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Zelenskiy Says Russia Unlikely to Achieve Planned Advances in Ukraine

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia will struggle to fulfil its planned military advances, asserting that Moscow has failed to meet objectives it set last year. Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskiy stated that Russia’s broader strategy remains focused on occupying eastern and southern parts of Ukraine, but insisted that current battlefield realities do not support the ambitions outlined in Russian plans for 2026–2027.

According to Zelenskiy, Russia continues to prioritise full control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the Donbas, while also eyeing advances toward the southeastern city of Dnipro and the southern Odesa region along the Black Sea. However, he said Ukraine does not believe Russian forces currently possess the capability to accomplish those objectives. The outcome, he added, will largely depend on continued Western weapons supplies and Ukraine’s expanding domestic arms production.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its troops had captured three additional villages in eastern Ukraine as part of a prolonged offensive. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces had retaken nine settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region since late January and were continuing counteroffensive operations along the southeastern front. Territorial control remains a major sticking point in U.S.-mediated peace efforts, with Russia demanding concessions that Kyiv has firmly rejected.

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Hungary Threatens to Block EU Sanctions on Russia

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Hungary has vowed to block the European Union’s latest sanctions package against Russia and a proposed 90-billion-euro loan for Ukraine, escalating tensions ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion. The dispute centres on the disruption of Russian oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline, which Budapest and Slovakia say has undermined their energy security. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has indicated that Hungary will withhold support for the measures until the issue is resolved.

EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels urged Hungary to reconsider, warning that unity is crucial as the war drags on. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in an interview with the BBC, said Russian leader Vladimir Putin had “already started” World War Three and called for intensified global pressure on Moscow. Meanwhile, U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to broker peace have yet to yield a breakthrough, with recent talks in Geneva failing to produce progress.

The standoff comes as Russian drone strikes killed two people in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, according to Ukrainian officials, while Kyiv claims it has regained control over parts of the southern frontline. Hungary and Slovakia have also warned they could halt emergency electricity exports to Ukraine if oil flows via Druzhba are not restored. The clash underscores deep divisions within the EU as it seeks to maintain pressure on Russia while managing internal political and energy challenges.

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Ex-Ukraine Energy Minister Detained in $100 Million ‘Midas’ Kickback Scandal

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Ukraine’s anti-corruption authorities have detained former energy minister German Galushchenko on accusations of laundering millions of dollars in kickbacks linked to the so-called “Midas” case. Investigators allege the scheme involved around $100 million in bribes at state nuclear company Energoatom. Galushchenko, who served as energy minister from 2021 to 2025 and briefly as justice minister before resigning last year, was reportedly stopped while attempting to leave the country. He denies wrongdoing.

According to Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and its prosecutorial partner SAPO, more than $7 million was transferred into foreign accounts naming Galushchenko’s wife and four children as beneficiaries. Prosecutors say some of the funds were used to pay for elite schooling in Switzerland, while other sums were placed in deposits generating additional income for the family. The broader probe has implicated senior officials and business figures, including associates of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The scandal has shaken Kyiv’s wartime leadership and raised concerns among Western allies supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. The investigation previously led to high-level political fallout, including changes within the presidential administration. As Ukraine pushes for closer integration with the European Union, tackling entrenched corruption remains a central condition for advancing its reform agenda.

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Ukraine Sends Delegation to US for Security Guarantees, Recovery Talks

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Ukraine has sent a high-level delegation to the United States for talks focused on security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday. He expressed hope that the agreements could be finalised and signed on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos next week. The discussions come as Ukraine seeks firm commitments to prevent any future Russian aggression once the war ends.

Zelenskiy said Kyiv also wants greater clarity from Washington on Russia’s position toward U.S.-backed diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict. While noting progress in negotiations with the U.S., he acknowledged differences on certain issues. Ukrainian officials estimate the country will need around $800 billion for post-war reconstruction, and Zelenskiy said Ukraine has completed its part of the work on a proposed “prosperity package” to unlock recovery funding.

Ukraine’s ambassador to the U.S., Olga Stefanishyna, said senior officials, including the head of the presidential office and top security leaders, will hold bilateral talks in Miami to refine the agreements. Zelenskiy accused Russia of stalling peace efforts, citing continued strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and renewed calls for increased air defence support, warning that shortages of ammunition have already left parts of the power grid vulnerable.

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Ukraine Condemns Russian New Year Drone Strikes on Power Infrastructure

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Ukraine has strongly condemned a wave of Russian drone attacks that damaged power infrastructure across multiple regions during the New Year night. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia launched more than 200 attack drones, deliberately targeting energy facilities in at least seven regions. He described the strikes as a clear message that Moscow was bringing war into the holiday period.

At the same time, Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a deadly drone strike in a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, claiming at least 24 people, including a child, were killed when a hotel and café were hit during New Year celebrations. Ukraine’s military did not immediately comment on the accusation, while Kyiv has repeatedly accused Russia of killing thousands of civilians in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Zelenskiy said the latest attacks highlighted the urgent need for faster delivery of air defence systems from Western allies. He added that Ukraine was expecting defence equipment agreed with the United States in late December to arrive on time. Ukrainian officials said power outages affected a significant number of households in the Volyn, Odesa and Chernihiv regions, with more than 103,000 homes losing electricity in Volyn alone, a region far from the front line and bordering Poland.

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Zelenskiy Visits Kupiansk as Ukraine Claims Key Frontline Gains

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the frontline town of Kupiansk after Kyiv said its forces had retaken parts of the northeastern city and encircled Russian troops. In a video shared on social media, Zelenskiy appeared in a bulletproof vest near a sign marking the town, praising the operation and saying battlefield successes were crucial for strengthening Ukraine’s position in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Ukrainian military officials said troops had liberated several northern districts of Kupiansk, cutting off Russian supply routes and surrounding hundreds of enemy soldiers. The Khartiia Corps of Ukraine’s National Guard claimed Russian forces in the city were now completely isolated. These battlefield reports could not be independently verified, and Russia has not commented on the claims.

The developments come amid conflicting narratives over control of eastern Ukrainian towns, with Moscow asserting continued advances and Kyiv denying key losses. Open-source battlefield maps indicate Ukrainian control over multiple villages near Kupiansk and suggest Russian troops may be encircled in the city centre. The situation remains fluid as fighting continues across the region.

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Suspect Arrested in Murder of Former Ukrainian Speaker Andriy Parubiy

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Monday that a suspect has been arrested in the murder of former parliamentary speaker Andriy Parubiy, who was shot dead in the western city of Lviv on Saturday. Calling it a “horrific murder” and a matter of national security, Zelenskiy confirmed that the suspect has already given initial testimony, and urgent investigative actions are underway to establish the full circumstances.

Parubiy, 54, served as Ukraine’s parliamentary speaker from April 2016 to August 2019 and was a key figure in the 2013–14 protests that pushed for closer ties with the European Union. His killing has sent shockwaves across the country, already struggling under the strain of Russia’s ongoing invasion. Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to law enforcement agencies for their swift and coordinated response.

Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the alleged shooter was detained overnight in the Khmelnytskyi region of western Ukraine. He noted that the crime appeared to be meticulously planned, with the victim’s movements tracked, a route mapped, and an escape strategy prepared. Authorities have withheld further details while the investigation continues.

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Zelenskiy Confirms Ukrainian Military Presence in Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk Regions

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian troops have been active in Russia’s Belgorod region, aiming to protect towns near the border in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions. In his nightly video address on Monday, Zelenskiy also acknowledged Ukrainian presence in parts of the neighbouring Kursk region, where troops have remained active eight months after a cross-border incursion, despite Russia’s partial recapture of territory.

The Ukrainian leader praised the 225th Assault Regiment for its role in the ongoing operations and reiterated that these cross-border missions are aimed at reducing pressure on other key frontlines, particularly in the Donetsk region. Zelenskiy emphasized that the strategy of taking the war back to Russian territory is “absolutely justified” and is helping divert Russian troops from areas where the fighting is most intense.

Meanwhile, Moscow claimed over the weekend that its forces had captured Basivka in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, opposite Russia’s Kursk. However, Ukrainian military officials have denied losing the village. Russian President Vladimir Putin has long advocated for the creation of a buffer zone along the border, as battles in the Belgorod region continue to be reported by Russian military bloggers.

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Zelenskiy Nominates Andrii Sybiha as Ukraine’s New Foreign Minister Amid Major Government Reshuffle

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has nominated Andrii Sybiha, the current first deputy foreign minister, to replace Dmytro Kuleba as the country’s new foreign minister. Parliament is expected to approve the nomination as part of a significant government reshuffle—the largest since the war with Russia began in February 2022. Sybiha, a career diplomat, previously worked closely with Zelenskiy in overseeing foreign policy and strategic partnerships. The change comes as Zelenskiy emphasizes the need for “new energy” in Ukraine’s leadership.

The reshuffle, which has already seen the resignations of Foreign Minister Kuleba, two deputy prime ministers, and several other ministers, is not expected to alter Ukraine’s foreign policy. Analysts believe the president’s office will continue to play a dominant role in key decisions, with the foreign minister often taking a secondary position during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Despite the changes, Ukraine’s strategic goals remain unchanged, including maintaining strong international alliances.

Zelenskiy is scheduled to travel to the U.S. later this month to present a “victory plan” to President Joe Biden and participate in a Ramstein group meeting to discuss arms supplies to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Kyiv continues to urge allies to lift restrictions preventing the use of Western weapons in long-range strikes on Russia, as the conflict intensifies with Russian forces advancing in the east and targeting Ukrainian infrastructure with missile and drone attacks.

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