Day 1057 of the war started with a rocket airstrike launched by Russia. Volodymyr Zelensky announced that over 40 rockets and 70 drones targeted Ukraine’s energy sector.
Multiple explosions occurred in the regions of Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Ivano-Frankivsk, while in Lviv, two critical infrastructure elements were hit, but no casualties were reported.
Electricity supply was cut off in six regions, and Poland scrambled fighter jets.
In the south, the Russians attacked the village of Antonivka in the Kherson region, and a local clinic nurse was killed. Additionally, on the eastern front, the Russians captured two more villages in the Donetsk region and continue to advance towards the strategic city of Pokrovsk.
In Russia, a Ukrainian drone struck a distillery in a village in the Tambov region last night. Despite local reports, authorities claim they neutralized the drone.
And Volodymyr Zelensky, currently on a visit to Poland, stated that he has given instructions to clarify controversial orders transferring thousands of Air Force soldiers to the Ground Forces.
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What's happening on the front
- Rocket attack and nationwide air alert in Ukraine - Russia launched a massive morning attack with Kh-101, Kh-22, and Kalibr cruise missiles, announced the Ukrainian Air Force. Over 40 rockets and 70 drones were involved in a new massive attack targeting Ukraine's energy sector, as reported by Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram. Ukrainian authorities issued a nationwide air alert after several Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Olenia base in Murmansk. The Ukrainian Air Force specified on Telegram that multiple rockets were heading towards central Ukraine to Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky's hometown, as well as to the Chernihiv (north), Poltava (center), and Mykolaiv (south) regions. A group of cruise missiles was also detected heading towards Kyiv. Multiple explosions occurred in the Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, as reported by Kyiv Independent. The Polish Operational Command announced that fighter jets were scrambled due to Russian missiles.
- Attack aftermath - Authorities in Lviv reported that Russian forces hit energy infrastructure elements in the area. "Two critical infrastructure centers were hit in the Drogobych and Stryi districts," announced the region's governor, Maxim Kozitsky. A rocket fell near a house in the village of Sknyliv, creating a 6-meter-wide crater without causing casualties. In the neighboring Ivano-Frankivsk region, the attack targeted "essential infrastructure elements," without causing casualties, stated Governor Svitlana Onyshchuk. In Kramatorsk, at least four people were injured after a Russian strike hit a block.
- Regions without power - The national electricity operator Ukrenergo announced emergency power outages in Ukrainian regions in the east, center, and south - Kharkiv, Sumy, Poltava, Zaporizhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kirovohrad - due to the attacks. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated that "preventive measures" involving the distribution system are also in effect.
- Nurse killed in Kherson - The Russians attacked the village of Antonivka in the Kherson region, resulting in the death of a local clinic nurse, announced Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the regional military administration, as cited by Ukrainska Pravda. Earlier, he stated that the city of Kherson and 36 other localities in the region were hit by artillery shelling and airstrikes, with seven people injured. Several buildings and 12 houses, along with a pipeline, multiple constructions, garages, and cars, were damaged.
- Villages occupied by Russians - Moscow's forces captured the village of Ternivka near the town of Siversk, one of the central points of Russia's campaign in the Donetsk region, and Neskuchne further south. In a late-night report, the Ukrainian General Staff did not report any change in control over Ternivka but mentioned the village as one of the eight attacked in 17 armed confrontations in the area. Five confrontations were still ongoing. The Ukrainian report also identified Neskuchne as one of the five villages where Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks. The Ukrainian military analysis group DeepState claims that Russian forces have made some advances around Neskuchne.
- Impact of Russian advance - Recent announcements place Russian forces a few kilometers from Pokrovsk, another key transport hub and the location of Ukraine's only coking coal mine supplying coal for what was once a robust steel industry. Two sources told Reuters on Monday that production at the Pokrovsk coal mine had been suspended.
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What's happening in Russia
- Distillery hit by drone - A Ukrainian drone struck a distillery in the village of Novaya Lyada in the Tambov region last night, according to the Telegram channel Astra cited by Kyiv Independent. Locals reported hearing an explosion at the distillery near a military training facility. Regional authorities did not comment on the attack but announced that the air defense intercepted a drone, which fell into a tree and exploded.
Other relevant information
- Zelensky provides clarifications - Volodymyr Zelensky instructed Anatolii Krivonos, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, not to reduce the Air Force personnel numbers and to clarify the situation regarding their transfers to the Ground Forces. Sources cited by Ukrainska Pravda stated that starting in 2024, Ground Forces combat brigades were supplemented with soldiers transferred from Air Force units. The most recent order issued by Chief Commander Oleksandr Syrsky regarding personnel transfers was received by Air Force units on January 11. A source told the mentioned website that over 5,000 soldiers were to be transferred to the Ground Forces. "Today, there was a lot of information, a lot of outrage and discussions – regarding transfers. I have instructed to clarify everything for the public opinion and to ensure that the number of specialists needed by the Air Force in carrying out combat missions - for aviation, air defense, and mobile fire groups - is not reduced," Zelensky said in his address to the nation last night.
- Zelensky in Poland - Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Warsaw on Wednesday following what Poland termed progress in the historical dispute over wartime exhumations that occurred between allies, announced the office of the Polish Prime Minister. Zelensky will hold discussions with Tusk, and the two leaders will hold a joint press conference. While Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest supporters since Russia's invasion in 2022, ties between the neighbors have been strained for generations due to the Volhynia massacres that took place between 1943 and 1945. Poland claims that over 100,000 Poles were killed in massacres committed by Ukrainian nationalists. Thousands of Ukrainians also died in retaliatory killings.
- Australia summons Russian ambassador - Australia has summoned the Russian ambassador regarding reports that a man from Melbourne was killed after being captured by Russia while fighting for Ukraine, announced Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday. The Australian government has urged Russian authorities to immediately confirm information about Oscar Jenkins and expressed "deep concern" over reports that he was killed. "We will wait for the facts to emerge. But if any harm has come to Oscar Jenkins, it is absolutely reprehensible, and the Australian government will take the strongest possible action," promised the Prime Minister. When asked whether Australia will expel the Russian ambassador or recall its envoy to Moscow, Albanese stated that his government will determine its response after verifying all information. Jenkins, a teacher from Melbourne, was fighting alongside the Ukrainian army when captured by Russia last year. A video recording from that time shows him in combat uniform, asked if he is a mercenary.
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