Reports from Ukraine suggest that Russia's capture of the village of Krokhmalne in the Kharkiv region is considered a "temporary phenomenon" by the Ukrainian military. The spokesperson for the Ukrainian ground forces command, Volodymyr Fityo, emphasized that frontline situations shift daily, and the loss of the small village is not strategically significant. Fityo noted that Ukrainian troops have been repositioned to prepared reserve positions to maintain defense and prevent further Russian advancement. In contrast, Russia's defense ministry claimed control over Krokhmalne in its morning summary.
Amid ongoing developments, images from Ukraine and Russia depict various scenes, including people clearing debris in Donetsk after what local authorities claim was a Ukrainian military strike, and Ukrainian servicemen participating in mock anti-sabotage drills near the border with Russia.
In another development, Slovakia's new culture minister, Martina Šimkovičová, reportedly reversed a ban on cooperation with Belarus and Russia, effective from January 22. Leaked documents indicated the decision, which had been imposed a week after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, citing multiple military conflicts globally as a reason for the reversal.
Additionally, Russia's claim of capturing the village of Krakhmalnoye in the Kharkiv region faced skepticism from Ukrainian sources. The spokesperson for Ukrainian land forces, Volodymyr Fitio, downplayed the capture's strategic importance, stating that it involved only five houses. The village had a prewar population of about 45 and is located southeast of the regional hub Kupiansk.
Ukraine's general staff reported that Russia has lost over 376,000 troops since the start of the war, covering the period from February 24, 2022, to January 21, 2024. The figures, including casualties and losses in various military assets, have not been independently verified.