The Kyiv Independent
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Independent English-language journalism in Ukraine
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Russian attacks in Ukraine kill 5 civilians & injure 30; Moscow plans attacking substations powering Ukraine's nuclear plants; Polish civic groups raise $330,000 to buy generators for residents facing extreme winter conditions in Kyiv; and more.
Ukraine war latest: Russian attacks kill 5 across Ukraine; Moscow seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power
Key developments on Jan. 17-18:
* Russian attacks kill 5, injure 30 across Ukraine as Moscow again targets energy infrastructure
* Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR say...
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Russian attacks in Ukraine kill 5 civilians & injure 30; Moscow plans attacking substations powering Ukraine's nuclear plants; Polish civic groups raise $330,000 to buy generators for residents facing extreme winter conditions in Kyiv; and more.
Resistance under Russian-occupation is beyond dangerous — even the smallest sign of supporting Ukraine can result in imprisonment, torture, and even death.
How Ukraine organizes resistance in Russian-occupied territory
Resistance under Russian-occupation is beyond dangerous — even the smallest sign of supporting Ukraine can result in imprisonment, torture, and even death.
The list of documented war crimes against U...
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Resistance under Russian-occupation is beyond dangerous — even the smallest sign of supporting Ukraine can result in imprisonment, torture, and even death.
⚡️ Ukraine military chief says more arms, sanctions key as 'Coalition of the Willing' holds security guarantees talks.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told participants that Russia shows no readiness to end the war.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told participants that Russia shows no readiness to end the war.
Ukraine military chief says more arms, sanctions key as 'Coalition of the Willing' holds security guarantees talks
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told participants that Russia shows no readiness to end the war.
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:53 PM
⚡️ Ukraine military chief says more arms, sanctions key as 'Coalition of the Willing' holds security guarantees talks.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told participants that Russia shows no readiness to end the war.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told participants that Russia shows no readiness to end the war.
⚡️ Russia welcomes Trump's tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland as 'collapse' of alliance.
"The transatlantic alliance is over," Kremlin economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said.
"The transatlantic alliance is over," Kremlin economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said.
Russia welcomes Trump's tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland as 'collapse' of alliance
"The transatlantic alliance is over," Kremlin economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said.
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:38 PM
⚡️ Russia welcomes Trump's tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland as 'collapse' of alliance.
"The transatlantic alliance is over," Kremlin economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said.
"The transatlantic alliance is over," Kremlin economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev said.
⚡️ 'Warmth from Poland' — Fundraiser raises $330,000 to buy generators for Kyiv as Russia targets energy.
After quickly reaching the initial target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000).
After quickly reaching the initial target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000).
'Warmth from Poland' — Fundraiser raises $330,000 to buy generators for Kyiv as Russia targets energy
After quickly reaching the initial target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000).
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:53 PM
⚡️ 'Warmth from Poland' — Fundraiser raises $330,000 to buy generators for Kyiv as Russia targets energy.
After quickly reaching the initial target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000).
After quickly reaching the initial target, organizers raised the goal to 2 million zloty ($550,000).
⚡️ Italy detains vessel carrying metal for suspected Russia sanctions violations.
Italy detains vessel carrying metal for suspected Russia sanctions violations
The Brindisi Court approved the seizure of both the vessel and its cargo, which included 33 tons of ferrous metal.
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:37 AM
⚡️ Italy detains vessel carrying metal for suspected Russia sanctions violations.
⚡️ Ukrainian crew begins 'crucial' repairs on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant backup line under IAEA-brokered ceasefire.
The 330-kilovolt power line, damaged and disconnected by military activity on Jan. 2, is vital for supplying the plant with external electricity.
The 330-kilovolt power line, damaged and disconnected by military activity on Jan. 2, is vital for supplying the plant with external electricity.
Ukrainian crew begins 'crucial' repairs on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant backup line under IAEA-brokered ceasefire
The 330-kilovolt power line, damaged and disconnected by military activity on Jan. 2, is vital for supplying the plant with external electricity.
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 11:28 AM
⚡️ Ukrainian crew begins 'crucial' repairs on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant backup line under IAEA-brokered ceasefire.
The 330-kilovolt power line, damaged and disconnected by military activity on Jan. 2, is vital for supplying the plant with external electricity.
The 330-kilovolt power line, damaged and disconnected by military activity on Jan. 2, is vital for supplying the plant with external electricity.
⚡️ Russian attacks kill 5, injure 30 across Ukraine as Moscow again targets energy infrastructure.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that it had shot down 167 out of 201 drones Russia launched overnight.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that it had shot down 167 out of 201 drones Russia launched overnight.
Russian attacks kill 5, injure 30 across Ukraine as Moscow again targets energy infrastructure
The strikes came as Ukraine faces severe cold and ongoing disruptions to heat and electricity supplies following repeated attacks on the energy sector, which prompted a state of emergency earlier this...
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:56 AM
⚡️ Russian attacks kill 5, injure 30 across Ukraine as Moscow again targets energy infrastructure.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that it had shot down 167 out of 201 drones Russia launched overnight.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that it had shot down 167 out of 201 drones Russia launched overnight.
⚡️Pro-Ukrainian partisans sabotage electrical substation in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, group claims.
Pro-Ukrainian partisans sabotage electrical substation in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, group claims
The Atesh partisan group sabotaged an electrical substation Russia's Bryansk Oblast, disrupting power supply to "key" components of Russia's war machine, the group claimed in a Telegram post on Jan. 1...
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:41 AM
⚡️Pro-Ukrainian partisans sabotage electrical substation in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, group claims.
⚡️Over 163,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation.
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 163,606 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 163,606 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
Over 163,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 163,606 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
Since the media outlet...
kyivindependent.com
January 18, 2026 at 3:17 AM
⚡️Over 163,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation.
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 163,606 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, has confirmed the identities of 163,606 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine.
⚡️Explosions heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
Explosions were reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, located in western Ukraine, around 2:40 a.m. local time, according to public broadcaster Suspilne.
Explosions were reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, located in western Ukraine, around 2:40 a.m. local time, according to public broadcaster Suspilne.
January 18, 2026 at 12:46 AM
⚡️Explosions heard in Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
Explosions were reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, located in western Ukraine, around 2:40 a.m. local time, according to public broadcaster Suspilne.
Explosions were reported in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, located in western Ukraine, around 2:40 a.m. local time, according to public broadcaster Suspilne.
⚡️Crashed Russian drone discovered in Moldova, authorities report.
The drone was found by a hunter in the village of Nucareni, in the Telenesti District of the country, which is located approximately 54 kilometers (33 miles) from the Moldova-Ukraine border.
The drone was found by a hunter in the village of Nucareni, in the Telenesti District of the country, which is located approximately 54 kilometers (33 miles) from the Moldova-Ukraine border.
Crashed Russian drone discovered in Moldova, authorities report
The drone was found by a hunter in the village of Nucareni, in the Telenesti District of the country, which is located approximately 54 kilometers (33 miles) from the Moldova-Ukraine border, authoriti...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 11:49 PM
⚡️Crashed Russian drone discovered in Moldova, authorities report.
The drone was found by a hunter in the village of Nucareni, in the Telenesti District of the country, which is located approximately 54 kilometers (33 miles) from the Moldova-Ukraine border.
The drone was found by a hunter in the village of Nucareni, in the Telenesti District of the country, which is located approximately 54 kilometers (33 miles) from the Moldova-Ukraine border.
⚡️'No intimidation or threat will influence us' — Europe hits back at Trump tariff warning.
France, the U.K., and other nations voiced support for Denmark, Greenland, and principles of international law in response to Trump's tariffs on Jan. 17.
France, the U.K., and other nations voiced support for Denmark, Greenland, and principles of international law in response to Trump's tariffs on Jan. 17.
'No intimidation or threat will influence us' — Europe hits back at Trump tariff warning
French President Emmanuel Macron, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and other officials voiced support for Denmark, Greenland, and principles of international law in statements denouncing Trump's tari...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:04 PM
⚡️'No intimidation or threat will influence us' — Europe hits back at Trump tariff warning.
France, the U.K., and other nations voiced support for Denmark, Greenland, and principles of international law in response to Trump's tariffs on Jan. 17.
France, the U.K., and other nations voiced support for Denmark, Greenland, and principles of international law in response to Trump's tariffs on Jan. 17.
Security experts and European officials say Greenland faces no immediate military threat — raising a pointed question: are Trump's warnings about Greenland genuine security concerns, or a pretext for a more unilateral U.S. push in the Arctic?
Does Russia or China actually threaten Greenland? Experts say Trump's warnings don't match reality
President Donald Trump has been fixated on controlling Greenland, suggesting that U.S. ownership of the island is crucial in blocking Russian and Chinese expansion.
"If we don't go in, Russia's going...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Security experts and European officials say Greenland faces no immediate military threat — raising a pointed question: are Trump's warnings about Greenland genuine security concerns, or a pretext for a more unilateral U.S. push in the Arctic?
⚡️Ukrainian sanctions target Russian sports ahead of Winter Olympics.
"Our country reminds the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside of politics. After all, the sanctioned individuals openly support aggression, war crimes, and occupation."
"Our country reminds the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside of politics. After all, the sanctioned individuals openly support aggression, war crimes, and occupation."
Ukrainian sanctions target Russian sports ahead of Winter Olympics
"Our country reminds the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside of politics. After all, the sanctioned individuals openly support aggression, war crimes, and occu...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 5:11 PM
⚡️Ukrainian sanctions target Russian sports ahead of Winter Olympics.
"Our country reminds the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside of politics. After all, the sanctioned individuals openly support aggression, war crimes, and occupation."
"Our country reminds the world before the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics that sport is not outside of politics. After all, the sanctioned individuals openly support aggression, war crimes, and occupation."
⚡️ Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR says, risking potential meltdown.
Disconnecting Ukraine's nuclear power plants would fully cut off electricity and heating in subzero temperatures.
Disconnecting Ukraine's nuclear power plants would fully cut off electricity and heating in subzero temperatures.
Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR says, risking potential meltdown
Disconnecting Ukraine's nuclear power plants would take the crisis one step further — Ukrainians would be fully cut off from electricity and heating in subzero temperatures.
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:26 PM
⚡️ Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR says, risking potential meltdown.
Disconnecting Ukraine's nuclear power plants would fully cut off electricity and heating in subzero temperatures.
Disconnecting Ukraine's nuclear power plants would fully cut off electricity and heating in subzero temperatures.
On Jan. 14, veteran politician Yulia Tymoshenko. was charged with bribery, her third time on trial during her 30-year-long tumultuous political career.
Rise and fall of Yulia Tymoshenko, the 'founding figure of Ukrainian populism'
It’s hard to imagine Ukraine’s political scene without Yulia Tymoshenko.
A veteran politician, Tymoshenko has held a variety of government posts, serving as the country’s prime minister twice, being ...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:26 PM
On Jan. 14, veteran politician Yulia Tymoshenko. was charged with bribery, her third time on trial during her 30-year-long tumultuous political career.
Reposted by The Kyiv Independent
🌍President Zelensky will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, where a meeting with Donald Trump and a potential $800 billion reconstruction deal is expected.
What else is ahead of Ukraine next week?🧵👇
#KIweekahead #UkraineUpdate
Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images
What else is ahead of Ukraine next week?🧵👇
#KIweekahead #UkraineUpdate
Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images
January 17, 2026 at 12:46 PM
🌍President Zelensky will attend the World Economic Forum in Davos next week, where a meeting with Donald Trump and a potential $800 billion reconstruction deal is expected.
What else is ahead of Ukraine next week?🧵👇
#KIweekahead #UkraineUpdate
Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images
What else is ahead of Ukraine next week?🧵👇
#KIweekahead #UkraineUpdate
Photo: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg via Getty Images
⚡️ Zelensky calls for immediate electricity import boost amid new Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Jan. 16-17 across Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure in Odesa and Kyiv oblasts.
Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Jan. 16-17 across Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure in Odesa and Kyiv oblasts.
Zelensky calls for immediate electricity import boost amid new Russian attacks on energy infrastructure
Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Jan. 16-17 across Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure, including substations, in Odesa and Kyiv oblasts, triggering emergency power outages, authorities...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:27 PM
⚡️ Zelensky calls for immediate electricity import boost amid new Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.
Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Jan. 16-17 across Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure in Odesa and Kyiv oblasts.
Russian forces launched overnight attacks on Jan. 16-17 across Ukraine, hitting energy infrastructure in Odesa and Kyiv oblasts.
⚡️ Ukrainian delegation headed by Budanov arrives in US to clarify peace proposal.
"Ukraine needs a fair peace. We are working towards a result," Budanov said.
"Ukraine needs a fair peace. We are working towards a result," Budanov said.
Ukrainian delegation headed by Budanov arrives in US to clarify peace proposal
The delegation consists of the recently appointed President’s Office head Kyrylo Budanov, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, and the parliamentary leader of President Volod...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 10:44 AM
⚡️ Ukrainian delegation headed by Budanov arrives in US to clarify peace proposal.
"Ukraine needs a fair peace. We are working towards a result," Budanov said.
"Ukraine needs a fair peace. We are working towards a result," Budanov said.
Foreign embassies based in Kyiv say they are not evacuating staff despite worsening power outages, damage to energy infrastructure, and forecasts of extreme cold, according to responses obtained by the Kyiv Independent.
Embassies say they are staying in Kyiv despite energy crisis, extreme cold, Russian attacks
Foreign embassies based in Kyiv say they are not evacuating staff despite worsening power outages, damage to energy infrastructure, and forecasts of extreme cold, according to responses obtained by th...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Foreign embassies based in Kyiv say they are not evacuating staff despite worsening power outages, damage to energy infrastructure, and forecasts of extreme cold, according to responses obtained by the Kyiv Independent.
⚡️ Kadyrov's son Adam reportedly in Moscow hospital after car accident in Grozny, Chechnya.
The motorcade had reportedly been moving at a high speed before encountering an obstacle, leading to a mass accident and a number of victims.
The motorcade had reportedly been moving at a high speed before encountering an obstacle, leading to a mass accident and a number of victims.
Kadyrov's son Adam reportedly in Moscow hospital after car accident in Grozny, Chechnya
The motorcade had been moving at a high speed before encountering an obstacle, leading to a mass accident and a number of victims.
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:51 AM
⚡️ Kadyrov's son Adam reportedly in Moscow hospital after car accident in Grozny, Chechnya.
The motorcade had reportedly been moving at a high speed before encountering an obstacle, leading to a mass accident and a number of victims.
The motorcade had reportedly been moving at a high speed before encountering an obstacle, leading to a mass accident and a number of victims.
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Jan. 17, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
January 17, 2026 at 7:40 AM
These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Jan. 17, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
⚡️Poland charges 4 Ukrainians, 1 Russian in alleged Russia-backed sabotage plot.
Polish authorities have charged five men in an alleged Russia-orchestrated plot to send out parcels with explosives to various Western countries, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office announced on Jan. 16.
Polish authorities have charged five men in an alleged Russia-orchestrated plot to send out parcels with explosives to various Western countries, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office announced on Jan. 16.
Poland charges 4 Ukrainians, 1 Russian in alleged Russia-backed sabotage plot
Polish authorities have charged five men in an alleged Russia-orchestrated plot to send out parcels with explosives to various Western countries, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office announced on Jan...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:15 AM
⚡️Poland charges 4 Ukrainians, 1 Russian in alleged Russia-backed sabotage plot.
Polish authorities have charged five men in an alleged Russia-orchestrated plot to send out parcels with explosives to various Western countries, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office announced on Jan. 16.
Polish authorities have charged five men in an alleged Russia-orchestrated plot to send out parcels with explosives to various Western countries, Poland's National Prosecutor's Office announced on Jan. 16.
⚡️US considering creating 'Board of Peace' for Ukraine, modeled after plan for Gaza, FT reports.
American officials have put forward the idea of expanding the Gaza 'Board of Peace' to include other countries affected by war and conflicts, including Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 16.
American officials have put forward the idea of expanding the Gaza 'Board of Peace' to include other countries affected by war and conflicts, including Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 16.
US considering creating 'Board of Peace' for Ukraine, modeled after plan for Gaza, FT reports
American officials have put forward the idea of expanding the Gaza 'Board of Peace' to include other countries affected by war and conflicts, including Ukraine and Venezuela, the Financial Times (FT) ...
kyivindependent.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:12 AM
⚡️US considering creating 'Board of Peace' for Ukraine, modeled after plan for Gaza, FT reports.
American officials have put forward the idea of expanding the Gaza 'Board of Peace' to include other countries affected by war and conflicts, including Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 16.
American officials have put forward the idea of expanding the Gaza 'Board of Peace' to include other countries affected by war and conflicts, including Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Jan. 16.