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.

(Corrects grammar in paragraph 4) Jan 26 (Reuters) - Russian drones and missile strikes on Monday hit Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, knocking out power to 80% of the city and surrounding region and striking apartment buildings,

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the territorial dispute was a central issue for the tripartite talks.

Humanitarian group Save Ukraine is getting children back to their home country.

ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine's largest steelmaker, will close one of its production units in the second quarter, it said on Monday, citing EU environmental policy and high local power prices caused by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

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

Russia said territorial questions remain central to any deal to end the war in Ukraine, after trilateral talks involving Moscow, Kyiv and Washington were held in Abu Dhabi over the weekend.