Chernobyl Power Station Loses Off-Site Supply Amid Widespread Ukrainian Blackouts
The Chernobyl nuclear power station in Ukraine briefly lost all off-site electrical power on Saturday, according to reports from the United Nations atomic watchdog. This incident occurred as mass blackouts continued to affect numerous regions across Ukraine, including the capital city of Kyiv. Officials stated that Ukraine is actively working to stabilise the national grid and restore output, with no direct impact on nuclear safety anticipated at the Chernobyl site. Although the plant is no longer operational, it requires constant management and a reliable power supply for safety systems.
Fragile Energy Strike Pause Holds Amid Harsh Winter Conditions
A temporary and limited ceasefire on attacks against energy infrastructure appears to be holding, following an agreement reportedly brokered by the United States. Former President Donald Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to refrain from striking Ukrainian energy facilities over the weekend, a critical period as the war-torn nation endures particularly severe winter weather. The Kremlin confirmed this brief pause would conclude on Sunday, while Ukraine reciprocated by stating it would not target Russia's energy grid during this window.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted on Friday that neither side had conducted strikes on energy targets from Thursday night into Friday, describing this as a reciprocal arrangement. He indicated that Russia appeared to be reorienting its military efforts towards attacking logistical hubs, such as railway junctions, instead.
Potential Delay to Trilateral Peace Talks Amid US-Iran Tensions
Three-way peace negotiations involving Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington are scheduled to take place on Sunday, potentially in the United Arab Emirates. However, President Zelensky has suggested these talks may face postponement due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. "From our point of view, something is happening in the situation between the United States and Iran, and those developments could affect the timing," Zelensky remarked, casting uncertainty over the diplomatic calendar.
Russia's special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, is expected in Miami for meetings with members of the Trump administration, according to sources. Notably, US officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are not anticipated to participate in the scheduled trilateral meeting this weekend.
Russian Forces Claim Capture of Two Ukrainian Villages
Russia's defence ministry announced today that its forces had seized control of the villages of Petrivka, located in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region, and Toretske, situated in the eastern Donetsk region. These claims could not be immediately independently verified. The war is grinding towards its fourth anniversary in February, with Russia having repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the winter months.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens with Power and Heating Outages
Ukraine is bracing for a new cold spell expected from Sunday, with millions of citizens still affected by power outages that severely disrupt heating. Technical malfunctions on two high-voltage power lines connecting Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania were cited as the cause of the widespread blackouts on Saturday, affecting at least three Ukrainian regions and the capital. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that power supply restoration was anticipated within hours.
The situation remains dire, with Ukrainian officials informing foreign diplomats that all of the country's major energy plants have been "damaged or ruined." Temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plummet to around -24°C next week. Mykola Murskyj, advocacy director at the non-profit Razom, provided a stark warning: "They're preparing for the fact that people in the upper stories of apartment buildings are going to freeze to death. They're preparing to retrieve the bodies. It's extremely grim." Images from Kyiv show residents queueing for free hot meals amidst sub-zero temperatures and public transport disruptions.
US Aid Funds for Ukrainian Energy Stuck in Bureaucratic Limbo
Concerns are mounting among US and European officials that millions of dollars earmarked for energy assistance to Ukraine have not been released. This comes at a critical time as Russia escalates attacks on energy infrastructure. Sources, including a US official and a Ukrainian official, indicated that the US Agency for International Development (USAID) had been expected to disburse these funds before the agency was effectively shuttered by the Trump administration last year. Some funds are now described as being in a "bureaucratic limbo," though the exact amount withheld remains unclear. The prior Biden administration had pledged significant support, including an $824 million commitment in mid-2024 for Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Zelensky Rejects Invitation to Moscow, Proposes Kyiv Meeting
In a diplomatic development, President Zelensky on Friday rejected a Russian offer to travel to Moscow for talks. Instead, he signalled openness to meeting with President Putin in a more appropriate format, issuing a direct challenge: "I can just as well invite him to Kyiv, let him come. I'm openly inviting him, if he dares." Zelensky emphasised, "We are serious about the need to end the war. Any real format for a meeting of leaders is suitable." The two leaders have not met in person since 2019, prior to the full-scale invasion.
