Russian crews responded to an air attack in the Ryazan region southeast of Moscow overnight on Thursday, as tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated. Social media channels shared videos depicting large blazes in the city, with reports suggesting that a major oil refinery and a power station were targeted by Ukrainian drones. Meanwhile, Ukraine announced the evacuation of children from several towns in the northeastern Kharkiv region, citing threats from Russian forces. On a political front, former U.S. President Donald Trump addressed the Davos World Economic Forum, expressing his desire to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to "stop this ridiculous war."
The situation in Ryazan highlights the ongoing conflict's intensity. Ryazan Governor Pavel Markov confirmed that air defense units successfully destroyed the attacking drones. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin added that air defenses intercepted Ukrainian drones at four locations around Russia's capital, indicating an expanding scope of engagement.
In Kharkiv, authorities have initiated evacuations to protect vulnerable populations. Kharkiv region governor Oleg Synegubov announced:
"267 children and their families are to be evacuated from 16 settlements to safe places."
The decision followed increased hostile shelling in the area. Synegubov urged families with minors to prioritize their safety and vacate dangerous zones.
In a surprise political development, Donald Trump voiced his intention to meet with Vladimir Putin at the Davos World Economic Forum. He emphasized his concern for human life over economic implications, stating:
"I really would like to be able to meet with President Putin soon to get that war ended … And that’s not from the standpoint of economy or anything else. It’s from the standpoint of millions of lives are being wasted … It’s a carnage. And we really have to stop that war."
Despite Trump's assertions, the Kremlin has expressed skepticism about his statements. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov remarked that there was nothing new in Trump's rhetoric but noted Moscow's openness to dialogue while monitoring all nuances closely.
The conflict has also stirred discussions on military conscription within Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities are finalizing recruitment reforms aimed at attracting 18- to 25-year-olds who currently remain exempt from mobilization. Despite previous measures lowering the age of conscription from 27 to 25, these steps have not sufficiently replenished Ukraine's military ranks. Col Pavlo Palisa criticized the existing drafting system as a relic of Soviet times and called for an "open dialogue with society":
"As of now, my view is that we need to start an open dialogue with society," "Because the defence of the state is not only the responsibility of the armed forces. It is the duty of every Ukrainian citizen, and it is their obligation."
In response to international dynamics, Russia has rejected NATO's proposition of sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be necessary to prevent further Russian aggression after any potential ceasefire agreement.
Adding another layer to the geopolitical landscape, Trump accused OPEC oil producers of sustaining the Ukraine war by not reducing prices, implying that doing so would harm Russian oil revenues and potentially end the conflict immediately. However, Maria Zakharova, a spokesperson for the Russian foreign ministry, warned that Trump's comments might trigger an "uncontrollable escalation."