President Donald Trump said the United States struck a "large target" in Venezuela as part of a campaign against alleged drug trafficking operations.
President Zelenskyy called Ukraine's attack on Putin's residence a lie, noting that Russia is preparing strikes on Kyiv and government buildings. He urged people to be vigilant, as there could be strikes on the capital.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claims that Ukraine attacked the state residence of the Russian president in the Novgorod region with 91 drones. He threatened that Moscow would review its negotiating position, despite having no intention of withdrawing from the negotiation process with the United States.
The Ministry of Development has not started preparations for elections or a referendum, as it has not received official orders. The Ministry joined the working group on the development of electoral legislation.
Negotiations between Zelenskyy and Trump in Miami did not yield decisions on key issues such as territories and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, but Trump is ready to present security guarantees for Ukraine to Congress. This is the only serious breakthrough that could become an international treaty, not a political commitment.
The patrol police warn against sending money to strangers during online dating. Scammers may ask for money for various needs and then disappear.
Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov stated that holding elections through the "Diia" application is currently not being considered, as it requires legislative changes. No work is being done in this direction, and apart from online discussions, there are no practical steps.
British boxer Anthony Joshua was injured in a car accident near Lagos, Nigeria, in which two people died. According to preliminary data, his car crashed into a truck while overtaking.
Law enforcement officers exposed a group of individuals who illegally used trademarks of international companies, selling counterfeit equipment. More than 4,000 units of counterfeit products were seized, and the preliminary damage to the companies exceeds UAH 30 million.
Russia is aggressively forcing citizens to use the state messenger Max, which is becoming a tool of control. Schoolchildren and students face threats for refusing to install the application, and in the occupied territories, Max only works with Russian and Belarusian SIM cards, isolating Ukrainians.
Soldiers of the 19th Army Corps refuted Russian claims of control over part of Kostiantynivka, emphasizing the destruction of the enemy on the approaches to the city. The military calls for verifying information and not succumbing to Russian disinformation.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 89 combat engagements on the front until 4:00 PM on December 29. In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy carried out 28 attacks.
In Kyiv, 10,079 new cases of flu and ARVI were registered in a week, which is 6% less than a week earlier. At the same time, the number of COVID-19 patients increased by more than 20%, reaching 28 adults, with three deaths.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed on further contacts and steps with US President's Special Representative Steve Witkoff. The conversation took place while Umerov was en route to Ukraine; he is also constantly in touch with European advisors.
Under the state affordable mortgage program "eOselia", 22. 5 thousand Ukrainian families have purchased housing. Of these, 7,642 Ukrainians used the program in 2025, receiving preferential mortgages totaling UAH 14.56 billion.
The first critical infrastructure operators in the energy and defense industries have already installed electronic warfare equipment to protect their facilities. The Ministry of Defense is implementing this initiative by decision of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that peace talks in Russia's war against Ukraine are still far from over. He considers the US statement about participating in security guarantees for Ukraine a success.
On December 29, at 05:29, a main gas pipeline caught fire near the village of Rososh, Mukachevo district. 21 rescuers and 7 units of equipment have been deployed to extinguish the fire; there is no threat to the population.
At a meeting with the military, Putin heard about the "liberation" of 334 settlements and the advance to Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Orikhove. He also ordered the expansion of the "security zone" until 2026.
An interactive installation "Heart in an Ice Block" has been installed on Sofia Square in Kyiv, which will be open until January 6, 2026. It symbolizes the importance of emotional support and human warmth during the war, allowing visitors to melt the ice with their touches.
A group that smuggled medicines from India and Turkey, selling them online under the guise of well-known brands, has been exposed in Khmelnytskyi region. More than 360 packages of medicines, including those unregistered in Ukraine, have been seized.
The teams from Ukraine and the US have made significant progress in developing a peace framework, security guarantees, and the sequence of further steps. An agreement has been reached to continue consultations and prepare for the next stages of dialogue, including leaders' meetings in Washington in January.
South Korean automaker Hyundai is unable to buy back its former plant in Russia, despite a buyback option that expires next month. The reason is the war in Ukraine and the associated sanctions, which make it impossible for the company to return to the Russian market.
In Kyiv Oblast, energy workers continue to eliminate the consequences of Saturday's attack. Emergency blackouts continue in Boryspil and Brovary districts, and more than 9,000 families in Vyshhorod district remain without electricity.
Law enforcement officers liquidated a large-scale scheme for double access to methadone in Kharkiv, where four doctors issued methadone to drug addicts without proper accounting. More than 1,200 drug addicts were on double registration, receiving the drug in several medical centers and selling it to third parties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is interested in receiving reparations from Russia for the restoration of the state. He announced that the issue of funds for reconstruction has already been resolved with the Europeans, and the first 100 billion dollars will arrive in equal tranches over two years.
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to rebuild trust and strengthen a ceasefire following border clashes. The talks took place in China, where foreign ministers discussed the border situation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with US President Donald Trump in Florida to discuss a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The meeting comes amid fears of renewed regional fighting and criticism from Arab partners regarding Israeli strikes.
President Zelenskyy stated that the 20-point plan is 90% complete, with two issues still remaining. These concern the functioning of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the issue of territory.
