Julia Shramko
Santa Claus and his reindeer have embarked on a round-the-world journey to deliver gifts, having already made stops in New Zealand and Australia. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is tracking his route.
A Mitsubishi driver ran over a police officer and then tried to escape. He was detained after a chase in the Dniprovskyi district, with the car door being forcibly opened.
The European Union, France, and Germany have condemned US visa bans imposed on five European citizens, including former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton. The restrictions are related to their activities in combating online disinformation and hate speech, which Washington considers censorship of free speech.
As a result of a Russian strike, a critical energy facility in the Chernihiv district was damaged, leading to power outages for tens of thousands of subscribers. These are not the first strikes on the region; earlier, a UAV crash was recorded within the city, damaging cars and buildings.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026/2027 Nations League will take place on February 12, 2026, in Brussels. The Ukrainian national team will compete in League B.
The US dollar weakened on Wednesday, poised for its biggest annual drop since 2017, as investors anticipate further Fed rate cuts. The euro and pound sterling strengthened, reaching new three-month highs.
Ukraine and the US have disagreements on territorial issues and the status of the Zaporizhzhia NPP in peace talks. Zelenskyy reported on the state of affairs regarding elections and EU accession.
Brent and WTI crude futures rose by 0. 2% and 0.3% respectively, reaching $62.53 and $58.56 per barrel. This increase is driven by strong US economic growth and geopolitical risks, despite an expected annual price drop.
As a result of Russian missile strikes on the Kharkiv suburb, 13 people were injured and one died. All injured have been hospitalized, and medics are providing the necessary assistance.
Today, believers celebrate Christmas Eve according to the Gregorian and New Julian calendars. The OCU spoke about traditions, including 12 Lenten dishes and the central dish - kutia.
One person was killed and several wounded as a result of the strike on the thermal power plant near Kharkiv. The city faced a voltage drop, which affected heat supply and the operation of electric transport.
Oily slicks have been recorded in the Black Sea waters of the Odesa district due to damage to oil tanks after enemy attacks. Measures are being taken to localize the pollution and monitor the water condition.
President Zelenskyy has called for a meeting with US President Trump to resolve sensitive issues of a future peace agreement with Russia, such as territorial control. The Ukrainian and American delegations have come closer to finalizing a 20-point negotiation plan.
Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration, appealed to law enforcement agencies to check the operation of entertainment venues. This happened after the death of an 18-year-old boy as a result of a fight near one of the venues in Ivano-Frankivsk.
Ukraine and Poland have begun preparations for new search operations, conducting a reconnaissance visit to the Rivne region on December 19, 2025. The research is scheduled for March-April 2026, according to the agreements of the Ukrainian-Polish Working Group.
Ukrenergo confirmed the introduction of emergency power outages in several regions due to the consequences of Russian attacks. Previously published blackout schedules are currently not in effect.
In Ukraine, 138,409 people contracted ARVI in the week from December 15 to 21, which is 3. 1% more than last week. Ivano-Frankivsk, Zhytomyr, and Lviv regions exceeded the low-level epidemic threshold.
Russia carried out targeted attacks on Ukraine's oil and gas infrastructure, using almost 100 attack drones against Ukrnafta's production facilities. Critical damage has been recorded, and the operation of the damaged equipment has been stopped.
On the morning of December 24, emergency power outages were introduced in Sumy and Poltava regions. The reason was damage to the energy system as a result of the Russian army's attack.
During the night, the enemy attacked energy facilities in several regions, leading to new power outages in Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions. Today, hourly blackout schedules and power restrictions for industry and business are applied in all regions of Ukraine until 23:59.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has for the first time unveiled 20 points of a "basic document on ending the war. "
The head of the OMA, Hryhorov, reported that 4,000 residents of Sumy region refuse to evacuate from the border zone. Evacuation has been ongoing since 2023 as a preventive measure to save civilian lives.
On Mount Pip Ivan Chornohirskyi in the Carpathians, a 13-degree frost was recorded on the morning of December 24. At 8:55 a.m., cloudy weather and a north wind of 7 m/s were observed at the summit.
The US Department of Homeland Security is replacing the lottery system for H-1B work visas with a new approach that prioritizes highly paid foreign workers. The new system will take effect on February 27, 2026, and will apply to the upcoming H-1B registration season.
Russian occupiers once again attacked critical infrastructure in Kherson, cutting off power to the Dniprovskyi district. Possible interruptions to centralized water supply.
Audi USA posted a short video on Instagram where die-cast car models drift in the snow instead of flying reindeer. In the video, miniature versions of famous Audi cars, including production, racing, and classic models, have fun in a winter landscape.
On the night of December 24, Russia attacked Ukraine with 116 attack UAVs, 60 of which were neutralized. 48 drones hit 19 locations, including a critical infrastructure facility in Chernihiv region.
Passenger trains are temporarily running on alternative routes, bypassing Korosten in Zhytomyr region. This will extend travel time for 14 routes, but passengers will get home before Christmas Eve.
Pope Leo XIV called for a global Christmas ceasefire, expressing sorrow over Russia's rejection of the request. The Pontiff hopes for 24 hours of peace worldwide.
Spots resembling oil slicks and dead birds have been found on Delfin and Lanzheron beaches in Odesa. Specialists are determining the size and origin, and will provide additional information.