This page is an archive of main headlines from Ukraine for 31.01.2025.
It displays 115 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.
31.01.2025 ⇢ Winter Dawn at Volgograd Refineries
⌨Ukrainian drones struck Lukoil's Volgograd refinery at dawn, one of Russia's largest facilities, with the General Staff confirming the operation by mid-morning. The strike coincided with Russian drone attacks on Kyiv, damaging apartment buildings.
Russian forces concentrated 50-70 thousand troops near Pokrovsk, with 150 combat engagements reported. North Korean troops disappeared from positions in Kursk oblast, while Ukrainian forces struck a Russian command center in the region.
By evening, Russian ballistic missiles hit Odesa's UNESCO-protected historic center, damaging the Bristol Hotel and other landmarks. The strike injured seven people. The coverage shifted between military developments and political signals, with Trump's team conveying continued support through Italy's Foreign Minister while exploring direct communication with Putin.
US Senators from both sides of the aisle given pause about the nominee for the Director of National Intelligence, due to her friendliness with dictators and leniency for intel whistleblower Snowden.
07:13 (05:13)⇢Volgograd Refineries Ablaze in Night Raids
⌨The newspapers report on a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes deep into Russia, with multiple sources covering attacks on an oil refinery in Volgograd and facilities in six other regions (Liga.net, Pravda, UNIAN). In Kyiv, drone debris damaged an apartment building balcony during Russian attacks (Novoe Vremya, Ukrinform UA). Meanwhile, Trump's intelligence chief nominee faces scrutiny over Russian sympathies in Senate hearings (Kyiv Post).
US Senators from both sides of the aisle are given pause about nominee for Director of National Intelligence, due to her friendliness with dictators and leniency for intel whistleblower Snowden.
09:46 (07:46)⇢Volgograd Refineries Burn as Korean Troops Vanish
⌨The newspapers report on extensive drone attacks on Russian territory, with multiple sources covering strikes on Volgograd oil refineries (Liga.net, LB.ua, Pravda). The military situation shows 150 combat engagements along the front, with heaviest fighting in the Pokrovsk sector (Ukrinform, Ukrinform UA). North Korean troops have reportedly withdrawn from positions in Kursk oblast (UNIAN), while Senator Rubio suggests neither side can achieve maximal war goals (Novoe Vremya).
12:18 (10:18)⇢Volgograd's Largest Refinery Burns Again
⌨The newspapers report extensively on Ukrainian drone strikes against the Lukoil refinery in Volgograd, with multiple sources confirming General Staff's acknowledgment of the operation (Kyiv Post, LB.ua, Novoe Vremya, Ukrinform UA). The military situation near Pokrovsk shows Russian force concentration of 50-70 thousand troops with new units being transferred (TSN). NBU reports 500,000 citizens left Ukraine last year (UNIAN), while intelligence reveals Chinese rare metal supplies to Russia's arms industry (Radio Svoboda).
A video originally posted by a Russian Telegram channel about issues within Russia’s military was hijacked by propagandists, who falsely claimed it showed Ukrainian soldiers.
A US defense startup has unveiled its lightweight, throwable, autonomous UAS that serves as both a rapidly deployable kamikaze attack drone and counter-UAV system.
15:13 (13:13)⇢North Korean Forces Vanish from Kursk
⌨The newspapers report on three key developments: North Korean troops have withdrawn from positions in Kursk oblast (UNIAN, Pravda, SSO), Defense Ministry has dismissed Marina Bezrukova as director of Defense Procurement Agency (Liga.net, Ukrinform UA), while a new US kamikaze drone system is unveiled for Ukraine's use (Kyiv Post). Russian forces are reportedly approaching a key Ukrainian city (TSN), with continued combat in multiple sectors.
⌨The newspapers report on continued fighting around Novomlinsk in Kharkiv region, which Russian forces have reoccupied (Glavcom, UNIAN). Ukrainian forces struck a Russian command center in Kursk (Kyiv Post), while 77 battles were recorded along the front, with 38 in the Pokrovsk direction (LB.ua). Reports indicate Russian forces are now two kilometers from Myrnohrad, where approximately 3,000 residents remain (Liga.net).
⌨The newspapers report extensively on a Russian ballistic missile strike on Odesa's historic center, with damage to hotels and UNESCO-protected areas (Glavcom, LB.ua, Novoe Vremya, Pravda, TSN, Ukrinform UA). In international developments, Trump's special envoy Richard Grenell met with Maduro (Liga.net), while Italy's Foreign Minister conveyed Trump team's assurances of continued support for Ukraine (UNIAN).
22:42 (20:42)⇢Ballistic Missiles Strike UNESCO Odesa
⌨The newspapers report extensively on a Russian ballistic missile strike on Odesa's historic center, with multiple sources confirming damage to the UNESCO-protected zone and the Bristol Hotel (Liga.net, Novoe Vremya, Pravda, TSN, Ukrinform UA, Glavcom). Three people were injured in the attack (Pravda), which involved three ballistic missiles (Ukrinform UA). The Times reports on European divisions regarding the deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine (UNIAN).