Olga Rozgon
Two women were killed and two other people were injured as a result of Russian artillery and mortar shelling of Kupyansk, Kharkiv region; several buildings and structures were damaged.
Fraudsters in Ukraine are using a scheme that offers money for likes and video views to steal bank card information and deceive people by selling non-existent goods through phishing links. The police advise to be wary of such offers and avoid suspicious links and the transfer of personal data.
Starting January 1, Russia will deny medical services to Ukrainians in the occupied territories who do not have Russian passports.
Turkey and Greece have agreed on a new roadmap to strengthen ties with a focus on trade and dispute resolution, especially in the Aegean Sea, following positive developments in relations.
Russian troops shelled Nikopol, resulting in the rescue of an 86-year-old woman from a destroyed house. There was also shelling of Pavlohrad and drone activity in the Dnipropetrovs'k region.
Slovenia will purchase the IRIS-T air defense system from Germany after joining the Sky Shield initiative, and the deal for the two systems is worth about 200 million euros.
Dmitry Medvedev claims that the risk of war between Russia and NATO, which could escalate into World War III, is the highest since the Cuban Missile Crisis. He criticized the United States for supporting Ukraine and called it "primitive blackmail."
Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to exchange prisoners and are working toward a peace treaty that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity. They support each other's international bids and commit to taking confidence-building measures in the future.
The US State Department recognized Ukraine's significant anti-corruption reforms, including asset declarations for public officials and new judges of the High Anti-Corruption Court.
Norway is reviewing conditions for Ukrainian refugees to limit their inflow, including housing, family benefits and travel rules, and is also tightening up checks on compliance with residency requirements.
Hunter Biden is facing new criminal charges of tax evasion worth $1. 4 million, with a California grand jury indictment on nine counts, including three felony counts. The charges relate to the failure to pay federal taxes from 2016 to 2019 related to income from foreign transactions in excess of $7 million.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has scheduled early presidential elections for February 7, 2024, postponing the date from the original 2025 date.
In December 2023, the United States will complete the delivery to Ukraine of all 14 Vampire anti-drone systems, which are designed to detect and intercept drones.
Ukraine, together with the European Commission, is working to create a strategic stockpile of medicines for emergencies. This initiative includes coordination with 193 medical institutions and the identification of a list of essential medicines.
In November, Ukrzaliznytsia transported a record 14 million tons of cargo, up 33. 8% year-on-year, while exports more than doubled.
Russian propaganda spreads a fake about a referendum on Lviv's accession to Poland, which the Center for Strategic Communications of Ukraine refuted as a provocation aimed at sowing discord.
Former Chinese foreign Minister Qin Gang may have died of torture or suicide after being removed from office. Politico writes about this, citing sources close to senior Chinese officials.
The US is sending an advisor to Ukraine to help modernize the armed forces, fight corruption, and attract investment, and has formed a Ukrainian Defense Industry Group to support defense deals.
Japan has expanded export restrictions to include 36 companies from Russia, China, North Korea, and Pakistan that require special permission to supply products.
The U. S. and Ukraine are stepping up defense cooperation, planning joint production of weapons, including air defense systems and ammunition, to strengthen Ukraine's long-term self-sufficiency and defense capabilities.
The United States has charged four Russian soldiers with war crimes for abducting and torturing an American in Ukraine, the first application of the law to prosecute war crimes against US citizens.
Ukrainian customs officers have exposed a group that, using the leadership of a charity organization, illegally imported freon gas worth more than UAH 14 million as humanitarian aid, thus avoiding customs duties. The director of a charity organization was previously brought to criminal responsibility for illegal use of humanitarian aid.
russia plans to open military training centers for minors in occupied Luhansk, where children over the age of 14 will be trained for military service.
Two russian officers received a four-year sentence for failing to prevent a missile strike by Ukraine in April 2022, which killed seven people and destroyed military equipment. They may soon apply for parole because they have already served part of their sentence.
Hungary's Fidesz party has submitted a resolution to parliament opposing the start of Ukraine's EU accession negotiations on the eve of an important EU summit. They argue that this process should be based on consensus and a thorough assessment of Ukraine's potential impact on the EU.
Police in Dnipro have busted an organized crime group involved in arms trafficking and money laundering, seizing weapons, ammunition and nearly $6 million in a two-day operation involving about 100 police officers.
The UK has signed an agreement with Rwanda on the deportation of asylum seekers, an attempt to resolve legal issues after a court ruled the previous plan unconstitutional. The agreement provides for security guarantees and the creation of an international oversight committee.
Ukraine has fulfilled more than 90% of the European Commission's recommendations necessary for negotiations on accession to the European Union, said Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva. Ukraine is counting on the EU's decision to start negotiations based on these achievements.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, warned that a delay in US aid could jeopardize Ukraine's position in the war with Russia, emphasizing the need for military and direct budget support.
According to the National Resistance Center, Russia is bribing residents of the occupied territories to make videos praising life under Russian control, promising money and jobs in their media.