Oil prices held steady after rising as the US considers selling confiscated Venezuelan oil, and attacks on Russian vessels and terminals heighten fears of supply disruptions. Brent futures fell to $62.01, and WTI to $57.92.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 205 combat engagements over the past day, 58 of them in the Pokrovsk direction and 31 in the Kostiantynivka direction. The enemy launched 14 airstrikes, used 4563 drones, and carried out 3857 shellings.
As a result of a massive missile and drone attack by Russia on energy infrastructure, emergency power outages have been introduced in several regions of Ukraine. Restoration work will begin after the security situation stabilizes.
The Czech Republic's Security Council will discuss the future of the initiative to supply artillery ammunition to Ukraine on January 7. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš expressed concerns about the transparency of the initiative.
Russian natural gas exports to China via pipeline are expected to grow by a quarter this year, reaching 38. 6-38.7 billion cubic meters. However, this will not compensate for the drop in revenues from the loss of the European gas market.
A trailer has been released for the film "Odyssey," in which Matt Damon is shipwrecked, battles monsters, and leads his army home in Christopher Nolan's epic.
The total number of combat engagements on the front reached 100, 33 of which were in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy was also active in the Kostiantynivka and Orikhiv directions.
China's exports of permanent magnets to the EU rose by 59. 5% year-on-year in November, reaching 2,568.8 tonnes, after Beijing began issuing general licenses for their supply. At the same time, exports to the US decreased by 8.84%, while total global exports increased by 28.29%.
Clashes erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo between the M23 group and a pro-government militia near Uvira. This happened a few days after M23 promised to withdraw troops from the city, but its members reportedly remained in civilian clothes.
The European Commission has successfully transferred a thermal power plant from Lithuania to Ukraine. This will provide electricity to approximately 1 million Ukrainians, restoring critical energy capacities.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of the Tamanneftegaz oil terminal in the Krasnodar Krai and a naval base in Crimea. An enemy ammunition depot and a UAV launch site in Donetsk Oblast were also hit.
Restoration work continues near Korosten after a locomotive was hit by an enemy UAV. A number of passenger trains are running on a bypass route with delays of up to 7 hours.
The Miami talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia on ending the war were productive but without clear breakthroughs. The gap between the parties remains huge, and Zelenskyy calls for increased pressure on Moscow.
Bloomberg found at least 15 deaths in 12 incidents over the past decade where passengers or rescuers were unable to open the doors of a crashed and burning Tesla. NHTSA has launched an investigation into the defects, and Tesla is considering changes to the door design.
The head of the "Servant of the People" faction, David Arakhamia, announced the formation of a working group in the Verkhovna Rada. It will address the issue of holding possible presidential elections in Ukraine during martial law.
By the end of the year, Ukraine is preparing a number of sanction decisions against Russian entities and those who assist in the aggression, including individuals from China. It is also planned to synchronize sanctions with partners, in particular regarding the 20th package of EU sanctions and a new package from Canada.
Ukraine receives a tranche of 2. 3 billion euros under the Ukraine Facility. The total EU support to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion has reached 187.3 billion euros.
The European Union has extended economic sanctions against Russia for another six months, until July 31, 2026. These measures, introduced in 2014 and expanded since February 2022, cover trade, finance, energy, and other sectors.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the creation of a single electronic database of manufacturers and suppliers of goods, works, and services for defense purposes. This Register minimizes corruption and security risks, making competition fair in the defense industry.
The Italian antitrust authority has fined Apple 98 million euros for antitrust violations over its app tracking transparency policy. This policy violates European antitrust rules by abusing Apple's dominant position in the app store market.
US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the release of all documents involving Donald Trump in the Jeffrey Epstein case. This is reported by UNN with reference to The Hill.
The Swedish Customs Service released the Russian cargo ship Adler, which is under EU and US sanctions. The prosecutor did not initiate an investigation into a sanctions violation, and the vessel was allowed to continue its journey.
Law enforcement officers detained a 28-year-old man who was shooting during a fight near Bessarabska Square. He faces up to seven years in prison for hooliganism with the use of firearms.
Four Ukrzaliznytsia employees were injured as a result of a Russian drone attack on the Zhytomyr region. Restoration work on the railway infrastructure is underway, and train traffic will be restored.
In Odesa region, Russia attacked energy infrastructure and the port of Pivdennyi overnight, where about 30 containers with flour and oil caught fire. Over 120,000 subscribers in the region were left without electricity, and emergency crews are working to restore power.
The Ministry of Energy reports that fuel imports to Ukraine are carried out via road, rail, and sea. The supply situation remains stable and controlled.
Christmas week began with massive Russian attacks on Ukraine; Russia attacked energy infrastructure in 5 regions. As of morning, a significant portion of Odesa residents are without electricity. Schedules are in effect, but efforts to reduce them continue by freeing up capacity.
Today, December 22, Chernihiv police received a report about damage to a Menorah. An investigative and operational group is working at the scene, and the issue of legal qualification is being resolved.
A 7-meter gingerbread replica of the house from the movie "Home Alone" appeared in Los Angeles and entered the Guinness Book of Records. The edible installation, 17.5 m long, 12.5 m wide, and 7.7 m high, was created by Disney+ and Hulu for the film's 35th anniversary.
Shipments of liquefied natural gas from Russia to China more than doubled compared to last year, reaching 1. 6 million metric tons in November. This allowed Russia to overtake Australia and become the largest supplier after Qatar, offering the cheapest LNG among 12 suppliers.
