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These are the key developments from day 1,423 of russia’s war on Ukraine.
Published On 17 Jan 2026
Here is where things stand on Saturday, January 17:
Fighting
- Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian city of Nikopol in the Dnipropetrovsk region, killing two women and injuring six people, according to Oleksandr Hanzha, the head of the regional governance, who reported the incident on Facebook.
- Russia’s ministry of Defense stated that Russian forces have seized five settlements in Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region over the past week,including Zakotnoye and zhovtnevoye within the last 24 hours,as reported by Russia’s TASS state news agency.
- Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed its forces attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure and military facilities seven times in the past week, including a major strike against its neighbor.
- A Ukrainian drone strike resulted in the death of a man in Russian-occupied Kherson, as reported by Volodymyr Saldo, Moscow’s appointed official in the region, according to TASS.
- ukrainian attacks have left 68,000 households without electricity in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region, as reported by Yevhen Balitsky, a local Russian-appointed official, via TASS.
- Russia and Ukraine agreed on Friday to a localized ceasefire to facilitate repairs on the last remaining backup power line at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as announced by the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- The United Nations nuclear watchdog stated that work on the power line, which was damaged and disconnected on January 2 due to military activity, is expected to begin “in the coming days.”
- Dmitry Medvedev,deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council,reported that 422,704 individuals signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces last year,according to state news agencies. This figure is lower than the approximately 450,000 sign-ups recorded in 2024.
Ukraine energy crisis
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Children across Ukraine are at risk of hypothermia in freezing temperatures as emergency stocks of power generators dwindle following sustained Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, international aid agencies warned on Friday. The ongoing attacks have created a dire situation, particularly for vulnerable populations.
- Almost the entire Ukrainian city of Mariupol, currently under Russian occupation, was left without electricity following an explosion, according to Petro Andriushchenko, head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, as reported on the Telegram messaging app. This widespread outage highlights the devastating impact of the conflict on civilian infrastructure.
- Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that 67 apartment buildings in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, remain without heat, more than a week after a Russian attack left 6,000 apartments without heating, as temperatures plummet to -17 degrees Celsius (1.4 Fahrenheit) overnight. The prolonged lack of heating poses a significant health risk to residents.
- Ukrainian Prime Minister yulia Svyrydenko stated that “severe weather conditions and frost” are complicating efforts to restore heat and electricity following Russian attacks, in an update shared on Facebook.The challenging weather conditions are exacerbating the difficulties faced by repair crews.
- Svyrydenko reported that 17 electrical substations are now powered by generators while repair work continues, and 1,300 tents have been deployed in Kyiv to provide shelter for households without heating. These measures are aimed at mitigating the immediate impact of the energy crisis.
- Curfew restrictions have been relaxed in areas affected by the energy emergency to allow people access to heated shelters, according to the prime minister. This adjustment demonstrates the government’s commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of its citizens.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, responding to Svyrydenko’s updates, stated that tens of thousands of people are working to restore electricity and heat across the country. The scale of the restoration effort underscores the widespread damage caused by the attacks.
- Zelenskyy also announced a conversation with British Deputy prime minister David Lammy,expressing gratitude for the United Kingdom’s decision to provide an “energy support package” for Ukraine. International assistance is crucial in addressing the energy crisis.
- The UK announced on Friday a £20 million ($26.7m) package “of new support … for vital energy infrastructure repairs in Ukraine as Russia’s barbaric attacks on innocent civilians intensify.” this financial aid will contribute to the restoration of essential services.
Peace talks
- A ukrainian delegation is en route to the United States for discussions with Washington regarding security guarantees and a post-war recovery package, Zelenskyy announced on Friday. He expressed hope that the documents could be signed during the World Economic Forum in Davos next week. These talks represent a significant step towards securing Ukraine’s future.
- During the talks, Kyiv’s team aims to gain clarity from the US on Russia’s position towards US-backed diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year war, Zelenskyy stated during a press conference in Kyiv alongside Czech President Petr Pavel. Understanding Russia’s stance is essential for prosperous negotiations.
- The European Commission is exploring options for Ukraine’s rapid accession to the European Union as part of a potential peace deal with Russia, but without granting full membership rights promptly.EU officials told Reuters that full membership would be “earned” after a period of transition. this proposal reflects the complex considerations surrounding Ukraine’s integration into the EU.
Military aid
- president Zelenskyy stated on friday that allied supplies of air defence systems and missiles are insufficient and warned that Russia is preparing new large-scale strikes. He emphasized the critical need for increased support from allied nations.
- The Czech Republic is preparing to provide Ukraine with combat aircraft capable of intercepting drones, President pavel informed Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Friday. While specifics were not disclosed, Pavel previously mentioned the potential transfer of Czech-made L-159 fighter jets. This aid would bolster Ukraine’s air defence capabilities.
Regional security
- Five individuals have been charged in Poland with involvement in a Russian-orchestrated sabotage plot to send explosive parcels to the UK, the US, Canada, and other destinations, facing potential life sentences if convicted, prosecutors announced on Friday.This case highlights Russia’s alleged efforts to destabilize Western nations.
- The four Ukrainian citizens and one Russian national were charged with “acting … on behalf of the intelligence services of the Russian Federation,” according to a statement from the Polish National Prosecutor’s Office. The charges underscore the alleged coordination between the suspects and Russian intelligence agencies.
- Lithuanian prosecutors have charged six foreign nationals with planning an arson attack in 2024 on a company producing military equipment for Ukraine, believed to be ordered by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU. This incident demonstrates Russia’s alleged attempts to disrupt Ukraine’s military supply chain.
- Those charged include nationals of Spain, Colombia, cuba, Russia, and Belarus, as well as a dual Spanish-Colombian citizen. The targeted company manufactures mobile radio-frequency analysis stations for the Ukrainian armed forces.
Politics and diplomacy
- The Kremlin stated on Friday that it views calls from some european states to resume dialog with Russia as “positive,” following requests from French and italian leaders to re-engage with Moscow on Ukraine. This signals a potential willingness to explore diplomatic avenues.
- Dialogue between the EU and Russia has been largely suspended since Moscow launched its full-scale offensive on Ukraine in 2022, with the bloc imposing extensive sanctions and travel restrictions on Russia. Re-establishing dialogue could be a crucial step towards de-escalation.
- A Kyiv court released former Prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko on bail on Friday pending a trial to determine whether she paid members of Ukraine’s parliament to influence their voting. The 65-year-old politician, who has denied the charges and claims the case is politically motivated, served as prime minister twice after 2005.
