Antonina Tumanova
Now, funds from the "Winter Support" and "National Cashback" programs can be spent at NOVUS, LIGA PRIM, and online at ROZETKA. In total, Ukrainian products are available in 12 chains and on two online platforms.
The science fiction drama You Are Space by director Pavlo Ostrikov confidently holds high positions in Ukrainian cinema distribution and continues to attract the attention of viewers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to withdraw Ukrainian troops from parts of eastern Donetsk Oblast to create a demilitarized zone. This is a potential condition for peace talks, although Russia has not shown willingness to withdraw its troops.
The case of the terrorist attack in Odesa, which injured an employee of a defense enterprise, has been sent to court. A 23-year-old resident of Zaporizhzhia region is accused of blowing up a car, having received instructions from enemy special services.
Units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully struck several enemy targets on the night of December 24, including a synthetic rubber plant in Russia's Tula region. A storage facility for uncrewed boats in Crimea and a logistics depot in Luhansk region were also hit.
The enemy launched a combined night attack on Ukrnafta's production facilities, resulting in serious damage and a halt in operations. There were no casualties, and Naftogaz specialists are working to restore the infrastructure.
In Chernihiv, an enemy UAV hit the 9th floor of a high-rise building, causing a fire and blowing out windows. Emergency services are evacuating residents, information on casualties is being clarified.
As a result of the Russian shelling, an energy facility in the Chernihiv district was damaged, leading to a power outage in part of Chernihiv. Energy workers will begin restoration work as soon as the security situation allows.
The Russian army attacked a critical infrastructure facility in Chernihiv, which led to a fire. According to Dmytro Bryzhynskyi, head of the Chernihiv City Military Administration, no one was injured.
A patient died on December 14 after taking Pfizer's Hympavzi, which caused serious side effects, including a stroke. Pfizer is gathering information, not expecting an impact on patient safety.
The Grand Egyptian Museum has begun assembling a 42-meter cedar wood boat that belonged to King Khufu, who ruled over 4,500 years ago. The project will take about four years and consists of 1,650 wooden parts.
On December 24, hourly power outage schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be applied in all regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
Russians attacked an enterprise in the Kremenchuk community, as a result of which two people were injured. Medics are providing them with assistance, and life support facilities are operating normally.
Ukrainian defenders withdrew from Siversk in Donetsk region due to the enemy's superiority in manpower and equipment. The city remains under the fire control of the Defense Forces, which allows blocking the enemy's advance and inflicting damage on them.
The CEC has resumed the work of the State Register of Voters, which is a basic condition for holding elections. This will allow updating the register taking into account demographic changes during the war, Arakhamia said.
A group of individuals who killed a 33-year-old foreigner in a cemetery near Kyiv have been notified of suspicion. The court chose pre-trial detention for the detainees.
Prosecutors reported suspicion to officials due to violations of sanitary norms and E. coli in school food. Dangerous bacteria were found in products supplied to schoolchildren.
The total cost of the 2025 Christmas table increased by 11% to UAH 913. 57, despite cheaper vegetables. Kutia and uzvar became significantly more expensive due to rising prices for their ingredients.
On December 22, 2025, near the Ukrainian House in Copenhagen, a vandal destroyed sculptures from the exhibition "My Body Is a Battlefield. Copenhagen" by Ukrainian artist Maria Kulikovska. The Ukrainian House condemns this act of hatred and considers it an attack on the stories, dignity, and meanings embodied by the works.
In 2025, the trend towards nationalization sharply intensified in Russia, with the authorities actively seizing private companies and subsequently reselling them to Kremlin-loyal investors. The total value of assets transferred to state ownership exceeded 3 trillion rubles, which is 4.5 times more than in 2024.
The Supreme Court of Slovakia has temporarily suspended controversial legislation that abolishes the national whistleblower protection office. This decision is an important step in ensuring the rule of law in Slovakia, as the new law was deemed too controversial.
A fire broke out at a shipyard in Nizhny Novgorod, likely due to a crane catching fire during work. 15 units of equipment and 48 rescuers are working at the scene.
The occupation authorities of Crimea have restricted mobile internet until the end of the full-scale war in Ukraine. This decision, according to the occupation head of the peninsula, Aksyonov, is necessary to ensure the security of the peninsula.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to prepare proposals for new approaches to holidays. He noted that the war has brought changes, and some dates need to be streamlined.
A cyberattack crippled France's national postal service, La Poste, three days before Christmas, blocking parcel deliveries and online payments. This caused significant difficulties for millions of people in the midst of the holiday season and dealt a blow to the company, which delivered 2.6 billion parcels last year.
Loud explosions were heard in Sevastopol, likely in the area of Shturmove village, near the Balaklava TPP. Air defense activity was also reported in Feodosia and shooting at the Belbek airfield.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs plans to grant the citizenship service the right to operational-search measures, including the collection of biometric samples, against the backdrop of growing labor migration. This is happening while the personnel deficit in the Ministry of Internal Affairs has doubled since 2022 and interest in Russian citizenship has decreased.
The elusive street artist Banksy unveiled a new mural depicting two children. Instagram users called the work cute and tender, rejoicing at the new creation for Christmas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there are about 1,100 Russians in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, and about 100 in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region. He noted that Ukrainian troops are holding their positions despite significant pressure from Russia.
Russia has sent weapons to Madagascar's military government, which came to power in an October coup. On December 20, a Russian Air Force plane delivered 40 servicemen and 43 crates of weapons to an international airport near Antananarivo.