President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will be forced to significantly reduce drone production if it does not receive funding in the spring, including a reparations loan. These funds are planned to be used for the country's recovery or for drone production if the war continues.
As of the end of November 2025, the Russian armed forces had about 50 9M729 cruise missiles, which are produced at a rate of up to 250 units per year. These missiles, due to which the US withdrew from the INF Treaty, are launched from Iskander-M1 OTRK launchers.
Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine recorded a video message to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, asking why they are not being exchanged. Among them are seriously wounded and those who were captured for the second time, despite the Istanbul agreements.
Trump has added Colombia's largest cocaine cartel, the Clan del Golfo, to the list of terrorist organizations. The US threatens to use "all available means" against such groups in Latin America.
FIFA has reduced the price of some World Cup tickets to $60 following a global backlash from fans. These tickets will be available for every game of the tournament in North America and will be distributed through national federations.
FIFA presented the symbolic men's world team of 2025 according to FIFPro. PSG delegated the most players to it.
In Slovakia, a bus with 10 passengers and two drivers, all Ukrainian citizens, overturned on the D1 highway. Two female passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries, while the others continued their journey.
Santiago Montiel, a player for Argentina's Independiente, won the Puskas Award for the best goal of 2025. His sole goal in the match against Independiente Rivadavia brought victory to the team.
The Ukrainian side submitted proposals to Poland regarding search and exhumation work under martial law. This happened during the fifth meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish working group on historical memory.
The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development refuted information about the possible introduction of a reconstruction tax, calling it a misinterpretation of the discussion. The country's recovery will be financed by international aid and funds from the aggressor.
The Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the verdict against ex-president Yanukovych, sentenced to 15 years for organizing illegal border crossing and inciting desertion. His accomplice, the former deputy head of the State Protection Department, received 10 years in prison.
SBU long-range drones hit the oil platforms of Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft in the Caspian Sea for the third time this week. Equipment at the Korchagin field was damaged, halting production processes.
The new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, stated that the country would not guarantee financing for Ukraine. He noted that the Czech Republic needs funds for its citizens and is lobbying for the restoration of access to preferential loans under the SAFE program.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution on automatic military registration. Men who did not register at the age of 17 will automatically receive the status of a conscript from their 18th birthday, and those abroad will register when receiving passport documents.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree imposing sanctions against 656 maritime vessels that are part of Russia's shadow fleet. This is the largest sanctions package aimed at blocking Russian oil and energy exports.
Odesa utility workers have eliminated the consequences of the enemy attack; damaged facilities are being inspected to determine the terms for restoring heat, water, and electricity. 428 invincibility points have been deployed in the city, 16 pump rooms and 16 water distribution points are operating, and another 32 are planned to be deployed by evening.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed the GUR and other services to intensify efforts to free Ukrainian prisoners of war before the New Year. This instruction concerns the Russian direction.
The Zaporizhzhia NPP switched to diesel generators for over an hour due to damage to power lines during the Russian attack on December 13. Vitaliy Zaichenko, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo, emphasized the danger of such incidents for all of Europe.
Moldovan police received a report about the alleged mining of trains heading to Kyiv, and passengers of a train traveling from Przemyśl to Kyiv were evacuated at the Medyka border crossing due to a mysterious package.
Claims by Russian military commanders of full control over Siversk and Pokrovsk are likely inaccurate. Ukrainian forces continue to fight for the western parts of Siversk and maintain a limited ability to raid Pokrovsk.
In India, fans threw bottles and torn seats onto the field after Lionel Messi spent only 20 minutes at the stadium. Thousands of fans paid up to 12,000 rupees to see the footballer, who arrived for the unveiling of a monument in his honor.
A raccoon that smashed bottles and drank alcohol in a Virginia store is suspected of new “crimes. ” It may have robbed a karate store and the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is starting payments in case of death or injury of journalists while performing their professional duties. The first payment will be received by the father of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity. The program is provided for in the state budget for 2026.
The delivery of the first of two new Air Force One presidential aircraft from Boeing has been delayed until mid-2028. This decision may annoy US President Donald Trump, who wanted to fly on the new aircraft before the end of his term in January 2029.
The approaching deadline for a possible sale of TikTok in the US keeps potential investors in 'limbo'. The US is preparing to extend the deadline for the sale of the platform's American assets for the fifth time, causing uncertainty among interested parties.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zhelezniak announced that Oleksandr Kornienko will once again head the "Servant of the People" party instead of Olena Shuliak on December 17. Kornienko already served as the party leader from 2019 to 2021.
Democrats on the US House Oversight Committee have released new photos from Jeffrey Epstein's estate, featuring politicians, businessmen, and celebrities, including Donald Trump. In the pictures, Trump is shown with Epstein and in the company of women.
Five million ticket requests for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, have been submitted since the last sales phase opened. The group stage match between Colombia and Portugal in Miami on June 27 was the most in-demand.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi visited the positions of Ukrainian military personnel in Donetsk region, where the situation remains difficult due to Russia's transfer of reserves for the offensive. He clarified tasks for commanders and outlined steps to strengthen defense, including logistics and coordination.
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin. Witkoff will also hold meetings with counterparts from France, Great Britain, and Germany.
