Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,444 | Russia-Ukraine war News
Key Developments on Day 1,444 of Russia’s War on Ukraine
Fierce clashes persist along the front lines between Russian and Ukrainian forces, even as temperatures plummet across the region, according to Ukraine’s Commander in Chief, Oleksandr Syrskii. He reported that the front line now extends approximately 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) in eastern and southern Ukraine.
Syrskii noted that advancements in drone warfare have altered the battlefield dynamics, with the “kill zone”—the area where troops face the greatest danger—now reaching depths of up to 20 kilometers (12 miles).
Overnight, Russian forces launched 328 drones and seven missiles at Ukraine, with Ukrainian air defenses reportedly intercepting 297 of the drones. However, one person was killed and two others injured from an overnight drone attack in the Dnipropetrovsk region, per the head of the regional military administration, Oleksandr Hanzha.
In the southern Zaporizhia region, an aerial assault at dawn left eight individuals injured and damaged 18 apartment buildings. Additionally, a dog shelter in the regional capital was struck, leading to the deaths of 13 dogs, according to the city council secretary, Rehina Kharchenko.
Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated that their air defenses intercepted 38 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 26 over the Bryansk region, which briefly disrupted power to several villages. In response, another nighttime strike by Ukraine targeted power facilities in the Russian city of Belgorod, affecting electricity distribution in certain areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the air force’s performance as “unsatisfactory,” indicating that measures are underway to enhance responses to large-scale drone attacks on civilian sites. He also urged for expedited efforts in bolstering air defenses and repairing damage to energy infrastructure, highlighting that over 1,110 apartment blocks remain without heating following recent attacks.
In a separate incident, a senior Russian military intelligence official, Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, was shot in his Moscow apartment building. Investigators reported that he was hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested that Ukraine was behind the assassination attempt, although Ukrainian officials denied any involvement.
In military aid news, Canada has begun supplying AIM missiles to enhance Ukraine’s air defense capabilities. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov confirmed that discussions were ongoing regarding joint drone manufacturing and military training with Canadian officials. The U.S. State Department has also approved the sale of spare parts for military equipment to Ukraine, estimated at $185 million.
In diplomatic developments, the Kremlin announced that a third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine is to take place soon, though a specific date has not been confirmed. Negotiations in Abu Dhabi this past week yielded a major prisoner swap but did not achieve progress on a ceasefire.
On the sanctions front, U.S. President Donald Trump lifted a 25 percent tariff on goods from India related to Russian oil purchases, citing India’s commitment to cease importing oil from Russia. Simultaneously, the European Commission proposed a ban on services supporting Russia’s crude oil exports.
Two officials from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) made their first visit to Moscow since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov. Additionally, France has reported a disinformation campaign linked to Russia concerning President Emmanuel Macron.
In regional security matters, Russian and U.S. negotiators have discussed the urgency of launching new arms control talks as the last remaining nuclear arms pact approaches expiration. Meanwhile, Washington has accused Beijing of conducting a clandestine nuclear test in 2020, advocating for a comprehensive arms control treaty involving China and Russia.
Finally, at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan, the Ukrainian delegation received a warm welcome, marked by resounding applause from the audience.
In energy discussions, Ukrainian Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of U.S. liquefied natural gas supplies for bolstering Ukraine’s energy security amid ongoing threats from Russian air strikes and severe winter conditions.
