In the Zaporizhzhia direction, 255 km of non-explosive barrier strips, 340 km of anti-tank ditches, and over 2. 1 km of the "Egoza" barrier line have been built. Major General Oleksandr Yakovets reported to Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal on the high pace of fortification construction.
UN staffer Bol Roch Mayol was found dead in South Sudan days after his detention. An army lieutenant and two soldiers were arrested after confessing to the murder.
Denmark's military intelligence service accuses Russia of cyberattacks on a Danish water company in 2024 and DDoS attacks on websites. As a result of the attack on the water company, homes were temporarily left without water due to burst pipes.
ByteDance Ltd. plans to generate approximately $50 billion in profit in 2025, having already exceeded its internal target. The company achieved a net profit of around $40 billion in the first three quarters of the current year.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the next step in the Gaza peace process should be the appointment of a Peace Council and the identification of a group of technocrats. This will strengthen stabilization forces and ensure the daily management of the enclave.
Over a third of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel have undergone biological material sampling, with 95% of samples delivered to the Genomic Information Accounting Center. This is critically important for the rapid identification of defenders in cases of their disappearance.
Due to traffic restrictions in the mentioned directions, the Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach checkpoint on the border with Moldova in Vinnytsia region is currently overloaded.
After the attack on the bridge in the Mayaky area of Odesa region, the authorities focused on providing alternative routes for transport in southern Ukraine. This applies to passenger and freight transportation, as well as transit flows, taking into account the security situation and road capacity.
Political expert Mykhailo Shnaider stated that NAB top official Magamedrasulov is being made into a "savior of the nation," but he will face disappointment from Ukrainians. The expert recalled suspicions against Magamedrasulov regarding his involvement in a scheme to sell technical hemp and abuse of influence over the tax service.
On December 20, scheduled hourly power outages and power restrictions for industrial consumers will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
Due to damage to bridges in Odesa region, postal operators "Ukrposhta" and "Nova Poshta" warned of possible delays in parcel delivery. In particular, traffic on the M-15 "Odesa – Reni" highway section was completely blocked.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko met with U. S. Chargé d'Affaires Julie Davis and FBI attaché Jamie Volkert, discussing the results of international cooperation. Ukraine satisfied all 5 U.S. requests for extradition and fulfilled 46 American requests for legal assistance.
A record harvest of sugar beets in Belarus, about 5 million tons, has become a risk factor due to the oversupply in the Russian market. This leads to a drop in sugar prices and a deterioration of the economy for farmers and processors.
Citizens heading to Odesa are informed about restrictions and redirected to alternative routes due to complicated traffic on the Odesa-Reni highway. It is recommended to choose checkpoints in Vinnytsia and Chernivtsi regions.
As a result of the Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia, the number of injured reached seven. Four of them received assistance on the spot and will be treated at home.
According to the State Emergency Service, "Points of Invincibility" are operating around the clock in Odesa fire stations: light, heat, water, and assistance to those who need it.
In Dnipro, residents of houses on Akademika Yangelya Street, where the lights had not been turned off before, attacked a team of power engineers. The incident resulted in injuries to an employee and a delay in restoring electricity supply.
A former official of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service in Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been notified of suspicion of illicit enrichment of almost UAH 13 million. He acquired unjustified assets, including elite cars registered to his wife and a trusted person.
The enemy is trying to bypass the city of Siversk in the Dronivka area. Ukrainian military personnel are blocking the advance of the occupiers, who have suffered significant losses.
Winter holidays in Kyiv will last from December 25 to January 11 inclusive. Parents will be able to bring their children to school for extracurricular activities and clubs.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, will meet with Qatari, Egyptian, and Turkish officials in Miami to discuss a deal on Gaza.
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on southern and northeastern Lebanon, approaching the deadline for Hezbollah's disarmament. This occurred ahead of a ceasefire compliance committee meeting and meetings in Paris regarding aid to the Lebanese army.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde expressed confidence that EU leaders will agree on a way to support Ukraine. She expects a solution to be found, despite possible difficulties, as the issue is too important.
Ukraine announced a successful restructuring of GDP warrants worth $2. 6 billion, which will avoid significant payments in the post-war period. This transaction will strengthen debt sustainability and increase the country's budget predictability.
In Odesa region, due to a Russian air attack, traffic has been restricted to certain border crossing points with Moldova. Traffic on the Odesa-Reni highway has been suspended due to an attack on a critical infrastructure facility.
An enemy attack drone hit a civilian car moving on a bridge in the Odesa district. A woman in the car was killed, and her three children were taken to the hospital with injuries and an acute stress reaction.
On December 19, hourly power outage schedules will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine due to the consequences of Russian attacks. Ukrenergo does not specify the number of queues and advises to inquire about information from regional power distribution companies.
Traffic on the Odesa-Reni highway has been temporarily stopped in both directions. The head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, Oleh Kiper, urged people to refrain from using this section of the road.
Two suspects in the murder of a 21-year-old Ukrainian in Vienna, which occurred in November 2025, have been remanded in custody by the court. The man was forced to transfer 50,000 euros from a crypto wallet, and was later found dead in a burned-out car.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Hungary, the US, Slovakia, and possibly a few other allies oppose Ukraine's membership in the Alliance. He noted that at the 2024 Washington Summit, allies agreed on Ukraine's irreversible path to NATO, but in practice, some members are against it.
