Former German footballer Sebastian Gaertner died in Montenegro after falling from a ski lift at a ski resort. His wife, who witnessed the accident, suffered a broken leg.
Zhytomyr's "Polissya" has signed a three-year contract with Kosovar midfielder Lindon Emërllahu, who will play under number 14. According to Transfermarkt, the transfer of the Kosovo national team player, who played 24 matches for CFR "Cluj" this season, cost 2 million euros.
Drones of the SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center successfully hit the seaport of Temryuk and the Orenburg gas processing plant. This led to fires and the suspension of the technological process at the enterprise.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 130 combat engagements since the beginning of December 24, 28 of which were enemy attacks in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched one missile and 52 air strikes, and used 3274 kamikaze drones.
The Russian ruble has strengthened by 45% since the beginning of the year, trading at around 78 rubles per dollar, which is the strongest growth since 1994. This poses a threat to the country's war economy, despite falling oil prices and new sanctions.
The president of the Turkish football club Fenerbahçe, Sadettin Saran, has been detained in Istanbul as part of a drug investigation. The detention occurred after traces of drugs were found in his hair samples.
In Russia, the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center predicts the end of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2026. 70% of respondents consider 2026 to be more successful, and 55% associate this with the possible end of the war.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the interception and destruction of 132 Ukrainian aircraft-type UAVs from 13:00 to 20:00. The drones were allegedly shot down over 10 regions and occupied Crimea.
The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) applied a preventive measure to Anatoliy Vitiv, a deputy of the Volyn Regional Council, in the form of a 10 million hryvnia bail. He is suspected of receiving an undue benefit of 30,000 dollars along with a city council deputy.
On December 25, hourly power outage schedules and power restrictions for industry will be applied in all regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian attacks on energy facilities.
Cherkasy Mayor Anatoliy Bondarenko reported that Russian troops shelled the local cemetery and the Alley of Heroes. As a result of the attack, monuments were damaged.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a number of draft laws concerning economy and defense. Among them are the creation of financial inclusion banks, the extension of special operating rules for "Pivdenmash", and the introduction of bank taxation.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed bills No. 14169 and No. 14170, which expand tax benefits for the import of defense goods and simplify customs procedures. This applies to components for drones, demining machines, and other products for the modernization and repair of weapons.
Since 2019, Ukraine has tightened responsibility for violating child transportation rules. Over 10,000 violations have been recorded in a year, despite fines of UAH 510-850.
On December 24, two Russian policemen who fought in Ukraine and tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war were eliminated in Moscow. Two more sustained serious injuries from an explosion near a police station.
The US and Iran exchanged remarks at the UN Security Council regarding the resumption of nuclear talks. Washington is ready for direct negotiations, but Tehran rejects conditions related to uranium enrichment.
President Zelenskyy stated that new direct support programs for Ukrainian citizens will be implemented in 2026. Almost 18 million Ukrainians have applied for this year's winter support.
A private Falcon 50 aircraft carrying Libyan Chief of Staff Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad lost radar contact after taking off from Ankara. Contact with the plane, which was heading to Tripoli, was lost at 8:52 PM after an emergency landing request.
In November, 731 occupiers, 121 pieces of military equipment, and 59 other targets were destroyed on mine-explosive barriers installed by engineering units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. The strikes were mostly carried out by remote mining using unmanned aerial vehicles.
The head of Germany's Federal Intelligence Service, Martin Jaeger, held a telephone conversation with the head of Russia's foreign intelligence service, Sergey Naryshkin, last week. This is a rare instance of direct contact between German and Russian authorities; the content of the conversation is unknown.
The Security Service of Ukraine revealed details of the preparations for the destruction of a Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk, including the disabling of an Il-38N reconnaissance aircraft at the Yeysk airbase. This aircraft, worth $24 million, was the only one in the Black Sea capable of detecting the "Sub Sea Baby" drone, which ensured the successful strike on the "Varshavyanka" class submarine.
The Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court upheld the pre-trial detention for the accomplice of People's Deputy Anna Skorokhod. He will be held in custody with the alternative of posting a bail of UAH 4,542,000.
Energy workers are stabilizing the situation in Ukraine after Russia's massive attack on energy infrastructure. Restoration work is underway in Rivne, Ternopil, and Odesa regions, with consumption restrictions applied in all regions.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg has been released on bail after being arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest in London. She was detained for holding a sign in support of Palestine Action, which the British government considers a terrorist organization.
The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed electricity distribution system operators to lease state-owned energy equipment without auctions. The monthly rent will be 1 hryvnia for each object, and the decision applies for the period of martial law and six months after its completion.
Most of the 34 cruise missiles shot down during the night attack of the Russian Federation on December 23 were intercepted by F-16 aircraft. Three "Kinzhal" missiles did not reach their targets, although they were not intercepted by Patriot.
About 100 Russian servicemen entered the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region, trying to advance to Riasne. Currently, fighting is ongoing in the settlement, Ukrainian servicemen are driving out the occupiers.
As of early December 2025, official delegations led by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy have made over 50 foreign visits. The accounting of expenses for their organization is not kept separately, and information about the preparation of visits is restricted.
Panama's Foreign Minister said that a tanker intercepted by the US off Venezuela did not comply with the country's maritime rules and had its transponder switched off. Panama will take appropriate action against the vessel, which sailed under its flag.
In the US, illegal migrants are offered $3,000 and a paid trip for voluntarily leaving the US by the end of the year. This is part of a campaign to accelerate deportations and reduce law enforcement costs.
