At least 12 people were killed when a Russian drone struck a bus carrying miners in Ukraine’s central-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday. The bus was traveling near the city of Ternivka, about 65 kilometers from the front line. Energy company DTEK confirmed that all victims were returning from work at one of its mines. Photos released by Ukraine’s State Emergency Service showed shattered windows and a damaged windshield.

Regional military administrator Oleksandr Hancha reported on Telegram that the drone hit a company shuttle bus in the Pavlohrad district, injuring at least seven others. The AFP news agency said it could not independently verify the circumstances of the attack. Hancha also reported that a separate overnight drone strike in the city of Dnipro killed a man and a woman.

The attacks occurred as the deadline expired for a unilateral reduction in Russian strikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt winter assaults on Kyiv and other cities, though the terms remained unclear and the Kremlin did not confirm any weather-related ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country's negotiators are ready to discuss Moscow’s proposal to end the war with the United States. In a Saturday evening address, he stated that Kyiv is waiting for Washington’s response regarding the next meeting. His remarks suggested that the second round of talks among US, Russian, and Ukrainian officials, scheduled for Sunday in Abu Dhabi, might be postponed.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is prepared to work in any format to stop the Russia-Ukraine war and is ready for next week’s meetings. His comments came as US envoy Steve Witkoff described his meeting in Florida with Russian Ambassador Kirill Dmitriev as “productive and constructive.” The first direct talks between Ukrainian and Russian negotiators under US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan were held in Abu Dhabi last week, with both sides agreeing to resume discussions on Sunday.

Washington claims both sides are close to a deal, but Kyiv maintains that no consensus has been reached on key territorial issues in any postwar settlement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Kyiv and surrounding areas at the request of US President Donald Trump. The Kremlin announced on Friday that the pause will remain in effect until Sunday. According to reports from Kyiv, Trump made the personal appeal due to fears of a humanitarian crisis caused by an intense cold wave. The Kremlin said the request was part of US efforts to advance mediation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Continuous Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have left many parts of Kyiv without heating. Weather forecasts predict temperatures could drop to minus 30 degrees Celsius in the coming days, worsening the crisis. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump asked Putin to suspend attacks until February 1 to create a favorable environment for peace talks, though neither Moscow nor Washington specified when the request was made.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed Trump’s announcement, saying Ukraine would refrain from retaliatory strikes if Russia halts attacks on its energy facilities. He added that the countdown for the one-week pause had already begun and that the next steps depend on Ukraine’s partners, particularly the United States.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a plan to intensify attacks against Russian forces, aiming to ensure that Russian losses each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. In a January 26 address to military personnel, Zelensky said Ukrainian units must reach a level of destruction where Russia’s monthly casualties surpass its troop replacements, targeting around 50,000 Russian losses per month. He cited video analyses indicating that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October.

Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed that more than 33,000 Russian soldiers were killed in December. Ukrainian authorities claim that since the war began, about 1.2 million Russian troops have been killed or injured, while Ukraine has suffered 600,000 casualties, including 140,000 deaths. The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar Russian losses but noted that Al Jazeera could not independently verify any figures.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize new territories despite heavy losses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed a strong interest in strengthening relations with China, disregarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s warning that such engagement could be “very dangerous” for Britain. During his visit to China, the first by a British leader in eight years, Starmer met President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, emphasizing mutual cooperation and progress. The two countries signed several agreements, including visa-free travel for short-term British visitors, trade expansion, and collaboration against human trafficking.

The visit comes amid growing uncertainty over U.S. policies, prompting several Western leaders, including those from France, Canada, and Finland, to engage with Beijing. China’s foreign ministry reiterated its commitment to “win-win cooperation” with all nations. Starmer noted that sanctions imposed on British lawmakers in 2021 had been lifted, signaling a reset in bilateral relations.

According to Downing Street, British companies secured export deals worth £2.2 billion, with an additional £2.3 billion in market opportunities expected over the next five years, alongside significant new investments.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a new military strategy aimed at inflicting heavier losses on Russian forces as the war enters its fourth year. In a January 26 address to military personnel, he said Ukrainian units must ensure that Russian casualties each month exceed the number of reinforcements Moscow can deploy. Zelensky mentioned a target of around 50,000 Russian losses per month, calling it the optimal level to weaken the invading forces.

Citing video analyses, Zelensky claimed that 35,000 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in December 2025, up from 30,000 in November and 26,000 in October. Ukraine’s top commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi, separately stated that more than 33,000 Russian troops were confirmed killed in December. Ukraine estimates that since the war began, 1.2 million Russian soldiers have been killed or disabled, while the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported similar figures. Al Jazeera noted that none of these casualty numbers could be independently verified.

The conflict remains at a stalemate, with Russia continuing efforts to seize additional territory despite heavy losses.

US President Donald Trump has warned that strengthening relations or signing agreements with China would be 'very dangerous' for the United Kingdom. His remarks came in response to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ongoing four-day visit to China. Trump made the comments on Thursday during the premiere of a documentary about his wife Melania, when asked whether Britain was expanding its business relations with China.

Trump did not elaborate on his concerns about the UK-China relationship but also cautioned Canada, saying that any deal with China would be even more dangerous for that country. Earlier in the week, he had threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada if it proceeded with an economic agreement with China.

During his visit, Prime Minister Starmer said the UK aims to take bilateral relations with China to an unprecedented level. On the first day of his trip, he held an 80-minute meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, emphasizing the importance of improving ties with the world’s second-largest economy.

U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Russia will suspend attacks on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine for one week. Trump stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin made this decision after Trump personally requested him to do so. He made the remarks on Thursday during a cabinet meeting, expressing satisfaction with the outcome.

The day before, Ukrainian MP Oleksiy Honcharenko told the media that Kyiv and Moscow had reached an understanding to stop attacks on Ukraine’s power sector. Hours before Trump’s comments, journalists contacted Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, but he declined to comment on the matter.

The announcement suggests a temporary pause in hostilities, though no official confirmation from the Kremlin was available at the time of reporting.

Three people were killed and one injured in a Russian drone attack in southern Ukraine early Thursday, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The governor of Zaporizhzhia said in a Telegram post that two women and one man died, while another man was wounded. He added that several houses were destroyed and fires broke out in multiple locations.

The attack occurred as Ukraine faces a series of deadly strikes across the country during harsh winter conditions, disrupting electricity supplies. The conflict, now nearing four years, has prompted renewed diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the next round of talks could take place on Sunday.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that another meeting may happen this week, possibly with U.S. participation. Ukrainian authorities reported that at least 16 people were killed nationwide between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning in Russian attacks.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that strengthening relations between the United Kingdom and China is 'absolutely essential'. He made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Starmer emphasized that China is a major global power and that it is vital for the UK to build a mature and pragmatic relationship that allows for cooperation while maintaining meaningful dialogue on areas of disagreement.

According to analysts cited in the report, the meeting signals a renewed activation of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The discussion is seen as particularly significant for advancing cooperation in trade, climate change, and global security issues.

The meeting marks an important step in re-engaging bilateral dialogue between London and Beijing, with potential implications for future collaboration on key international challenges.

More than 1.8 million soldiers from Russia and Ukraine have been killed, wounded, or gone missing during nearly four years of war, according to a report by the U.S.-based think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The report, published on January 28, 2026, found that Russian forces suffered significantly higher losses, with about 1.2 million affected, including over 325,000 killed and several thousand still missing. CSIS noted that no major military power has faced such heavy losses in any conflict since World War II.

Ukraine has also endured severe casualties, with more than 600,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing between February 2022 and December 2025. The report estimated Ukrainian military deaths between 100,000 and 140,000 during that period. CSIS warned that if the war continues, total casualties could reach around two million by spring 2026.

The conflict began on February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine following long-standing tensions over Crimea and Ukraine’s efforts to join NATO.

After a two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi, Russia and Ukraine agreed on Saturday to hold a second round of direct peace talks next week, scheduled for February 1 under U.S. mediation. A U.S. official described bringing all parties to the same table as a major step forward, noting significant progress in identifying key issues for a final decision. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the discussions constructive and important.

The talks mark the first direct participation of both nations in discussions under U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to end nearly four years of war. Their previous meeting in Istanbul last summer had been limited to a prisoner exchange agreement. However, tensions flared again on the second day of the Abu Dhabi meeting when Russia launched extensive drone and missile attacks, leaving millions without power in freezing conditions.

Kyiv authorities labeled the assault a “night of Russian terror,” accusing Moscow of trying to undermine the peace process. Despite the ongoing conflict, ordinary residents of Kyiv remain uncertain about a swift resolution.

British Prince Harry has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump for his comments on NATO allies’ involvement in the Afghanistan war. Trump, in a Fox News interview, claimed that NATO countries stayed somewhat behind the front lines during the conflict and questioned whether the alliance would stand by the United States if needed. His remarks drew widespread condemnation across the United Kingdom’s political spectrum.

Speaking while paying tribute to NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan, Prince Harry urged people to speak about their sacrifices with truth and honor. The Duke of Sussex, who served twice in Afghanistan, recalled losing friends and forming lifelong bonds during his service. He noted that 457 British soldiers and many other NATO troops were killed in the war.

Harry emphasized that NATO invoked Article 5 for the first and only time in 2001, obligating member nations to stand with the United States for collective security. He said thousands of lives were changed forever and called for continued unity in diplomacy and peace.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments about NATO troops in Afghanistan were offensive. Speaking to reporters in London, Starmer described Trump’s remarks downplaying NATO forces’ role as alarming and said the U.S. president should apologize. He added that if he had made such a mistake, he would have apologized himself.

Starmer reaffirmed the deep relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizing its importance for security and defense. Earlier on Friday, the British government had stated that Trump’s claim—that NATO troops avoided Afghanistan’s frontlines—was incorrect. Trump had said on Thursday that NATO soldiers stayed somewhat behind the frontlines during the war in Afghanistan.

Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the United Kingdom joined the United States and other allies in Afghanistan under NATO’s collective defense clause. The conflict resulted in the deaths of 457 British soldiers.

According to data released by the UK Home Office, 901 migrants crossed the English Channel and entered the United Kingdom between January 14 and 21, 2026. The crossings took place in 14 small boats, as reported by Middle East Monitor. Earlier, on January 5, a small boat carrying 32 people reached the UK, marking the first such crossing of the new year. On the following Saturday, 317 migrants arrived in five small boats, the highest single-day total so far in 2026.

The report notes that in 2025, a total of 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats, about 5,000 more than in 2024. Despite measures taken by the UK government to curb illegal migration, the number of crossings continues to rise.

The data highlights the ongoing challenge for UK authorities in managing irregular migration across the Channel, as numbers show an upward trend despite enforcement efforts.