Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 397 of the invasion – The Guardian
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has visited the partially occupied region of Zaporizhzhia, where he meet with UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi. The head of the UNs nuclear agency said they had a rich exchange on the protection of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In a message on Telegram, Ukraines president said I visited the command post of the Zaporizhzhia operational group of troops. I presented orders and medals to employees of the security service of Ukraine, the national guard, the national police, the state border guard service, and the state emergency service of Ukraine.
Ukraines ground forces commander said on Monday his troops were continuing to repel heavy Russian attacks on the eastern city of Bakhmut and that defending it was a military necessity. Ukraines military said Col Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi had acted during a visit to the eastern frontline to solve problematic issues that prevent effective execution of combat tasks and taken operational decisions aimed at strengthening our capabilities to deter and inflict damage on the enemy. It gave no details, and did not say when the visit took place, but Syrskyis comments signalled again Ukraines intention to keep fighting in Bakhmut despite the heavy death toll there.
Ukraine has accused Russia of destabilising Belarus and making its smaller neighbour into a nuclear hostage, after Vladimir Putins announcement that Moscow has made a deal to station tactical nuclear weapons on Belarusian territory. The countrys opposition leader in exile, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, said the move grossly contradicts the will of the Belarusian people and reflected the further subjugation of Belarus under Russian control.
At least two people have been killed in a Russian missile strike in the eastern city of Sloviansk on Monday, according to the regional governor. The attack left 29 others wounded, Pavlo Kyrylenko, head of the Donetsk regional military administration, said. Zelenskiy posted to his official Telegram thatAnother day that began with terrorism by the Russian Federation. The aggressor state shelled our Slovyansk. Unfortunately, there is a dead person and victims of various degrees of severity. All services are working on the ground. Help is being provided.
Russian forces launched two missile strikes, 23 airstrikes and 38 attacks from rock salvo systems against Ukrainian troops and infrastructure in popular areas, according to the latest update from the general staff of the armed forces of Ukraine.
The secretary of Russias Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, has said Nato countries are party to the conflict in Ukraine, according to excerpts from an interview with the Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta on Monday.
Russian state-owned news agency Tass is carrying reports that an attempt was made this morning to assassinate the police chief in occupied Mariupol. It quotes a Russian-installed official in the occupied territory saying In the morning they blew up the car of police chief Mikhail Moskvin. He is alive, everything is in order.
RIA reported that Ukrainian forces have shelled the Kalininsky district in the occupied city of Donetsk. There are victims, it reported, without specifying further.
There have also been explosions reported in occupied Melitopol, which Vladimir Rogov, a local Russian-installed leader, ascribed to the work of air defence.
Poland has detained a foreign citizen on charges of spying for Russia, prosecutors said on Monday.
A Russian diplomat has said Moscow may seek compensation for the damage to the Nord Stream gas pipelines caused by two explosions last September, according to state media. The pipelines are multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects designed to carry Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. The Kremlin has said it is for all shareholders to decide whether the two pipelines should be mothballed.
A Ukrainian court has sentenced a Russian-appointed social worker in the liberated eastern city of Lyman to five years in prison after finding her guilty of collaborating with Russian authorities, Ukraines prosecutor generals office said.
Russian and Belarusian athletes should be banned from the 2024 Olympics in Paris unless Moscow pulls its forces out of Ukraine, Poland said on Monday.
Belarus is accusing Poland of heightening tensions between the country and the EU by deliberately slowing the movement of trucks and cars at its border. Belarus says Poland is failing to implement bilateral agreements.
Zelenskiy on Sunday urged all Ukrainians to remain engaged with developments in the war, even though fighting has largely been concentrated in the east. Now, just as it was a year ago, one cannot be mentally far from the war, although thanks to our soldiers, real hostilities are taking place geographically far from many, said the Ukrainian president in his nightly address.
Heavy Russian shelling is turning the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka into a place from post-apocalyptic movies, according to the citys military administration head, Vitaliy Barabash. Reuters reported about 2,000 civilians were left in the city that Ukrainian forces said last week could become a second Bakhmut.
The number of Russian troops in Belarus has decreased to about 4,000, according to Ukraine. Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service, said there had been 10,000 in January. The majority of those remaining were training, with the rest transferred back to Russia.
Russia and China are not creating a military alliance, Putin said Sunday in a televised interview broadcast. Putin said the two countries military cooperation was transparent, news agencies reported.
More:
Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 397 of the invasion - The Guardian
- Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory - NBC News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Look ahead to 2026: Prospects for peace in Ukraine - CBS News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- A ceasefire in Ukraine would be fraught with danger for the whole of Europe - The Independent - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- The British military expected to see more of Russia's 'prestige equipment,' like T-14 tanks, fighting in Ukraine, officer says - Business Insider - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Why Security Guarantees Are So Crucial, and Thorny, for Ukraine - The New York Times - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Brooks and Capehart on chances of Ukraine-Russia talks leading to peace in 2026 - PBS - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Trump says he's 'not thrilled' with Putin over war in Ukraine - Reuters - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Why a Nuclear Plant Is a Big Sticking Point in the Ukraine Peace Plan - The New York Times - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Over 400,000 Russians killed, wounded for 0.8 percent of Ukraine in 2025 - Al Jazeera - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- New year, new deal? Why peace still feels elusive for Ukraine - The Guardian - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- OPINION: Ukraine: The Case For Optimism (Part I) - Kyiv Post - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Starmer expects major progress toward Ukraine peace in 2026 | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraine war briefing: Russia makes biggest battleground gains since first year of war, analysis shows - The Guardian - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Drone strikes kills 2 in Russian border regions ahead of Ukraine peace talks - AP News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Russia accuses Ukraine of killing 27 people in New Year attack in occupied Kherson region - BBC - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- The Separation: Inside the Unraveling U.S.-Ukraine Partnership - The New York Times - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Trump not thrilled with Putin, says too many people dying in Ukraine war - South China Morning Post - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Russia reports drone interceptions near capital as Ukraine sanctions target Moscows war industry - TRT World - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Poland reiterates it will not deploy its troops to Ukraine - Ukrinform - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- How Russia and Ukraine Are Fighting to Shape Trumps View of the War - The New York Times - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraine Reacts to US Action in Venezuela, Calls for Democracy and Rule of Law - UNITED24 Media - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Russia's losses in Ukraine rise faster than ever as US pushes for peace deal - BBC - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow and Kyiv exchange drone strikes on energy grids in New Year attacks - The Independent - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraines Ambassador was absolutely right to respond to Speaker Okamuras infuriating insults toward Ukraine and its leadershipand he did so... - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraine Trains Around 100 New Pilots in 2025 to Boost Military Workforce - Aviation A2Z - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- US offers Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee as part of peace plan, Zelenskyy says - AP News - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraine imposes new sanctions targeting Russian military-industrial sector - AzerNews - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Russia's war casualty toll in Ukraine up by 900 over past day - Ukrinform - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Russia Threatens to Toughen Its Stance on Ending the War in Ukraine - The New York Times - January 4th, 2026 [January 4th, 2026]
- Ukraine's own 'Dancing with the Stars' is back on for a special episode with wartime heroes - NBC News - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- U.S. and Ukraine reach consensus on key issues aimed at ending the war - NPR - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Most Russians expect the war with Ukraine to end in 2026, as its economy slows - Business Insider - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Zelensky Open to Pulling Back Troops in Eastern Ukraine to Reach Peace Deal With Russia - The New York Times - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Russia-Ukraine updates: Unclear if Moscow will reply soon to peace plan - Al Jazeera - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian air bases to counter strikes on cities and infrastructure - CNN - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Border villagers abducted and taken to Russia, says Ukraine - BBC - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Heres What Is in the 20-Point Peace Plan for Ukraine - The New York Times - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Ukraine Withdraws From Eastern Town, Complicating Negotiating Stance - The New York Times - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Ukraine war latest: Police officers killed in another deadly Moscow car bomb blast - The Independent - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Russia says analyzing draft of US-backed peace plan on Ukraine - Anadolu Ajans - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Zelensky unveils new US-backed, 20-point plan to end the war in Ukraine - France 24 - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Zelenskyy floats terms for peace plan, signaling possible withdrawal from eastern Ukraine - politico.eu - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Ukraine and US agree updated 20-point peace plan after Moscow hit by another deadly bombing - Sky News - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Russia hits Ukraine with 'massive' attack, says Zelensky, after he warned of Christmas strikes - BBC - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Putin has been briefed on U.S. proposals for Ukraine peace plan, the Kremlin says - Reuters - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Ukraine marks 30 years in Council of Europe with Empowered exhibition in Strasbourg - The Ukrainian Weekly - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- US and Ukraine reach consensus on key issues to end war with Russia but territorial disputes remain - Australian Broadcasting Corporation - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Zelenskyy says he's open to free economic zone in Ukraine's east but move must be voted on | CBC News - CBC - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Opinion | How the West is losing Ukraine without losing a battle - The Washington Post - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- Ukraine war in 2025: Peace talks, missile strikes and winter blackouts - AnewZ - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- With Attacks on Oil Tankers, Ukraine Takes Aim at Russias War Financing - The New York Times - December 25th, 2025 [December 25th, 2025]
- A crisis over using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine - The Economist - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- 2 killed as Russian overnight attack hits infrastructure in Ukraine, officials say - ABC News - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Zelenskys Government Sabotaged Oversight, Allowing Corruption in Ukraine to Fester - The New York Times - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Ukraine war live: Kremlin welcomes US security vision ahead of London peace talks - The Independent - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Nicola Jennings on Putins dealings with Trump over Ukraine cartoon - The Guardian - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Russia bombards Ukraine as US says progress made in talks with Kyiv - BBC - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Russia rapidly gaining territory in Ukraine ahead of Downing Street summit - The Telegraph - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Putin says Russia will take Donbas by force or Ukraine's troops will withdraw - BBC - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Russia unleashes massive drone and missile attack on Ukraine as talks to end war continue - PBS - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Alarm grows in Europe over what is seen as Trumps betrayal of Ukraine - Los Angeles Times - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Only Europe can save Ukraine from Putin and Trump but will it? - The Guardian - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Ukraine's peace talks with US constructive but not easy: Zelenskyy - TRT World - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Ukraine, Europe and the new economics of war - Financial Times - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Ukraine showed the UK its classic 'tactically safe' trench-clearing methods don't work in chaotic, booby-trapped trenches - Business Insider - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Looking for the 10 best Ukraine-related books of 2025? Weve got you - The Kyiv Independent - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- U.S. and Ukraine hold marathon talks in Miami on Trump's peace plan - Axios - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin risks fresh row with Trump after pledging to supply uninterrupted fuel to India - The Independent - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- No mistrust between Europe and US over Ukraine, Macron says - The Guardian - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Putin says there are points he can't agree to in the U.S. proposal to end Ukraine war - NPR - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- France's Macron: unity between Europe and U.S on Ukraine is "essential" - Reuters - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- This Week in the Russia-Ukraine War (December 5) - Defense Security Monitor - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Putin says Russia will take all of Ukraine's Donbas region militarily or otherwise - Reuters - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Enough dithering. Europe must pay to save Ukraine - The Economist - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- What are the Results of U.S. talks in Russia to end the war in Ukraine? - NPR - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Putin says there are points he can't agree to in the US proposal to end Russia's war in Ukraine - AP News - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Stakes High, Europe Races to Save Its Financing Plan for Ukraine - The New York Times - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Ukraine war briefing: Stop wasting the worlds time, Putin told - The Guardian - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Ukraine war latest: HUR says it destroyed Russian Su-24 tactical bomber, other targets in occupied Crimea - The Kyiv Independent - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]
- Giving up territory would be 'unjust peace', says Ukraine's armed forces chief - Sky News - December 5th, 2025 [December 5th, 2025]