A Russian drone strike on a home in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region resulted in the deaths of a father and his three young children, with the pregnant mother surviving but injured. This incident underscores the ongoing civilian toll of Russia’s aerial attacks, which intensified in the past year, making it the deadliest for civilians since 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that such attacks undermine diplomatic efforts and prove the need for stronger pressure and security guarantees for Ukraine. In addition to this tragedy, other drone attacks across Ukraine resulted in further casualties and injuries.
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A Russian drone strike on a bus in the southeastern city of Dnipro resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people, and injured several others. The attack, which targeted mineworkers, caused a fire that was later extinguished by firefighters. This incident occurred amidst reports of a “massive terrorist attack” by Russian forces on a company mine in the region. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed trilateral talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia would proceed in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
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A Russian drone strike on a civilian train in northeastern Ukraine resulted in at least five fatalities, according to President Zelensky, who labeled the attack an act of terrorism. The train was carrying nearly 300 passengers, many of whom were traveling to visit soldiers on the front lines. While direct strikes on passenger trains are unusual, this attack caused significant damage and casualties, leading to temporary train service reductions in the region. The attack prompted international condemnation, including a pledge of support from French President Emmanuel Macron.
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Reports from Russian Telegram channels indicate that Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Slovyansk-na-Kuban, Krasnodar Krai, on January 26. While photos and videos from social media suggest a fire at the refinery, Russian officials stated that drone debris affected two unspecified enterprises, resulting in one hospitalization. The Kyiv Independent was unable to verify the claims, and Ukraine’s military has not yet commented. This attack continues Ukraine’s strategy of targeting Russian oil and gas infrastructure, potentially impacting Moscow’s key revenue source, as tax revenues are projected to decline significantly.
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Overnight on January 7, Ukrainian forces struck a fuel depot in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, causing a large fire, and a logistics warehouse in occupied Donetsk Oblast, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. The fuel depot, which supplied the occupying army, sustained direct hits to its fuel tanks. The strike on the logistics warehouse aimed to disrupt enemy logistics, with the damage being assessed. Additionally, the General Staff provided details on a New Year’s strike on a strategic fuel depot in Yaroslavl Oblast, which resulted in damage to two fuel tanks.
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During a recent trip on Air Force One, President Trump told reporters that U.S. officials have determined Ukraine did not target Vladimir Putin’s residence in a drone attack, contradicting initial concerns. The Kremlin had claimed Ukraine launched a drone strike, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denied. However, Trump later downplayed the claim after initially taking the allegations seriously and speaking with Putin, even expressing anger over the situation. Despite some progress in talks with Zelenskyy, Putin has shown little interest in ending the war until all of Russia’s objectives are met.
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The CIA conducted its first known drone strike inside Venezuela earlier this month, targeting a port facility believed to be used by the Tren de Aragua gang for drug trafficking. The strike, which occurred on a remote dock, destroyed the facility and its boats with no casualties reported. While US Special Operations Forces were rumored to have provided intelligence support, they denied involvement. This attack, acknowledged by President Trump, marks an escalation of tensions and is part of a broader US campaign against Venezuelan drug trafficking, which has been compared to the war on terror.
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John Q. Hosedrinker