On the 1059th day of the war, Russia launched 50 drones and two ballistic missiles at Ukraine. The air defense system destroyed 33 drones in 11 regions, including in Izmail, across the Danube from the Tulcea village of Plauru.
Several drones disappeared from radar, with one heading towards Romania. Authorities in our country reported that it crashed near the Tulcea village of Plauru.
A Russian drone attacked the village of Antonivka in the Herson region in the morning, killing a man at a bus stop. Additionally, a 12-year-old boy was injured in a drone attack targeting the Kiev region.
Fighting continues on the frontlines, with the Russians advancing in the Donetsk region. According to Ukrainian military analysts, the enemy has captured three more villages in the area and is approaching six others.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces achieved a significant blow by destroying the radar of an advanced air defense system in the Russian Belgorod region. Furthermore, positions of a regiment in Belgorod were hit, resulting in damage to multiple equipment and vehicles, as announced by the Ukrainian army’s General Staff.
On the other hand, a Danish military navy captain considers NATO faces an impossible challenge. According to him, the Alliance cannot protect all sensitive underwater infrastructures, cables, and pipelines given the extensive network.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Thursday that the UK will play a „full role” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, including possible deployment of peacekeeping troops if necessary.
Additionally, two countries have announced significant military aid to Kiev.
– [Read more](https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/eveniment/ziua-1058-zeci-de-morti-si-raniti-in-ucraina-atac-cu-drona-asupra-unei-fabrici-de-praf-de-pusca-din-rusia)
### Situation on the Frontlines
– **Downed Drones** – Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 50 drones last night. The air defense system destroyed 33 drones in 11 regions, as reported by the [Ukrainian Air Forces](https://t.me/ComAFUA/556). Nine decoy drones disappeared from radar, with one heading towards Romania. The Ministry of National Defense reported airspace violations, and a Russian drone allegedly crashed in Romania near the village of Plauru. Fighter jets were scrambled – details [HERE](https://spotmedia.ro/stiri/eveniment/ministerul-apararii-anunta-ca-au-fost-semnalate-incalcari-ale-spatiului-aerian-au-fost-ridicate-avioane-de-lupta-de-la-sol-urme-ale-unui-posibil-impact-al-unei-drone). The infrastructure of the Izmail port, located across the Danube from Plauru village, was the target of the nocturnal drone attack. Several building facades were damaged, but no casualties were reported, stated Oleh Kiper, head of the regional military administration.
– **Injured Child, Man Killed** – A Russian drone attacked the Antonivka village in the Herson region in the morning, killing a man at a bus stop, announced Oleksandr Prokudin, head of the regional military administration, as cited by [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/01/17/7494008/). In the Kiev region, drones launched last night caused a fire, injuring a child, reported Mîkola Kalașnîk, interim head of the regional military administration, as cited by Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian air defense units intercepted targets above a city in the Kiev region, he stated. Debris from downed drones injured a 12-year-old boy, who was hospitalized and receiving medical care. The falling debris also ignited a fire in a café. The flames, affecting an area of about 200 square meters, were extinguished. The explosion shattered windows of a nearby building.
– **Russians Seize Three More Villages** – The Ukrainian military analysis group DeepState announced last night that Russian troops have occupied three more localities in the Donetsk region. The villages of Pișceane, Slovianka, and Iasenove, south of Pokrovsk, were taken over. The enemy has also approached five other localities, as well as the town of Ceasiv Iar near Bahmut, as reported by analysts cited by [Ukrainska Pravda](https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/01/17/7493991/).
### Developments in Russia
– **Radar Eliminated** – Ukrainian forces targeted the radar equipment of an advanced S-400 air defense system in the Belgorod region, announced the [Kiev General Staff](https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua/posts/pfbid02iBbJboMBwVreXJdTCFzs19sGKXfswXaDkwh5Svgv46hbojXpx7ifuBTq8eDVSb5Sl) in a statement on Friday. According to the Ukrainian army, positions of the Russian anti-aircraft missile division within the 568th regiment were subjected yesterday to „long-range fire.” „The liquidation of the 92H6 radar station of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system was recorded, indicating the successful hitting of the target,” the statement reads. Ukrainian forces also targeted the radio engineering battalion positions of the 336th regiment in the Belgorod region, damaging equipment and vehicles, as reported.
– **Guest in Moscow** – The President of Iran arrived in Moscow for an official visit, as reported by Nexta. Vladimir Putin and Massoud Pezeshkian will hold discussions at the Kremlin today and will sign a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty, as informed by Russian state media.
### Other Relevant Information
– **NATO Unable to Defend Everything** – It is „impossible” for NATO member countries to protect all sensitive underwater infrastructures, cables, and pipelines from potential sabotage, given the vast network, stated an official specialized in such issues for AFP on Thursday. „You can’t put a ship on every nautical mile of pipeline or cable. It’s an impossible task. There are about 50,000 large ships in the world that can damage infrastructure by dropping anchor,” said Niels Markussen, a Danish navy captain leading the NATO Maritime Center for the Security of Critical Underwater Infrastructures. NATO leaders from countries bordering this vast maritime area, presented as a key zone for the Alliance, met in Finland on Tuesday to discuss ways to enhance security in the region. NATO has decided to deploy ships, planes, and drones in response to the damages Moscow is suspected to have caused. According to the Alliance, this operation is scheduled to last indefinitely. A small fleet of surface naval drones will be deployed „to enhance surveillance and deterrence,” stated NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
– **UK Can Send Troops** – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Thursday that the UK will play a „full role” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, including possible deployment of peacekeeping troops if necessary. „This conflict is not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty but also about our values, our freedom, and our democracy,” Starmer told Sky News. The Prime Minister emphasized that Russia’s aggression has long-term implications for all of Europe, including the UK, affecting the cost of living crisis.
– **Dutch Aid** – Dutch Foreign Minister Kaspar Veldkamp announced a new aid package of €27 million for Ukraine. The [announcement was made by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://mfa.gov.ua/news/andrij-sibiga-proviv-u-kiyevi-peregovori-z-glavoyu-mzs-niderlandiv-shchodo-zbilshennya-investicij-v-ukrayinske-virobnictvo-zbroyi) following Veldkamp’s visit to Kiev on Thursday. In December, the Netherlands provided a €22 million contribution to strengthen defense systems, and earlier delivered multiple Patriot launchers to Ukraine, with the last three being delivered in November.
– **Modern Armament from Italy** – Ukraine will receive a new aid package from Italy, announced Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov after his meeting on Thursday with his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto. „The military aid package is already on its way to Ukraine. It is modern weaponry that will help our soldiers deliver powerful blows to the enemy,” [said Umerov](https://t.me/ministry_of_defense_ua/11521). Italy has so far offered ten packages of military aid to Kiev, including advanced combat systems like the SAMP/T air defense units.
– **Ukrainians Rescued** – Two Ukrainian citizens who sought help from Romanian authorities on Thursday after getting stranded in the Maramureș Mountains, where they crossed the border, were found by mountain rescuers and border police in an abandoned shelter. The evacuation operation took several hours, after which the two Ukrainians, aged 36 and 22, were handed over to the competent authorities.