Russian forces struck Zaporizhzhia’s regional center, causing ignition and ongoing air alarms as at least five BpLA approached the city, according to the “Реальное ⚡️Запорожье | Свет” Telegram channel over the 59 minutes ending 10:15 PM UTC on January 1, 2026. The channel reported Russians hitting the regional center with ignition confirmed and urged residents to stay in safe places during continued air alarms in the reporting window from 9:15 PM UTC. Separately, GRU chief Igor Kostyukov showed a U.S. military attache a flight controller and decoded data claiming it proved a Ukrainian drone targeted President Vladimir Putin’s residence in the Novgorod region, according to NOELreports on X during the same period. Footage depicted Kostyukov presenting the items. This Russian presentation follows a U.S. Central Intelligence Agency conclusion earlier on January 1 denying any Ukrainian attack on Putin’s Novgorod residence, per media reports ending 8:45 PM UTC, and prior Russian Ministry of Defense claims of providing related data to U.S. representatives.
