Ukraine

Ukraine's economy is crippled by a declared energy emergency due to targeted attacks on its power grid during a severe cold snap. The government is reliant on emergency aid from the EU and Italy, including generators, to address widespread power outages affecting Ukraine and Moldova. Concurrently, officials are contacting SpaceX over allegations that Russian drones are using Starlink technology.

• 6Power outages hit Ukraine, Moldova as Kyiv struggles with frigid winter
• 5Ukraine declares energy emergency after Russian attacks during cold snap
• 5Brussels wary of Musk, Starlink amid Grok controversy — media
• 3EU Sends Generators to Ukraine as Russian Strikes Cut Heating
• 3These are all the European airlines offering Starlink – and the ones that aren’t

Ukrainian politics is dominated by President Zelensky's direct diplomacy with Donald Trump and outreach to Vladimir Putin, seeking a U.S.-backed path to negotiations. Zelensky met Trump in Davos to discuss security guarantees and announced planned peace talks, while also inviting Putin to Kyiv. This follows a period where Trump accused Zelensky of blocking a deal, which the Kremlin endorsed.

• 56Zelensky meets Trump in Davos, calls for US-backed talks with Russia
• 21Trump says Zelensky is blocking a Ukraine peace deal, Kremlin agrees
• 18Trump says Putin agreed to pause attacks on Kyiv for one week
• 14Zelensky invites Putin to Kyiv as U.S.-backed energy truce takes hold
• 13Russia invites Zelensky to Moscow for talks as Ukraine's EU bid faces hurdles

Security conditions remain dire as Russia conducts major air and missile strikes targeting energy infrastructure, leaving half of Kyiv without heat and power. A reported one-week pause in strikes on Kyiv, agreed after a Trump request, offers a brief respite. The war's human cost continues to mount, with a report warning casualties could soon reach two million.

• 16Russian strikes leave half of Kyiv without heat and power in winter
• 15Russia uses new hypersonic missile in major attack on Ukraine
• 8Russian missile strikes kill at least four people in Kharkiv
• 4Ukraine Said to Have Downed Two Russian Su-34 Warplanes in a Single Day
• 4Russia strikes Ukrainian energy sites, Kyiv reports civilian death

Ukrainian society is in a state of acute civilian distress, with the population enduring extreme cold, blackouts, and severe disruption to daily life. Schools in Kyiv are closed for weeks due to attacks on the energy system, and residents are advised to use cat litter for toilets. A Ukrainian MP publicly criticizes Zelensky's government for being unable to cope with the blackouts.

• 2EU nation launches petition against Ukraine funding
• 2Kyiv closes schools for weeks after Russian energy system attacks
• 22025 was deadliest year for Ukrainian civilians since 2022, UN says
• 1Ukrainian MP: Zelensky is unable to cope with blackouts in Ukrainian cities
• 1Kiev residents told to use cat litter for toilets