Ukraine News Updates – January 22, 2026
TechBridge Delivers $14M+ for Startups
Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation reported on the results of two years of the UK–Ukraine TechBridge initiative. An accelerator program supported 39 Ukrainian startups, connecting them with 20+ international venture funds and providing 400 hours of mentoring; participating companies raised more than $14 million in total. Founders presented at London Tech Week in 2024 and 2025, and several startups entered the UK market, including Cases, Deus Robotics, Aspichi, and Spendbase. The project also supported humanitarian demining innovations and trained 1,200+ Ukrainians through free digital and entrepreneurship courses.
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Brave1 Launches Secure AI Dataroom
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Armed Forces, a military intelligence research institute, and Palantir, launched Brave1 Dataroom - a secure environment for testing and training military AI models. Initial work focuses on autonomous detection and interception of hostile drones. The platform includes structured visual and thermal datasets of aerial targets, including Shahed-type UAVs, built from frontline materials and to be expanded. Ukrainian defense developers can train, test, and validate models after a required security compliance process.
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Ukraine's GDP Grows 2.2% in 2025
Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture estimates real GDP grew by 2.2% in 2025 despite attacks on energy infrastructure, logistics constraints, and security risks. Growth was supported by domestic trade, construction, and manufacturing, including defence-related output, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, and building materials. The ministry cited continued business support programs and higher household consumption amid rising wages. Headwinds included strikes on power generation and gas extraction, weaker harvests for some crops, and logistics issues, including the halt of pipeline gas transit.
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Netherlands, Denmark Add €43M Energy Aid
The Netherlands and Denmark announced €43 million in additional support for Ukraine’s energy sector following recent large-scale strikes. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said the Netherlands provided €23 million for gas purchases, urgent power plant repairs, and critical equipment supplies from Dutch companies, including generators and cables; total Dutch energy support in 2026 would reach €133 million. Denmark contributed €20 million to Ukraine’s Energy Support Fund to support the protection of energy facilities and urgent restoration needs. Svyrydenko also said Japan is preparing an energy equipment package, and partners are preparing a G7+ “energy Ramstein” meeting.
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Ukraine Allocates ₴50B for Energy Protection
First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said every power plant in Ukraine has been struck during the war, with thousands of megawatts of generation capacity damaged. He reported the most difficult electricity supply conditions in Kyiv and its surrounding areas, as well as in Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, and frontline communities. Shmyhal said the government has allocated over ₴50 billion to strengthen the physical protection of energy infrastructure. He also instructed Ukrzaliznytsia, Naftogaz, and Ukroboronprom to urgently purchase imported electricity covering at least 50% of their own consumption. Over 15,000 repair specialists are involved in restoration work.
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UK Adds £20m Energy Support
The UK announced £20 million to support repairs, restoration, protection, and energy generation across Ukraine after sustained strikes damaged infrastructure and winter temperatures caused outages. The funding aims to help maintain electricity and heating for homes, hospitals, and schools. London also expanded a UK–Ukraine school partnership scheme, adding 300 schools over three years and involving up to 54,000 students in both countries. The UK said its total investment in Ukraine’s energy stability now exceeds £470 million.
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Preply Raises $150M, Hits Unicorn
Ukrainian language-learning marketplace Preply raised $150 million in a Series D round led by WestCap, valuing the company at $1.2 billion, according to a Preply release dated 21 January. Goldman Sachs International acted as the sole placement agent. Total funding is now about $299 million; prior investors include the EBRD and Horizon Capital. Preply said it will use the funds to scale tutor-led learning, expand product and engineering teams, and further integrate AI tools that support tutors and learners.
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Amber Dragon Nears €200M First Close
Amber Dragon Ukraine Infrastructure Fund I reported that it is close to a first closing after raising about €200 million, more than 55% of its €350 million target. The fund described itself as a dedicated infrastructure vehicle investing exclusively in Ukraine. It plans to finance projects aimed at stabilizing emergency energy supply, strengthening digital infrastructure and services, and easing transport and logistics constraints. The announcement was made in Davos on 21 January. Expected investors at first close include the EBRD, EIB, IFC, Swedfund, and Impact Fund Denmark, with part of IFC’s commitment backed by guarantees from the European Commission and France.
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