First responders fight flames after Russia’s attack in Kyiv in the early hours of January 18, 2025
Friday’s Coverage: Zelensky Gets Commitments from UK, Italy, and Netherlands
Map: Institute for the Study of War
UPDATE 1719 GMT:
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has commented on Russia’s deadly missile strikes on Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia city:
In the early hours of the morning, the enemy launched a ballistic strike on the center of Kyiv. The area was affected by falling debris. Three people are confirmed dead, and three others were wounded. My condolences to their families and loved ones. Residential buildings, a metro… pic.twitter.com/pCw8boyj4V
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 18, 2025
Ukraine Foreign Minister Andrii posted that Vladimir Putin “must be forced to accept a just peace through strength—maximum economic and military pressure.”
UPDATE 1706 GMT:
A member of Ukraine’s Parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has been charged with helping draft evaders across the border.
The legislator, whose name has not been disclosed, is a member of the Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. In 2022–2023, he sent official letters to border guards, asking for permision for 23 men to accompany him as his drivers abroad. At least three allegedly never returned to Ukraine.
UPDATE 1654 GMT:
Soldiers of Ukraine’s 48th Separate Assault Battalion have criticized the replacement of their commander Lenur Islyamov in a video address to the Ukrainian military commander-in-chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi.
The battalion was deployed 10 days ago to the town of Pokrovsk, a logistics hub under assault for months by a Russian offensive in the Donetsk region in the east of the country.
The troops had been defending another frontline area in the region. Following the redeployment, they learned of Islyamov’s replacement.
“Changing the commander at a critical moment is a direct threat to the unit’s combat capability and undermines the trust of the fighters,” they said in a statement.
The personnel praised Islyamov for forming and leading a battalion that consists of 90% volunteers. One soldier testified:
We have not surrendered a single position. Instead, we have conducted dozens of successful operations. During this time, we recaptured several settlements where Ukrainian flags were planted.
All this was possible only thanks to the experience, professionalism, and dedication of our commander.
UPDATE 1141 GMT:
Ukrainian forces attacked oil depots in Russia’s Tula and Kaluga regions overnight.
A Ukrainian military intelligence officials said drones hit the oil depot in Tula, south of Moscow, at least 10 times.
Tula Governor Dmitry Milyaev said a fuel storage tank caught fire at “one of the enterprises in the region”. Videos showed a large blaze at the depot in the town of Uzlovaya.
Ukraine's military intelligence conducts major drone strike on Russian oil depot in Tula Oblast, ~193km from border
At least 10 precise hits reported, causing significant fire. Facility supplies Russian forces
Read more: https://t.co/ueAqXkXEjE
Russian Telegram channel Mash pic.twitter.com/sFzBnTc4dN
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) January 18, 2025
The depot in the town of Lyudinovo in the Kaluga region is around 200 km (124 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.
“(This is) a logistics center that supplies units of the Russian armed forces directly involved in the war against Ukraine,” the Ukrainian military said.
UPDATE 0748 GMT:
Air defenses downed two of four ballistic missiles and 24 of 39 drones launched by Russia overnight on 12 regions. Another 14 drones were lost to electronic counter-measures.
UPDATE 0657 GMT:
Vladimir Putin and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian have declared a “comprehensive strategic partnership treaty” during a ceremony in Moscow.
Russia and Iran proclaimed that the pact covers military cooperation, trade, finannce, energy, technology, transportation, agriculture, science, education, culture, and counterterrorism.
Presidents of #Iran and #Russia signed a Treaty of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/9yCEFDGNsw
— Iran Nuances (@IranNuances) January 17, 2025
Iran has provided thousands of drones for Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukraine, including on energy infrastructure and other civilian sites.
In theory, the agreement could lay the foundation for a Russian military presence in Iran, such as refueling hubs and a naval position. However, the treaty lacks a mutual defense clause which could support significant operations outside of Ukraine.
See also The Russia-Iran-Assad “Axis of the Vulnerable” Is Cracking in Syria
ORIGINAL ENTRY: At least four civilians have been killed and three injured by a Russian attack on Kyiv early Saturday.
A security guard at a catering establishment and three people in a minibus were slain in the Shevchenkivskyi district, as windows were shattered and smoke filled the entrance of a residential building. Several cars were set on fire, and a water pipeline was damaged.
The glass entrance to the Lukyanivska metro station was also damaged.
Falling debris also struck the Desnyanskyi district on the other side of the Dnipro River.
POV: you live in Kyiv, it's 5AM. You wake up to Russian ballistic missile strikes
Kyiv info/TG pic.twitter.com/LD37P3HL6d
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) January 18, 2025
In the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine, casualties are reported from a strike on an infrastructure facility.
After surviving 7 hours under rubble from a missile strike in Zaporizhzhia, Vira, a medical center director, met rescuer Serhii Tsopa to thank him for saving her life.
Trapped with a colleague, they called for help as first responders worked tirelessly to free them.
SES pic.twitter.com/TgSVweGZnd
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) January 18, 2025
In his nightly address to the nation, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of Russia’s missile strike on his native city of Kryvyi Rih in south-central Ukraine, which killed four civilians and injured 14 early Friday.
At least three of the wounded are in critical condition. The attack damaged an educational institution and a residential building.
Zelensky noted, “These attacks and losses could have been prevented if we had the air defense systems we have long been discussing with our partners—systems that already exist in the world.”
All day, rescue operations have been ongoing in Kryvyi Rih following a Russian ballistic missile strike. Four people were killed in this attack. My deepest condolences to their families and loved ones.
Fourteen others were injured, and they have received the necessary medical… pic.twitter.com/J0QFs5Jd3K
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 17, 2025