07:30 US ambassador: Putin has strengthened Ukrainians' resolve

The large-scale Russian attacks of the past few days have further strengthened the Ukrainians' will to defend themselves, writes Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, on X. "Putin has killed and injured civilians, temporarily deprived thousands of light and warmth, and attempted to break the will of a nation - but he has only strengthened Ukrainians' resolve to defend their freedom," the statement reads. In addition, Putin has strengthened the West's will to support him through the large-scale drone and missile attacks of recent days - "which is important for the security of Europe and beyond". Brink had previously called for more financial support for Ukraine following a massive Russian attack on December 29. "Ukraine now needs funds to continue fighting for freedom," she said.

07:01 ISW: Putin wants to persuade the West to betray Ukraine
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin indicate that "Russia is fighting in Ukraine to defeat the West". During a recent visit to a military hospital, Putin said that Western actors are the real enemies of Russia - not Ukraine. According to the ISW, this indicates that Putin has no intention of negotiating with Ukraine. Rather, he is creating conditions "to convince the West to betray Ukraine through negotiations". The Russian president also emphasized that Western rhetoric had recently focused on how to "end the conflict quickly". According to ISW, this shows "that he will perceive and/or portray any wavering of Western support for Ukraine and any Ukrainian defeat on the battlefield as a Russian victory in this supposed Russian-Western confrontation".

06:33 Ukraine reports 46 explosions in Sumy region
According to Ukrainian reports, the Russian armed forces have attacked the Sumy region ten times in the past 24 hours. This was reported by the region's military administration on Telegram. According to the report, Russian troops used mortars, artillery and rockets - the region recorded 46 explosions over the course of the day. The communities of Krasnopillia, Khotin, Velyka Pysarivka and Yunakivka came under fire. The village of Khotin, with around 2,200 inhabitants, was the worst affected with 24 explosions. The community is located just ten kilometers south and 25 kilometers west of the Ukrainian-Russian border. There have been no reports of deaths or injuries so far.

06:08 British oil refinery grants loan to company linked to sanctioned oligarch
One of the UK's largest oil refineries is apparently granting loans to an oil company linked to a sanctioned Russian oligarch. This was reported by the Guardian. According to the report, documents show that the company Essar Oil UK has granted a "payment facility" of 500 million US dollars to Litasco. Litasco belongs to the Russian oil company Lukoil. Its founder Vagit Alekperov is a close confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin and was sanctioned in April 2022. Although he subsequently resigned as a director, he still has a stake in the company. The two-year contract between Essar Oil UK and Litasco was originally due to end in May 2023, but was extended until June 2024.

05:40 Russia: Ukraine shelling Belgorod in vain
According to Russian reports, Ukraine has carried out a drone attack on the Russian city of Belgorod. Several drones were destroyed during the approach to the city of Belgorod, says the governor of the region bordering Ukraine.

04:29 Selenskyj on Russian bombing: 500 missiles in five days
The number of Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine has been increasing since the New Year. According to Ukrainian President Zelenskyi, Russia has fired 500 missiles and drones in the past five days. With the series of heavy night bombardments from the air, the Russian army is demonstrating that it can bombard every corner of the neighboring country.

02:26 Five dead and 130 injured in Russian attack
By the evening, five people had been killed and 130 injured in the major Russian attack on Kiev and Kharkiv. This was reported by Ukrainian media with reference to the state rescue service. "My condolences go out to all those who have lost their loved ones. May all the victims of Russian terror rest in peace," said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address.

01:25 UN Human Rights Office deplores escalation
UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk calls for an immediate de-escalation in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine. "Alarming escalation of fighting, dozens of civilians have been killed in Ukraine and Russia," writes the UN Human Rights Office in the online service X. "International humanitarian law prohibits indiscriminate attacks and attacks on civilian facilities." Türk calls for immediate measures to de-escalate the situation, protect civilians and comply with international law.

00:14 Moscow reports successes in air defense
Nine Ukrainian missiles have been shot down over the Belgorod region, according to the Ministry of Defense in Moscow. A terrorist attack on Russian territory has thus been thwarted. The governor of the Russian-occupied Crimea also reported air defense successes. A missile was intercepted over Sevastopol, writes Mikhail Rasvoshaev on Telegram. No one was injured and no damage was caused. Several Telegram messages state that there were loud explosions over various parts of Sevastopol.

23:15 UN Security Council: Situation in Ukraine is getting worse
The current chair of the UN Security Council is pessimistic about the fighting in Ukraine in 2024. "I don't think the situation is improving, it's getting worse," says France's UN ambassador Nicolas de Rivière in New York. The country chaired the committee in January. The number of Russian drone and missile attacks is increasing and they are obviously targeting Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, warns de Rivière. "There is a clear agenda that is clearly aimed at instilling fear in the population."

22:07 Russian attacks on Kharkiv again
Explosions can be heard again in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. Ihor Terekhov, mayor of Ukraine's second largest city, reported this on Telegram. According to the authorities, these are Russian attacks. Residents are called upon to stay in shelters. The air force reports a missile heading towards the city.

You can read all previous developments here.