Olga Rozgon

On December 24, a fire broke out on the world's only Russian nuclear-powered container ship, the Sevmorshlyakh, built in 1988. No one was injured.

Latvia has handed over 271 confiscated cars worth almost 1 million euros to Ukraine as aid. These vehicles were seized from drunk drivers.

In Italy, a man who was under house arrest tried to go to jail to avoid spending Christmas alone, but the police returned him home.

Zelenskyy promises Ukraine's fair response to brutal Russian strikes in Kherson that killed 4 people, including a child.

Russia may intensify its shelling in Ukraine over Christmas, with recent massive attacks and drone activity pointing to a potential escalation.

Polish farmers have ended the blockade of the Medyka-Shehyn checkpoint, allowing normal truck traffic to resume.

Cameron suggests that the UK could increase military support for Ukraine, noting the importance of countering Russian aggression.

More than 20 localities in Kharkiv region, including Pidseredne, were shelled by the enemy, two people were wounded.

Russian troops shelled Toretsk, Katerynivka, Kurakhove and Antonivka in Donetsk region, killing one person and wounding five others. Donetsk prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation.

A Moscow school fired a computer science teacher for writing a pro-Ukrainian slogan on the blackboard, and a court fined him. Information about the teacher was also removed from the school's website.

In Lviv region, rescuers have rescued a 12-year-old girl who was stuck on a piece of ice in the middle of a lake. Rescuers warn that staying on the ice is extremely dangerous due to unstable temperatures.

Ukrainian National Guardsmen from the Spartan Special Forces successfully shot down an enemy Lancet drone using AK-74 rifles in Zaporizhzhia, despite the difficulty of hitting such targets with small arms. The drone was destroyed before it reached the target, falling 30 meters away.

President Biden intends to sign a new executive order to strengthen sanctions against those who financially support Russia's war, targeting proxies and intermediaries that help Russia avoid existing sanctions.

The National Resistance Center reports on the critical situation with heat and electricity supply in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, with most residents left without these vital services. Almost all boiler houses are out of commission, and no repairs are being carried out on the infrastructure.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev organized the assassination of Wagner PMC founder Yevgeny Prygozhin, according to Western intelligence. Prihodzhin's plane was allegedly bombed, resulting in a plane crash that killed all ten people on board.

The SBU identified three Russian servicemen who committed war crimes in Kharkiv, including the murder and dismemberment of a local farmer. The suspects also looted property that they were trying to take to Russia.

Italy's Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Maloni, has proposed a bill that would penalize schools for banning Christmas symbols in order to preserve cultural roots. The opposition criticizes it as politicizing religion.

Almost 5 million barrels of Russian Sokol oil are delayed on their way to India due to new US sanctions targeting tankers that violate price limits set by the G7. The sanctions, which affect eight vessels, including six from state-owned Sovcomflot, have left the ships stranded off the Indian coast.

Ukrainian law enforcement officers uncovered a scheme to import counterfeit tobacco products worth more than UAH 4 million, seized counterfeit products during numerous searches, and are investigating to identify all those involved.

The Netherlands is allocating €102 million in winter aid to Ukraine, including funds for humanitarian assistance, demining, infrastructure and energy support, as part of a larger €2 billion aid package planned for 2024.

A 12-year-old girl from the Luhansk region died while undergoing "rehabilitation" in a Russian prison. More than 100 schoolchildren from Luhansk region were hospitalized.

According to Volodymyr Fitio, the Oberig system is aimed at combating corruption among conscripts and military personnel; it is not yet fully integrated with other registries.

Turkish President Erdogan has made Sweden's accession to NATO a condition for the United States to approve Turkey's request to buy F-16 fighter jets and called on Canada to end its arms embargo on Turkey.

Switzerland has pledged an additional 12. 5 million euros in winter aid to Ukraine, bringing the total amount of assistance to almost 28 million U.S. dollars, to support initiatives in the areas of heating, clothing, shelter and clean water.

The Israeli Defense Forces discovered a set of tunnels in the center of Gaza City used by Hamas leaders, strategically located near civilian objects, including a school. These tunnels are equipped with modern equipment.

U. S. Ambassador to NATO Julian Smith said that North Korea has sent more than a thousand containers of military equipment and ammunition to Russia, as seen on satellite images.

Researchers have discovered that the arrow quivers of some Scythian warriors were made of human skin, probably that of their enemies, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One.

Putin has signed decrees on Russia's confiscation of energy assets from European companies considered "unfriendly," which will affect Germany's Wintershall and Austria's OMV. Compensation will be determined by Russia.

In Kherson, a 13-year-old girl sustained an explosive leg injury during an enemy shelling, and psychologists are helping three other children who are now in hospital with their mothers.

ISW analyzed statements by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who emphasized ongoing military expansion and preparations to support the war in Ukraine. Shoigu repeated threats against NATO. as ISW notes, Russia's military growth is mostly a confirmation of existing troop levels, not new builds.