Photo : The turbine hall of a thermal power plant damaged in a missile attack in Ukraine. Source: Anatolii S
Photo : The turbine hall of a thermal power plant damaged in a missile attack in Ukraine. Source: Anatolii S
By Neha Tresa George
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 01 January, Ukrinform reported on the Russian attack in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. The attack had led to the death of two people and injury of seven others. The Prosecutor General’s Office also said a search and rescue operation was ongoing. Ukraine’s Air Force claimed that around 109 drones out of the 111 fired over the region were intercepted. The falling debris damaged residential buildings and a branch of Ukraine’s Central Bank. On this, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented that Russia only cared about hurting Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s officials, the attacks targeted Kyiv's Pechersky district where the presidential palace and government quarter are located.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 01 January, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on the strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities, and military and defence industries along with a naval drone assembly site. According to their statement: “Russian warplanes, UAVs, and missile and artillery forces successfully struck an energy facility that ensured the functioning of a Ukrainian military-industrial enterprise.” However, the ministry did not mention the exact location of these targets. Meanwhile, Ukrainian media reported on explosions in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.
On 01 January, RT reported on the statements of Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko on the transit deal between Ukraine and Russia. He hailed Ukraine’s decision to halt the deal as a “historic event.” He said: “Russia is losing markets and will face financial losses. Europe has already made the decision to abandon Russian gas.” He justified the decision by saying that it was in line with the EU’s stance on reducing gas imports from Russia. The five-year agreement between the Naftogaz and Gazprom energy companies expired on 01 January 2025, blocking a major pipeline to Slovakia. Many EU members have expressed their dissatisfaction over Ukraine’s decision, especially Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.
On 01 January, Russia informed about the loss of two helicopters and their crews over the Black Sea. Russia is losing markets and will face financial losses. They also reported that the deaths of the pilots were verified in the Kacha village where the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s air base is located. Earlier, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency had confirmed the interception of one helicopter by an unmanned naval drone.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 01 January, Finland’s National Bureau of Investigation put travel restrictions on the seven crew members of the oil tanker Eagle S, following allegations of its role in an undersea cable sabotage. Currently, the vessel was docked near Porvoo’s Kilpilahti oil port for the investigation. Finland suspects the crew members to be involved in the damage EstLink 2, which connects Finland’s electricity grid with Estonia. According to Detective Chief Inspector Elina Katajamäki of the NBI, the imposed travel ban allowed for a smooth investigation for several days. The officers were also carrying out an underwater search near the damaged cable for more proof. The suspected Russian vessel is believed to be a part of Russia’s shadow fleet which are group of vessels designed to bypass sanctions in the international waters.
On 01 January, Anadolu Agency reported on the statements of Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico on the Russia-Ukraine transit deal, which ended following Ukraine’s disapproval of renewing it. He warned that the end of this deal would have a “drastic impact” on not just Russia, but also the EU. Slovakia was one of the main recipients of Russia’s fuel exports. The transit deal connected an important pipeline to Slovakia which transferred Russian gas. Earlier, he also threatened to stop power supply to Ukraine if the deal was not extended. Fico had also travelled to Russia to discuss energy disputes with President Vladimir Putin.
References
“Russia strikes Ukrainian naval drone assembly site – MOD,” RT, 01 January 2025
“Halting Russian gas flow to EU a ‘historic event’ – Ukraine,” RT, 01 January 2025
“One person killed, seven injured in Russian attack on Kyiv,” Ukrinform, 01 January 2025
“Russia reports loss of two helicopters with crews over Black Sea,” Ukrinform, 01 January 2025
“Russian Air Attack on Central Kyiv Kills At Least 2, Wounds 6,” The Moscow Times, 01 January 2025
“Finland Imposes Travel Ban on Tanker Crew Amid Cable Sabotage Probe,” The Moscow Times, 01 January 2025
“Halting Russian gas supply via Ukraine to have drastic consequences for EU: Slovakian premier,” Anadolu Agency, 01 January 2025