Russian hit on Zaporizhzhia industrial site with a glidebomb killings 13, injuring at least 29

Russian forces struck an industrial facility in Zaporizhzhia on Jan. 8, resulting in 13 fatalities and at least 29 injuries, as reported by Governor Ivan Fedorov. The attack utilized KAB guided bombs and caused extensive damage to apartment buildings, the industrial site, and surrounding infrastructure. A tram and a minibus carrying passengers were also hit, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Emergency services, including seven medical teams and law enforcement, are actively working at the site. Zaporizhzhia, with a pre-war population of around 710,000, has been a frequent target of Russian strikes since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

This assault is part of a larger wave of Russian attacks across Ukraine. Over the past 24 hours, regional authorities recorded at least two civilian deaths and 13 injuries nationwide.

In addition, Russia launched 64 Shahed-type attack drones and several dummy drones overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force reported. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 41 drones across nine oblasts. Of the remaining drones, 22 dummy drones were lost in Ukrainian airspace, three returned to Russia, and one flew to Belarus.

Zelenskyy reacts to Trump's statement about understanding Putin's feelings about Ukraine and NATO

During a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Jan. 8, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed former U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks about understanding "Russia's feelings" regarding Ukraine's NATO aspirations, European Pravda reported, citing Interfax-Ukraine.

Zelenskyy refrained from drawing conclusions about U.S. policy based on the statement, instead emphasizing Ukraine's need for concrete security guarantees.

He highlighted past skepticism about deploying Patriot missile systems in non-NATO countries, underscoring the progress made. "Now, we must work and do everything to ensure that Ukraine receives security guarantees worthy of our people – guarantees that could stop Putin," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president reiterated that Ukraine has the right to demand robust and credible security assurances from global powers that position themselves as leaders committed to peace. He also noted that the issue of security guarantees extends beyond the U.S. and depends on the unified stance of European allies.

Biden’s final $500 million Ukraine military aid to be announced on Jan 9

The Biden administration's final military aid package to Ukraine, valued at $500 million, is set to be announced on Jan. 9, according to Voice of America correspondent Carla Babb, reporting from Ramstein Air Base.

The package, drawn from the Pentagon’s Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) funds, marks the last installment of U.S. military support under the Biden presidency before President-elect Donald Trump assumes office on Jan. 20. Despite earlier commitments to fully utilize the remaining PDA funds, approximately $3.8 billion will remain unused, giving the incoming administration discretion over its allocation.

Trump and his advisors have expressed skepticism toward continued U.S. financial aid to Ukraine. Michael Waltz, Trump's incoming National Security Advisor, previously stated that "a blank check... just isn’t a strategy." Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky has sought to engage the incoming administration by suggesting that Ukraine purchase U.S. weapons using $300 billion in frozen Russian assets.

Despite his criticisms of U.S. aid, sources cited by the Financial Times on Dec. 21 suggested that Trump might not completely halt military support for Ukraine. Zelensky, in a Jan. 5 interview, emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to cooperate with the new U.S. administration while continuing efforts toward a diplomatic resolution to the conflict by 2025.

The Trump administration’s forthcoming stance on Ukraine and military aid remains a key question as it prepares to take office.