Pavlo Bashynskyi
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.
On December 22, soldiers of the National Guard of Ukraine repelled a Russian assault in the Dobropillia area. 4 tanks were destroyed and 6 IFVs, 6 tanks, an APC, an ATV, and 4 occupiers were hit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated a shortage of interceptor drones, as manufacturers cannot meet the demand. He noted that the effectiveness of various companies ranges from 60% to 90%.
The Russian army captured 13 Ukrainian soldiers and 52 civilians in the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region. President Zelenskyy reported that among the civilians were women and children who had not been evacuated.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is awaiting the return of the Ukrainian negotiating team from Miami to get details of the meeting. He announced the existence of a 20-point peace plan, a framework document on security guarantees between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States, and a separate document between Ukraine and the United States.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he does not plan to change the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine neither today, nor tomorrow, nor the day after tomorrow. He emphasized that they work as a team, refuting rumors about personnel changes.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a possible massive Russian strike on Christmas. He emphasized the shortage of air defense and urged Ukrainians to respond to air raid alerts.
Factions and groups of the Verkhovna Rada were invited to delegate two representatives each to the working group. It will be engaged in preparing for elections during a special period and/or post-war elections in Ukraine.
As a result of the strikes, equipment elements of the oil loading terminal, the liquefied hydrocarbon gas pier, and the port infrastructure were damaged, causing a large-scale fire.
Preparing Olivier salad in 2025 will cost 10 hryvnias less than in 2024. The total cost of the dish for a family of 4 people will be 355 hryvnias, which is 3% less compared to last year.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced discussions on replacing the commander of the Air Command "South", Dmytro Karpenko. This decision is related to the need to strengthen air defense and timely response, especially in the Odesa region.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy considers a ceasefire along the current front line to be fair. He emphasized that Ukraine cannot withdraw from its territories, and the Russians will remain in the temporarily occupied parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there is a shortage of missiles for some air defense systems. Partners have started holding back missiles, which may be related to Russia's intimidation of Western countries.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that there is no threat to Ukraine's export potential, but there are risks of increasing Russian attacks. Constant shelling of Odesa region may be related to attempts to disrupt the grain corridor.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia continues to consider the full occupation of Ukraine, so it is necessary to increase pressure on the Russian Federation, particularly from the United States. He emphasized the importance of strengthening sanctions so that Putin does not have funds for the war.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba stated that the evacuation of the population from some communities in Odesa Oblast after Russian attacks is not planned. He noted that the situation in the communities is normal, and issues regarding food and pensions have been resolved.
Ukraine has submitted its vision to the US on the most difficult issues, including territories, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and reconstruction funding. The results of discussions between the American and Russian sides are expected.
Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksiy Kuleba stated that he sees no preconditions for fuel price increases after the strikes on the Odesa region. He held talks with gas station operators and carriers, who confirmed the absence of a threat of price hikes.
The bridge in Mayaky, Odesa region, suffered more than 5 enemy hits, making passage impossible; a pontoon crossing was deployed as an alternative. Employees of the Restoration Agency are working to restore the bridge, despite constant air raid alerts.
President Zelenskyy announced the restoration of infrastructure in Odesa region and an investigation into those responsible for air defense in the area. This is happening after Russian strikes.
Ukraine discussed holding elections with the US, which may indicate that the American side understands how to ensure secure elections. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun to address the issue of the necessary infrastructure abroad for Ukrainians to vote.
President Zelenskyy commented on the EU's decision to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros for 2026-2027 without using frozen Russian assets. He noted that this decision would affect peace talks, as provisions regarding reconstruction and Russian assets were envisioned in peace agreements.
The Minister of Defense heard a report on the construction of fortifications in six regions. 2,130 platoon strongholds and over 3,000 km of anti-tank ditches have already been built.
A judge of one of the district courts of Kharkiv Oblast, who on December 18 hit two girls aged 13 and 14 at a pedestrian crossing, has been served with a notice of suspicion. Prosecutors are preparing a submission to the High Council of Justice regarding the selection of a pre-trial restraint for the judge.
US forces have launched a large-scale strike against ISIS infrastructure and weapons facilities in Syria. This is in response to the attack on US and allied forces on December 13.
On December 19, in the Volgograd region of the Russian Federation, the main gas pipeline "Central Asia - Center" failed due to "ground subsidence. " Gas transportation has been stopped indefinitely, and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine points to a trend in the development of geological processes near objects that finance the war.
In Kyiv region, near Snytynka station, a passenger train fatally injured a 26-year-old man who was sitting on the railway tracks. The victim died at the scene, police are investigating the circumstances of the tragedy.