Government reviews sanctions petition for Portnov, Lviv Oblast mayors fined for disrupting mobilization: January 28 highlights
The Ukrainian government found no grounds to impose sanctions on Andriy Portnov, a former deputy head of Viktor Yanukovych's administration. The state will finance suspended U.S. humanitarian programs in Ukraine. Mayors in Lviv Oblast were fined for failing to meet mobilization targets. Here are the key events for January 28.
The state will finance US support programs that are currently suspended
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised that the state will finance part of the suspended U.S. support programs related to humanitarian aid.
The President's Office also intends to start consultations with American partners.
For more on what President Donald Trump suspended foreign aid means, read our article.
Shmyhal responded to the call to impose sanctions against Portnov
The Cabinet of Ministers reviewed a petition calling for the application of National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) sanctions against Andriy Portnov, a former deputy head of Viktor Yanukovych's administration. They found no information to justify imposing restrictions, according to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Shmyhal explained that the U.S. decision on sanctions is not a legally defined basis for applying sanctions in Ukraine.
The government approved electronic military medical examination referrals
The Cabinet of Ministers supported a resolution on electronic military medical referrals for conscripts. The Ministry of Defense stated that electronic referrals will be available in the Reserve+ app starting January 31.
Initially, the service will be available for those who wish to undergo a medical examination voluntarily, and later it will be expanded to all who have received a draft summons for a military medical examination.
Mayors in Lviv Oblast fined for failure to fulfill mobilization plans
Drohobych Mayor Taras Kuchma claims he was fined for not meeting mobilization plans, despite not having such authority.
Kuchma said similar rulings were issued to mayors of other Lviv Oblast towns—Truskavets, Skhidnytsia, Boryslav, and Medenychi. The mayor of Boryslav confirmed receiving a fine.
NATO admitted that Russia planned the assassination of the head of Rheinmetall
NATO confirmed that Russia had a plan to assassinate Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall. Media outlets reported this Russian plot as early as July 2024.
A Russian drone damaged a vintage car museum in Kyiv Oblast
A Russian drone attack damaged a retro car museum in Kyiv Oblast, with dozens of vehicles sustaining damage.
Overall, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 100 drones of various types overnight. 65 drones were shot down. In Kharkiv, a Russian Shahed drone hit a civilian enterprise, and in Chernihiv, drones targeted a residential area.
The government dismissed DM Umerov's deputy
The Cabinet of Ministers dismissed Deputy Minister of Defense Dmytro Klimenkov at the request of Minister Rustem Umerov.
Klimenkov's dismissal comes amid a conflict between the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Procurement Agency. On January 24, Umerov, despite the Supervisory Board's decision, stated he would not extend the contract with the agency's current head, Maryna Bezrukova.
Irpin Mayor Markushyn removed from office
The Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv decided to suspend Irpin Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn for two months in a case related to his travel abroad in 2022. Markushyn stated he would appeal the decision.
Teenagers beat a 12-year-old girl in Mykolaiv Oblast
In Pervomaysk, Mykolaiv Oblast, teenagers assaulted a 12-year-old girl.
Law enforcement determined the incident occurred in May 2024, identified all participants, and initiated a pre-trial investigation.
US suspends program for Ukrainian refugees
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) suspended the acceptance of applications from Ukrainians seeking refuge under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program due to an executive order by President Donald Trump aimed at curbing immigration.
This program granted Ukrainians the right to live, work, study, and receive medical insurance and other benefits in the U.S. for two years.
Other news
- Ukraine will establish a postal bank, aiming to simplify the process of receiving social benefits and ordering goods and medicines.
- The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) commented on accusations from a former detective investigating embezzlement in procurements for the "Army of Drones" project.
- The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) detained FSB agents planning a missile strike on F-16 airbase locations.
- In Stockholm, a man attempted to ram the gates of the Russian embassy; Russia claims the man was Ukrainian.