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Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 01-30-2025

Stay on top of Russia-Ukraine war 01-30-2025 developments on the ground with KyivPost fact-based news, exclusive video footage, photos and updated war maps.

Key updates
Ukraine Breaking News Today Live on 01-30-2025

Ukraine’s Navy Shoots Down Russian Missile – A New Air Defense Strategy?

Ukraine’s Navy Shoots Down Russian Missile – A New Air Defense Strategy?

On January 24-25, 2025, a ship-mounted system downed a Russian Kh-59 targeting Ukraine’s Pivdennyi port. Analysts say Ukraine likely used VAMPIRE, marking a key advance in naval air defense.

How Has Ukraine So Far Survived the Winter Without Energy Blackouts?

How Has Ukraine So Far Survived the Winter Without Energy Blackouts?

The Ukrainian energy system has proven to be more resilient than predicted by the most pessimistic forecasts of international observers and Russia’s best (or worst) efforts.

The end of January marks the traditional halfway point of winter for Ukrainians, measured by the length of the late October to early April heating season. This is normally the coldest season for Ukraine making energy conservation crucial.

Electricity is not only a source of light in the darkest months but is also essential for the country’s centralized domestic heating systems and the operation of individual boiler rooms.

‘Madyar’s Birds’ Find Key to Defeating Russia’s ‘Invulnerable’ Fiber-Optic FPV Drones

‘Madyar’s Birds’ Find Key to Defeating Russia’s ‘Invulnerable’ Fiber-Optic FPV Drones

The commander of Ukraine’s 414th Strike UAV Battalion posted a video showing how a mobile radar detected the incoming UAV and sent its own kamikaze drones to bring it down.

On Tuesday, Robert Brovdi posted a video on his Telegram channel that he said showed how his unit used a mobile radar system to detect an incoming Russian fiber-optic controlled first-person view (FPV) drone and was able to guide one of the battalion’s kamikaze drones to intercept and destroy the enemy UAV several kilometers away from its intended target.

Robert Brovdi is the founder and commander of Ukraine’s 414th unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Strike Battalion nicknamed “Madyar’s Birds” after his call sign.

Ukrainian Cyberattack Disrupts Activities of Russian Energy Giant Gazprom

Ukrainian Cyberattack Disrupts Activities of Russian Energy Giant Gazprom

For two days, customers of both Gazprom and Gazpromneft have been unable to access their personal accounts, use online services, or pay for fuel with fuel cards.

Cyber specialists from Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) launched a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on the digital infrastructure of Russian energy giants Gazprom and Gazpromneft, a source from within the agency confirmed to Kyiv Post.

The attack targeted online services used by these companies to support the operations of the Russian armed forces.

Restored in Hours: How Kyiv Utilities Bring City Life Back After Aerial Attacks

Restored in Hours: How Kyiv Utilities Bring City Life Back After Aerial Attacks

Exclusive Kyiv Post report from a neighborhood and its metro station that survived four massive missile strikes, and was back to wartime normal within hours or a couple days max.

Despite Trump’s rhetorical bravado, his administration’s confidence in its ability to force Russia to make peace, and global media speculations about imminent negotiations, the Kremlin’s aerial attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine’s cities, towns, and villages continue unabated.

Every night, from several dozen to over a hundred attack UAVs target Ukrainian cities. Every day, ballistic missile strikes hit cities deep in Ukraine’s rear, causing immense suffering to civilians. Daily, people are killed, dozens are injured, infrastructure and residential buildings are destroyed, and property is lost.

Ukraine’s Attempt to Create Top-Quality Combat Brigades Fast Didn’t Work

Ukraine’s Attempt to Create Top-Quality Combat Brigades Fast Didn’t Work

The good news is that Ukraine’s big brass seems to see the problem and has started doing something about it. The bad news is, there’s no quick path to skilled soldiers and officers.

Ukraine’s scandal-hit 155th “Anna of Kyiv” Brigade is on the slow path to combat effectiveness, but the underlying reasons for failures in getting the very high-profile formation ready for battle – bad recruitment and training policy – are much bigger than one unit and aren’t likely to be reversed any time soon, military observers said.

Military journalist Yury Butusov, one of the most outspoken critics of longstanding Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) policy to fill out thinning ranks by raising new combat brigades instead of reinforcing existing ones, in Thursday comments reported elements of the France-trained and equipped formation had scored local victories in the hot Pokrovsk sector and that, in his view, the 155th was shifting towards combat effectiveness. Front-line units had stopped Russian attacks and brigade chain of command was learning its job, he said.

‘The Region Will Die’: Ukraine’s Donbas Mines Within Russia’s Grasp

‘The Region Will Die’: Ukraine’s Donbas Mines Within Russia’s Grasp

Russia’s army is around six kilometres (four miles) from the centre of Pokrovsk, a formerly thriving mining hub on top of Ukraine’s largest coal reserves.

Fighting desperately to cling on to coal mines that were once the lifeblood of its industrial east, Ukraine’s soldiers conceded they were struggling against intensifying Russian attacks.

“There’s only so much we can do. No matter what super warriors are fighting in our ranks, the Russians outnumber us. It hurts,” said the chief sergeant of Ukraine’s 59th brigade, deployed in the Donetsk region, who goes by the call sign “San Sanych”.

‘If Ukraine Breaks Apart, Romania Has an Interest in Those Areas’ – Romanian Presidential Candidate

‘If Ukraine Breaks Apart, Romania Has an Interest in Those Areas’ – Romanian Presidential Candidate

Calling Ukraine a ‘Fictional State’presidential candidate Kelin Georgescu also suggested that Lviv could end up with Poland, while eastern Ukraine might fall under Russia’s control.

Kelin Georgescu, Romanian politician and presidential candidate, called Ukraine a “fictional state” and predicted its inevitable division between neighboring countries.

In an interview with journalist Ion Krista, Georgescu said that once the war with Russia ends, Ukraine’s borders will change, and Romania could benefit from this shift.

Ukraine Blocks More Than 4,500 Illegal Online Casinos in 2024

Ukraine Blocks More Than 4,500 Illegal Online Casinos in 2024

Cracking down on illegal casinos in Ukraine has become an ongoing initiative as gambling during wartime has had a lasting negative effect on the country’s population.

Ukraine blocked over 4,500 online casinos during 2024, according to the country’s Ministry of Digital Transformation.

In the ministry’s Thursday press release, it said the effort was in response to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s directive to restrict gambling in Ukraine.

Russian Troops Who Refuse New Contracts Told They’re Next for Kursk’s ‘Meat Grinder’

Russian Troops Who Refuse New Contracts Told They’re Next for Kursk’s ‘Meat Grinder’

Ukraine’s August cross-border offensive into Kursk, the largest incursion into Russia since World War II, continues to hold captured territory despite increasingly desperate Russian assaults.

Russian soldiers who refuse to renew their contracts with the Ministry of Defense are being threatened with being deployed to the Kursk region, according to a report from the Atesh guerrilla movement.

The partisans say that soldiers, especially those in the 64th Infantry Brigade, are under pressure to sign new contracts, often for a minimum three-year term. Those who refuse to renew the agreements are threatened with deployment to the most dangerous areas of the frontline.

Bond Market Insight: Military Bonds Yield Increase

Bond Market Insight: Military Bonds Yield Increase

The yeild increase on the military bonds was not proportional to the central bank rate hike, despite good news. Bond Market Insight for Jan. 29

Yesterday, Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance (MoF) raised interest rates on military bills, keeping the yield on reserve bonds unchanged. However, the rate increase was not proportional to the NBU’s recent decisions on the key policy rate.

For 1.5-year bills, the MoF raised the cut-off rate by 50bp to 15.6% and the weighted average rate by 29bp to 15.35%, satisfying 16 bids out of 21 received. However, in terms of volume, only 24% were satisfied, as the five rejected bids were, apparently, the largest. It is worth noting that the maximum rate in bids did not change (16%), and the minimum rate increased by only 10bp to 15.1%.

Russian Figure Skaters Reportedly Onboard Jet Crashed Over Washington

Russian Figure Skaters Reportedly Onboard Jet Crashed Over Washington

Russian figure skaters were reportedly onboard the jet that crashed with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter on Wednesday evening. Their fate remains uncertain.

Russian figure skating athletes were reportedly onboard the American Airlines jet that crashed with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over Washington DC on Jan. 29.

On Wednesday evening, American Eagle Flight 5342, with 60 passengers and four crew onboard, collided mid-air with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River near Washington DC as it approached the airport, resulting in both aircraft crashing into the river.

13 Kilograms of Explosives Obliterates Russian Dugout in Devastating Blast

13 Kilograms of Explosives Obliterates Russian Dugout in Devastating Blast

Ukrainian Special Forces (SSO) dropped 13kg of plastic explosives into a Russian dugout – they reported that the explosion created a large crater, leaving only “the remains of Russian soldiers.”

Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SSO) dropped 13 kilograms of plastic explosives into a Russian dugout, reportedly eliminating four Russian soldiers, according to an SSO report shared on Telegram on Wednesday, Jan. 29.

The operation was carried out by fighters from the 3rd Regiment of the Special Operations Forces, who discovered at least four Russian soldiers inside a dugout previously occupied by Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Ukraine’s Uncertainty | Bohdan Nahaylo

Ukraine’s Uncertainty | Bohdan Nahaylo

Ukraine is facing new uncertainty as the US freezes nearly all new foreign aid, affecting critical civilian programs that support reconstruction, veterans, education, and infrastructure.

Russian Drone Strike on Sumy Apartment Building Kills Four

Russian Drone Strike on Sumy Apartment Building Kills Four

At least nine people were injured, including a seven-year-old child and an 18-year-old boy in serious condition.

The death toll from a Russian drone strike on a multi-story apartment building in Sumy, Ukraine, has risen to four, local authorities reported on Thursday, Jan.30.

Earlier, rescuers recovered the bodies of two victims, a man and a woman, from the rubble. Search and rescue operations are ongoing as more people may still be trapped.

‘Not Interested’: Analysts Sceptical About US, Russia Nuclear Talks

‘Not Interested’: Analysts Sceptical About US, Russia Nuclear Talks

Days after returning to the White House for a second term, Trump said he would like to see “denuclearization” and called for China to join the talks between Russia and the United States.

The United States and Russia have pledged their readiness to resume nuclear disarmament talks after years of confrontation, but analysts are sceptical that Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin can or even want to reach a breakthrough new agreement.

Days after returning to the White House for a second term, Trump said he would like to see “denuclearisation” and called for China to join the talks between Russia and the United States, the world’s two biggest nuclear powers.

Russia Pounds Zaporizhzhia Region With 401 Strikes Overnight, Killing Two

Russia Pounds Zaporizhzhia Region With 401 Strikes Overnight, Killing Two

Russia carried out 16 airstrikes on Novopavlivka village, launched 190 drones into the area, fired a missile at Novodarivka, and attacked several towns with artillery 194 times.

Two people were killed as Russia launched 401 attacks on the Zaporizhzhia region overnight, Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported.

According to him, Russia carried out 16 airstrikes on Novopavlivka village, sent 190 drones across the region, fired a rocket at Novodarivka, and attacked several towns with artillery 194 times, including Kamensky, Hulyai-Pole, Shcherbakov, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Magizhiy, and Novodarivka.

EU May Considers Ban on Gaming Console Sales to Russia

EU May Considers Ban on Gaming Console Sales to Russia

The ban, proposed by Kaja Kallas, would cover all consoles and controllers including Xbox and PlayStation which she says Russia uses to control drones used in Ukraine.

The EU is considering including a ban on sales of gaming consoles to Russia as part of its forthcoming sanctions package against Moscow as its troops use them to control drones used in attacking Ukraine, EU officials said.

The ban would include gaming consoles such as Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation and Japanese console maker Nintendo’s Switch, as well as joysticks and flight controllers – the ban would include both new and second-hand sales.

Russia Ups Defenses at Key Air Base Near Ukraine – Satellite Images

Russia Ups Defenses at Key Air Base Near Ukraine – Satellite Images

New S-300/400 air defense systems, absent since October, have been deployed at the Millerovo air base while shelters have been built or are under construction, replacing open aircraft parking ramps.

Russia has been strengthening defenses at the Millerovo air base in the Rostov region, near the Ukrainian border, by installing new air defense systems and constructing shelters to protect aircraft, according to satellite images analyzed by Radio Liberty.

The report suggests Moscow is taking these measures to ensure the continued use of military airfields near the border to allow it to continue strikes on Ukraine.

US Freeze on Aid Puts Ukrainian Lives at Risk – Human Rights Watch

US Freeze on Aid Puts Ukrainian Lives at Risk – Human Rights Watch

For people affected by the war, USAID’s efforts to rebuild homes and hospitals have been lifesaving, now HRW warns that halting these projects could put many in danger.

US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend all foreign aid might result in major humanitarian consequences, according to a report from Human Rights Watch (HRW).

HRW states that many programs funded by USAID help Ukraine in critical areas including healthcare, farming, legal and psychological support for veterans, and efforts to investigate war crimes. Now, all of these are at risk.

ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 29, 2025

ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 29, 2025

Latest from the Institute for the Study of War.

Key Takeaways from the ISW:

  • Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Western military assistance remains vital to Ukraine’s ability to maintain its defense against Russian aggression.
  • Putin’s longstanding theory of victory relies on the assumption that the West will abandon Ukraine, and only unwavering Western support and consistent deliveries of Western military assistance to Kyiv can force Putin to abandon his theory and accept the need to offer the concessions necessary for any resolution to the conflict acceptable to the US, Europe, and Ukraine.
  • Putin indicated that he will not view any peace agreement with Ukraine as binding by claiming that the Ukrainian government is either unwilling or unable to rescind the 2022 Ukrainian presidential decree banning negotiations with Putin.
  • Putin’s statements rejecting the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government and of a possible future peace agreement set conditions for Russia to justify violating any future agreements with Ukraine.
  • Putin continues efforts to coerce US President Donald Trump into bilateral negotiations that exclude Ukraine, impose his desired negotiations framework on Trump, and compel Trump to inadvertently endorse ongoing Russian information operations about the illegitimacy of the current Ukrainian government.
  • Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike at the Russian oil refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast and reportedly hit a Russian arsenal in Tver Oblast on the night of January 28 to 29.
  • The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed in a post on January 29 that Lieutenant General Alexander Sanchik is the commander of the Russian Southern Grouping of Forces.
  • Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Toretsk and Russian forces recently advanced near Lyman, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Velyka Novosilka, Robotnye, and in the Dnipro direction.
  • Volunteer recruitment rates in in Moscow have dropped sharply, as Russian citizens grow increasingly unwilling to serve in Ukraine.

Holocaust Survivor Says Germany Must Help Ukraine

Holocaust Survivor Says Germany Must Help Ukraine

A Ukrainian survivor of the Shoah pleads with Bundestag to fight Russia’s “war of extermination” on eight-decade anniversary of liberation of Auschwitz.

A Ukrainian Holocaust survivor made an impassioned plea to German lawmakers Wednesday to do more to fight Russia’s “new war of extermination”, as Germany marks 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz.

“Back then Hitler wanted to kill me because I am Jew,” said Roman Schwarzman, 88. “Now Putin wants to kill me because I am a Ukrainian.”

‘We Need to Support People Now’ – Zelensky Reacts to Trump’s Aid Freeze, Looks to Europe for Help

‘We Need to Support People Now’ – Zelensky Reacts to Trump’s Aid Freeze, Looks to Europe for Help

White House rescinds aid-freeze memo, clarifies that domestic entitlement programs won’t be touched, but USAID and other programs for Ukraine still face furloughs and an uncertain future.

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday reacted to the news that US funding for foreign assistance, apart from military aid to Kyiv, was under a 90-day freeze, and said that the short-term answer, at least, is more help from Europe and doing some projects “at our own expense.”

“Today, there was an initial report by government officials and the Office team, Oleksiy Kuleba and Viktor Mykyta, on critical programs that are now suspended and previously funded by American support. I have already instructed some key things to be done at our own expense, as well as to talk to the Europeans,” Zelensky said.

‘Espionage Is a Constant Threat’ – EU Proposes Fresh Sanctions on Russia, Warns of Orbital Dangers

‘Espionage Is a Constant Threat’ – EU Proposes Fresh Sanctions on Russia, Warns of Orbital Dangers

Brussels targets a number of products, from aluminum shipments and under-the-radar oil exports to imports of European gaming consoles, while warning Moscow to stop attacks on its satellites in space.

EU proposes new sanctions on Russia with emphasis on ore exports and more restrictions on Moscow’s “shadow fleet.”

EU diplomats on Wednesday continued to propose fresh sanctions on Russia, focusing in particular on aluminum among other industries, and additional measures to curb Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.

Brussels also warned the Kremlin that it would face punitive measures if it continues to conduct “hybrid warfare” in space.