January 16, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

By Tara Subramaniam, Leinz Vales, Aditi Sangal, Mike Hayes, Elise Hammond and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN

Updated 3:01 a.m. ET, January 17, 2023
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12:27 p.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Ukrainian security service confirms Russian cruise missile hit Dnipro apartment building

From CNN's Olga Voitovych in Kyiv and Mick Krever in London

A resident gathers her belongings a day after Saturday’s missile strike on an apartment building in Dnipro.
A resident gathers her belongings a day after Saturday’s missile strike on an apartment building in Dnipro. (Nicole Tung/The New York Times/Redux)

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said Monday that it had examined the wreckage of the munition that hit an apartment building in the city of Dnipro on Saturday and that it was identified as a cruise missile.

The SBU also named six members of the Russian military whom it claimed were involved in the strike, according to what the agency described as "preliminary investigation" findings.

“As a result of the inspection of the tragedy site, the type of Russian cruise missile Kh-22, which the enemy hit the residential building, was preliminarily confirmed,” the SBU said in a statement Monday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Monday that a Ukrainian air-defense missile had hit the apartment building, without presenting evidence.

“Each Russian war crime has a specific perpetrator,” SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk said, in a statement. “The Security Service will identify and publish all of them by name – so that no murderer escapes punishment.”

Some more context: A Russian missile strike on a Dnipro apartment building has left at least 40 people dead, making it one of the deadliest single attacks of the war, and the deadliest in months.

11:15 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

These pictures show aftermath of deadly Russian missile strike on Ukrainian apartment building

CNN Photo staff

Dnipro is still reeling after a Russian cruise missile struck a nine-story apartment building in the central Ukrainian city on early Saturday afternoon, killing at least 40 people and injuring another 75, with 46 people reported missing.

The core of that building is now gone, transformed into a mountain of jumbled concrete. Apartments were sliced in half when the missile – with a warhead of nearly one metric ton – penetrated all the way to the basement.

Here are some pictures from the ground:

Rescue workers carry the body of a person killed in a Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 16.
Rescue workers carry the body of a person killed in a Russian missile strike on an apartment building in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 16. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Emergency personnel evacuate a person at the site of the attack in Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 15.
Emergency personnel evacuate a person at the site of the attack in Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 15. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters)

Emergency workers clear the rubble after a Russian rocket hit a building in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 14.
Emergency workers clear the rubble after a Russian rocket hit a building in the southeastern city of Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 14. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Rescuers remove rubble and search for people at an apartment block hit by a rocket launched by Russian forces during in Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 14.
Rescuers remove rubble and search for people at an apartment block hit by a rocket launched by Russian forces during in Dnipro, Ukraine, on January 14. (Mykola Miakshykov/Ukrinform/Abaca/Sipa USA/AP)

10:19 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Putin tells Turkey's Erdogan that Western weapons are intensifying hostilities in Ukraine 

From CNN's Radina Gigova

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech as he attends a program at the ATO Convention and Exhibition Center in Ankara, Turkey, on January 3.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan makes a speech as he attends a program at the ATO Convention and Exhibition Center in Ankara, Turkey, on January 3. (Aytac Unal/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call Monday that Western weapons supplies to Ukraine are intensifying hostilities and that Kyiv's rejection of a ceasefire proposed by Russia for the Orthodox Christmas period is an example of Kyiv's "hypocritical policy," according to a statement by the Kremlin. 

"Vladimir Putin drew attention to the destructive line of the Kyiv regime, which relied on the intensification of hostilities with the support of Western sponsors, increasing the volume of transferred weapons and military equipment," the statement reads. "An example of the hypocritical policy of Kyiv was the rejection of the proposal to cease fire for the period of Orthodox Christmas."

"On the initiative of the Turkish side and taking into account recent contacts in Ankara, the commissioners of Russia and Ukraine for human rights will touch upon the issue of the exchange of prisoners, primarily the wounded," the Kremlin said. 

Russian missile strike: The call between Putin and Erdogan came just a few days after a Russian missile hit an apartment building in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. The missile strike left at least 40 people dead, making it one of the deadliest single attacks of the war, and the deadliest in months.

The implementation of the package of agreements on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and the unblocking of food and fertilizer supplies from Russia were also discussed, according to the Kremlin. 

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the further comprehensive development of Russian-Turkish cooperation," the Kremlin said, adding "among the priorities is cooperation in the energy sector, including the supply of Russian natural gas and the creation of a regional gas hub in Turkey."

9:54 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Germany's economy minister says Putin has failed to destroy German industry with his war in Ukraine

From CNN’s Inke Kappeler in Berlin and Allegra Goodwin in London 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed to destroy German industry amid his war in Ukraine, Germany’s economy minister Robert Habeck told a Monday conference.  

“It was Putin's plan to cause a meltdown of German industry, but his plan has failed,” Habeck told the energy conference in Berlin, hosted by the business newspaper Handelsblatt. 

Habeck added he hoped Germany’s energy crisis would be overcome by 2024, adding that thanks to the fast construction of gas import infrastructure, gas storage facilities were expected to be full for 2023 and into the winter of 2024. This would lead to “safe and stable” gas deliveries at “moderate prices,” Habeck added. 

After a short period of freezing temperatures in December, a warm January so far has helped to keep Germany’s gas storage facilities around 90% full, according to the country’s gas network regulator. 

While a shortage of gas this winter seems unlikely, the situation could still deteriorate, according to the network regulator’s website. 

If temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius, Germany consumes around one percent of its gas storage per day,” Habeck warned. 

“If we succeed in coming out of the winter months with adequate gas storage levels, we won't experience last year's madness again,” he continued. 
8:51 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Russia sanctions UK foreign minister

From CNN’s Eve Brennan in London 

Russia has sanctioned the UK foreign Minister James Cleverly, according to a tweet from Cleverly Monday. 

“I've been sanctioned by the Russian government. Good,” he said. “If this is the price for supporting Ukrainian freedom, then I’m happy to be sanctioned.”

8:29 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Ukraine soccer club launches $25 million aid project for Mariupol soldiers and their families 

From CNN's Sammy Mngqosini

Ukraine soccer club Shakhtar Donetsk has launched a $25 million project for Mariupol soldiers and their families, the club announced Monday. 

“I am allocating the $25 million (UAH 1 billion) today to help our soldiers, defenders and their families. The money will be used to cover different needs – from providing medical and prosthetic treatment and psychological support to meeting specific requests,” Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov said in a statement.

“Their acts of bravery are unparalleled in modern history. It is them, their sacrifice and courage that helped contain the enemy in the first months of the war and let all of us feel the inevitability of the Victory of Ukraine now,” Akhmetov added. 

The launch of the project, called the Heart of Azovstal project, comes after Shakhtar finalized a deal for Mykhailo Mudryk to join English Premiership side Chelsea FC. 

Shakhtar said they will receive a Ukrainian record-breaking transfer fee of $75 million (or about 70 million euros) for 22-year-old Mudryk with an additional $35 million (30 million euros) expected as a bonus payment, the club confirmed in a statement Sunday. 

Mudryk scored three goals for Shakhtar in the Champions League group stages despite their elimination.

Akhmetov added that he is confident that Ukraine will win the war against Russia, and one day “we will play a friendly against Chelsea at Donbass Arena in a Ukrainian Donetsk.” 

2:33 p.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Polish prime minister calls on Germany to supply "all sorts" of weapons to Ukraine

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks during a festive event on the occasion of Wolfgang Schäuble's 50th anniversary in parliament on January 16, in Berlin, Germany.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki speaks during a festive event on the occasion of Wolfgang Schäuble's 50th anniversary in parliament on January 16, in Berlin, Germany. (Clemens Bilan/Getty Images)

Poland’s Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has called on the German government to supply “all sorts of weapons” to Ukraine. 

Morawiecki, during a visit to Berlin Monday, tweeted “The defeat of #Ukraine may become a prelude to World War III, so today there is no reason to block support for Kyiv and postpone matters indefinitely. I call on the German government to act decisively by supplying all sorts of weapons to Ukraine.”

This comes after Polish President Andrzej Duda promised “a company of Leopard-tanks" to Ukraine during his visit to the city of Lviv last week.

However, Poland needs permission from Berlin to these German-produced Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine. If granted, Germany must also deal with the sensitive idea of German battle tanks in eastern Europe.

Some background: Thirteen European countries, including Poland and Finland, are in possession of modern German Leopard 2 tanks, which were introduced in 1979 and have been upgraded several times since, according to the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank.

8:41 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

It's mid-afternoon in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know

The death toll from a Russian strike on a residential building in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Saturday has risen to 40, and Moscow's forces also struck the cities of Nikopol and Zaporizhzhia overnight into Monday.

Elsewhere, Germany's defense minister Christine Lambrecht has resigned amid increasing pressure on Berlin to step up military aid to Ukraine, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Western arms shipments will only "drag out" the war.

Here are the latest headlines:

  • Dnipro death toll rises: The Russian strike on a residential building in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro has killed 40 people, including three children, emergency services said Monday. In addition, 39 people have been rescued, 75 were injured and 46 are still reported missing. The Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed forces says that a Russian Kh-22 missile, an older and less accurate weapon than most modern missiles, was used in the strike. 
  • Kremlin denies targeting apartments: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the Dnipro strike was the result of counter-missiles and air defense, contradicting Ukraine's claims that a Russian Kh-22 missile was used. In response to a question about the attack, Peskov said the Russian Armed Forces only strike "against military targets, whether they are obvious or disguised," and not at residential buildings. 
  • Ukraine says forces are still fighting in Soledar: Ukrainian units are "conducting hostilities in Soledar," according to an update from the Ukrainian Armed Forces Eastern Group. Ukrainian troops "inflict constant fire on the enemy," said group spokesman Serhii Cherevatyi. "Ukraine maintains its positions in the town," he added. Last week, Moscow said its forces had taken the small town in eastern Ukraine following weeks of fierce fighting, although Ukraine denied the claim.
  • Russian strikes in Nikopol and Zaporizhzhia: Nikopol was struck by shells in the early hours of Monday and at least 15 shells struck two settlements on the outskirts of the southern Ukrainian city, a military official said. No casualties were reported. Russian shelling in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia injured several people overnight, according to a Ukrainian official.
  • Ukraine strikes Donetsk: Three rockets hit Donetsk in eastern Ukraine early Monday, the head of the city's Russia-backed administration said. Search and rescue operations are underway and there are no reported casualties so far.
  • Drones shot down near Crimea: Seven Ukrainian drones have been "shot down over the sea" near Sevastopol in the illegally annexed region of Crimea, according to governor Mikhail Razvozhaev. Razvozhaev said the attack was a "psyop" (psychological operation) by Ukrainian forces, but there have been no explosions in the city.
  • Military aid will "drag out" war: Deliveries of more advanced military equipment from the UK and other European countries "will not be able to change the situation on the ground" in Ukraine and will only "drag out" hostilities, said Kremlin spokesperson Peskov Monday. The Challenger 2 tanks the UK is planning to send to Ukraine "will burn like the rest," he added.
  • German defense minister resigns: German Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht has resigned following growing skepticism about her suitability for the role against the backdrop of the Ukraine war. Lambrecht has faced criticism as Germany is under increasing pressure to ramp up military support for Kyiv, which has been insignificant compared to support from other Western allies during her time as minister. At the outbreak of the war, Lambrecht pledged to deliver 5,000 helmets as military assistance to Ukraine.
  • Belarus-Russia aviation drills begin: Joint military aviation drills involving Belarusian and Russian forces are underway, the Belarusian defense ministry said. The exercises are taking place on Belarusian territory and the main goal is to "increase operational compatibility in the joint performance of combat training missions," said the ministry. Residents of the Ukrainian region of Chernihiv, which borders both Russia and Belarus, have been told to expect air raid sirens to "increase significantly" over the next two weeks due to the drills.
  • Ukraine's first lady at Davos: Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will be joining this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said Monday. She is expected to deliver a special message from Davos tomorrow morning, WEF told CNN.
7:46 a.m. ET, January 16, 2023

Kremlin denies rumors of conflict between Wagner mercenary group and Russian defense ministry

From CNN's Anna Chernova

A poster displaying a Russian soldier with a slogan reading 'Glory to the Heroes of Russia' on the street next to the PMC Wagner Centre, in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 4.
A poster displaying a Russian soldier with a slogan reading 'Glory to the Heroes of Russia' on the street next to the PMC Wagner Centre, in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 4. (Olga Maltseva/AFP/Getty Images)

The Kremlin has denied rumors of a conflict between the Wagner mercenary group fighting in Ukraine and the Russian defense ministry.

“This conflict mainly exists in the information space,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a regular press briefing Monday, adding that it is “mainly the product of information manipulations.”

“It [the country] knows both the heroes who serve in the Armed Forces and show miracles of heroism, and the heroes with the PMC Wagner,” Peskov said.

Everyone is working for the main cause. All are fighting for their homeland,” he added.

Some context: While Kyiv argues the fight for the embattled eastern town of Soledar is ongoing, the head of private military group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed its exclusive role in capturing the town. The Russian defense ministry acknowledged its role in a public statement Saturday.

“As for the direct assault on the city blocks of Soledar occupied by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, this combat mission was successfully solved by the courageous and selfless actions of the volunteers of the Wagner PMC assault squads,” the statement read.