Julia Shramko
Bharat Petroleum Corp is looking for alternative oil supplies from the Middle East due to the reduction in Russian imports. India's purchases of Russian oil have fallen to their lowest level since December last year due to tighter sanctions.
Ukraine's power grid remains in a significant power shortage after 13 massive attacks since the beginning of the year. Power engineers continue restoration work and call for rational electricity consumption.
Cities around the world are preparing to celebrate the New Year with unique traditions and large-scale shows. From the first fireworks display in New Zealand to the last celebration in American Samoa in 24 hours.
NOAA predicts strong geomagnetic storms on December 31 and weak ones on January 1 due to coronal mass ejections. The phenomenon may cause the northern lights to be visible and affect critical infrastructure.
A BMW and a DAF truck collided on the H-09 highway near the village of Nastashyno, killing five people, including two children. The 20-year-old driver of the BMW was speeding and drove into the oncoming lane.
Russian troops attacked Kyiv region with drones and missiles. The falling debris damaged a private house and injured a woman born in 1975.
Russian troops shelled a residential area of Semenivka community in Chernihiv region. Private houses, outbuildings and two cars of local residents were damaged, with no casualties.
After eight years of litigation, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a final divorce agreement. Jolie expressed relief at the conclusion of this phase, focusing on rebuilding her family.
The European Commission has announced that the EU is ready to stop transiting Russian gas through Ukraine after the contract expires. European infrastructure is flexible enough for alternative supply routes.
A rocket attack on the Shostka community damaged 12 high-rise buildings and 2 educational institutions. Infrastructure facilities were destroyed, shelling continues and rescuers are working.
NATO is stepping up its military presence in the Baltic Sea after submarine cables between Estonia and Finland were damaged. The alliance is treating the incident as a possible sabotage and is planning additional security measures.
Two men from Portland died while searching for evidence of Sasquatch in the National Forest. They were found dead after a three-day search involving 60 volunteers.
Over the last day, 168 combat engagements took place, most of them in the Pokrovsk sector - 40 attacks. The enemy launched one missile attack and made 4,500 attacks, using 1,864 kamikaze drones.
In the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv, rocket fragments fell on the roof of a private house. There was no fire or destruction, and no information on casualties.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine attracted USD 41. 7 billion in external financing, of which 30% were grants. The largest donors were the EU, the US, the IMF, Japan, the World Bank, Canada and the UK.
In the Sidama region, a truck carrying passengers fell into a river, killing 71 people. Among the dead are 68 men and 3 women, and five more are in critical condition.
The NEURC has approved new tariffs for the Ukrainian GTS Operator for 2025-2029. The tariff for direct consumers will increase from UAH 124.16 to UAH 501.97 per 1000 cubic meters per day excluding VAT.
The United States has provided Ukraine with $3. 4 billion in direct budget support, subject to reforms. The aid came at a critical time when Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure were intensifying.
In 2024, Ukraine's exports reached $41. 043 billion, up 13.4% from 2023. Sea transport exported 87.2 million tons compared to 54.8 million tons last year.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister held talks with the Syrian leadership in Damascus. The head of the National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation explained the importance for Ukraine of building new relations with Syria, pointing out that everyone would benefit from a weakened Russia in the Middle East and Africa.
Russia has passed a law to write off debts of up to 10 million rubles for new military personnel starting in December 2024. British intelligence attributes this to Russian losses, which reached 1,523 people a day in November.
Russian invaders have twice unsuccessfully tried to repair the damaged shunt reactor at ZNPP. Energoatom warns of risks due to unskilled actions of the occupiers.
Ukraine will have mostly no precipitation from December 31 to January 2, with rain possible only in the west. Temperatures will range from +12° during the day to -3° at night, with fog and winds in some places.
A young man launched fireworks near a high-rise building in Lesnoyi Massif to congratulate his girlfriend on her birthday. The offender faces up to 5 years in prison for hooliganism.
The United States will provide Ukraine with $15 billion from frozen Russian assets through the World Bank. The funds will be used for social and humanitarian spending under the PEACE in Ukraine project.
A 41-year-old driver of a Tesla Model 3 was notified of suspicion in connection with an accident with two fatalities in Kyiv. The woman was driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 1.84 ppm.
Brent and WTI oil prices declined amid expectations of new economic data from major consumers. Traders are analyzing the demand outlook after China's record stimulus and the reduction in US inventories.
FIDE President Andrei Dvorkovich has announced new flexible rules regarding the dress code at the World Blitz Championships. Special assistants will help to assess the acceptability of the participants' clothing.
Russian shelling in Kherson region killed a man and wounded five people. 10 houses, 4 cars and a garage were damaged, and a police car hit a mine.
Ukraine is applying power curtailment schedules for industry from 8:00 to 19:00. Due to the bad weather, 39 settlements in Khmelnytsky region are without power, and restoration work will continue until the end of the day.