Trump issued an executive order radically accelerating the Artemis program, setting strict deadlines for US dominance beyond Earth. The document provides for the return of humans to the Moon by 2028 and laying the groundwork for a flight to Mars.
On December 19, fierce battles continue on the front, with 148 clashes recorded. The occupiers carried out over 3,400 kamikaze drone attacks and launched 26 air strikes, 66 of which were KABs.
Czech Defense Minister Jaromír Zuna confirmed the continuation of the ammunition initiative for Ukraine until 2026. Funding has been secured for the purchase of 760,000 shells, and support for Ukraine is "a matter of course."
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has been renamed the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts." This decision by the Board of Trustees has drawn criticism due to the name being enshrined in law since 1964 and outrage from the Kennedy family.
Morgan Stanley is the leading contender to be the lead underwriter for the SpaceX IPO due to long-standing ties with Elon Musk. The SpaceX offering in 2026 is expected to be the largest in history, exceeding $1.5 trillion in capitalization.
The head of the European People's Party, Manfred Weber, stated that frozen Russian assets will be used to repay loans that the EU provides to Ukraine. He rejected US proposals for asset sharing, emphasizing that Russia must pay for its actions.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, at an away meeting in Zaporizhzhia, reallocated budget funds. Over UAH 700 million was directed to the restoration of medical facilities, energy autonomy of universities, safety of schoolchildren, and aid to affected regions.
Ford is recalling 272,645 vehicles due to a parking system malfunction that could cause the car to move on its own after stopping. The problem affects F-150 Lightning BEV, Mustang Mach-E, and Maverick models and will be resolved with a software update.
The Russian tanker Hyperion entered the port of Amuay in Venezuela, violating the naval blockade declared by Donald Trump. The vessel delivered raw materials for oil refining, and now the crew risks being detained by the American military when attempting to go to sea.
Hungarian Prime Minister and Putin's "friend" Orban in Brussels criticized the Western approach to supporting Kyiv, calling the hope for future reparations from Russia an illusion. He also stated that Hungary managed to avoid the risk of using frozen Russian assets.
Military analysts at Defense Express refute panic predictions about a quick strike by "Oreshnik" on Kyiv from the territory of Belarus. The missile has a minimum flight range of 700 km, which makes Kyiv and most of Ukraine unreachable for it from Belarusian training grounds.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian troops are attacking their own positions due to a lack of coordination and up-to-date maps. ATESH movement agents report that the command is trying to conceal these incidents, attributing them to "map errors."
The GUR published a radio interception that reveals new methods of "forced" mobilization in the aggressor's army. Russian sailors are being transferred to infantry units, given a choice: either extend their contract or be transferred to the assault detachments of the 810th separate marine infantry brigade.
Trump once again announced that in 2026 he plans to host a "grand" party for US Independence Day. The American president announced sports and other events.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov and Lieutenant General Andriy Hnatov will hold consultations with the American side in Miami. The negotiations are focused on finding long-term solutions for the defense of Ukraine.
EU leaders agreed on a plan to finance Ukraine through joint borrowing after 16 hours of negotiations. Politico named Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever as the main "winners" of the summit.
Representatives of "Plast" handed over the Bethlehem Fire to the chaplains of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fire will be delivered to the soldiers in the combat zone as a symbol of support and home comfort.
The European Commission has published a report on the visa suspension mechanism, with a special focus on Georgia. Brussels will gradually begin to restrict privileges for Georgian citizens, starting with holders of diplomatic passports.
As of 4:00 PM on December 19, 52 combat engagements were recorded at the front. The enemy is showing the greatest assault activity in Donetsk Oblast, terrorizing the border areas of Sumy Oblast with artillery shelling.
In the Turkish province of Kocaeli, local residents discovered a crashed Orlan unmanned aerial vehicle. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine its route and purpose of being in Turkish airspace.
Gas prices in Europe have fallen to pre-war levels, but European factories continue to close or relocate. Experts believe that relief came too late, and businesses have lost faith in stability on the continent.
The global oil market is experiencing an oversupply of "black gold," pushing oil prices down. A record 1.3 billion barrels of crude oil are in transit or awaiting buyers in the world's oceans.
Leading AI developers, including Microsoft, Google, and Nvidia, have entered into an agreement with the US government to participate in "Mission Genesis. " The Trump administration's project integrates AI into scientific research, energy, and manufacturing to strengthen the country's technological leadership.
Hubble helped NASA scientists understand where the planet, observed for years near the star Fomalhaut, disappeared to.
The General Staff released its evening report as of 10:00 PM on December 18, 2025, recording 183 combat engagements. The Russian army carried out 49 airstrikes, 2409 kamikaze drone attacks, and 3104 shellings.
The US has published 70 new photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's personal archive, including pictures with Bill Gates. This is part of a large array of data, comprising about 95,000 photographs, transferred to the Committee.
In the US, a package of regulatory measures has been introduced aimed at stopping the provision of gender-affirming medical care to minors.
In 2026, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive 200 "Bohdana" self-propelled artillery systems based on German Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis. 750 million euros have been allocated for the implementation of the program from Germany's support package of 1.2 billion euros.
Trump's company announced a merger with thermonuclear technology developer TAE Technologies. The $6 billion deal aims to meet the energy needs of data centers serving artificial intelligence.
The Indian government has confirmed the recruitment of over 200 of its citizens by Russia to participate in the war against Ukraine. At least 26 Indians have died, and seven more are missing.
