Panic on crowded train - passenger tells BBC of moment of Russian drone strike

A Russian drone strike on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine on Tuesday killed five people. The train was traveling from Chop to Barvinkove, carrying over 150 passengers. Ukrainian prosecutors reported finding fragments of five bodies at the scene, where at least two carriages caught fire. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as terrorism, stating there was no military purpose and that it undermined peace efforts. In a separate incident, a barrage of over 50 Russian drones in Odesa killed three and wounded over 30, including a pregnant woman.

A Russian drone attack struck a civilian passenger train in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine on Tuesday, resulting in at least five deaths and two injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as an "act of terrorism," emphasizing there was no military justification for targeting civilians. According to Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Oleksiy Kuleba, three Russian drones were used in the attack on the train, which was carrying over 200 people. The Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office confirmed the updated casualty count on Wednesday, also reporting one man as missing. The incident has drawn international attention and condemnation.

A Russian drone strike on a passenger train in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine killed at least five people on January 28, 2026. The attack targeted civilians traveling by rail. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the drone strike, characterizing it as an act of terrorism. The incident occurred amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The attack highlights the continued use of drones in the conflict and the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure.

A Russian drone strike targeted a passenger train in northeastern Ukraine, killing five people. The train, traveling from Chop to Barvinkove, was attacked after being forced to halt by an initial drone strike. A Ukrainian soldier, identified as Omar, part of the 93rd brigade, instructed passengers to evacuate immediately before a carriage burst into flames. Omar, a drone unit commander, recognized the danger of a stationary target and helped passengers escape to safety. He later returned to the train to search for survivors, finding a woman and baby unharmed. President Zelensky condemned the attack as terrorism.

A Russian drone and missile strike on Tuesday left almost half of Kyiv without heat and water, impacting thousands of residential buildings amidst freezing temperatures. The overnight bombardment, part of a larger assault targeting energy facilities across Ukraine, killed at least one person near Kyiv. Ukrainian air defenses responded to the attack, as residents sought shelter in subway stations. The strikes, which have disrupted utilities for millions in recent weeks, prompted accusations of a deliberate effort to weaken Ukrainian resistance. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga condemned the attacks as a genocidal war.

On January 21, 2026, day 1,427 of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russian forces struck several Ukrainian cities, including Zaporizhzhia, killing at least three people and leaving nearly 1,500 households without electricity. Strikes in the Kyiv region resulted in one death, leaving over one million residents without power and 4,000 apartment buildings without heating. Approximately 600,000 people have evacuated Kyiv following attacks on vital energy facilities. A critical infrastructure facility in the Vinnytsia region and an energy infrastructure facility in the Odesa region were also damaged. President Zelenskyy called for tougher sanctions on Moscow to curb its military production following the attacks. Ukrainian Minister of Economy Oleksii Sobolev reported that Russian attacks have damaged about 8.5 gigawatts of Ukraine’s power generation.

A large Russian aerial strike on Ukraine overnight has left a million people in Kyiv without power, including half of the city's residential buildings and the Ukrainian parliament, leaving them without heating and water. The strikes, which targeted Kyiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, resulted in at least four deaths and 33 injuries across Ukraine between Monday and Tuesday. According to Mayor Klitschko, almost 80% of the affected buildings had just had their heating restored following a previous attack on January 9th. President Zelensky said that repelling the attack cost Ukraine approximately €80m in air defense missiles alone and has cancelled his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos. Temperatures in Ukraine remain below freezing, causing further infrastructure damage.

Negotiators from Russia, Ukraine, and the US are meeting in Abu Dhabi for their first trilateral talks since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Senior officials from all three nations are participating, though it's unclear if they will meet in the same room. The talks, initiated partly due to Donald Trump's push for a peace deal, aim to address the ongoing conflict, but expectations are limited. Ukraine seeks to maintain US support and hopes for increased air defense against Russian attacks. A major obstacle remains Russia's demand for Ukraine to cede the Donbas region, which Ukraine refuses, making a resolution difficult. Zelensky described the meetings as "a step" towards peace.

US-brokered talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi concluded on January 24, 2026, without a breakthrough, though both sides expressed openness to further dialogue. The discussions, attended by Ukrainian and Russian officials, along with US envoys, aimed to address parameters for ending the war and security conditions. The UAE government described the talks as constructive, focusing on Washington's peace framework. Russia continues to insist on Ukraine withdrawing from Donbas. These talks occurred amidst ongoing Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which left 1.2 million people without power. Further talks are expected to take place as early as next week.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the EU's lack of political will in countering Russia and addressing global issues. Speaking on Thursday, Zelensky described Europe as "fragmented" and seemingly lost in the face of challenges. This criticism contrasted with his usual positive tone towards the EU, a major political and financial supporter of Ukraine. Earlier, Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump and secured an agreement on post-war security guarantees for Ukraine, which are ready to be signed and ratified. He questioned the delays in establishing a European war crimes tribunal, suggesting a lack of political will within the EU.

Kyiv residents are experiencing prolonged power outages during the winter due to ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The attacks, which occurred as recently as January 20, 2026, have left many stranded in tower blocks without electricity or heat. One resident, Olena Janchuk, who is unable to walk, is shown enduring the blackout with her mother, using candles and heated bricks to stay warm. The blackouts are widespread, affecting residential buildings across Kyiv and forcing residents to adapt by using alternative methods for cooking and communication. The attacks continue to impact daily life for many in the city.

As of January 19, 2026, Russia is reportedly weaponizing freezing weather in Ukraine by attacking the country's energy grid. These attacks have left many Kyiv residents without reliable heat or power, forcing them to endure near-freezing temperatures in their homes. The situation has led to a state of emergency in Kyiv, where people are relying on temporary warming centers for survival. Al Jazeera reports that the attacks are intentionally targeting infrastructure to exacerbate the effects of winter on the civilian population. The lack of essential services is creating a humanitarian crisis as residents struggle to cope with the harsh conditions.

Russian strikes on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, left over 5,600 high-rise buildings in Kyiv, Ukraine, without heat in subfreezing temperatures. Ukrainian authorities reported that the attacks, part of an intensified campaign, are intended to break the country's morale and force submission. President Zelensky stated Russia launched numerous missiles and drones across the country, with Kyiv experiencing the most difficult situation. The mayor of Kyiv noted that many buildings had just regained heat after a previous attack on January 8, and part of the city was also without water. Authorities are working to restore services, deploying mobile kitchens and warming tents as schools are closed until February.

Ukraine is facing an energy emergency due to repeated Russian attacks on its infrastructure, leaving thousands without heat and electricity as temperatures plummet to -19 degrees Celsius. President Zelenskyy announced the emergency, noting the severe consequences of the attacks combined with deteriorating weather conditions. Kyiv is particularly affected, with hundreds of apartment buildings remaining without heat almost a week after a major Russian attack. Repair crews are working around the clock, and the government is exploring increased electricity imports and reviewing curfew restrictions to address the crisis. The mayor of Kyiv urged residents to consider leaving the city due to the damage to critical infrastructure.

Russian attacks have intensified in Kyiv, Ukraine, during a severe cold snap in January 2026, causing widespread heating and electricity outages. These strikes, part of a long-term Kremlin strategy, are the most devastating yet, impacting civilian morale and potentially pressuring the Ukrainian government. Emergency services have established tents providing heat and electricity to residents. The outages have forced some Kyiv residents to leave the city in search of warmth and basic necessities. The attacks aim to damage Ukrainian infrastructure and potentially influence peace negotiations.

As Kyiv experiences intensifying Russian attacks and plummeting temperatures reaching -19C, residents are struggling with power outages, lack of heating, and water shortages. To provide relief, Ukrainian Railways has introduced "Invincibility Trains" at suburban stations, offering warmth, electricity, and a safe space for those without basic amenities. These trains, equipped with toys and resources from charities, aim to boost morale and provide comfort amidst the harsh winter conditions. While President Zelensky accuses Russia of targeting critical infrastructure, Kyiv's mayor suggested some residents should leave the city to ease pressure on resources. Despite the hardships, many Kyiv residents remain resilient, finding ways to cope with the challenging circumstances.

Ukraine has declared a state of emergency in its energy sector, particularly in Kyiv, due to ongoing Russian strikes and freezing temperatures. President Zelensky announced the creation of a task force to address the damage to critical infrastructure and accused Russia of exploiting the cold weather. The strikes have left thousands without power, heating, and water, with Kyiv being particularly affected. Zelensky ordered the procurement of energy equipment and the establishment of more emergency help points. Russian attacks have impacted energy infrastructure beyond Kyiv, affecting over a million people in southeastern Ukraine. DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy provider, is operating in crisis mode due to repeated attacks on the grid.