Ukrainian forces have reportedly thwarted assassination attempts on prominent Ukrainians, with Kyiv claiming to have neutralized Russian mercenaries involved. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is exacerbated by severe cold weather, with temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius impacting drone operations for both sides. Ukrainian drone pilots face challenges with batteries discharging rapidly and equipment freezing, potentially leading to mission failures. In military actions, Ukraine reported drone and artillery strikes in Nikopol, injuring three, and a rocket strike in Kharkiv. The Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula was targeted by a Ukrainian drone attack, with air defenses reportedly shooting down 26 drones, though no significant hits on military targets were confirmed. Defense ministers from Germany, France, Poland, Italy, and the UK are meeting in Krakow, Poland, to discuss hybrid threats and the war in Ukraine.