BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 29, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas warned Thursday that Ukraine was facing a "humanitarian catastrophe" as Russian strikes cut power in frigid winter conditions. Russia has stepped up its strikes against Ukraine's power and heating infrastructure, plunging residents into darkness and cold as temperatures have dropped as low as -20C. The EU is looking to step up support for Ukraine's power grid and is preparing a new round of sanctions on Moscow for the fourth anniversary of its invasion next month. Sweden's foreign minister Maria Stenergard called for "a full services maritime ban on all Russian vessels that transport energy" to further curb Moscow's revenues. Estonia has already taken the first step itself by blacklisting hundreds of fighters from specific Russian military units.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 29, 2026 09:51 UTC