10:15 p.m.: EU states agree on a plan to use Russian funds
The EU is preparing to skim off proceeds from the custody of frozen Russian central bank funds for Ukraine. As the current Belgian EU Council Presidency announced, representatives of the 27 member states agreed on a proposal on the topic in the evening. It now only needs to be formalized and should then be officially decided in a written procedure.
According to diplomats, the agreed procedure envisages, as a first step, ensuring that the extraordinary income from the custody of assets of the Russian Central Bank is kept separately. In a second step, it is planned to forward part of the funds to Ukraine, which is being attacked by Russia. However, further legal texts still need to be developed for this. According to estimates, a sum in the billions could be incurred every year, since, according to the Commission, more than 200 billion from the Russian Central Bank have been frozen in the EU and the income from the custody of the capital is constantly increasing.
7:40 p.m.: Ukraine denies dismissal of army chief
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has denied reports that Army Commander-in-Chief Valery Zalushnyy has been fired. In a statement it says: “Dear journalists, we answer everyone at the same time: That’s not true.” Before that, news spread in Ukraine that President Volodymyr Zelensky had fired Saluzhny.
The 50-year-old Saluzhny became commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army a few months before the Russian invasion in February 2022. Under his command, Ukrainian troops withstood the invasion and even recaptured occupied territories. The general is considered popular among his soldiers and the population. That’s why he was said to have political ambitions, which he denied.
6:48 p.m.: Pro-Russian authorities – Three dead in Ukrainian artillery shelling of Donetsk
According to Kremlin-backed authorities, three people were killed in Ukrainian artillery shelling of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. The three victims were killed by “enemy shelling in the Kalininskyi district of Donetsk,” said Russian-appointed regional administration chief Denis Pushilin.
6:28 p.m.: First “constructive” step between Ukraine and Hungary
Before the EU special summit on new billions in aid for Ukraine, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met his Hungarian colleague Peter Szijjarto, whose country is currently blocking the planned new support. After the conversation, which lasted more than six hours in the western Ukrainian city of Uzhhorod, Kuleba spoke of “constructive” discussions. It was the first visit by a Hungarian government member to Ukraine since the Russian war of aggression began almost two years ago.
5:00 p.m.: Scholz wants to urge partners at the EU summit to provide more help
At the EU special summit on the planned increase in joint aid to Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) also wants to urge the partners to make higher bilateral contributions. Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said on Monday in Berlin that the Chancellor’s initiative would be “an agenda item on the agenda in Brussels on Thursday.” Scholz agreed this with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Council President Charles Michel.
The Chancellor had repeatedly appealed to his European partners to provide Ukraine with greater financial and military support this year. Hebestreit said that Scholz had made intensive telephone calls to Europe’s capitals over the past three weeks and “kept bringing up this topic again and again” at meetings with other heads of state and government.
4:59 p.m.: Ban on the use of sperm from killed soldiers in Ukraine under review
Ukrainian MPs have introduced a bill in parliament that aims to overturn a ban on the use of frozen sperm or eggs from killed servicemen and women. “The wave of public outrage will hopefully persuade parliament to vote for the law,” said Parliament Vice-President Olena Kondratyuk. The Ministry of Health also stated that it was working on the issue.
The parliament in Kiev passed a law last year that allows soldiers’ sperm and eggs to be frozen free of charge in the event of an injury. However, it also stipulates that in the event of death, the sperm or eggs should be destroyed. The law is actually supposed to come into force in March, but there is massive resistance.
3:42 p.m.: Ukraine wants to expand positions on the eastern bank of the Dnipro
The Ukrainian army says it is currently trying to expand its positions on the eastern side of the Dnipro River, which is currently occupied by Russia. An existing small bridgehead on the eastern side of the river should be “expanded,” the Ukrainian military leadership said on Monday. This is happening despite massive Russian attacks on the Ukrainian troops on site.
In November, the Ukrainian army captured a small area on the eastern side of the Dnipro in the Kherson region in southern Ukraine. Since then, there has been no progress and the bridgehead is repeatedly attacked by Russia. “Despite significant losses, the enemy continues to try to drive our units from their positions,” the army command said. Regardless of this, the bridgehead should be expanded.
3:30 p.m.: Russia reports deaths after Ukrainian attack
According to the occupation authorities, at least three civilians were killed in a Ukrainian rocket attack on the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. This was announced by Russian-appointed mayor Alexei Kulemsin. Images circulating online showed a burning car and two bodies that appeared to be lying on a street. The information and authenticity of the images could not be immediately verified.
1:47 p.m.: Kremlin – Putin is visiting Turkey in February
According to the Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to make a repeatedly announced visit to Turkey in February. “Yes, a visit is being prepared,” said Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov to the Russian news agency Interfax. He did not give an exact date. It would be Putin’s first visit to a NATO member state since his war against Ukraine began almost two years ago.
Ukraine will be one of the most important topics at the talks in Turkey, Ushakov said. Putin, who is wanted on an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court in The Hague for alleged war crimes in Ukraine, does not travel abroad often. With the trip before the Russian presidential election in March, the 71-year-old wants to show once again that he is not isolated on the international stage.
12.46 p.m.: Russia is apparently considering no-fly zones
According to a newspaper report, Russia is considering banning flights over such facilities after a series of attacks on its energy infrastructure. Only aircraft protecting these facilities or aircraft belonging to high-ranking Russian or foreign politicians should be allowed to use the relevant flight spaces, reports the daily newspaper “Vedomosti”. The Russian Energy Ministry initially did not comment. Ukraine has increasingly attacked Russia’s energy infrastructure with drones.
12:07 p.m.: Putin registered as the fourth candidate for the presidential election
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has officially received approval from Russia’s Central Election Commission as the fourth candidate to run in the presidential election in March. As electoral director Ella Pamfilova announced in Moscow, the remaining applicants have until January 31 to submit the necessary signatures of eligible voters and documents for registration as candidates. So far, only candidates who are considered to have no chance or who even support Putin have been admitted. As representatives of the parliamentary parties, they did not have to submit any signatures of support. The election will take place from March 15th to 17th.
The 71-year-old Putin, who has been in power for almost a quarter of a century, did not want to be nominated by the Kremlin party United Russia, but rather run as an individual candidate. He had the necessary supporting signatures collected, which were now found to be valid after a random check. Russia’s media reported Putin’s admission as if it were a global sensation, even though there was no doubt about it.
11.48 a.m.: London – Russia has lost 2,600 tanks so far
According to British estimates, Russia has lost around 2,600 battle tanks since the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine. In the 23 months up to January 25, 2024, 4,900 more Russian armored fighting vehicles were destroyed, the British Ministry of Defense said, citing intelligence information.
Last year, Russia lost around 40 percent fewer vehicles than in 2022. This is probably because the war in 2023 was much more static and the Russians acted more defensively, it said in London. Russia has been on the offensive again since October 2023. Since then, Russian losses have increased to probably up to 365 battle tanks and 700 combat vehicles. At the same time, the British ministry emphasized that Russia can produce at least 100 tanks a month and therefore has the ability to compensate for losses and continue the offensive.
11.44 a.m.: Russia – Taken place of Tabaivka in Kharkiv Oblast
According to the Defense Ministry, Russia has taken over the town of Tabaivka in the Ukrainian Kharkiv Oblast. Ukraine denies this. “This does not correspond to reality. There is fighting near the place,” said Volodymyr Fitjo, spokesman for the Ukrainian ground forces on state television.