Russia strikes a residential building in Sumy Oblast, causing at least 5 injuries including children

**Russian Forces Strike Residential Building in Sumy Oblast**

On January 4, Russian forces attacked a multi-story residential building in the Svesa village of Sumy Oblast. At least five people were injured, including two 2-year-old children.

The attack was carried out using two glide bombs that were dropped directly on the building, destroying one of its blocks. Emergency services are conducting search and rescue operations at the scene.

**Multiple Attacks in Border Communities**

Residents of border communities experience multiple attacks per day due to their proximity to Russian forces. The recent strike is just another example of the vulnerability of these areas.

**Other Developments**

In related news, 1,500 high-rise buildings in Transnistria are currently without heating and hot water, while nearly 72,000 homes are without gas. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces also strike settlements close to the front line with guided aerial bombs every day.

Slovakia‘s state-controlled transmission system operator SEPS announced it will continue supplying electricity to Ukraine as part of an emergency assistance contract.

**Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv Oblast**

Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Kyiv Oblast early in the morning on January 3. The attack killed one person and injured four others, including a 16-year-old teenager.

**Other International Developments**

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has canceled engagements for the first half of January due to severe pneumonia.

Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean stated that “Russia is revealing the inevitable outcome for all its allies — betrayal and isolation.”

Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Financial Times on January 3, “We have reason to believe that China engaged Russia and said: ‘Don‘t go there.'”

**Ukraine’s Agricultural Exports**

In other news, Ukraine exported 78.3 million tons of products in 2024, including grains and sunflower seeds critical to markets across Africa and Asia.