What happened in Ukraine's war before 27 January 2025?

What was the state of the war as of 27 January 2025? The most recent reports from 24 January, the last day covered here, point to developments on several fronts: strikes inside Russia, a deadly attack in Kyiv Oblast, repatriation of the dead and changes to Ukraine's conscription rules.

Strikes in both directions

On 24 January, a Ukrainian drone strike hit an oil refinery in Ryazan Oblast, Russia. It was reported as one of the largest Ukrainian drone attacks inside Russia of the conflict to that point. The Russian military said it had shot down at least 121 drones over 13 regions overnight.

The same day, a Russian drone struck a ten-storey apartment building in Fastiv, Kyiv Oblast, killing at least three people.

Returning the dead

Also on 24 January, Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War announced that the bodies of 757 Ukrainian soldiers had been returned to the country. The Red Cross, formally the International Committee of the Red Cross, assisted with the return.

Changes to military recruitment

Ukraine also finalised military reforms on 24 January. They aim to recruit 18- to 25-year-olds to the armed forces and to penalise draft dodgers. The reforms also lower the minimum age for compulsory military service to 25 from 27.

Taken together, the reports from that Friday show a war in which long-range drone attacks, civilian casualties, the handling of fallen soldiers and manpower questions were all in play on the eve of 27 January 2025.