Scott Bessent, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be secretary of treasury, looks on as he sits near his son Cole, on the day he testifies during a Senate Committee on Finance confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 16, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

"I will be 100% on board with taking sanctions up," Treasury Secretary-pick Scott Bessent told lawmakers on Thursday.

Those fighting for Ukraine and those who have lost loved ones hope to end the war with Russia on their own terms.

Russia unleashed a massive missile attack on Ukraine's electrical grid in the early hours of January 15, firing 43 missiles and more than 70 drones. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 30 missiles and 47 drones,

Tanks — 9,803 (no change) units, ・Armored combat vehicles — 20,394 (+13) units, ・Artillery systems — 22,040 (+21) units, ・Multiple launch rocket systems — 1,262 (no change) units, ・Air defense systems — 1,

Over the past day, 174 combat clashes were recorded on the frontline. Russians continue to apply pressure near Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, and other areas, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces launched new strikes on Russian targets in the occupied part of Ukraine on January 18. The Nebo-SVU stations, 9С32М, and Buk-M3 complexes were attacked, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.