Here is the latest update as of Thursday, January 29:

Fighting

• The number of fatalities from a Russian strike on a passenger train in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region has increased to six, according to the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, after more remains were recovered from the crash site.

• A Russian missile assault on Ukraine’s Zaporizhia region injured a minimum of six people, reported regional leader Ivan Fedorov.

• In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian forces launched attacks in several places, resulting in the death of a 46-year-old man and injuries to at least two others, according to regional head Oleksandr Hanzha.

• A resident lost their life following a Ukrainian strike on the village of Novaya Tavolzhanka, in Russia’s Belgorod region, as confirmed by the region’s emergency authorities.

• A Ukrainian drone hit the Russian-occupied city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhia region, killing one person, said Yevhen Balitsky, a local official appointed by Moscow.

• Ivan Fedorov stated that Ukraine would not be implementing anti-drone nets, noting that better methods are available for defending against Russian assaults.

Military aid

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that France is set to supply additional aircraft, air defense missiles, and aerial bombs to Ukraine during the year, following a discussion with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Regional security

• Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, speaking at an event in Paris, warned that waiting until 2035 to boost Europe’s defenses would be too delayed.

• Frederiksen emphasized the urgency of strengthening security measures immediately, stating Europe still relies heavily on the United States in areas such as intelligence and nuclear capabilities.

• Switzerland announced plans to increase military funding by 31 billion Swiss francs (about $40.4 billion) from 2028 onward, which will be financed through a ten-year rise in sales taxes.

• The Swiss government cited increasing global instability and a weakening of international law in support of its decision, noting a similar trend in other European nations adjusting their defense budgets.

Politics and diplomacy

• Vladislav Maslennikov, a senior figure in Russia’s foreign ministry, stated that the restoration of ties with the European Union is contingent upon the EU halting sanctions, ceasing military support to Ukraine, and engaging in genuine peace efforts.

• French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for Europe to reinforce its independence, protect the Arctic, counter disinformation, and combat climate change, during a speech in Paris.

• Macron reiterated France’s dedication to these goals within the framework of the United Nations and declined an offer for France to join a separate peace group proposed by former US President Trump, seen by some as undermining the UN's role.

Peace talks

• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told a Senate committee that discussions over the future status of Ukraine’s Donetsk region remain unresolved, noting that this area, largely controlled by Russian forces, is a crucial and contentious issue in ongoing negotiations.

• Rubio admitted that while progress has been made in defining key points of negotiation, bridging the divide on this matter will be particularly tough.

Energy

• Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that 639 residential buildings in the city are still without heating, as frigid overnight temperatures are expected to plunge to -23°C (-9.4°F) this week.