US President Donald Trump has announced "very serious retaliation" after two US servicemen and one civilian were killed in Syria. The attack, which the US blames on the Islamic State group, took place in an uncontrolled part of the country.
President Zelenskyy announced the release of five Ukrainians and Belarusian political prisoners, including Maria Kalesnikava, thanks to agreements with America. He emphasized the importance of intensifying prisoner exchanges with Russia.
France's representative Lou Deleuze won Junior Eurovision 2025 in Georgia with the song Ce Monde, scoring 248 points. Ukrainian Sofia Nersesyan with the song "Motanka" took second place with 177 points.
Explosions were heard in Feodosia and the area of Cape Fiolent in occupied Crimea. The occupation authorities have not yet commented on this information.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced upcoming meetings in Berlin with representatives of US President Donald Trump and European partners. The negotiations will concern a political agreement on ending the war and security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ukraine has presented an updated peace plan that excludes the abandonment of Donbas and retains the right to join NATO. This proposal is a response to Donald Trump's 28-point plan, which caused shock in Europe.
The Defense Forces control the north of Pokrovsk, refuting Russian claims of capturing the city. Soldiers of the 425th separate assault regiment are conducting raids south of the railway.
The mayor of Artsyz announced that energy workers do not plan to restore electricity supply in the city for a week. The forecast for villages and the military town is also unsatisfactory; water supply will be on schedule.
The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a new commemorative coin "Ukrainian Cotton. Magura Unmanned Surface Vehicle" with a face value of 5 hryvnias. The coin is dedicated to the engineering prowess of Ukrainian weapons developers and the combat valor of soldiers who have turned naval drones into one of the most effective types of weapons.
Hundreds of people in Tbilisi are protesting, demanding an international investigation into the special means used during the dispersal of rallies in late 2024. The Georgian authorities deny the use of chemical agents, and an internal investigation has raised new questions.
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.
