Latest Developments in Ukraine: Jan. 27

For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine. The latest developments in Russia’s war on Ukraine. All times EST. 4:25 a.m.: Uzbekistan will import natural gas from Russia for the first time ever as the Central Asian country faces an energy crisis, authorities said Thursday, according to Agence France-Presse. Despite being home to a wealth of natural resources, including gas, Uzbekistan has faced energy shortages amid historically cold temperatures. Like its neighbors Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Uzbekistan suffers frequent power and heating cuts because of aging infrastructure. An energy ministry spokesman told AFP the gas deliveries, via an agreement with Russian energy giant Gazprom, will begin on March 1. 3:11 a.m.: The latest intelligence update from the U.K. defense ministry said that Russia has probably launched attacks near Orikiv and Vuhledar. It notes that although Russian online commentators claim advances in several areas, there's a "realistic possibility" that these gains are not true and are instead the result of Russian sources spreading misinformation. 1:10 a.m.: Russia's finance ministry Thursday proposed scrapping liquidity restrictions for spending on "anti-crisis" investments from its National Wealth Fund, citing the need to support key sectors amid challenging geopolitical conditions, Reuters reported. Russia's fiscally conservative authorities have tended to be cautious in their use of NWF funds. Thursday's move suggests they want to be more creative in the way they maintain Russia's economic health, as Moscow ramps up spending on what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. The ministry also said it would seek to reduce the threshold at which investments in other financial assets from the rainy-day fund can be made to 7% of gross domestic product from 10% currently, according to draft proposals. The ministry proposed that the total volume of such investments not exceed 4.25 trillion rubles ($61.24 billion). 12:02 a.m.: Ukrainian government officials who shirk their duties during wartime will be quickly removed, a top aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday, Reuters reported. More than a dozen officials have been removed this week following a series of scandals and graft allegations. Political analysts said Zelenskyy needs to show Western partners and war-weary Ukrainians that he is serious about punishing misrule. "Everyone should understand their level of responsibility to the country and nation during the war. Whoever forgets about it receives a quick reaction," said Andriy Yermak, head of Zelenskiy's office. "This will happen to everyone who allows themselves to forget (their duties), regardless of names and offices," Yermak wrote on Twitter. Among the most high-profile cases was that of a deputy defense minister who resigned following a report, which he denied, that his ministry paid inflated prices to feed troops. A presidential adviser who had been called out by local media for driving flashy cars also quit, as did a senior prosecutor who Ukrainian media reported had gone on holiday to Marbella in Spain, flouting martial law. Some information in this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.

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