Russians attacked energy infrastructure in Odesa Oblast again

Russian forces carried out another drone attack in the south of Odesa Oblast on the night of 17–18 January, striking energy infrastructure facilities.

According to emergency services, Russian strike drones hit energy infrastructure sites, triggering a fire. Firefighters were deployed to the scene and worked to extinguish the blaze and mitigate the consequences of the attack.

In addition to the damage to critical energy facilities, a production building was damaged, along with private property and a vehicle.

No information on casualties has been reported at this time. Authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage caused by the attack.

Emergency services and relevant utility crews remain on site, and recovery work is ongoing.

Russia has intensified its use of the occupied Mariupol port in 2025

Russia has significantly intensified its use of the temporarily occupied Mariupol seaport in 2025, incorporating illegally seized Ukrainian infrastructure into its military and logistical system.

According to the Foreign Intelligence Service (FISU), Russian authorities are presenting the expanded use of the Mariupol port as part of a so-called “restoration” effort. In reality, Ukrainian operational standards and legal frameworks are being systematically replaced with Russian ones, effectively erasing Ukraine’s jurisdiction over the port.

FISU notes that Moscow’s decision to open the port to foreign vessels is aimed at creating the appearance of legality and circumventing international sanctions. Russia is also planning to deepen the shipping channel and expand transshipment capacity, underscoring its intention to turn Mariupol into a major logistics hub for the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

At the same time, the intelligence service reports a rapid deterioration of the social situation in the city. School meal programs have been suspended due to a lack of funding from the occupation authorities.

Residents continue to wait for housing promised after widespread destruction during the siege of the city. Instead of compensation for destroyed homes, expensive high-rise apartment buildings are being constructed, often offered through mortgage schemes that are unaffordable for most Mariupol residents.

FISU also reports that the occupation administration has simplified the legal process for seizing so-called “ownerless” housing. As a result, apartments are being confiscated on a mass scale from owners who have died, fled the city, or lost their property documents.

Poland raised over US$275,000 for generators for Kyiv

Volunteer initiatives in Poland have already raised more than 1 million PLN (approximately US$275,000) to purchase generators for Kyiv, which is facing the threat of a humanitarian crisis amid ongoing Russian attacks on its energy system.

The fundraising campaign has attracted widespread attention on Polish social media platforms and has also been publicly supported by Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar.

Launched around 15 January under the name Heat from Poland for Kyiv, the campaign aims to raise a total of 2 million zlotys (about US$550,000). Organisers say the initiative was prompted by critically low nighttime temperatures in the Ukrainian capital, which have dropped to as low as –17°C, while large numbers of residents are left without electricity, heating, or both due to damage to energy infrastructure.

The organisers state that the funds will be used to purchase and deliver 100 generators to Kyiv.

“We are running this fundraiser with a clear, concrete goal – to buy and deliver 100 generators to Kyiv. These devices will save lives. The generators can heat spaces where elderly people and children find shelter and will allow water to be boiled. Every dollar or euro brings us closer to sending this lifesaving equipment. For us, this is a gesture of support, and for them, a real chance to survive this winter,” the organisers said.

The fundraiser was launched jointly by several Polish civil society organisations and initiatives, including Euromaidan-Warsaw, the Democracy Foundation, Sestry.eu, the Open Dialogue Foundation, the PRB Foundation, and the Entrepreneurs Help initiative.

Within three days of its launch, around 8,860 people had contributed to the campaign, pushing total donations past the 1 million PLN mark.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Poland, Vasyl Bodnar, shared the fundraiser on his social media accounts and expressed gratitude to both the organisers and donors for their support of Kyiv during the winter period.

Russia welcomed tariffs on NATO allies imposed by Trump over Greenland as a potential collapse of the alliance

Russian officials have welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on NATO allies over Greenland. Kirill Dmitriev, economic negotiator, claimed on January 17 that the move signals the “collapse” of the transatlantic alliance.

Trump earlier said Washington would impose 10% tariffs on NATO allies — France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland — until the United States reaches a deal to purchase Greenland. He has repeatedly said the U.S. would acquire the island “one way or the other.”

“The transatlantic alliance is over,” Dmitriev wrote on X, mocking European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and urging European leaders not to “provoke” Trump.

Trump said the tariffs would take effect on Feb. 1 and rise to 25% on June 1. His remarks came just days after European forces from France, Germany and other countries began arriving for joint military exercises.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, known for provocative rhetoric, also welcomed Trump’s statements, portraying them as evidence of growing divisions within NATO.

“The U.S. is preparing to attack Greenland, choosing the island itself rather than some kind of Atlantic solidarity,” Medvedev said, adding that European countries would be “punished with tariffs” for relying on U.S. security guarantees.

Russia plans to use up to 1,000 attack drones against Ukraine every day

Russia plans to significantly increase production of attack UAVs to launch up to 1,000 drones per day against Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

According to Syrskyi, Russia currently produces about 404 Shahed-type loitering munitions daily and intends to further expand output. He said Moscow also plans to form at least 11 new divisions in 2026 and draft around 409,000 soldiers, drawing on a mobilisation reserve of more than 20 million people, including 4.5 million trained personnel.

“The enemy plans to significantly increase production in order to use up to 1,000 drones a day. We must do everything to derail these plans and inflict losses sufficient to force the enemy to suspend active operations and create conditions for negotiations,” Syrskyi said.

Commenting on drone warfare, Syrskyi said the number of drones on both sides is roughly equal, but quality differs. Ukraine has an advantage in conventional drones, while it is still catching up to Russia in fibre-optic drones.