As the cold tightens its grip on Ukraine, around 1,600 buildings in Kiev remain without heating after a series of Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure over the weekend. Authorities in the Ukrainian capital state that about 1,100 residential buildings and 500 other properties are still without heating in Kiev, amidst a harsh winter.
Meanwhile, a massive Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian border region of Bryansk, the largest since the start of the war in Ukraine, left part of the region's inhabitants without electricity and heating on Sunday, local authorities acknowledged on Monday.
Russia Launches 4 Hypersonic Anti-Ship Zircon Missiles and a Ballistic Missile Against Ukraine
Russia launched four hypersonic anti-ship Zircon missiles, an Iskander-M ballistic missile, and a guided Kh-31P missile against Ukraine overnight, as reported by the Ukrainian Air Force on Monday. Two Zircon missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian air defenses.
One missile hit an unspecified location in Ukraine. Information is being gathered on the fate of the remaining three enemy missiles used in the missile attack against Ukraine.
In this nighttime bombardment, Russia also deployed 62 long-range drones, with 52 being neutralized and 9 hitting various locations in Ukraine.
Russia's Wagner Group Focused on European Sabotage
Recruitment agents of the Russian Wagner group have become one of the main channels for Kremlin-organized sabotage in Europe, according to Western intelligence officials as reported by the 'Financial Times' (FT) on Monday.
While the status of the combat group is currently uncertain, Wagner's specialists in persuading young Russians to fight in Ukraine have been tasked with recruiting economically vulnerable Europeans to carry out acts of violence on NATO territory, according to the same sources.
The group's situation has been uncertain since a failed rebellion against the Russian Army leadership in June 2023 led to a crackdown and the death of its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The FT states that the Russian military intelligence agency (GRU) "is utilizing available talent," stated a Western intelligence official, referring to the Wagner network.
Ukrainian Negotiating Team Travels to Geneva for New Talks with Russia and the US
The Ukrainian negotiating team traveled to Geneva on Monday to hold the third round of trilateral talks with Russia and the US starting on Tuesday to end the war, announced one of Kiev's envoys, the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Kirilo Budanov, as reported by Efe.
"On the way to Geneva," Budanov said on his X account, adding that he would use the train journey to discuss with the rest of the delegation "the lessons" from Ukrainian history and "draw the right conclusions."
Like the rest of the population, Ukrainian leaders must leave Ukraine by train or road due to the closure of airspace due to the war.
Kim Inaugurates Housing with His Daughter for Families of Fallen Soldiers in Ukraine War
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inaugurated a set of homes for families of fallen North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine war, where they were deployed to support the Russian side, alongside his daughter on the eve, as reported by the state news agency KCNA on Monday.
The homes are located on Saeppyol Street in Pyongyang and form a "monumental" architectural complex reflecting "the brilliant feats of heroes who sacrificed their lives without hesitation" during "military operations abroad."
Kim and his daughter, believed to be around 13 years old and named Kim Ju-ae, personally greeted relatives of the fallen during the inauguration ceremony, as shown in photos released by the agency, where they are seen embracing them and even showing them the interior of the buildings.