Fighter jets for Ukraine, Russian offensive in Luhansk Oblast: last night's highlights
After the allies' decision to provide Ukraine with tanks, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the need for aircraft and long—range missiles, while the Russians may be preparing an offensive in Luhansk Oblast, distracting the Ukrainian military in other parts of the front. Here's what you may have missed from the previous night.
Fighter jets for Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that after tanks, Ukraine hopes to receive long-range missiles and aircraft from its allies.
According to the president, he has already had a conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
At the same time, the US company Lockheed Martin said it was ready to increase production of F-16s to meet demand from countries that might agree to re-export their aircraft to Ukraine.
Offensive in Luhansk Oblast
The American Institute for the Study of War suggests that Russian troops may conduct limited combat attacks along most of the front line to disperse and distract Ukrainian forces and create conditions for an offensive in Luhansk Oblast.
According to ISW, Russian forces may be preparing for a decisive effort in Luhansk Oblast along the Svatove-Kreminna line.
The occupiers may hope to recapture territory in northern Donetsk Oblast around Lyman and use the Svatove-Kreminna line to further attack western Kharkiv and/or northern Donetsk oblasts.
US aid package
On January 25, the White House announced a new $400 million package for Ukraine.
The package includes 31 Abrams tanks with 120 mm rounds and other ammunition, eight tactical recovery vehicles, support vehicles and equipment, funding for training, maintenance, and more.
Assistance from Slovakia
Slovakia is ready to provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters and Soviet-made T-72 tanks.
According to Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad', his country's air force is also ready to train Ukrainian pilots to fly American F-16 fighters.
In addition, he said that Ukraine intends to order 11 more Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery systems from Slovakia. So far, Slovakia has supplied Ukraine with eight such howitzers.
Another 16 Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery systems are currently being manufactured – they were paid for by Germany, Norway and Denmark.
Attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Russian occupation forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast at night. They hit an industrial facility. There were no victims.
Earlier, on January 25, Russian occupiers fired three times at the region.
Ukraine's economy
Ukraine's economy shrank by more than 35% after the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, according to the UN's World Economic Situation and Prospects 2023 report.
The docuemnt notes that Ukraine's economy has shrunk due to large-scale destruction, disruption of production and trade activities, loss of labor, blocking of ports, and more.
Plastic bags
Almost a year after the government set minimum prices for plastic bags, Ukrainians have reduced their use by 40-90%, depending on the type.
"[Ukrainians] are increasingly using biodegradable [bags] that do not pollute the environment. In particular, in some supermarket chains, sales of biodegradable bags increased 13-15 times in 2022," said Denys Kudin, First Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine.
Other news
- The International Olympic Committee calls for Russian and Belarusian athletes to be allowed to compete.
- Flags of Russia and the "DPR" were unfurled at the Australian Open tennis tournament.
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