A residential block damaged by Russian strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, January 9, 2026

Monday’s Coverage: Energy Situation “Challenging” as Russia Continues Missile and Drone Strikes

UPDATE 0750 GMT:

The processing of oil by Russian refineries has fallen to its lowest level since 2010.

An oil industry official said that from August to November 2025, refineries received a total of 85.9 million tons of oil, compared to 90 million tons during the same period in 2024.

Analysts told the Russian publication that the drop was due to unscheduled repairs at refineries following a “series of external influences” in the second half of 2025 — a reference to Ukrainian drone attacks.

UPDATE 0707 GMT:

Ukraine’s State security service SBU has captured a Russian soldier who shot and killed nine Ukrainian prisoners of war in October 2024, says President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Prosecutor General’s office has been investigating the killing of the surrendered POWs in Russia’s Kursk region amid a Ukrainian cross-border incursion.

“We will find every Russian murderer,” Zelensky said. “Every single one will be held accountable.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY: President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a “new approach” to air defenses amid intense Russian missile and drone strikes trying to break Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

In his nightly address to the nation, Zelensky said the plans include mobile fire groups, interceptor drones, and other short-range air defense assets. “The system will be transformed,” he pledged.

Zelensky announced the appointment of a new Deputy Air Force Commander, Pavlo Yelizarov, to oversee and develop the innovation.

The President warned Ukrainians to be “extremely vigilant” and to “be prepared to respond as quickly as possible and help people”: “Russia has prepared for a strike, a massive strike, and is waiting for the moment to carry it out.”

Overnight Russian strikes again targeted Kyiv, as the capital tries to complete restoration of power and heating after a massive assault 11 days ago. Explosions were heard around 2 a.m. The Air Force warned of a second drone wave around 5 a.m., and approaching missiles at 6:30.

Water was cut to premises on the left bank of the Dnipro River, and 5,635 multi-story buildings are without heat amid freezing building, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Klitschko said almost 80% of affected buildings had regained heat supply after Russia’s strikes on January 9.

Explosions were been reported in the city of Rivne in western Ukraine; Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia in the south; and the Kharkiv region in the northeast.

Zelensky declared a state of emergency in the energy sector on January 14 because of the attacks.