Ukraine has attacked three Russian oil drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea, according to its military.
“Direct hits have been recorded,” it said in a post on Telegram on Sunday, adding: “The extent of the damage is being assessed.”
The infrastructure is said to be owned by Russia’s Lukoil Corporation. Dramatic drone footage shows the overnight attack although Kyiv did not share further details of the operation.
It comes as the Ministry of Defence announced it will develop new tactical ballistic missiles for Ukraine, code-naming the initiative “Project Nightfall”.
Defence secretary John Healey said the UK was determined to arm Ukrainians with advanced weapons to fight back against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
Later on Monday the UN Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting to discuss Russia’s use of its Oreshnik hypersonic missile just 60 miles from the border of Nato member Poland.
Russia has claimed the Oreshnik strike was retaliation for an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on one of Putin’s residences, an allegation Kyiv denies.
In pictures: Dramatic drone footage shows Ukrainian attack on Russian oil infrastructure, says military
Russia claims it has captured a settlement in eastern Ukraine
Russia’s defence ministry claims that its forces have captured a village of Novoboykivske in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine.
It comes amid growing attacks on the region, with Ukraine reporting on Sunday that the Russian army dropped glide bombs on the village of Novoukrainka.
The attack injured a civilian, according to Ukrinform.
China hits back at Trump’s Greenland remark
China on Monday urged the United States not to use other countries as an excuse to pursue its own interests, after U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. needed to own Greenland to prevent Russia or China from occupying it in the future.
“The Arctic concerns the overall interests of the international community,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference. She said China’s activities in the Arctic aim to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.
Mao also called for respecting the rights and freedoms of all nations to conduct lawful activities in the Arctic.
Watch: Trump says US must acquire Greenland before Russia or China do
Merz offers India closer security cooperation with Germany to reduce reliance on Moscow
Germany wants to cooperate more closely on security issues with India to reduce the latter’s reliance on Russia, chancellor Friedrich Merz said as he met with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi today.
The countries signed a memorandum of understanding to that effect during Merz’s first trip to the South Asian nation, in addition to agreements on critical minerals, the health sector and an artificial intelligence innovation centre.
“India and Germany are working together to build secure, trusted and resilient supply chains. The MoUs being signed today on all these issues will give new momentum and strength to our cooperation,” said Modi at a joint news conference.
India still works closely with Russia, where much of its military equipment originates, on security policy, and it is one of the largest buyers of Russian gas and oil alongside China.
Germany is working to ensure the Indian government prevents Indian companies from circumventing sanctions on Russia and reduce its energy imports – demands India has so far rejected.
Russia losing more than 1,000 soldiers per day, says Zelensky
Russian losses on the battlefield in Ukraine are up to at least 1,000 soldiers a day, president Volodymyr Zelensky says.
“Right now, Russian losses amount to no less than 1,000 killed per day – and this has been the case since December. This is how Russia is essentially paying just to keep the war from ending,” he said in his nightly address.
“This is madness and it can only be stopped by combined forces – the forces of Europe and the United States, the forces of all our partners. Every day of this war is a reminder that the world cannot protect itself from madmen. We must protect it. Russia must be stopped,” he said.
Is the UK really ready to put boots on the ground in Ukraine? Britain’s dwindling military might in numbers
Reform leader Nigel Farage derided the commitment, saying the UK is in “no position” to put boots on the ground in Ukraine during a press conference on Wednesday. “With what boots? he asked. “What kit? We might be able to go for six to eight weeks but … We’re in no position to do it.”
Zelensky says every strike on Russia ‘brings end of war closer’
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that his forces were working on new operations targeting Russia, alongside those that are already underway.
“It is still too early to speak publicly about some of the operations – ones that the Russians have already felt. Some of the operations are still underway. I also approved new ones,” he said.
“We are actively defending ourselves, and every Russian loss brings the end of the war closer. Our deep strikes, special measures – all of this, of course, must continue,” the war-time president said.
Russian defence site in Moscow targeted in sabotage operation
Pro-Ukrainian agents reportedly hit a Russian air defence site in Moscow oblast, a US-based think tank has said.
“The ‘Atesh’ Crimea-based Ukrainian partisan group reported on 11 January (yesterday) that its agents carried out a sabotage operation in Moscow Oblast, burning a radio mast of the Russian 5th Air Defense Division (1st Air and Missile Defence Army, Russian Aerospace Forces [VKS],” the Institute for the Study of War said.
Atesh, meaning “fire” in Crimean Tatar, is a group spying on Russians and Russian military movements in Crimea, and also in other occupied areas.
If confirmed, the attack would be a rare Atesh operation inside Russia. Neither Ukraine nor Russia have issued a comment on Atesh’s activity.
Chechen leader Kadyrov suffers kidney failure, Ukrainian defence sources say
Chechen leader and close Russian ally Ramzan Kadyrov is undergoing dialysis due to kidney failure, sources in Ukraine’s defence intelligence said, according to local media reports.
Kadyrov’s health has deteriorated, according to local Ukrainian outlets Interfax-Ukraine and Ukrinform.
Kadyrov is a key ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin and seen as one of the most powerful and feared men in Moscow.
He has reportedly been admitted to a private hospital in Chechnya where his family members have gathered, including some who have travelled in from abroad.
