In this digest, you will learn about the latest news in Ukraine, key events shaping the world order, and the support provided by international partners to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and defense capabilities. We will tell you about global and local events that are changing the world and affecting our future.
European Commission allocates €148 million for humanitarian aid to Ukrainians
On January 13, the European Commission allocated €148 million for the humanitarian needs of Ukrainians. The money will be used to help vulnerable people in Ukraine and refugees in Moldova.
This is stated on the website of the European Commission.
According to their estimates, approximately 12.7 million people require urgent assistance.
Of the funds allocated, €140 million will be used for humanitarian projects in Ukraine, including emergency assistance. This includes food, shelter, clean water, medical care and winterization. The priority regions to receive the aid will be eastern and southern Ukraine.
The remaining €8 million will be spent to help Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, the host communities of Moldova. Here, the priority will be access to critical services such as healthcare and education, as well as psychosocial support.
Ukraine receives first RCH 155 howitzer from Germany
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius handed over the first of 54 RCH 155 wheeled self-propelled artillery systems to Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksii Makeiev.
This was reported by Welt.
This is a signal that Ukraine can rely on us, – Pistorius said.
The howitzer was handed over to the German concern Rheinmetall in Kassel, where it was manufactured.
Currently, 6 of these systems will remain in Germany to train the Ukrainian military.
Ukraine to receive 4,500 drones from Lithuania this week
Lithuania promises to transfer 4,500 drones worth €5 million to Ukraine this week.
This was announced by the country’s Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė.
She added that at the last meeting of the Lithuanian government, a new accelerated procedure for the transfer of state property was approved.
These changes will significantly reduce the time required for the procedures, ensuring the rapid flow of aid to Ukraine, – the minister emphasized.
Presumably, these are the first Lithuanian-made FPV combat drones. In October 2024, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense reported that the Lithuanian army had received the first batch of these drones in the amount of 2,300 UAVs, and about 5,000 more drones were to be transferred to Ukraine.
300 DPRK soldiers killed in fighting against Ukraine
At least 300 North Korean soldiers fighting on the side of Russia against Ukraine have been killed. About 2,700 more were injured.
Such data was provided by the National Intelligence Service of South Korea at a closed meeting of the parliamentary intelligence committee, Yonhap reports.
South Korean intelligence explains this number of casualties among North Korean soldiers by their “lack of understanding of modern warfare”, including “futile” shooting at drones from a long distance.
The intelligence also reported that North Korea emphasizes to its soldiers the need to kill themselves in order not to be captured by the Ukrainian military.
24 dead due to fires in Los Angeles – Ukraine offers assistance
The death toll from the fires that broke out on Tuesday, January 7, in Los Angeles County (California, USA) has risen to 24. Ukraine is offering its assistance to extinguish the fires.
This was reported by CNN and ABC News, citing data from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that his office has received “dozens and dozens of reports of missing persons”.
Firefighters are currently reporting some progress in containing the fire, but the threat of further spread remains “very high” due to the drought and the fact that this week’s seasonal Santa Ana winds will become stronger for California.
Prisoners have now been involved in firefighting, 931 in total. And California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that he will send another thousand National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 150 Ukrainian firefighters are ready to help fight the wildfires in California.
Today I instructed the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in extinguishing wildfires in California, – Zelenskyy said.
He emphasized that the situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives.
