Welcome to the latest edition of What about Ukraine?, a newsletter that helps you keep updated about what has been said recently about Ukraine in Ukraine, and in the international media.

This week’s translated article by n-ost sheds light on covert operations carried out in Russia and Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories. Journalist Majya Orel interviews a key organiser of the Ukrainian resistance movement to discover who orchestrates these actions, how they are executed, and the challenges that operatives face, such as not getting caught by the FSB.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House marks a new era for the United States and has far-reaching implications for Ukraine and the West’s war effort. French journalists interviewed Ukrainians to gauge their vision about Trump’s presidency and its potential impact on territorial negotiations. Meanwhile, Madrid watches Washington closely after Trump controversially suggested that Spain resembles a BRICS country due to its small level of spending on defence (just 1.3 percent of GDP, one of the lowest in NATO), far below the alliance’s symbolic targets.

In Hungary and Bulgaria, energy remains a central issue. Hungary plans to boost gas exports to Slovakia following Kyiv’s decision to cut Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory earlier this month. Conversely, Sofia has sold nuclear technology to Ukraine, to help the country increase energy production at its Khmelnytskyi power plant. 

These developments come amid a week of protests against Russia and accusations of disinformation campaigns. In Italy, 200 Ukrainians demonstrated in the northern town of Reggio Emilio against the public presentation of a translated essay written by Vladimir Putin, justifying unity between Moscow and Kyiv. In Germany, Tagesschau reported on how the Berlin-based cultural centre the Russian House spreads pro-Kremlin propaganda, including materials justifying the invasion of Ukraine.

Enjoy reading!

Fermín Torrano
Editor of this week's edition

In December 2024, general Igor Kirillov, the Russian chemical weapons chief, was killed near his house in Moscow, by a bomb attached to a scooter planted by the Security Service of Ukraine. This wasn’t the first case of an assassination targeting Russian officers or former Ukrainian officials who have supported the aggressor. These operations have been carried out both in Russia and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. But how are they organised? 

In a piece translated by n-ost this week, journalist Majya Orel posed this question to Volodymyr Zhemchugov, an organiser of the Ukrainian resistance movement in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region. In 2015, Zhemchugov participated in a bomb attack on the occupying mayor of Krasnyi Luch in Luhansk. In an interview, he reveals what kind of people conduct killings, how they are hired and how much they are paid. This work is not safe. Around 70 percent of mercenaries are captured by Russia:

"A smartphone is an operative’s main assistant and their greatest danger. On a mission to prepare an operation, one should not take their smartphone or should at least remove the batteries from it, as they leave a digital trail. Russians analyse data from phones used around an explosion’s epicentre. Then, they determine which mobile numbers relate to people living or working there and which ones were used in this location once or several times. They process this information and identify the operative. Also, the agent must always take a photo and make a video report of the operation. Sometimes they fail to delete this from their smartphone. Many of our people ended up in Russian torture chambers because of this."

This piece was originally published by hromadske, an independent online-media focused on frontline reporting and investigations.

Translated by Natalia Volynets.

Bulgaria

New government sees split over military aid to Ukraine

Bulgaria’s new government, approved last week after months of difficult negotiations, has seen a split within days of its formation over the issue of military aid to Ukraine. The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), a member of the new majority, confirmed its continual opposition to military support to Kyiv. "[In the signed agreements for the coalition] it says 'aid to Ukraine', but not 'military aid'," said Kristian Vigenin, vice-president of the BSP, in response to defence minister Atanas Zapryanov's arguments to continue sending weapons to Ukraine. "The majority [forming the Government] should not be put at risk during its first steps," added Vigenin. (bTV)

The daily life and challenges faced by refugee children enrolled in Bulgarian schools, most of whom are from Ukraine, is covered by Mediapool. In some schools, especially along the Black Sea coast, the presence of Ukrainian pupils is significant: in the small town of Aheloy, for example, there are now 104. Among the most significant problems is the language barrier, despite the similarities between Ukrainian and Bulgarian. The Ministry of Education has now created programs and textbooks to help children speed up the process of learning the language. According to psychologist Dora Stoynova, many difficulties in adaptation are a reflection of trauma linked "to what happens in their country of origin, which subjects them to great psychological pressure". (Mediapool)

Following the positive vote of the Kyiv parliament's energy committee, Ukraine took an important step towards purchasing two Russian-technology nuclear reactors from Bulgaria. The two reactors were initially purchased by Sofia for the Belene power plant on the Danube, which was never built. According to the Ukrainian government's plans, they should now boost the power generation of the Khmelnytskyi power plant in west Ukraine. Negotiations between Bulgaria and Ukraine began in 2023 and the sale price is expected to reach at least 600 million euros. (OFFNews)

France

Macron to army: "This war won’t end today, or the day after"

As Donald Trump becomes US president this week, several French media report on mixed feelings among Ukrainians regarding potential peace negotiations. In Le Figaro, Hanna Servienko, who lost her 24-year-old son in Mariupol, strongly opposes any compromise with Russia, viewing negotiations as a betrayal of those who died for Ukraine's freedom (Le Figaro). However, some Ukrainians see hope in Trump's presidency, like those in Odesa who talked to France Info, with recent polls showing over a third now believe the war could end by late 2025. Ukrainian experts express cautious optimism about Trump's team, praising the appointment of General Keith Kellogg as special envoy, while emphasising this conflict represents a broader struggle between democracy and authoritarian states. (France Info)

In a thinly veiled warning to Donald Trump’s boast that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war in 24 hours from taking office, French president Emmanuel Macron declared that the Russian-Ukrainian war "won't end tomorrow or the day after". In his new year address to the army, Macron emphasised that European nations must be central to any peace negotiations, stating that "there can be no peace and security in Europe without Europeans". He stressed the importance of empowering Ukraine to enter future negotiations from a position of strength. Additionally, Macron called for proposals to boost France's military reserves by May 2025, announcing plans to revamp the national defense service to mobilise more young volunteers. (AFP)

DakhaBrakha, the Ukrainian folk-fusion band massively popular in France since their breakthrough at Transmusicales festival in 2013, have been interviewed by Libération. Currently on a tour of eight French cities, the group continues to perform while supporting Ukraine's resistance. Despite the ongoing war, they maintain their artistic mission, using concerts in Europe to raise awareness and funds for the Ukrainian military. The band, who plans to record their next album in Kyiv despite Russian attacks, sees their performances as crucial for both Ukrainian refugees in France and maintaining international support for their country's struggle. (Liberation)

Germany 

Ukraine pushing incentives to make citizens return

The Ukrainian government will encourage the return of refugees from Germany by establishing "Unity Hubs" in Berlin and other major cities. These centres will "support refugees in finding work and housing or with educational opportunities [in Ukraine]," according to deputy prime minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. He stated that "a significant number of Ukrainians are seriously considering returning home." Chernyshov also highlighted the critical need for workers in defence production, energy and reconstruction, assuring that such individuals would have a "guarantee" of exemption from military service. Since the Russian full-scale invasion, over 1.1 million Ukrainians have fled to Germany, with many contemplating a return to contribute to their country’s recovery. (Tagesspiegel) 

Berlin-based cultural centre the Russian House has been spreading Kremlin propaganda while posing as a "cultural embassy", exposes Tagesschau. Activities promoted by the centre included a Holocaust film portraying Ukrainians as Nazis, echoing Russian justifications for the invasion of Ukraine. Another event showcased a Russian director who threatened Kremlin critics with concentration camps. These events are tied to Russian federal foreign aid and cultural agency Rossotrudnichestvo, which the EU identifies as a "key agency for propagating Kremlin narratives," including historical revisionism. Kateryna Rietz-Rakul, head of the representative office of the Ukrainian Institute in Berlin, warns that the Russian House "continues to actively instrumentalise culture to achieve its foreign policy goals and justify the neocolonial war of aggression against Ukraine." (Tagesschau) 

St. Matthäus Church in Berlin is hosting the exhibition 'Of Intruders and the Greatest Sin', showcasing a "delicate and angry protest against the Russian war" until 24 February. Artists Alevtina Kakhidze and Renata Rara Kaminska aim to provoke emotional responses from viewers, particularly those numb to the ongoing war. Kakhidze's work includes a dried hogweed plant, symbolising the "invading" forces in Ukraine, a metaphor for the denial of salvation. Kaminska's installation features mahogany veneer strips, alluding to the exploitation of resources and colonialism, reinforcing the political nature of plants in the modern period. (Frankfurter Rundschau) 

Hungary

Winners and losers in the shutdown of Russian gas via Ukraine

Ukraine's decision to stop Russian gas transit to Europe does not threaten the security of the EU's supply, only changes the energy routes for Russian gas. Hvg interviews experts to understand the possible impact of the closure of the Ukraine branch of the Brotherhood gas pipeline. The decision could hurt Slovakia, which will lose the transit fees it earned for transporting Russian gas to Austria. Hungary, on the other hand, stands to benefit, as it will collect those fees from Slovakia and Austria for gas flowing through the TurkStream pipeline that transits Russian gas over the Black Sea and through Turkey and Bulgaria. (Hvg)  

Hungary is preparing to increase the annual gas supply to Slovakia by more than 900 million cubic meters to replace the end of Russian gas imports through Ukraine. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán made this announcement in Bratislava last Tuesday, after talks with Slovak prime minister Robert Fico. Orbán has claimed that by cutting off Russian gas transit, Ukraine "has not only endangered Slovakia's security of supply, but also that of the entire region". (Portfolio) 

How does a Colombian soldier find his way to the Ukrainian front? Colombia began disarming its army of more than 250,000 men more than a decade ago. Unable to live on state pensions, and with no other work experience, soldiers have been looking for opportunities abroad. József Makai spoke to Aleman, a Colombian soldier in Kharkiv. "It's my profession, I'm not just here for economic reasons," says Aleman, who is learning Ukrainian and English so he can advance through the Ukrainian army. (Átlátszó)

Italy

Defence minister: military aid continues, floats idea of sending Italian troops to fact-find in Ukraine

Minister of defence Guido Crosetto confirmed that Rome will extend military aid to Ukraine throughout 2025. "What would happen if we all stopped helping Ukraine?" he asked Parliament. "The 4,000 [Russian] artillery shells that fall every day [on Ukraine] would hit their targets… Yes, maybe we would achieve peace, because there would be no more Ukraine" (Il Sole 24 Ore). During a recent public event, Crosetto also said that it would be useful to send Italian troops to Ukraine to understand what has happened and learn how to prevent conflicts. (SkyTG 24)

Pro-Russian hacker group 'Noname057(16)' has launched new cyber attacks against the websites of Italian ministries, institutions and companies in response to Italy’s support for Ukraine. "Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni confirmed the support for Ukraine in a meeting with Zelensky during his visit to Rome," the group wrote in a message on Telegram. "Italy should start helping itself and, first of all, its cybersecurity." (Open) 

Over 200 Ukrainian citizens protested in the northern town of Reggio Emilia against an event in a hotel to present the essay written in 2021 by Vladimir Putin titled 'On the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainian', translated into Italian by a local publisher, which maps out many of his justifications for the ongoing war. "I decided to translate and publish Putin’s essay to re-establish the correct information," argued the publisher Francesco Toscano. "No one has read or knows this text written, which was before the conflict. We just want to inform [the people]." The association of Ukrainian volunteers in Italy replied: "The book isn’t an example of freedom of the press, but a tool of ideological manipulation, distorting facts and influencing public opinion in favour of a regime that violates fundamental rights and international rules." (Il Resto del Carlino) 

Spain

Madrid must triple defence spending or "learn Russian"

Donald Trump’s second term raises uncertainties for Ukraine and for Spain. In Madrid, concerns are growing about potential changes to NATO's rules and defence expenditure, a key issue of debate since the Russian full scale invasion. The longstanding target of contributing two percent of each member country's GDP to defence is now seen as outdated, with Trump having suggested raising the threshold to five percent. While the final figure may be lower, for Spain it would still mean a significant financial commitment, as the country currently spends only 1.3 percent of its GDP. This would likely require Spain to triple its contribution. The alternative, as Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary general, starkly puts it, would be to: "learn Russian." (Voz Pópuli)

Representatives from over 20 Ukrainian associations in Spain held their annual congress from 17 to 19 January, joined by the Ukrainian ambassador in Madrid and representatives of the Spanish government. The event featured workshops to help associations improve access to grants, fundraising for NGOs, addressing housing and education challenges for refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, and a mental health course. Spain is the European country that has received the fourth largest number of Ukrainians (210,000) since February 2022. (El Periódico)

Defence minister Margarita Robles announced a new aid package for Kyiv on 17 January, which includes light vehicles, troop transport vehicles, ambulances and high-capacity power generators. Robles hinted to the press that this would not be the last such shipment in 2025, following a virtual meeting with the leadership of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service. (Europa Press)

The Europe-Ukraine Desk curated this newsletter. This week's edition has been composed by our team from all over Europe: Lidia Baratta, Kornelia Kiss, Katarina Kukla, Clara Marchaud, Oksana Mamchenkova, Francesco Martino, Antonina Rybka and Fermin Torrano. Michael Bird was our proofreader.

If you like this content, please spread the word, so that anyone interested in Ukraine can benefit from this weekly curation.

Have you spotted an interesting piece of journalism you think should be mentioned in What about Ukraine? Please let us know at about.ua@n-ost.org! Same if you have an idea how to improve this newsletter. 

See you next week!