Ship sinks
The Arvin ship under the Palau flag, owned by a Ukrainian company, sank near the Turkish coast on 17 January, ambassador Andriy Sybiha has said. According to preliminary reports, there were 10 Ukrainians and two Russians on board. The Turkish Transport Ministry said that six people had been rescued, two died and four are missing.
Language
As of 16 January, all services in Ukraine must be provided in the state language (Ukrainian) in accordance with a new clause of the language law. Other languages can be used at clients' request.
Energy
In an interview with Deutsche Welle, acting Energy Minister Yuriy Vitrenko has acknowledged the deficit of electricity in supply on the market but hopes that rolling blackouts can be avoided.
Coronavirus
On the morning of 17 January, the Ukrainian Health Ministry reported 5,990 new Covid-19 cases, 8,777 recoveries and 116 fatalities.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces registered 53 new Covid-19 cases on 16 January. Ten were admitted to hospital.
Donbas
A Ukrainian serviceman was wounded near Trudivske on 15 January, the Joint Forces Operation HQ has said.
According to Russian media reports, Donetsk and Luhansk separatists are preparing to hand a group of captives over to Ukraine as part of a unilateral initiative. The group will allegedly include women, elderly people and those with bad diseases. An exchange is reportedly facilitated by Viktor Medvedchuk.
Elections
Mayoral elections were held in Boryspil, Brovary (both Kyiv Region) and Novhorod-Siverskyy (Chernihiv Region) on 17 January.
Local elections in 18 territorial communities of Donbas cannot be held on 28 March 2021 because it is impossible to ensure full safety of voters due to armed aggression by Russia, working commission of the Donetsk and Luhansk regional administrations has concluded.
Incident
A private Robinson helicopter crashed near Boryspil in Kyiv Region during an unfortunate landing on 16 January. No-one is believed to have been hurt.