Major attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces deep into Russia and a scandal within the Air Force: news highlights from January 14.

The General Staff announced a large-scale strike on military facilities deep within Russia, at distances ranging from 200 to 1100 kilometers. Additionally, the General Staff stated that the transfer of specialists from the engineering and aviation service of the Ukrainian Air Force, who maintain aircraft, to infantry units is not planned.

For more details on what happened on Tuesday, January 14, see the article by RBK-Ukraine.

Russia's War Against Ukraine: Latest News

• The Russian Federation has once again attacked Ukraine with "Shaheds." Explosions were heard in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, and air defense was operational.
• Analysts from ISW believe that the Russians are likely planning to create a blockade of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.

Russia Strikes Infrastructure in Sumy, Damaging Administrative Building and Warehouse

According to the State Emergency Service, late in the evening of January 13, enemy aviation struck an infrastructure facility in the city of Sumy.

Preliminary reports indicate that the attack damaged administrative and warehouse buildings. The blast wave shattered windows in a two-story residential building nearby.

Ukraine Negotiates Joint Border Control with EU, - Shmyhal

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced during a government meeting that Ukraine plans to implement joint customs and border control with EU countries. The first country with which an agreement may be signed is Poland.

"We expect the first results this year," the Prime Minister stated.

Slovak Prime Minister Fico Will Not Travel to Kyiv to Meet Zelensky

This was stated by the Vice Speaker of the Slovak Parliament, Tibor Gašpar.

"Yesterday, Prime Minister Fico published an open letter to Zelensky inviting him for negotiations. Zelensky replied that he should come to Kyiv on Friday. That is impossible. I don’t think it will happen," - said Gašpar, who is currently in Moscow.

Germany to Deploy Patriot Systems Near Ukrainian Border This Month, - Pistorius

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that his country will deploy Patriot air defense systems in Rzeszów, Poland, near the Ukrainian border in January.

"We know very well how significant Rzeszów is as a logistics hub when it comes to assisting Ukraine," he noted.

Government Approved Procedure for Drafting Prisoners into Military Service

This was reported by government representative Taras Melnychuk in the Verkhovna Rada. Thus, the government approved the procedure for registering convicted individuals for military service and their passing of military medical commissions and professional psychological assessments.

A list of TCK and SPs responsible for military registration of those released on parole has also been approved.

HAMAS Accepted Ceasefire Agreement Draft in Gaza Strip, - Media

According to The Times of Israel, HAMAS supported the draft ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages. Unnamed officials involved in the negotiations reported that progress on the agreement has been made, but details are still being finalized.

Associated Press, in turn, reports that it has seen a copy of the draft agreement, and officials from Egypt confirm its authenticity.

General Staff Announced the Largest Strike on Military Facilities Deep Within Russia at Distances of 200 to 1100 km

Targets were hit in Bryansk, Saratov, Tula regions, and the Republic of Tatarstan. Specifically, the following were attacked:

• the fuel storage base "Crystal Plant" in Engels, Saratov region, where a fire that lasted 5 days after a previous strike had just been extinguished;
• Bryansk Chemical Plant in the city of Seltso, which manufactures ammunition for artillery, multiple rocket launchers, aviation, engineering munitions, and components for "Kh-59" cruise missiles. Two enemy surface-to-air missile systems - "Tor" and "Buk" were destroyed.
• Saratov Oil Refinery and Kazanorgsintez plant. Fires broke out at both locations.

General Staff Responded to Reports of Mass Transfer of Aviation Technicians to Infantry

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine officially stated that it is not planned to transfer critically needed specialists from the engineering and aviation service of the Air Force to infantry units. They mentioned that, on the contrary, the Air Force is increasing the number of technical and flight personnel.

At the same time, they reported that certain categories of personnel from the Air Force, as well as other branches and types of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after preliminary training at training centers, are reinforcing the Ground Forces, Air Assault Troops, and similar units. This is due to the "difficult situation at the front, where there is a shortage of infantry."

Former Deputy Head of Kharkiv Regional Council Accused of Embezzling "Ukrenergo" Funds

The SBU exposed a scheme for embezzling funds from "Ukrenergo." A former deputy head of the Kharkiv regional council is suspected of being involved in a transaction worth 58.44 million hryvnias.

Sources from RBK-Ukraine report that the individual in question is Volodymyr Skorobahach.

According to the investigation, he involved two accomplices: the founder and director of a private company in Kyiv that deals in energy resources.

Blinken and Austin Explained the Dangers of a Premature Ceasefire in Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a column for The New York Times, explained why it is dangerous to prematurely cease fire in Ukraine.

"... relinquishing our leverage now due to a reduction in assistance and forcing a premature ceasefire would simply allow Putin to rest, regroup, and eventually attack again. It would be a peace through capitulation, which would not be peace at all," they wrote.

Electronic Directions for VVK Will Be Available in "Reserve+" a Month Earlier

Electronic directions for VVK will be available through the "Reserve+" application as early as January of this year. Previously, the Ministry of Defense mentioned a deadline until the end of February.

"Our goal is to create a modern, transparent VVK system that minimizes corruption risks and bureaucratic obstacles. Thanks to digitalization, this process will become significantly more convenient for everyone," said Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Next "Ramstein" Meeting Date Revealed

According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the meeting of Ukraine's partners is scheduled for February.

"We agreed that the next meeting of the Contact Group on Support for Ukraine should take place, as always, a week before the Munich Security Conference in Brussels when NATO defense ministers will gather there," he said.

It is worth noting that the conference will be held from February 14 to 16.