Julia Shramko
Enemy UAVs attacked critical infrastructure facilities in Volyn, causing fires in Lutsk and Kovel districts. Over 100,000 subscribers are without power, and there is no information about casualties.
Starting January 1, 2026, Ukrainians in the EU will be able to use mobile communications and the internet at domestic rates. This became possible thanks to Law No. 4345-IX, which integrates Ukraine into the EU's "Roam Like at Home" policy.
The first full moon of 2026, known as the "Wolf Moon," will be the fourth consecutive supermoon. It will peak on January 3 at 12:02 PM Kyiv time and will appear larger and brighter due to its proximity to Earth.
Over the past week, 120,764 new cases of ARVI were recorded in Ukraine, which is 12. 7% less than the previous week. The epidemic threshold has been exceeded only in Lviv Oblast, while in most regions the incidence remains at a background level.
In 2025, Ukrainian ports transshipped 76. 1 million tons of cargo, of which 89% accounted for the ports of Greater Odesa. The Ukrainian sea corridor transported over 163 million tons of cargo, including about 100 million tons of agricultural products.
The government approved the procedure for implementing the Medical Guarantees Program for 2026, allocating over UAH 191. 6 billion, which is UAH 16.1 billion more than last year. This will allow for an increase in medical workers' salaries, and increased funding for primary healthcare and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Two trains collided near Machu Picchu, killing the driver and injuring at least 40 people. Among the injured are citizens of the United States and Great Britain, 20 of whom are in serious condition.
Warner Bros. Discovery plans to reject Paramount's latest $108 billion offer, even after Larry Ellison agreed to personally guarantee the deal. The WBD board considers a deal with Netflix more favorable, despite increased termination fees and financing guarantees from Paramount.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said that Russia's statements about Ukraine's attack on government facilities are a deliberate distraction. She emphasized that Moscow seeks to disrupt the progress of Ukraine and its Western partners towards peace.
Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday but are expected to fall by more than 15% over 2025. This is due to fears of oversupply, despite wars, tariffs, and sanctions.
In Kharkiv on December 31, a man shot a serviceman of the TCR, damaging his uniform but not injuring him. The assailant was detained after a special police operation was launched.
The director of the Department of Defense Work of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration was dismissed after a road accident involving a service car. The driver of the Ford Ranger, who caused the accident, refused to be tested for alcohol intoxication.
The European Union plans to impose a 20th package of sanctions against Russia on the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine. Measures will include travel restrictions, asset freezes, and sanctions in the energy and banking sectors.
About 12,000 passengers will celebrate New Year's Eve on Ukrzaliznytsia trains. More than 8,000 railway workers will be on duty on the holiday night, ensuring the movement of over 120 trains.
On New Year's Eve, the curfew will operate on its usual schedule, and police will patrol in an enhanced mode. Pyrotechnics are prohibited, but party poppers and sparklers are allowed.
From January 1, 2026, Ukrainians will be able to use mobile communication in 27 EU countries at domestic rates. Ukraine has become the first non-EU country to join the European Union's roaming zone.
Several European states have developed plans to ensure a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. Between 10,000 and 15,000 servicemen from European countries could be deployed during the first six months.
Russia again attacked energy facilities in several regions of Ukraine, causing blackouts in five regions, including over 170,000 consumers in Odesa region and thousands in Brovary district of Kyiv region. Bad weather also left part of the residents of Khmelnytskyi and Ternopil regions without electricity.
In France, a ban on the production and sale of cosmetics and most clothing containing dangerous "forever chemicals" PFAS comes into force. The French law, approved in February, prohibits the production, import or sale of such products from January 2026, with the exception of some industrial textiles.
Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro underwent his third medical procedure in four days to treat persistent hiccups. Doctors performed surgery to block the phrenic nerve and also plan examinations to detect gastroesophageal reflux.
The Verkhovna Rada is considering a bill that tightens control over snus, prohibiting sales to minors and limiting nicotine content to 1 mg. The document also provides for a ban on advertising, sponsorship, and promotion of nicotine-containing products.
During the night, Russia attacked two DTEK energy facilities during an enemy strike on the Odesa region, causing significant damage that will require time to restore. In December, 10 substations were damaged, and since the beginning of the year, 25 energy facilities in the region have been attacked.
In the snowy Carpathians, the air temperature dropped to -17 degrees, accompanied by snow and limited visibility. The State Emergency Service warns of danger to the life and health of travelers.
After Russian attacks in the Pivdennyi port near Odesa, sunflower oil polluted the coast and the Adzhalyk estuary. According to Greenpeace Ukraine, the pollution could remain on the seabed for over 6 years, harming wildlife.
In Vyshhorod, Kyiv region, electricity supply has been fully restored after almost 100 hours of absence. Energy workers restored light for 356,500 families in 46 settlements of Kyiv region.
The Danish postal service PostNord has stopped delivering letters due to a sharp decline in their use. The number of letters sent by mail in the country has decreased by more than 90 percent since 2000.
During the night, the enemy again attacked Bila Tserkva, injuring a man born in 1964 and causing an acute stress reaction in a woman born in 1977. Two multi-story residential buildings were damaged, with broken windows and mangled balconies.
The German government shares Ukraine's concern that Russia's claims of an alleged drone attack on the president's residence could be used for escalation. President Zelenskyy rejected the accusations, and the Kremlin threatens to strengthen its negotiating position.
In Odesa, six people, including three children, were injured as a result of the night attack by the Russian Federation. Part of the city lost electricity, water, and heat supply, and damage to infrastructure and residential buildings was recorded.
Discounts on Russian oil at export terminals again approached historical highs, reducing margins and leading to losses. More than half of Russian oil companies are eligible for zero or reduced mineral extraction tax rates.