The European Union is prepared to take a leading role in supporting Ukraine if U.S. backing wanes, EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas said on Jan. 9 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, German media outlet Tagesschau reported.
“If the United States is …
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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
Ukraine
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EU ready to lead in Ukraine support if US steps back, chief diplomat says
Madyar’s Birds unit becomes a brigade
The popular drone unit becomes the first drone brigade in the Army.
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Lacking manpower to hold back Russia, Ukraine turns to its crack drone units
Editor’s note: This story contains scenes and images that some readers might find disturbing.
In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. …
Ukraine
Russia
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Zelensky, NATO chief discuss air defense, arms production at Ramstein meeting
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Jan. 9 to discuss strengthening Ukraine’s air defense and obtaining Western funding for the country’s arms production.
“The …
Ukraine
Russia
Ukrainian Forces repel major Russian attack in Kursk region
Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled a massive assault by Russian forces in the Kursk region, as reported on January 9 by the press service of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade "Magura." The announcement was made alongside battle footage. …
Ukraine
Russia
Russian Forces intensify offensive towards strategic Ukrainian city of Kupyansk
Russian forces are inching ever closer to the strategic Ukrainian city of Kupyunsk. Russian troops are relentlessly attacking Ukrainian Defense Forces positions near Kupyansk, with the aim to gain control of the "Svatove-Kupyansk" highway.
Ukrainian …
Ukraine
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Climate
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Russia’s gas sector is running out of options after end of transit deal
Ukraine’s decision to end the gas transit deal with Russian energy giant Gazprom has been hailed by President Volodymyr Zelensky as one of Moscow’s biggest defeats.
“When (Russian President) Vladimir Putin was handed power in Russia over 25 …
Ukraine
Russia
Ukrainian strike on Engels airbase highlights Russia's air defense vulnerabilities
While the recent Ukrainian strike on Russia’s Engels airbase is noteworthy, military analyst Alexander Kovalenko shifts focus to a broader issue: Russia's critical shortage of air defense systems.
As it stands, Russia has entered a phase of severe …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Slovak PM threatens Ukraine with aid cuts over halted Russian gas transit
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico escalated threats against Ukraine on Jan. 9, warning of severe consequences in response to Kyiv’s suspension of Russian gas transit, Slovak media outlet Teraz.sk reported.
He was speaking after talks with EU officials …
Ukraine
Russia
Slovakian PM Fico blames Kyiv for €1.5 billion loss amid energy talks with Moscow
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has reported that his country has lost €1.5 billion due to actions by Kyiv. Despite this, he assures that Moscow remains willing to supply gas to Europe, if not for Ukrainian resistance. Fico stated that he …
Ukraine
Russia
Massive fire continues at oil depot in Russia’s Engels airbase following Ukrainian drone strike
For the second consecutive day, Russian emergency services are battling to contain the blaze at the Rosrezerv oil depot in Engels, Saratov region, following a strike by Ukrainian drones.
On Thursday, January 9, regional governor Roman Busargin took …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
4,000 North Korean troops killed or wounded fighting against Ukraine, Zelensky claims
North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine have suffered 4,000 casualties, both wounded and killed, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Jan. 9 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Interfax Ukraine reported.
The …
Ukraine
Russia
USA
U.S. announces $500 million military aid package for Ukraine
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced an additional $500 million military aid package for Kyiv and has reaffirmed the United States' continued support for Ukraine.
"Ukraine's struggle is important for all of us," Austin declared on …
Ukraine
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Ukraine offers defense industry jobs, draft exemptions for citizens abroad, minister says
Ukraine is prepared to provide jobs at defense enterprises for citizens abroad and exempt them from the mobilization of conscripts, National Unity Minister Oleksii Chernyshov said on Jan. 8, as reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
“We …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 8
Editor’s note: This is issue 8 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukraine Reforms Tracker” covering events from Jan. 1–5, 2025. This newsletter was until recently titled “Ukrainian Economy in Brief." The digest …
Ukraine
Russia
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Kyiv, Washington in talks on licensing air defense production in Ukraine, Zelensky says
Ukraine is negotiating with the U.S. to obtain licenses to manufacture air defense systems and missiles on its territory, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 9.
Zelensky made this statement at the opening of the 25th Ramstein summit, which was …
Ukraine
Russia
Russia’s war on Ukraine. 08.01.25
On the Kursk direction, Russian forces advanced on the western outskirts of Kruglenkoe, east of Leonidovo, west of Staraya Sorochina, and northwest of Russkoe Porechie. They are engaged in battles for Staraya Sorochina, Russkoe Porechie, Kositsa, …
Ukraine
Russia
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USA
Russia paid Taliban $200,000 per killed US, coalition soldier, media investigation says
Russia’s military intelligence (GRU) offered a $200,000 bounty to Afghan militants for every U.S. or coalition soldier killed before Washington announced its withdrawal from the country, The Insider and Der Spiegel reported on Jan. 8.
The joint …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Denmark, Norway to buy $183 million in arms for Kyiv from Ukrainian manufacturers in 2025
Denmark and Norway are expected to spend 178 million euros ($183 million) on arms purchases from Ukrainian manufacturers in 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on Jan. 9.
Denmark has reserved 135 million euros ($139 million) for further …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Ukraine's 47th Brigade releases video of 'massive' Russian attack repelled in Kursk Oblast
Ukraine’s 47th Mechanized Brigade said on Jan. 9 that it had, together with other units, repelled a “massive” Russian assault in the embattled Kursk Oblast, releasing footage of the engagement.
The report came days after Ukraine …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
Zelensky to meet with Italian PM, president in Italy after Ramstein summit, media reports
President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Italian President Sergio Mattarella in Italy on Jan. 9, Suspilne reported, citing its undisclosed source.
Zelensky is attending the Ukraine Defense Contact Group …
Ukraine
Russia
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Russian forces 2 km from Kupiansk's outskirts, official says
The key northeastern Ukrainian town of Kupiansk now lies only 2 kilometers (1.5 miles) from the front line as Russian troops sustain their attacks, Andrii Besedin, head of the Kupiansk town military administration, said on national television on Jan. …
Ukraine
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USA
Biden administration unveils its final $500 million aid package for Ukraine
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on Jan. 9 a $500 million aid package for Ukraine, including air defense missiles, ammunition, and equipment for F-16 fighter …
Ukraine
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USA
Zelensky joins Ramstein summit in Germany
Editor’s note: This story is being updated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the Ramstein airbase in Germany on Jan. 9 to take part in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting.
Zelensky is expected to hold a series of bilateral …
Russia
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Russian airstrike against Kherson injures 6, damages kindergarten
Editor’s note: The story is being updated.
Russian forces dropped guided aerial bombs on the city of Kherson on Jan. 9, injuring at least six people, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said.
One bomb reportedly hit a house, destroying it. A kindergarten …