commentary about suspected Ukrainian actions inside Russia.
In a 2023 interview with Reuters, he said his public profile was a critical part of the "information battle" against Moscow.
Pictured: Emergency workers at the scene of Kharkiv missile strike
Friday 2 January 2026 15:00 , Daniel Keane
At least 15 injured in Kharkiv attack, says local governor
Friday 2 January 2026 14:30 , Daniel KeaneThe local governor of the Kharkiv region says that at least 15 people were injured in a Russian missile strike on a multi-storey building.
"Preliminarily, the Russian army launched two strikes with ballistic weapons," he said on Telegram.
"There is information that people are still trapped under the rubble. Search operations are ongoing," he added.
Zelensky condemns 'heinous' Russian strike on Kharkiv
Friday 2 January 2026 13:43 , Daniel KeaneVolodymyr Zelensky has condemned a “heinous” Russian strike on two buildings in an “ordinary residential” area of Kharkiv.
He wrote on X: “The exact number of casualties is yet unknown. First responders, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as well as Kharkiv city and regional authorities, will provide updates.”
Zelensky added: “Unfortunately, this is how the Russians treat life and people – they continue killing, despite all efforts by the world, and especially by the United States, in the diplomatic process. It is only Russia that does not want this war to end, and every day it does everything to ensure the war continues.”
A heinous Russian strike on Kharkiv. Preliminary reports indicate two missiles struck an ordinary residential area. One of the buildings has been severely damaged. A rescue operation is currently underway, with all necessary services on site. The exact number of casualties is yet… pic.twitter.com/7MIVSlBvAM
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 2, 2026
Did Ukraine launch 91-drone attack on Putin’s presidential residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Friday 2 January 2026 13:30 , Daniel KeaneExperts tell Maira Butt that despite what the Kremlin says, it is still unclear if such an attack took place.
Did Ukraine launch a strike on Putin’s residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Erdogan says he will discuss Ukraine and Gaza with Trump on Monday
Friday 2 January 2026 13:01 , Daniel KeaneTurkish President Tayyip Erdogan says he will hold a phone call with US President Donald Trump on Monday to discuss peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, as well as issues surrounding Gaza.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan also said Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" in Paris in the coming days.
Zelensky says he offered position of chief of staff to military intelligence chief
Friday 2 January 2026 12:30 , Daniel KeaneUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he has offered the position of presidential chief of staff to military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.
"At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of negotiations, and the Office of the President will primarily serve the fulfillment of these tasks of our state," he said on X.
I had a meeting with Kyrylo Budanov and offered him the role of the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. At this time, Ukraine needs greater focus on security issues, the development of the Defense and Security Forces of Ukraine, as well as on the diplomatic track of… pic.twitter.com/SCs6Oj2Rb7
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 2, 2026
Ukrainians strongly opposed to territorial concessions, new poll finds
Friday 2 January 2026 12:00 , Daniel KeaneMore than half (53%) of Ukrainians are categorically opposed to any territorial concessions, a new poll has found.
The survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) found that a third (33%) of Ukrainians were generally willing to accept certain territorial losses, with 14% unable to decide.
But nearly one in four (39%) are prepared to freeze the front line without officially recognising any occupied territories as part of Russia.
Australian man 'killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia'
Friday 2 January 2026 11:30 , Daniel KeaneAustralian authorities are trying to confirm reports that a national was reportedly killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.
The man, identified in social media posts as Russell Allan Wilson, was killed on 12 December in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to local media reports.
In an Instagram post on 19 December, a man identifying himself as a US army veteran said Wilson had been killed during combat and had chosen to remain in Ukraine despite the risks.
Read our full story below.
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Watch: Russia releases video of 'drone' it claims was used on Putin residence
Friday 2 January 2026 11:00 , Daniel KeaneUkrainian forces under intense pressure in south as troop shortages deepen
Friday 2 January 2026 10:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkrainian forces are facing mounting pressure in southern Ukraine, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, as troop shortages leave less well-equipped units outnumbered by advancing Russian brigades, CNN reported.
A Ukrainian security officer described the situation as “intense”, saying Russia is pushing to seize territory to bolster its leverage in peace talks.
“The enemy is trying to strengthen its negotiating position by attempting to capture more territory,” the officer told the outlet.
Russian forces have advanced across open countryside and concentrated fighting around the town of Huliaipole, which Moscow claims to have captured.
According to an unofficial Ukrainian conflict mapper Deepstate, the town has become a “grey zone”, with Russian troops having “many times more personnel”, making reinforcements difficult and exposing weak defences.
Ukraine faked Russian fighter Kapustin’s death to foil Kremlin plot, intelligence says
Friday 2 January 2026 10:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkraine’s military intelligence says it faked the death of Denis Kapustin – also known as Denis Nikitin – a senior Russian fighter aligned with Kyiv, to stop Moscow from assassinating him and to expose those behind the plot.
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, GUR, the staged “killing” was used to “lure out those involved in the plot” and even led to Ukraine collecting a $500,000 Russian bounty offered for Kapustin’s death.
⚡️ WOW. Russian intelligence failure‼️
— Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) January 1, 2026
RDK commander Denis Kapustin is alive, and the half-million dollars allocated for his assassination will now strengthen special units of GUR.
The assassination of Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, which is fighting… pic.twitter.com/6NMoRCG3vP
His assassination, the GUR and Timur Timur Special unit said, “was ordered by the special services of the aggressor state Russia, which allocated half a million dollars to carry out the crime … As a result of a comprehensive special operation [his life] was preserved, and the circle of individuals was identified: the masterminds within the Russian special services and the perpetrators.”
New Year drone strike in Russian-occupied Ukraine kills 24, Moscow says
Friday 2 January 2026 09:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarOn New Year’s Eve 2025, Russia claimed Ukrainian drones struck a cafe and hotel in the occupied village of Khorly, Kherson region, killing 24 and injuring at least 50, with one drone reportedly carrying an incendiary mixture.
Ukraine denied targeting civilians, saying its strikes hit only Russian military and energy sites.
The incident occurred amid ongoing peace talks, which Kyiv says Russia is trying to sabotage, including false claims of a drone attack on Putin’s residence.
President Zelensky said a deal was “90 per cent ready,” with remaining issues focused on territory, while US and European envoys work to advance security guarantees and deconfliction measures.
Decorated Ukrainian soldier makes chilling claim about POWs captured by Russia
Friday 2 January 2026 09:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarMajor Oleh Shyriaiev, a decorated Ukrainian soldier, claims Russian forces are systematically executing surrendering Ukrainian troops, often intercepting orders for these killings.
Evidence of alleged war crimes by Russian troops has increased, including drone footage showing soldiers being shot after surrendering and investigations into claimed beheadings.
The Ukrainian prosecution service reports at least 147 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been executed since 2022, with a significant rise this year, indicating a systematic policy.
Read more here:
Decorated Ukrainian soldier makes chilling claim about POWs captured by Russia
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Friday 2 January 2026 08:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarAustralian authorities are trying to confirm reports that a national was reportedly killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.
The man, identified in social media posts as Russell Allan Wilson, was killed on 12 December in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to local media reports.
In an Instagram post on 19 December, a man identifying himself as a US army veteran said Wilson had been killed during combat and had chosen to remain in Ukraine despite the risks.
Read more here:
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Did Ukraine launch 91-drone attack on Putin’s presidential residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Friday 2 January 2026 08:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussia’s claim that Ukraine launched a 91-drone strike on Vladimir Putin’s personal residence has threatened to derail months of talks over a peace deal to end Moscow’s invasion.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has called the claims a “complete fabrication” intended to lay the groundwork for future strikes on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine.
“I am sure they are simply preparing the ground for strikes, probably on the capital, probably on government buildings,” he said.
Read more here:
Did Ukraine launch a strike on Putin’s residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Ukraine lost 4,336sqkm in 2025 as Russian occupation nears one-fifth of the country
Friday 2 January 2026 07:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkraine lost 4,336sqkm of territory in 2025, about 0.72 per cent of the country, making it one of the most difficult years for Ukrainian defence forces, unofficial Ukrainian conflict maller Deeepstate said on Telegram on Friday.
Between January 2023 and January 2026, Russian occupation expanded by 7,463sqkm, or 1.23 per cent of Ukraine’s total territory.
The heaviest occupation remains in the east and south. Luhansk (99.6 per cent), Donetsk (78.1 per cent), Zaporizhzhia (74.8 per cent) and Kherson (72 per cent) are largely under Russian control, with Donetsk seeing the biggest increase over the past three years.
New or growing occupations were also recorded in Kharkiv, Sumy, and Dnipropetrovsk, which had no occupied territory in 2022.
Overall, 116,165sqkm – about 19.25 per cent of Ukraine, or nearly one-fifth of the country – is currently occupied, including all of Crimea.
Ukraine faked Russian fighter Kapustin’s death to foil Kremlin plot, intelligence says
Friday 2 January 2026 07:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkraine’s military intelligence says it faked the death of Denis Kapustin – also known as Denis Nikitin – a senior Russian fighter aligned with Kyiv, to stop Moscow from assassinating him and to expose those behind the plot.
According to Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, GUR, the staged “killing” was used to “lure out those involved in the plot” and even led to Ukraine collecting a $500,000 Russian bounty offered for Kapustin’s death.
⚡️ WOW. Russian intelligence failure‼️
— Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) January 1, 2026
RDK commander Denis Kapustin is alive, and the half-million dollars allocated for his assassination will now strengthen special units of GUR.
The assassination of Denis Kapustin, commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps, which is fighting… pic.twitter.com/6NMoRCG3vP
His assassination, the GUR and Timur Timur Special unit said, “was ordered by the special services of the aggressor state Russia, which allocated half a million dollars to carry out the crime … As a result of a comprehensive special operation [his life] was preserved, and the circle of individuals was identified: the masterminds within the Russian special services and the perpetrators.”
Russia and Ukraine trade allegations of civilian attacks on New Year’s Day
Friday 2 January 2026 06:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussia and Ukraine traded accusations of targeting civilians on New Year’s Day, as both sides reported deadly drone and air attacks amid intensified US-led peace talks.
Moscow said a Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people, including a child, at a hotel and cafe in Russian-occupied Kherson where civilians were celebrating, calling it a “deliberate strike” and a “war crime”.
Russia deliberately brings war into the New Year – launching more than two hundred attack drones against Ukraine overnight. Most of them were successfully shot down, and I thank all our warriors who repelled this attack. The strikes hit the Volyn, Rivne, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa,… pic.twitter.com/JfijkZ1y7E
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 1, 2026
Russia’s foreign ministry said 50 others were injured and accused Kyiv of carrying out “terrorist acts”.
Ukraine denied targeting civilians, saying it strikes only military and energy sites, and instead accused Russia of launching a major holiday assault.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said: “On New Year, Russia deliberately brings war”, claiming more than 200 drones hit Ukraine overnight, damaging energy infrastructure in seven regions.
Ukrainian forces under intense pressure in south as troop shortages deepen
Friday 2 January 2026 06:01 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkrainian forces are facing mounting pressure in southern Ukraine, particularly in the Zaporizhzhia region, as troop shortages leave less well-equipped units outnumbered by advancing Russian brigades, CNN reported.
A Ukrainian security officer described the situation as “intense”, saying Russia is pushing to seize territory to bolster its leverage in peace talks.
“The enemy is trying to strengthen its negotiating position by attempting to capture more territory,” the officer told the outlet.
Russian forces have advanced across open countryside and concentrated fighting around the town of Huliaipole, which Moscow claims to have captured.
According to an unofficial Ukrainian conflict mapper Deepstate, the town has become a “grey zone”, with Russian troops having “many times more personnel”, making reinforcements difficult and exposing weak defences.
New Year drone strike in Russian-occupied Ukraine kills 24, Moscow says
Friday 2 January 2026 05:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarOn New Year’s Eve 2025, Russia claimed Ukrainian drones struck a cafe and hotel in the occupied village of Khorly, Kherson region, killing 24 and injuring at least 50, with one drone reportedly carrying an incendiary mixture.
Ukraine denied targeting civilians, saying its strikes hit only Russian military and energy sites.
The incident occurred amid ongoing peace talks, which Kyiv says Russia is trying to sabotage, including false claims of a drone attack on Putin’s residence.
President Zelensky said a deal was “90 per cent ready,” with remaining issues focused on territory, while US and European envoys work to advance security guarantees and deconfliction measures.
Watch: Putin warns Russia will accomplish goals by force if Ukraine doesn’t want to resolve conflict peacefully
Friday 2 January 2026 05:00 , Rebecca WhittakerUkraine didn’t try to kill Putin, CIA tells Trump
Friday 2 January 2026 04:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarThe CIA has told Donald Trump that Ukraine did not attempt to assassinate Vladimir Putin, contradicting Russian claims that Ukrainian drones targeted one of the Russian president’s residences.
US intelligence assessed the allegation as false, indicating Putin misrepresented the incident amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Ukraine as tensions grow amid peace talks
Friday 2 January 2026 04:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills 24 in occupied Ukraine as tensions grow amid peace talks
Ukrainian military says it attacks Russian military or energy sites
Friday 2 January 2026 03:00 , Rebecca WhittakerKyiv's forces exclusively targeted Russian military or energy sites, a Ukrainian military spokesperson said when asked about a drone strike on a hotel in a Russian-held part of Kherson region.
Speaking to Interfax Ukraine news agency on Thursday they said: "The Defence Forces of Ukraine adhere to the norms of international humanitarian law and strike exclusively at enemy military targets, fuel and energy facilities of the Russian Federation, and other legitimate targets...,"
Watch Russia-Ukraine War: One Year On
Friday 2 January 2026 02:00 , Rebecca WhittakerSam Kiley, The Independent’s World Affairs Editor, charts the 2025 Ukraine–Russia war timeline, detailing battlefield shifts, strained diplomacy, wavering support and the mounting civilian toll — with no end in sight.
Zelensky reveals plans for three 'peace' meetings
Friday 2 January 2026 01:00 , Rebecca WhittakerA meeting of national security advisors “focused on peace” is set to take place in Ukraine this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
It’s set to be followed by a meeting of the military and of European leaders and the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing.
“Politically, almost everything is ready, and it is important to work through every detail of how the guarantees will function in the air, on land, and at sea – if we succeed in ending the war. And this is the key goal for all normal people,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
Rustem Umerov is in contact with the American team and our partners in Europe every single day. We are preparing formats and important meetings. On January 3, a meeting of national security advisors will take place in Ukraine. This is the first such meeting in Ukraine and it is… pic.twitter.com/KbZWegi7ze
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 1, 2026
Putin vows victory in Ukraine in defiant New Year’s address
Friday 2 January 2026 00:00 , Tara CobhamRussian President Vladimir Putin has vowed victory in Ukraine in a defiant speech despite US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war.
Putin used his annual televised New Year's address to rally his troops fighting in Ukraine, saying he believed in them and in victory in a war that he has framed as part of an existential struggle with the West.
It comes as Trump is trying to broker an end to the nearly four-year-old conflict, Europe's bloodiest conflagration since World War Two, with both sides' negotiating stances still far apart.
Read more here:
Residential building damaged in Russian attack on Odesa but no casualties, local official says
Thursday 1 January 2026 23:00 , Tara CobhamRussia attacked the Ukrainian region of Odesa overnight, targeting civilian infrastructure in several waves of drone attacks, according to regional head Oleh Kiper.
In a post on Telegram, he said a two-storey residential building was damaged and a drone hit an apartment on the 17th floor of a high-rise building without detonating. There were no casualties reported.
In depth: Did Ukraine launch 91-drone attack on Putin’s presidential residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Thursday 1 January 2026 22:00 , Tara CobhamRussia’s claim that Ukraine launched a 91-drone strike on Vladimir Putin’s personal residence has threatened to derail months of talks over a peace deal to end Moscow’s invasion.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has called the claims a “complete fabrication” intended to lay the groundwork for future strikes on Kyiv and other areas of Ukraine.
“I am sure they are simply preparing the ground for strikes, probably on the capital, probably on government buildings,” he said.
Maira Butt reports:
Did Ukraine launch a strike on Putin’s residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Watch: Russia releases video of drone it says was used in alleged attack on Putin residence
Thursday 1 January 2026 21:00 , Tara CobhamPictured: scenes from the front line
Thursday 1 January 2026 20:30 , Rebecca Whittaker
Zelensky says Trump considering deploying US troops to Ukraine
Thursday 1 January 2026 20:00 , Tara CobhamUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is discussing the possibility of hosting US troops as part of peace talks with US President Donald Trump.
Mr Zelensky said that a US troop presence in Ukraine would provide significant security guarantees for Kyiv.
The White House declined to comment on the issue.
Read more here:
Zelensky says Trump considering deploying US troops to Ukraine
Zelensky reveals plans for three 'peace' meetings
Thursday 1 January 2026 19:02 , Rebecca WhittakerA meeting of national security advisors “focused on peace” is set to take place in Ukraine this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
It’s set to be followed by a meeting of the military and of European leaders and the leaders of the Coalition of the Willing.
“Politically, almost everything is ready, and it is important to work through every detail of how the guarantees will function in the air, on land, and at sea – if we succeed in ending the war. And this is the key goal for all normal people,” Zelensky said in a post on X.
Rustem Umerov is in contact with the American team and our partners in Europe every single day. We are preparing formats and important meetings. On January 3, a meeting of national security advisors will take place in Ukraine. This is the first such meeting in Ukraine and it is… pic.twitter.com/KbZWegi7ze
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 1, 2026
Ukraine's air force says it downed 176 of 205 drones overnight
Thursday 1 January 2026 19:00 , Tara CobhamIn its daily report, Ukraine's air force said defence forces had downed or suppressed 176 of 205 drones targeting the country overnight.
It said hits by 24 strike drones were recorded at 15 locations.
Trump riffed on Ukraine’s ‘beautiful’ women during peace talks and called former Miss Ukraine to speak with Zelensky, report says
Thursday 1 January 2026 18:00 , Tara CobhamDuring an August meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Donald Trump reportedly interrupted discussions to make remarks about “beautiful” women from Ukraine and then arranged for former Miss Ukraine to speak with the Zelensky over the phone, according to a new report.
Just days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the U.S. president met with Zelensky and seven other European leaders in the Oval Office, where discussions about the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia took a more lighthearted turn.
Amid conversation, Trump reportedly interjected that “Ukrainian women are beautiful,” citing his time overseeing the Miss Universe pageant, according to the New York Times.
Ariana Baio reports:
Trump riffed on Ukraine’s ‘beautiful’ women during peace talks with Zelensky
Watch: Putin warns Russia will accomplish goals by force if Ukraine doesn’t want to resolve conflict peacefully
Thursday 1 January 2026 17:00 , Tara CobhamUkraine's lead peace negotiator says he met Turkey's foreign minister
Thursday 1 January 2026 15:53 , Tara CobhamUkraine's top negotiator in US-brokered peace talks, Rustem Umerov, said he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Thursday in Ankara.
Umerov, who is also Ukraine's security council secretary, said the two men discussed the negotiation process and next steps, with particular attention to humanitarian issues and the return of Ukrainians held by Russia.
Ukrainian drones hit targets in three Russian regions, local officials say
Thursday 1 January 2026 15:30 , Tara CobhamUkrainian drones struck energy and industrial targets across the Russian regions of Krasnodar, Tatarstan and Kaluga overnight, local officials said on Thursday, and the Ukrainian military confirmed it had carried out two of the three attacks.
In the southern region of Krasnodar, debris from a drone hit the Ilskiy oil refinery in Krasnodar, causing no casualties but igniting a fire that was later extinguished, local authorities said.
In the oil-rich Volga River region of Tatarstan, around 1,400 km (870 miles) from Ukraine, Russian media cited the local governor's press service as saying that an energy storage facility in the city of Almetyevsk had been hit, causing a blaze that was later put out.
A third strike caused a fire at an unnamed industrial facility in the town of Lyudinovo in the Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow, local governor Vyacheslav Shapsha said in a statement.
The Ukrainian military confirmed in a statement that it had struck the facilities in Krasnodar and Tatarstan. Kyiv has been intensifying strikes against Russian energy infrastructure in recent months, aiming to cut off Moscow's sources of financing for its military campaign in Ukraine.
Russia says it will give US proof of attempted Ukrainian strike on Putin residence
Thursday 1 January 2026 15:00 , Tara CobhamRussia said on Thursday it had extracted and decoded a file from a Ukrainian drone downed earlier this week that it said shows it had been targeting a Russian presidential residence and that it would hand over the relevant information to the United States.
Moscow accused Kyiv on Monday of trying to strike a residence of President Vladimir Putin in Russia's northern Novgorod region with 91 long-range attack drones. It said Russia would review its negotiating position in ongoing talks with the US on ending the Ukraine war.
Ukraine and Western countries have disputed Russia's account of the alleged attempted strike.
In a statement posted on Telegram on Thursday, Russia's Defence Ministry said: "Decryption of routing data revealed that the final target of the Ukrainian drone attack on December 29, 2025, was a facility at the Russian Presidential Residence in the Novgorod region."
"These materials will be transferred to the American side through the established channels," it added.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that US national security officials had found Ukraine did not target Putin or one of his residences in a drone strike. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.
Ukraine has denied carrying out such an attack and described the accusation as part of a Russian disinformation campaign meant to drive a wedge between Kyiv and Washington after a weekend meeting between Trump and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine cannot afford delays in air defence supplies, Zelensky says
Thursday 1 January 2026 14:30 , Tara CobhamUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia's holiday season attacks showed Ukraine could not afford delays in air defence supplies.
"(Our) allies have the names of equipment which we are lacking. We expect that everything agreed with the United States at the end of December for our defence will arrive on time," he said, without clarifying further.
Zelensky met with US President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to negotiate a peace framework to end the nearly four-year war. Both leaders have said they are close to an agreement, but thorny issues around post-war control of territories remain.
Ukraine condemns Russian new year drone attack on power infrastructure
Thursday 1 January 2026 14:00 , Tara CobhamA Russian drone attack damaged power infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions overnight, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday, while Moscow accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly new year attack in a Russian-controlled part of Ukraine.
"On New Year, Russia deliberately brings war. Over 200 attack drones were launched onto Ukraine in the night," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
Zelensky said energy infrastructure in seven regions across Ukraine had been targeted.
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Thursday 1 January 2026 13:30 , Tara CobhamAustralian authorities are trying to confirm reports that a national was reportedly killed while fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia.
The man, identified in social media posts as Russell Allan Wilson, was killed on 12 December in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, according to local media reports.
In an Instagram post on 19 December, a man identifying himself as a US army veteran said Wilson had been killed during combat and had chosen to remain in Ukraine despite the risks.
Stuti Mishra reports:
Australian man reportedly killed fighting alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia
Watch: One year on in the Russia-Ukraine war
Thursday 1 January 2026 13:00 , Tara CobhamUkraine's military says it hit Russia's Ilsky refinery
Thursday 1 January 2026 12:30 , Tara CobhamUkraine's military said on Thursday it had hit Russia's Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region overnight, adding that the results of the attack were still being confirmed.
In a statement on Telegram, the military also said it hit the Almetevskaya oil preparation facility in Russia's Tatarstan region.
The Almetevskaya facility is more than 600 miles (965 km) from the nearest part of Ukraine, and even further from the nearest territory currently controlled by Kyiv.
Ukraine says overnight Russian drone attack damaged power infrastructure
Thursday 1 January 2026 12:00 , Tara CobhamRussian drone attack damaged power infrastructure in several Ukrainian regions overnight, Ukraine's energy ministry said on Thursday.
The ministry said a "significant number" of households in the Volyn and Odesa regions - in northwestern and southwestern Ukraine, respectively - were disconnected from power supplies by the strike, as well as some in the Chernihiv region north of the capital Kyiv.
The governor of Volyn said more than 103,000 households in that region had lost power as a result of the attack. Volyn region is several hundred kilometres from the front line and borders NATO member Poland.
Ukrainian drones strike energy storage facility in Russia's Tatarstan, local governor says
Thursday 1 January 2026 11:30 , Tara CobhamUkrainian drones on Thursday struck an energy storage facility in the Russian city of Almetyevsk, causing a fire that has since been extinguished, Russian media cited the press service of the local governor as saying.
Kyiv has been intensifying strikes against Russian energy infrastructure in recent months, aiming to cut off Moscow's sources of financing for its military campaign in Ukraine.
Almetyevsk is located around 1,700 km (1,056 miles) from Ukrainian-held territory, in the oil-rich Volga river region of Tatarstan.
Ukraine says it has deployed two new Patriot air defence systems
Thursday 1 January 2026 11:00 , Tara CobhamUkraine's Defence Ministry said on Thursday it had deployed two new Patriot air defence systems received from Germany as part of military aid supplies announced previously.
"Two more Patriot air defence systems have been deployed to protect Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure," the ministry said in a post on Telegram.
Germany said last August that it would deliver two Patriot systems to Ukraine after reaching an agreement with the US that Berlin would be first in line to receive the latest systems in return.
Pictures of damaged building released by pro-Russian media after Ukraine accused of deadly strike
Thursday 1 January 2026 10:30 , Tara CobhamPictures of a badly damaged building have been released by pro-Russian media after the Russian-installed governor of Kherson accused Ukraine of killing at least 24 people in a drone strike.
In a statement on the Telegram messaging service. issued on Thursday, the governor, Vladimir Saldo, alleged a child was among the dead after the attack on a hotel and cafe where New Year celebrations were being held.
A local pro-Russian news outlet published pictures where it said the strike took place, with at least one dead body visible beneath a white sheet. The building showed signs that a fierce fire had raged and there were what looked like blood stains on the ground.
Ukraine's military did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The images or allegations could not be independently verified.
Zelensky sends New Year's message calling for peace
Thursday 1 January 2026 10:00 , Tara CobhamVolodymyr Zelensky has sent a New Year's message calling for peace.
In a post on X alongside a picture of him and his wife Olena Zelenska, he said: “We believe in peace, we fight for it, and we work to achieve it.”
Another year is passing, hard-won through dedication and tenacity, through principles and the daily effort of Ukrainians.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 31, 2025
This year was made possible thanks to our defenders – those who stood their ground not only for Ukraine, but also for all who value freedom and dignity.… pic.twitter.com/cFA6tfJVlg
Russian losses in Ukraine rising faster than ever, finds new analysis
Thursday 1 January 2026 09:30 , Tara CobhamRussian losses in the war in Ukraine have been growing at a faster rate than at any point so far since the invasion began in February 2022, new analysis suggests.
Analysis by the BBC found that 40 per cent more obituaries of soldiers were published in Russia this year compared with 2024.
The broadcaster, along with independent outlet Mediazona, compiled a list of named individuals using official reports, newspapers and social media, as well as new memorials and graves. In total, they were able to confirm the names of around 160,000 people who have been killed.
Maira Butt reports:
Russian losses in Ukraine rising faster than ever, finds new analysis
Watch: Zelensky says peace ‘10 away’ but won’t sign ‘weak’ deal
Thursday 1 January 2026 09:00 , Tara CobhamRussian-installed Kherson governor accuses Ukraine of killing 24 in New Year drone strike
Thursday 1 January 2026 08:30 , Tara CobhamThe Russian-installed governor of Ukraine's southern Kherson region on Thursday accused Ukraine of killing at least 24 people in a drone strike on a hotel and cafe where New Year celebrations were being held.
The governor, Vladimir Saldo, made the allegation in a statement on the Telegram messaging service.
Ukraine's military did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment, and Saldo did not provide visuals or other evidence that would enable Reuters to immediately verify the allegation.
Saldo alleged in his post that three Ukrainian drones had struck the site of new New Year celebrations in Khorly, a coastal village, in what he said was a "deliberate strike".
Russian state news agencies reported that at least 24 people had been killed and 29 more injured, citing the local branch of Russia's emergencies ministry.
Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine, which Russia claimed as its own in 2022, a move Kyiv and most Western countries condemned as an illegal land grab.
Russian air defences down five Moscow-bound drones, mayor says
Thursday 1 January 2026 08:00 , Stuti MishraRussian air defence units shot down five Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow on New Year’s Eve, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.
In a series of posts on Telegram early this morning, Sobyanin said specialist crews were examining fragments from the drones at the sites where they had fallen.
He made no mention of any casualties or damage.
Temporary restrictions were placed on Moscow’s Domodedovo airport, while other airports in southern and central Russia also faced brief flight restrictions.
Russian losses rising faster than ever, analysis finds
Thursday 1 January 2026 07:30 , Stuti MishraRussian losses in Ukraine rising faster than ever, finds new analysis
Full story: Did Ukraine launch 91-drone attack on Putin’s residence?
Thursday 1 January 2026 07:00 , Stuti MishraDid Ukraine launch a strike on Putin’s residence – or is it a Russian show for Trump?
Zelensky meets advisers from US, UK, France and Germany
Thursday 1 January 2026 06:30 , Stuti MishraPresident Donald Trump's advisers have held talks today with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and national security advisers from the UK, France and Germany to discuss the next steps in ending Russia's war, US special envoy Steve Witkoff says.
"We focused on how to move the discussions forward in a practical way on behalf of @POTUS' peace process, including strengthening security guarantees and developing effective deconfliction mechanisms to help end the war and ensure it does not restart," Witkoff wrote in a social media post.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Mr Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and Ukraine's top negotiator Rustem Umerov also participated.
Zelensky said on Tuesday that national security advisers from Kyiv's "coalition of the willing" backers would meet in Ukraine on Saturday, and then country leaders would gather in France on Tuesday, 6 January.
.@SecRubio @jaredkushner and I just had a productive call with National Security Advisors Jonathan Powell of the United Kingdom, Emmanuel Bonne of France, Günter Sautter of Germany, and @rustem_umerov @ZelenskyyUa to discuss advancing the next steps in the European peace process.…
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) December 31, 2025
Zelensky says he will not sign a 'weak' peace agreement
Thursday 1 January 2026 06:00 , Stuti MishraIn his New Year's Eve address, Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine wanted the war to end, but not at any cost, adding he would not sign a "weak" peace agreement.
"What does Ukraine want? Peace? Yes. At any cost? No. We want an end to the war but not the end of Ukraine.
"Are we tired? Very. Does this mean we are ready to surrender? Anyone who thinks so is deeply mistaken."
Zelensky said any signature "placed on weak agreements only fuel the war."
"My signature will be placed on a strong agreement. And that is exactly what every meeting, every phone call, every decision is about now," he said.
Over 170,000 people left without power after Russian strikes
Thursday 1 January 2026 05:30 , Stuti MishraUkraine’s energy ministry has reported that 170,000 people have been left without power after Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in the Odesa region.
In a statement, it said that emergency repairs were ongoing.
Four apartment buildings were damaged in the bombing. Six people were injured including three children.
Oleh Kiper, the regional head said the attacks “are further evidence of the enemy's terror tactics, which deliberately target civilian infrastructure.”
Putin claims 'victory is near' in New Year’s address
Thursday 1 January 2026 05:00 , Stuti MishraVladimir Putin called the ongoing war "a struggle for Russia’s homeland" in his New Year’s address as he signalled determination to press ahead despite international condemnation for his invasion of Ukraine.
"We believe in you and our victory," Putin said in remarks broadcast nationwide and released by the Kremlin yesterday. Addressing troops directly, he congratulated "all our soldiers and commanders" and pledged continued support for what Moscow calls its "special military operation."
In a separate message, ex-president Dmitry Medvedev, Putin’s security council deputy, said of victory in Ukraine: "I sincerely believe that it is near." Echoing Putin, he spoke of "our great and invincible Russia."
Top EU diplomat calls Russian claims 'deliberate distraction'
Thursday 1 January 2026 04:30 , Stuti MishraThe EU foreign policy chief on Wednesday dismissed the Kremlin's claim that Ukraine recently targeted key government sites in Russia, calling it a "deliberate distraction."
"No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately targeted Ukraine's infrastructure and civilians since the start of the war," Kaja Kallas wrote on US social media company X.
She argued that Moscow seeks to "derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners."
Russia’s claim that Ukraine recently targeted key government sites in Russia is a deliberate distraction. Moscow aims to derail real progress towards peace by Ukraine and its Western partners.
— Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) December 31, 2025
No one should accept unfounded claims from the aggressor who has indiscriminately…
Putin boasts of Oreshnik missiles in Belarus
Thursday 1 January 2026 04:00 , Jane DaltonIn case you missed it:
Putin raises stakes and deploys nuclear-ready missiles in Belarus
Ukraine '10% away' from peace deal, says Zelensky
Thursday 1 January 2026 03:29 , Stuti MishraVolodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was "10 per cent" away from a deal to end the war with Russia, but cautioned that the last remaining issues were the most important.
In his New Year's Eve address, Zelensky said his country wanted an end to the war but not at "any cost", and that any agreement needed strong security guarantees to deter Russia from invading again.
"The peace agreement is 90 per cent ready. Ten per cent remains. And that is far more than just numbers," Zelensky said in the address, posted on his Telegram account.
