The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 151 combat engagements over the past day, more than half of which occurred in the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Kostiantynivka directions. The enemy launched 90 airstrikes and used 5,471 kamikaze drones.
US President Donald Trump has classified fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction, giving the government additional powers in the fight against illicit trafficking. This move will allow the US to use military force against drug traffickers, particularly in Venezuela.
Canadian defense manufacturers will be able to access loans under the EU's SAFE program totaling 150 billion euros, with a limit of 80% of the value of purchased equipment. This is a significant increase compared to the usual 35% for manufacturers from third countries, with Canada also paying an entry fee.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the damage to the Astrakhan Gas Processing Plant on the night of December 15. Explosions and a powerful fire were recorded on the plant's territory, and the extent of the damage is being clarified.
The Ukrainian diplomat refutes conspiracy theories regarding negotiations with the United States, stating that the information is false. He emphasizes the importance of involving the American side in the peace process.
EU ambassadors in Brussels today are discussing the European Commission's amendments to the reparations loan proposal for financing Ukraine. These amendments aim to address the concerns of Belgium, as well as Italy, Bulgaria, and Malta, who are calling for alternative options.
The meeting between Trump's advisers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday was productive, a US official said. This became known after the second round of talks in Berlin involving Zelenskyy and US representatives.
Hybrids and plug-in hybrids are rapidly increasing sales, displacing gasoline cars. In the US, 22% of passenger cars sold in the first quarter of this year were hybrids, and in Europe they are already the most popular, occupying 35% of the market.
A fight between teenagers was recorded near the Alley of Memory of Heroes in Irpin. The Bucha district police are conducting an investigation and identifying those involved.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US negotiators in Berlin amid increased pressure from Donald Trump on Ukraine to reach an agreement. The meeting followed five hours of talks on Sunday aimed at ending the war with Russia.
In Ukraine, moderately warm weather without significant precipitation is expected in the coming days due to the Frieda anticyclone. In most regions, the temperature will be +4...+7 degrees, in the east from -1 to +2 degrees.
In Lutsk, a 35-year-old man was detained after he fired three shots from an undeclared automatic rifle on December 14, at about 6 p. m., while intoxicated. He was charged with illegal handling of weapons.
The European Union has expanded sanctions against 9 individuals and entities supporting Russia's "shadow fleet" that transports oil. This decision aims to limit Russia's revenues and targets companies associated with "Rosneft" and "Lukoil" that use illegal shipping practices.
Ukraine and the US are holding a second day of talks in Berlin on a plan to end the war, with security guarantees for Ukraine taking center stage. President Zelenskyy is discussing abandoning NATO membership in exchange for bilateral security agreements.
The Louvre Museum in Paris did not open on December 15 due to a staff strike, who unanimously voted to stop working. Employees are protesting against deteriorating working conditions and insufficient funding after the robbery on October 19.
Ukraine has introduced a new approach to air raid alerts with district-by-district notification, which will reduce the duration of alerts in communities without a real threat. This has already shortened the time of alerts in frontline and central regions, allowing businesses to operate more stably.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin refuses a unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region. This comes against the backdrop of a 28-point US plan that envisages Ukraine's renunciation of NATO and new elections.
President Zelenskyy and Ukrainian negotiators will continue talks with the US delegation at 11:00 Berlin time. The main focus will be on security guarantees that the US can provide to Kyiv.
In Poznań, two men attacked a Ukrainian couple on a tram because they were speaking Ukrainian. City councilor Andrzej Prędki witnessed the incident and published a video, after which the police detained both attackers, who face up to 5 years in prison.
Kaja Kallas emphasized the need for real troops and capabilities for Ukraine's security guarantees if the issue of NATO is not discussed. She stressed that these cannot be paper promises, but only tangible military capabilities.
EU diplomacy chief Kallas said that EU leaders will discuss financing Ukraine at Thursday's meeting, where a reparation loan is the most likely option. This loan will be based on frozen Russian assets, avoiding the use of taxpayer money.
More than 430,000 consumers in Odesa region remain without electricity after a massive Russian attack. Due to new Russian strikes, there are power outages in Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, where an energy worker was injured.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas announced the expansion of sanctions against Russia's "shadow fleet", adding about 40 vessels to the list. This decision is aimed at depriving Russia of funds to finance the war.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb unexpectedly arrived at the Ukraine summit in Berlin. He met with American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at the Adlon Hotel.
Part of a historic railway bridge has collapsed into the River Spey in Scotland. The Spey Viaduct, built in 1886, was popular among cyclists and pedestrians.
On December 15, 2025, an earthquake with a magnitude of 2. 2 on the Richter scale occurred in the Dniester district of Chernivtsi region. The tremors were recorded at 06:12 at a depth of 2 km.
Representatives of the Trump administration held five-hour talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, which were described as "difficult. " The US is increasing pressure on Ukraine to conclude a peace agreement with Russia by the end of the year, but the parties have significant disagreements.
On the night of December 15, Russia attacked Ukraine with 153 attack UAVs, including about 90 "Shaheds". 133 were neutralized, but hits were recorded in 10 locations.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, due to enemy shelling, the contact network was de-energized, which led to train delays. Delays affect both long-distance and suburban routes, reaching up to 6 hours and 30 minutes.
Brent crude and US West Texas Intermediate oil futures rose amid supply disruptions linked to US-Venezuela tensions, which outweighed oversupply concerns.
