Victorious news of 323rd day of war: USD 95 million from Japan, recognition of volunteers as combatants, opening of Albanian embassy in Ukraine

Albania will open its embassy in Ukraine for the first time during diplomatic relations

Albania’s Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka tweeted this on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukraine-Albania diplomatic relations. 

“Both Albania and Ukraine belong to the family of free and democratic nations, and both have a future in the Euro-Atlantic family. On the occasion of this 30th anniversary, I am happy to announce that Albania will upgrade its diplomatic presence in Kyiv, opening its embassy in Ukraine,” the minister wrote.

The parliament recognized volunteers as combatants

On Thursday, January 12, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted Law №7322, which recognizes volunteers who have defended Ukraine since February 24, but were not officially registered in the Armed Forces or other Defense Forces as combatants. 

Lawmaker Halyna Vasylchenko wrote about this on Facebook.

She explained that the law is important because “at the beginning of a full-scale war, many civilians were directly involved in the defense of the country.”

The Japanese government allocated USD 95 million for Ukraine's reconstruction

These funds will be sent to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as part of a partnership agreement.

It was signed today by the Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine, Kuninori Matsuda, and the Assistant to the Head of the UNDP, Ivana Živković, with the participation of the Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine, Oleksandr Kubrakov.

Ukraine's aid program focuses on five key areas:

1. strengthening the government's ability to respond to and manage the crisis;
2. supporting public services so that they can continue their work;
3. restoring critical infrastructure so people can return home safely;
4. supporting private businesses to keep them going, thereby supporting communities;
5. strengthening civil society and social ties. 

74% of Europeans support EU aid to Ukraine

This is evidenced by the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey. When asked if they approve of the bloc's stance on supporting Ukraine, 74% said yes, and a third said they "strongly" approve. Almost as many - 73% - said that they agree with the EU's financial, military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, as well as sanctions against Russia. EU support for Ukraine is more popular in the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, Ireland and Portugal, where it is approved by more than 90% of the population. On the other hand, less than half of the respondents in Greece, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Cyprus said they approve of the EU's actions towards Ukraine.

Ukraine's Armed Forces shot down an enemy SU-25 aircraft

During the day, the Ukrainian Defense Forces' aviation launched 15 strikes on enemy concentration areas, as well as 5 strikes on the positions of its anti-aircraft missile systems. In addition, Ukrainian soldiers shot down an enemy Su-25 aircraft and an Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicle. This was reported by the Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff. 

Ukrainian artillery hit 3 control points, 3 areas where the enemy's manpower and military equipment were concentrated, the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system, as well as 3 munitions depots.