Russia has admitted for the first time that a Ukrainian missile sank its prized Black Sea flagship, later deleting the statement and returning to the official narrative that the guided-missile cruiser Moskva went down because of a freak accident.

Ukrainian and Russian officials left rare direct talks last weekend in a somewhat optimistic mood. But Russia may be simply stalling for time, analysts said.

This is Kollen Post reporting from Kyiv on day 1,433 of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Today's top story: 'First time since the second world war' – Russia's air attack damages Kyiv's holiest site Russia's Jan.

By Anna Voitenko KYIV, Jan 26 (Reuters) - In his cramped Kyiv studio where icicles hang from the tap in the bathroom sink, surrealist painter Yuriy Denysenkov reckons he can work a bit more today if he can just keep the room warm enough so paint will still squeeze from the tube.

As Hungary’s elections approach, Orbán has escalated an anti-Ukraine campaign and accused his rival, Péter Magyar, of entering into a pact with Kyiv to overthrow his government and install a pro-Western administration.

COMMENTARY: Ukrainian Catholic leaders warn that priests have been expelled, churches destroyed, and religious life driven underground in Russian-occupied territories.

Talks to end the war in Ukraine continue as the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion approaches.

While some Europeans still object to the American insistence that Washington should be an even-handed mediator, rather than an ally of Ukraine, there is also a sense that Europe and the Trump administration can play complementary roles in attempting to end the war.