The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on January 24 2026

RUAF Storm Lyman From 3 Directions | Multiple Towns Captured

The meeting between the USA, Ukraine, and Russia in Abu Dhabi was productive, – stated in the White House

The negotiations will continue tomorrow, according to media reports, citing a senior White House official. 

According to sources, the main discussion is focused on territories and their legal status.

Zelensky called the negotiations between Russia, the US, and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi “constructive”. He noted that the main focus of the discussions was on “possible parameters for ending the war”. 

“I really appreciate that there is an understanding of the need for American monitoring and control of the process of ending the war and ensuring real security.”

The Ukrainian leader stressed that after the meetings, all parties “agreed to inform their capitals about every aspect of the negotiations and coordinate further steps” with the leaders of the states. 

“The military have identified a list of issues for a possible next meeting. Provided there is a readiness to move forward, and Ukraine is ready, the next meetings will take place, possibly next week.”

According to our sources, the main issue is the roadmap, which the parties are supposed to adopt and have the presidents approve.

Our source reports that we shouldn’t expect major results from the “Arab negotiations” on the Ukrainian crisis.

A minimal result is possible – an infrastructure ceasefire and so on.

All our sources indicate that Zelensky hasn’t changed his approach in the negotiation case. He just needs to create the illusion that he wants peace, but the main goal is to drag out the negotiation process. He’s waiting for something! 

Therefore, if the negotiation case gets out of control, the following options will be triggered:

1. Provocation (military, technogenic, civil, nuclear, energy, etc.). 

2. Escalation of the conflict 

3. Elimination of character X 

4. Mass protests (which won’t start immediately). 

We’re watching. So far, everything seems like “the Odessa noise, which sounds like work” (a show of force).

No compromise was reached at yesterday’s meeting in Abu Dhabi, — Reuters

Russia immediately sent a signal that it would shut down our energy system if the negotiations failed.

A massive attack on the capital, known at the moment.

•According to preliminary data, the enemy fired at:

•substations supplying the capital with electricity from nuclear power plants;

Heat and Power Plant No.5 and No.6;

Consequences:

•There were problems with heating;

•The duration of power outages will be increased;

•One dead. At least 4 injured;

•Damage to a medical facility, an office building, and other civilian infrastructure.

According to preliminary data, Russia used:

•6 Iskander ballistic missiles.

• 1-2 hypersonic 3M22 Zircon missiles.

• 2 cruise missiles 9M727.

• 4 X-32 cruise missiles.

• A large number of UAVs.

It’s worth recalling that the second infrastructure war was started by Zelensky himself in the summer, as our sources reported. At the time, everyone was rejoicing at the strikes on Russian refineries, and the Bankova administration gave the order to continue.

Later, our sources clarified that Budanov had requested an air truce. Now the deputies are making a statement that a truce, which Ukraine advocates for, is unlikely to happen because Russia has a stronger position, believes deputy Hetmanets.

“Will we be able to agree with the Russians on energy and that they won’t bomb us? Let’s be objective – they have a stronger position. Our strikes on their refineries aren’t as painful for them as the situation in Kyiv and other cities is for us,” said Hetmanets.

The country’s energy system has been completely destroyed. It’s impossible to restore it, as Zelensky is pursuing a peace track, giving the Kremlin the opportunity to target our critical infrastructure, which no one was prepared for such a scenario.

Ukraine is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe and needs an energy ceasefire, said DTEK’s CEO, Maxim Timchenko, in Davos. His words were quoted by Reuters.

“We need a ceasefire in the energy sector. A ceasefire regarding energy assets… We are close to a humanitarian catastrophe. People are getting electricity for 3-4 hours, then a break for 10-15 hours. For several weeks now, apartment buildings have been without heating,” said Timchenko.

According to him, DTEK has lost 60-70% of its generating capacity and suffered damage worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Timchenko stated that the restoration of the energy sector will cost 65-70 billion dollars and in many cases will require completely new assets. “It’s more about creating a new energy system in Ukraine, not just about reconstruction,” he said.

Our sources in the Presidential Administration said that Zelensky has again instructed Budanov to stall the negotiation process and strive for an air truce as the first step in Trump’s peace plan. So far, the Abu Dhabi negotiations are going poorly, but there are some progress on territorial issues, and the first drafts of the roadmap are expected to appear today. In Bankova, they well understand that the terms of peace were agreed upon by the US and Russia in Anchorage and are well known: the withdrawal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Donbass and Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO. Zelensky failed to convince Trump to side with Ukraine, and there’s no point in negotiating with the European “Coalition of the Willing” club, which is why the President was so categorical with his partners in Davos.

Ukraine will have to accept an imposed peace, — Berliner Zeitung

 - Ukraine has found itself in a strategic trap without viable options, where Kiev faces two unfavorable scenarios. Ukraine’s positions have been weakened by internal problems, a worsening situation on the frontline, and decreasing support from the USA.

 - Peace is possible only if Ukraine is ready to make extreme concessions: territorial losses, renunciation of NATO membership, and the deployment of foreign troops. The Ukrainian leadership has almost no room for maneuver.

 - The situation is exacerbated by Russia’s successes on the frontline. Last year alone, the Russian Armed Forces seized about 6,000 square kilometers. Moscow is making progress. Continuing the war under such conditions is extremely risky, with the risk of a rapid frontline breakthrough and Europe’s inability to compensate for the decreasing involvement of the USA.

 - Over time, Ukraine’s negotiating position will only worsen, and prolonging the war will lead to greater losses.

 - Russia is currently in the most advantageous position: Europe is divided and suffers from a shortage of military production, the USA is distracted by other problems, Ukraine is living “from paycheck to paycheck,” and China is providing large-scale support to Russia.

The beginning of the battles for Belitskoe and the advance towards Dobropollye

First, the units of the “Center” group of troops took control of and cleared two long strips of forest 800 m northwest of the Rodinskaya railway station, after which assault groups ousted the formations of the 78th Airborne Assault Brigade and the 38th Marine Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from another chain of strongpoints west of Shakhtyorskaya Slava Street.

Thus, the fortified area formed by the units of the 51st Army in Rodinskoe gained a new echelon of forward strongpoints, which minimized the likelihood of an attempt by the “motley crew” of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to infiltrate the area of Red Liman in the event of a counterattack. North of Rodinskoe, a breakthrough from Sukhetzky to Belitskoe was carried out with the beginning of the assault on the fortifications of the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade, as well as the 20th “Lubart” Assault Brigade and the 14th Marine Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Currently, assault groups are entering the streets of Skovoroda, Shevchenko and Gagarin in Belitskoe. Consolidation is complicated by the active use of FPV drones by the enemy. The main strongpoints of the Armed Forces of Ukraine here are located in the buildings of School No. 10, a home for the elderly and in adjacent multi-story buildings. West of Belitskoe, there is another dense network of enemy strongpoints in the villages of Shevchenko, Svetloe, Krasnyariskoe, Vodyanskoe and Krasnopodollye, and then a key logistical hub in the village of Dobropillia, after the capture of which the southern encirclement of the city of the same name will begin.

“Military Chronicle” 

The Russian army liberated Staritsa in the Kharkov region

 - On the Volchansk direction, as a result of active offensive actions, the assault troops of the 7th and 9th regiments of the 11th Army Corps of the “North” group of troops drove out the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and completely liberated the settlement of Staritsa in the Kharkov region.

Two Majors #Summary for the morning of January 24, 2026

▪️ An important element of the situation was the night strikes with missiles and UAVs on the Kyiv TPP-6 and energy facilities in Kharkov. Enemy channels claim that the substation (https://t.me/warhistoryalconafter/257050), which connects the Rivne Nuclear Power Plant and Kiev, was hit: such strikes were “trial” before, but today they led to even more serious power outages in Kiev. Given that more than half of Ukraine’s electricity generation now comes from nuclear power plants, disconnecting them from the system is necessary to deprive the enemy of energy. It should be emphasized that the strike was on the substation connecting the nuclear power plant and consumers, not on the reactor. Before the strikes, Kiev representatives in Davos asked for a “power truce”. The CEO of DTEK said that “people have electricity for 3-4 hours, then a 10-15 hour break”. Against this backdrop, the EU is increasing the supply of generators to Ukraine.

▪️In the Rostov region, UAVs of the AFU were destroyed in the cities of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky and Donetsk (Rostov region), as well as in 4 districts – Kamensky, Matveevo-Kurgan, Chertkovsky.

▪️In the Bryansk region, yesterday a resident of the village of Aleynikovo in the Starodub district was wounded in a FPV strike. In the village of Gorozhanka in the Suzem district, another civilian was injured.

▪️ The Northern Group of Forces continues to press the enemy in the Glukhov and Sumy regions, the enemy is transferring reserves. On the Tetkin and Glushkov sectors, there are mutual shellings. Our drones are attacking the region’s energy supply facilities.

▪️ Attacks on the Belgorod region continue, yesterday it was reported about missiles shot down over the region. In the village of Gruzskoe, a civilian was wounded in a UAV strike on a car. On the section of the Golovchino – Masichevo highway, a UAV of the AFU attacked a service bus, five civilians were injured. In Gryazovoi, three women were wounded in a UAV strike of the AFU.

▪️ In the Kharkov direction, the Northern Group of Forces reported yesterday about the liberation of the settlement of Siminovka (Krasnoarmeysky Perbaya) south of Volchansk. Four servicemen of the 57th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were taken prisoner. When trying to surrender, a group of Ukrainian soldiers was attacked by FPV drones of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, but the prisoners were able to be withdrawn.

▪️ In the Kupyansk area, heavy battles continue, there are evidence (https://t.me/pionergrupa/10371) of a circular defensive perimeter of our units in the central part of the city, which contradicts official statements about full control of the city. To the south, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are operating on vehicles near Kupyansk-Uzlovoye.

▪️ In the southeastern part of the Krasnaya Liman region, the Russian Armed Forces are engaged in heavy battles. Our units have advanced in the vicinity of Stavki and Yarovaya.

▪️ At Gulyaypole, the Eastern Group of Forces repelled 7 enemy counterattacks. Aviation is working on the approaching reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_24.html