Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko announced that 48 universities in Ukraine have agreed to launch "winter admission" to the zero course. This is a preparatory stage for the main admission.
Russian attack UAVs attacked the vessels "Emmakris III" and "Captain Karam", which were heading to the port to load wheat. As a result of the attack, there are wounded among civilians.
Actor Idris Elba has been awarded a knighthood for his services to youth. He founded the Elba Hope Foundation, which provides grants to organizations in the UK, USA, and Africa.
Ursula von der Leyen held talks with European leaders on support, security and reconstruction of Ukraine, emphasizing the importance of the country's accession to the EU.
Russian pipeline gas exports to Europe in 2025 decreased by 44% to 18 billion cubic meters, which is the lowest figure since the mid-1970s. This happened after the closure of the Ukrainian route and the cessation of fossil fuel imports from Russia.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that "peace is on the horizon" after leaders' talks on Ukraine. The US is ready to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine, including the presence of American troops.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced another round of coordination in the "Berlin format" with the participation of European and Canadian partners. He emphasized the advancement of the peace process and the need for transparency and honesty from all parties, including Russia.
As a result of the Russian attack, facilities in the ports of Pivdennyi and Chornomorsk were damaged, as well as oil tanks. One person was injured, and a civilian vessel under the Panamanian flag was damaged.
China called on all parties to refrain from escalation and promote de-escalation of the situation after Russia's statements. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian emphasized the need to create conditions for a political settlement.
European leaders will meet on Tuesday at 11:00 AM to discuss the situation in Ukraine. This conversation is part of high-level diplomatic talks that have been ongoing since November.
Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Singaporean AI startup Manus, which conducts in-depth research and performs tasks for paying users. The deal is valued at over $2 billion, with Manus maintaining independent operations while integrating its agents into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The Defense Forces control the northern part of Pokrovsk and block the enemy's advance in the central part of the city. All approaches to the city are under the control of Ukrainian drones, and in Myrnohrad, defensive lines are held and the enemy is eliminated on the approaches.
Moderate snow is observed in Ukraine, up to 12 cm has fallen in Ternopil region. In Prykarpattia, due to snow drifts, truck traffic is restricted on a section of the R-24 road.
As a result of enemy shelling in Chernihiv region, more than 75,000 consumers are without electricity, and settlements in Kharkiv and Sumy regions are also de-energized. Due to large-scale destruction, there are no blackout schedules on the left bank of Kyiv, Kyiv region, and Odesa region.
Emergency power outages have been introduced in Kyiv, and Vyshhorod in the Kyiv region is in its fourth day of fighting for light in cold conditions. Emergency outages continue in Odesa, and in Kherson, the enemy shells the CHP almost daily, making its restoration impossible.
The largest passenger traffic, accounting for 50% of the total, is recorded at the Ukrainian-Polish border. Although there are no queues like before Christmas, certain checkpoints, such as "Krakovets," "Shehyni," and "Ustyluh," remain the busiest.
Ukraine's government bonds rose on Monday after positive signs in peace talks to end the war. Some bonds reached their highest level since the sovereign debt restructuring.
The burning of residual gas in the main pipeline, which depressurized on December 29, continues in Zakarpattia region. There is no threat of flame spread or gas supply disruption.
On the night of December 30, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with two ballistic missiles and 60 attack UAVs. Air defense forces shot down one missile and 52 drones; hits were recorded.
Oil prices were little changed on Tuesday, with Brent futures down 2 cents to $61. 92 and WTI down 5 cents to $58.03. This followed a 2% rise.
Kyiv police brought the driver to administrative responsibility for petty hooliganism. The man attached a mock PFM-1 anti-personnel mine, printed on a 3D printer, to the roof of his Volkswagen.
The CIA launched a drone strike on a port facility on Venezuela's coast, marking the first known US attack on a target inside the country. The strike targeted a remote dock that the US government believed was being used by a Venezuelan gang to store and move drugs.
Over the past day, 151 battles took place on the front, with the most active clashes recorded in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions. The enemy launched 47 air strikes, dropping 129 guided aerial bombs, and carried out 3651 shelling attacks.
British boxer Anthony Joshua was injured in a car accident near Lagos, Nigeria, in which two people died. According to preliminary data, his car crashed into a truck while overtaking.
Law enforcement officers exposed a group of individuals who illegally used trademarks of international companies, selling counterfeit equipment. More than 4,000 units of counterfeit products were seized, and the preliminary damage to the companies exceeds UAH 30 million.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 89 combat engagements on the front until 4:00 PM on December 29. In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy carried out 28 attacks.
In Kyiv, 10,079 new cases of flu and ARVI were registered in a week, which is 6% less than a week earlier. At the same time, the number of COVID-19 patients increased by more than 20%, reaching 28 adults, with three deaths.
Under the state affordable mortgage program "eOselia", 22. 5 thousand Ukrainian families have purchased housing. Of these, 7,642 Ukrainians used the program in 2025, receiving preferential mortgages totaling UAH 14.56 billion.
On December 29, at 05:29, a main gas pipeline caught fire near the village of Rososh, Mukachevo district. 21 rescuers and 7 units of equipment have been deployed to extinguish the fire; there is no threat to the population.
President Zelenskyy stated that the 20-point plan is 90% complete, with two issues still remaining. These concern the functioning of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the issue of territory.
