Olga Rozgon
US special forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, depriving Vladimir Putin of an ally and strengthening US oil influence. Moscow views this as an attempt to control Venezuela's oil wealth and a possible sign of the Monroe Doctrine's revival.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia does not take diplomatic efforts seriously, striking civilian targets. Russia is prolonging the war, trying to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine.
The court chose a preventive measure for a Kyiv resident suspected of committing a terrorist act in Obolon in the form of detention for 60 days without the right to bail. As a result of the explosion, a National Guard serviceman and his companion were injured.
Due to deteriorating weather conditions from January 6 to 10, snowfalls, fog, and black ice are possible in Kyiv and the region. This may lead to temporary restrictions on the entry of large vehicles into the capital.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed appointing Denys Shmyhal as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy of Ukraine. He thanked Shmyhal for his work at the Ministry of Defense and emphasized the importance of systematic approach for Ukrainian energy.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding further diplomatic actions. They also discussed preparations for the upcoming leaders' meeting.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Senator Mike Lee about the arrest of Nicolás Maduro by the US military for trial in the US. Military operations in Venezuela have concluded, as the capture of Maduro was the main objective of the operation.
After the New Year holidays, the longest queues at the border are observed in the Polish direction, which complicates crossing for drivers and passengers. The State Border Guard Service advises taking into account the possible unstable operation of electronic systems of control services at checkpoints.
Doctors from the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine successfully operated on a wounded soldier in the open sea, despite the threat of enemy fire and the lack of proper equipment. The soldier, suffering from blood loss and hypothermia, was brought to a platform where, after warming up, a 45-minute operation was performed.
US President Donald Trump announced a successful operation against Venezuela, during which Nicolas Maduro and his wife were detained and removed from the country. Details of the operation, conducted jointly with US law enforcement agencies, will be released later at a press conference.
National security advisers from European countries have arrived in Kyiv. They will hold consultations on security and economic issues, and coordinate further steps with partners.
Overnight, the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP lost power from one of its high-voltage lines as a result of hostilities. Russian shelling has repeatedly damaged the ZNPP's power lines, causing 12 blackouts at the plant.
The body of a woman, extricated from under the rubble of a Kharkiv high-rise building, has been preliminarily identified as the mother of the three-year-old boy found earlier. The identities of the deceased were preliminarily established after recognition by an acquaintance.
In the Obukhiv district of Kyiv region, two private houses, a garage, and two cars were damaged as a result of a night drone attack on January 3. There were no casualties among the population, and critical infrastructure facilities were not affected.
On the night of January 3, air defense forces neutralized 80 out of 95 Russian attack drones that attacked from various directions. Hits were recorded at 8 locations and debris fell at two.
In the occupied Luhansk region, reservists from the mobilization reserve will guard critical infrastructure facilities, including oil depots, instead of Russian military personnel. The document came into force on December 30, providing for six-month training for citizens with the promise of financial assistance to the unemployed.
Starlink plans to lower 4,400 satellites from 550 km to 480 km by 2026 to reduce the risk of space debris. This maneuver, covering almost half of the active fleet, will improve space safety and accelerate the deorbiting of faulty satellites.
Donald Trump said he takes a higher dose of aspirin than doctors recommended to thin his blood. This explains the bruises on his hands, as well as the makeup he uses to cover them.
Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro has stated his readiness for dialogue with the United States on combating drug trafficking and oil. This comes amid increased American pressure on his government, including attacks on vessels and port infrastructure.
The index of business activity expectations of Ukrainian businesses in December 2025 was 49. 2 points, which is the highest indicator for December in the entire history of observations. Economic activity was constrained by the deteriorating security situation and power outages, while stable consumer demand and international aid were positive factors.
In 2025, the Russian army increased the pace of its offensive in Ukraine, capturing 4,831 square kilometers of territory and reclaiming 473 square kilometers in the Kursk region. This was made possible by a new operational model, technological adaptations, and a change in attack tactics.
Starting January 1, Ukraine begins full testing of the eExcise system, a digital tool for controlling the circulation of tobacco and alcohol products. The testing will last until October 12, giving businesses time to adapt and set up their IT systems.
The Tax Service included 4,558 business inspections in its 2026 plan, slightly fewer than last year, with peak activity in March-April. The inspections will primarily concern companies (78%), as well as individual entrepreneurs, with Kyiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lviv regions leading in the number of visits.
A federal judge in California has invalidated the Trump administration's decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua. This ruling will allow TPS holders from these countries to legally work in the US and avoid deportation.
The Ukrainian language will be added to the list of languages for correspondence with Santa Claus. Santa Claus's post office is initiating steps for its inclusion.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to extend restrictions on the export of timber and scrap metal until the end of 2026. This decision provides for a licensing regime with zero quotas to preserve strategic raw materials in Ukraine and direct them to the needs of domestic processing.
The State Duma of the Russian Federation announced possible disconnections of mobile internet on New Year's Eve, explaining it as concern for citizens. Throughout 2025, mobile internet was disconnected more than 11 thousand times in Russian regions.
The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed healthcare facilities to purchase housing for medical workers in frontline regions. Housing will be provided for the period of employment in the settlement or within 30 km of it.
The "Impulse" system has started to be implemented in the units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to automate accounting and increase work efficiency.
The Coordination Headquarters for the first time released data on more than 10,000 Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine over almost four years of war. In the incomplete year 2025, more Russians were captured than in 2022 and 2023 combined.