Number of fatalities in Kharkiv attack rises to 8, including a 8-year old girl

The aftermath of the Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities on the morning of January 23 is marked by ongoing rescue operations. Ukrainian officials have reported seven fatalities and more than 70 civilians injured as a result of the attacks. Kharkiv witnessed five fatalities, while Pavlohrad in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast reported one casualty. The death toll increased to eight after the bodies of a 21-year-old woman and an 8-year-old girl were found under the ruble in Kharkiv.

In Kyiv, 22 people were injured in the missile strike, with one woman initially presumed dead but later resuscitated and being treated in an intensive care unit, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Buildings in several districts of the capital, including Solomianskyi, Pecherskyi, Darnytskyi, and Sviatoshynskyi, were damaged. Multiple apartments caught fire, and an unexploded missile warhead was discovered in an apartment in Sviatoshynskyi district.

The Interior Ministry has reported an increase in the number of injuries in Kharkiv to 57, including three police officers injured during debris-clearing operations. Among the wounded are eight children, according to the Interior Ministry. The ongoing rescue efforts highlight the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and support for the affected communities in the wake of the missile strikes.

Russian Air Force attacks village in Kherson Oblast, killing two locals

On January 23, Russia's Air Force conducted an airstrike targeting a residential building in the village of Sablukivka, Kherson Oblast. Early reports indicate that two civilians lost their lives in the attack.

Oleksandr Prokudin, the head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, shared information on Telegram, stating, "A man died at the scene of the strike. His identity is now being established. Rescuers took a seriously wounded 47-year-old woman from the rubble. Unfortunately, her heart stopped on the way to the hospital."

The incident in Sablukivka underscores the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on civilian populations and highlights the urgent need for efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the affected regions.

Kremlin prepares for long confrontation with the West – Lithuanian Defence Intelligence chief

The Head of the Lithuanian State Security Department, Darius Jauniškis, has warned that Russia might initiate various provocations on NATO's borders, and Lithuania should be prepared for aggressive rhetoric from the Kremlin. Speaking after a meeting of the State Defence Council, Jauniškis highlighted that the Kremlin is gearing up for a long-term confrontation with the West and possesses a wide range of means to reduce Western support for Ukraine. He mentioned the likelihood of information and cyber operations, along with the potential for nuclear blackmail. Jauniškis also emphasized the possibility of incidents on the territory of NATO countries initiated by Russia and increased pressure on Kaliningrad Oblast.

This warning aligns with concerns over Russia's intentions and actions in the broader context of European security. The Baltic countries have been strengthening their defenses, as evidenced by the defense ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania's approval of a joint Baltic defense zone on the eastern border. The discussions about the potential for Russia to attack NATO member states have prompted a heightened focus on border security and regional defense strategies, with an acknowledgment of the evolving geopolitical landscape.