Russia launched a drone strike on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on New Year’s Day, killing two people and injuring at least six others. The attack also damaged buildings in two districts.
The strike came as tensions over gas supplies escalated, with Russia stopping its transit of gas through Ukraine to the breakaway Moldovan region of Transdniestria. The cut-off has left 450,000 residents without heating or hot water, according to local energy company Tirasteploenergo.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the end of gas transit as “one of Moscow’s biggest defeats”. He called on Europe to support Moldova in its energy transformation. However, not all European leaders agree, with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico saying that halting gas transit via Ukraine will have a significant impact on the EU.
Meanwhile, Russia has ordered its government and Sberbank bank to cooperate with China on artificial intelligence development. The move comes as Western sanctions limit Moscow’s access to key technologies needed for AI.
President Vladimir Putin also announced plans to team up with BRICS partners and other countries to develop AI. However, the world’s major microchip producers have halted exports to Russia due to Western sanctions, severely limiting its AI ambitions.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/02/ukraine-war-briefing-new-years-day-drone-strike-kills-two-in-kyiv