Ukrainian forces carried out strikes on the night of January 15-16 against an oil refinery in the Voronezh region and a gunpowder plant in the Tambov region. Ukraine's General Staff specified on January 16 that special operations forces used at least three drones, causing a fire at the refinery, which stores fuel for Russian military needs, quoted by News.bg.
According to Voronezh Region Governor Alexander Gusev, Ukrainian drones were targeted in three areas, with most hitting the Lisky oil depot. Geolocated and other footage published by Russian sources confirm the information about the fires. At the same time, Ukrainian officials reported that the gunpowder plant in Kuzmino-Gat, Tambov Oblast, was also hit.
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the North Korean military stationed in the Kursk Oblast continued to suffer significant losses. By mid-April 2025, the entire contingent of about 12,000 people could be eliminated if the intensity of the fighting continues. Since December 2024, the North Koreans have been losing about 90 people per day. South Korean intelligence has also confirmed high losses among these forces.
On the international level, Ukrainian President Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a "Agreement on a Hundred-Year Partnership" on January 16. It underlines Britain's commitment to Ukraine's possible future membership in NATO and to strengthening cooperation in the fields of defense, security and the economy. London has announced its intention to provide annual military aid to Ukraine, including a loan financed with frozen Russian assets, as well as the provision of new weapons and air defense systems.
Meanwhile, Russia and the Transnistrian authorities are discussing the purchase of gas for Transnistria from the European market through intermediaries. According to Russian sources, Moscow plans to spend $164 million on these supplies by April 2025. Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky announced that Russia would provide gas as "humanitarian aid", but the method of delivery has not yet been specified.
Ukraine and Moldova have noted that Russia is using the gas crisis as a tool for political pressure ahead of Moldovan elections in the summer of 2025. This puts the region in a complex geopolitical situation as fighting and international negotiations continue.