Antonina Tumanova
Ukrenergo announced the implementation of hourly power outage schedules on December 14 in most regions of Ukraine. The reason cited was the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi announced the return of 16 square kilometers in the northern part of Pokrovsk. No territorial losses were allowed in the Kupyansk, Kostiantynivka, and Prydniprovsky directions.
The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russia attacked the Turkish vessel VIVA, carrying sunflower oil and en route to Egypt. The drone strike occurred in the open sea, and the crew was unharmed.
The Russian army attacked Kharkiv with a drone, hitting the roof of an administrative building. In the Chuhuiv district, a drone hit a car, injuring a 10-year-old girl and a 65-year-old woman.
Since the beginning of the day, 53 combat engagements have been recorded at the front. Russian troops are actively attacking in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions, where 19 and 12 attacks took place, respectively.
Ukraine received 114 civilians, including 5 Ukrainians and Belarusian political figures such as Maria Alexandrova and Viktor Babariko. The exchange took place with the assistance of American partners and the Coordination Headquarters.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi stated the need to complete the formation of the Cyber Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine by the end of the year. He also discussed issues of fortifications, restoring the combat capability of brigades, and stabilizing the situation in threatened areas.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenka has released opposition figure Maria Kalesnikava and Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski from prison. In total, Belarus has released 123 political prisoners, including Viktar Babaryka and Maksim Znak.
Five Ukrainians who were in Belarus are returning to freedom thanks to a special operation by the GUR with the participation of the United States. President Zelenskyy instructed to intensify work on the release of prisoners of war from Russia before the new year.
The US is lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, as announced by special envoy John Cole after a meeting with Alexander Lukashenka. This decision is part of the normalization of relations between the countries, which could lead to further lifting of restrictive measures.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested that a limited ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, aimed at energy facilities and ports, would be beneficial. He voiced this proposal during a meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in Turkmenistan.
Since the beginning of the day, 161 combat engagements have been recorded at the front. In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy carried out 37 attacks, Ukrainian defenders eliminated 109 and wounded 40 occupiers.
The Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 1. 8 billion from the reserve fund for the maintenance of important roads in frontline regions. Additionally, UAH 665.4 million was directed to purchase fuel for 9 frontline regions, which will ensure the operation of backup power sources.
The EU has fulfilled its commitment to keep Russian assets blocked, as confirmed by European Council President António Costa. The next step is to ensure Ukraine's financial needs for 2026–2027.
According to The Atlantic, Trump did not object to strikes on Russia's oil logistics in international waters and, in several cases, approved the transfer of intelligence to Kyiv, which was used to target Russia's oil infrastructure.
A message about Stepan Higa's death appeared on his official page. Information about the farewell and memorial ceremonies is promised to be released tomorrow.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the damage to a Turkish company's vessel in the port of Chornomorsk, emphasizing the importance of ending the war. The ship's crew has been evacuated, and no Turkish citizens were harmed.
President Zelenskyy announced the preparation of a defense group in Germany, which will work on the details of security guarantees for Ukraine. The group will be headed by Lieutenant General Hnatov and will include representatives of the Ukrainian army, intelligence, and security forces.
The European Union has agreed to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe. This removed a significant obstacle to using these funds to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia.
Rustem Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, announced planned meetings in New York with the government's working group on recovery, development, and investment. A video conference of national security advisors also took place to discuss the peace plan.
Units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery in Russia's Yaroslavl region. The plant is one of the largest refineries of the occupiers, capable of processing 15 million tons of oil per year.
On December 13, hourly power outage schedules will be in effect throughout Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko met with US representatives, the head of the World Bank, and the CEO of BlackRock regarding the economic track of peace for Ukraine. A joint working group has been established to develop an action plan, emphasizing the importance of security guarantees.
The Russian army launched a missile strike on Odesa region, damaging a civilian vessel in the port of Chornomorsk. President Zelenskyy emphasized that this proves the Russians' unwillingness to engage in diplomacy and their goal to destroy normal life in Ukraine.
On December 12, 2025, the National Bank of Ukraine put into circulation a commemorative coin "Security Service of Ukraine. Protecting Ukraine Together!" with a face value of 5 hryvnias. It is dedicated to the activities of the SBU and the unique special operation "Spiderweb", which resulted in the destruction of 41 Russian military aircraft.
In one of the messengers, Kyiv law enforcement officers found a publication with photos in which a man in a police uniform imitates the arrest of "Santa Claus. "
Since the beginning of the day, 93 combat engagements have been recorded on the front. The enemy is actively attacking in the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Kostiantynivka directions, carrying out shelling and assault operations.
A series of explosions occurred in Odesa after the Air Force warned of a ballistic missile threat. Local Telegram channels report loud sounds in the city.
The latest draft peace agreement on Ukraine, discussed by US and Ukrainian officials with the support of Brussels, envisages Ukraine's accession to the EU by January 1, 2027. This could force Brussels to reconsider the accession process for new members due to the tight deadlines.
Personnel changes are expected in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. Sergiy Kyslytsia will become the new head of the diplomatic department, and the current head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andriy Sybiha, will take the post of ambassador to Poland.