Russian emergency crews responded to a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on Thursday night, targeting multiple sites in Russia, including a major oil refinery in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow. Social media footage showed massive fires in Ryazan, reportedly at a refinery and a power station. Ryazan Governor Pavel Markov stated that air defenses intercepted drones, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported four attempted drone attacks around the capital.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at the Davos World Economic Forum, emphasized his desire to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war. Trump called for action to save lives, describing the ongoing conflict as “carnage.” Additionally, Trump criticized OPEC for keeping oil prices high, which he claimed prolongs the war by sustaining Russian oil revenues.
The Kremlin dismissed Trump’s comments as lacking novelty but noted it remains open to dialogue. Trump’s statements were welcomed by Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressing optimism about the potential for diplomatic momentum under Trump’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Ukraine began evacuating children and families from 16 settlements in the Kharkiv region near Kupiansk, an area heavily targeted by Russian forces. Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov cited intensified shelling as the reason for evacuating 267 children and their families to safer areas.
In response to mounting battlefield losses, Ukraine is finalizing recruitment reforms aimed at attracting younger citizens between 18 and 25 years old who were previously exempt from mobilization. Colonel Pavlo Palisa highlighted plans to overhaul the Soviet-era conscription system with incentives such as financial benefits, guaranteed training, and improved communication between soldiers and commanders. Palisa emphasized the importance of involving all Ukrainian citizens in the defense effort, framing it as a national duty.
The Kremlin reiterated its opposition to NATO-led peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, warning that their presence could escalate tensions uncontrollably. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy underscored the need for European peacekeepers, estimating that at least 200,000 troops would be required to secure any potential ceasefire.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/24/ukraine-war-briefing-russians-say-major-oil-refinery-burning-after-ukrainian-drone-strikes