Day 1,435.

Today, as President Zelensky warns that Russia is preparing “a new massive strike”, we examine growing speculation that an undeclared truce may be in place regarding strikes on energy infrastructure. We then turn to the Russian press, where a local war memorial in the Urals appears to have inadvertently revealed the true scale of Russian casualties, and an unlikely scandal involving a baker that has caused fresh embarrassment for Vladimir Putin. And finally, we report on the launch of a new blood bank aimed at alleviating Ukraine’s mounting medical crises.

Contributors

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X.

James Kilner (Foreign Correspondent). @jkjourno on X.

With thanks to Toby Illingworth (Founder & Head of Mission for Yashchenko Foundation). @tobyillingworth

SIGN UP TO THE ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers.

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Learn More about the Walking Blood Bank and the Yashchenko Foundation:

https://yashchenkofoundation.org/walking-blood-bank/

Putin abandons Syria base to court new Islamist leader (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/01/28/russia-abandons-syria-military-base/

Royal Navy forces Russian ship out of British waters (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/28/russian-ship-anchors-trans-atlantic-cables-bristol-channel/

Exclusive: Trump's top envoy negotiating Ukraine's fate displays 'shocking' lack of knowledge about war (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/trumps-top-envoy-displays-shocking-lack-of-knowledge-about-war-politics/

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The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest

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