Ukraine Attacks Targets in Russia; Kremlin Reports Seizure of Ukrainian Village

Ukraine has targeted facilities in Russia during a drone attack on an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, marking a "new phase" in the conflict. Reuters reported on January 18, citing a Ukrainian military source, emphasizing that it could not independently verify the claim. A Russian official appointed in northeastern occupied Ukraine previously stated that Ukraine had made an unsuccessful attempt to target a Russian oil terminal in the Baltic Sea with a drone. St. Petersburg is located 850 kilometers from the nearest border with Ukraine. Kyiv is working to produce longer-range attack drones to better match Russia's offensive capabilities, which regularly target Ukraine with long-range missiles and drones. Meanwhile, on January 18, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed, without providing details, that Russian forces had captured a settlement named "Vysil" in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. Reuters reported that a village of the same name, with a population of about 100, is located 20 kilometers northeast of the city of Bakhmut, which is under Russian control. As the war in Ukraine continues with no signs of abating, six settlements are being restored as part of a pilot program funded by a state fund from confiscated Russian assets to enhance the skills and experiences needed for broader reconstruction operations. Ukrainian officials emphasize the urgency of rebuilding the country, a task that requires hundreds of billions of dollars and includes operations beyond the rapid restoration of critical infrastructure such as hospitals, power plants, and railways. Despite not achieving significant gains in its counteroffensive operations and facing cash shortages, Ukraine is striving to defend itself against new Russian attacks. There are differing views across Ukraine regarding the costs of war. A growing protest movement has called for projects like beautifying streets and public spaces to be halted in favor of the military. Officials in the Odessa region canceled a tender worth more than $9 million in the fall of 1402, stating that spending on projects like road repairs or stadium renovations during wartime is "unacceptable." The World Bank estimates that rebuilding Ukraine in the next decade will cost over $409 billion, and Western lenders have indicated they are ready to cover a significant portion of this budget. Support from Western countries for Ukraine continues despite challenges and obstacles. On Thursday, January 18, the French Defense Minister announced that Ukraine had purchased six "Caesar howitzers" and stated that Paris would send 50 precision-guided missiles to Kyiv each month. Sébastien Lecornu, in an interview with France Inter radio, said Kyiv bought six "Caesar howitzers" for between 3 to 4 million euros. Ukraine currently has 49 "Caesar howitzers" donated by France and Denmark. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude to French President Emmanuel Macron for Paris's commitment to produce dozens of howitzers and Caesar ammunition this year. Macron is scheduled to visit Ukraine in February to finalize an agreement under which Paris will deliver more sophisticated weapons, including long-range cruise missiles, to Ukraine. The day before, the Chairman of NATO's Military Committee stated that Ukraine is engaged in a "critical battle" and that Western armies and political leaders must prepare for "unexpected events in Ukraine" and significantly change how they assist the country in repelling Russian invading forces. Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden invited senior Congressional officials to the White House to emphasize Ukraine's security needs. After the meeting, which lasted over an hour, the Speaker of the House of Representatives told reporters, "We understand that there are concerns about the security and sovereignty of Ukraine, but the American people also have those same concerns about domestic security and border security." Zelensky urged the people of Ukraine to take "initiative" regarding the course of the war with Russia. A senior NATO official stated that allies must be prepared for unexpected events in Ukraine. Russian attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine continue; residential buildings in Kharkiv were targeted. Putin stated that continuing the current pattern of war means the destruction of Ukraine. At Zelensky's request, Switzerland will host a peace meeting for Ukraine.