Update 41: Russia's war with Ukraine

The war in Ukraine shows no sign of ending. On the contrary, the war is escalating on the battlefronts of Donbas and against civilians in cities throughout Ukraine. Ukrainian troops have been engaged in fierce fighting with Russian forces in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, and Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the eastern town of Soledar, “in order to preserve the lives of service personnel” a statement said. Russian forces continue to “endure operational deadlock and heavy casualties”, according to a UK Ministry of Defence intelligence update dated 23 January. Russia continues to launch dozens of missile and drone attacks across the country, while the United States and Germany announced they would both send tanks to Ukraine, in a major reversal of policy.

Read more in the attached pdf on: the supply of battle tanks to Ukraine, as well as other Western military and financial assistance; stalled diplomacy; the humanitarian consequences of the armed conflict; the risk of nuclear weapon use; investigations into alleged war crimes; sanctions against Russia; energy security in Europe; and developments in Ukraine, Russia and NATO.