Over 67% of Ukrainians believe that the level of corruption has increased since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. 59% of respondents hold the President of Ukraine responsible for corrupt actions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Brussels. The leaders discussed the coordination of positions regarding the negotiation process with Donald Trump's team and the importance of involving Europe to guarantee Ukraine's sovereignty.
In the north and south of Pokrovsk, small arms battles continue, the occupiers are active in the western outskirts, particularly in the village of Hryshyne. The defense forces are destroying the enemy and its logistics with heavy bombers, FPV drones, and other means of destruction.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a Resolution defining the list of anniversaries of the most important events and jubilees of prominent personalities to be celebrated at the national level in 2026-2027. The Cabinet of Ministers is recommended to create an organizing committee and develop action plans, and Ukrposhta and the National Bank are recommended to issue stamps, envelopes, and commemorative coins.
The Appeals Chamber of the HACC changed the pre-trial detention measure for a judge from Zakarpattia, increasing the bail amount to UAH 4 million. He is suspected of demanding $1,300 for lifting the arrest of timber.
Three Russian border guards illegally crossed the border of Estonia, an EU and NATO member. They crossed the control line on the Narva River on foot and then returned to Russian territory.
On December 18, Russian drones attacked Dnipro, causing explosions. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA confirmed the enemy UAV attack.
This refers to the stores Auchan, SPAR, VARUS, Torba, Sim23, Simi, as well as the marketplace MAUDAU.
On the night of December 18, SBU drones attacked the Belbek military airfield in Crimea. Two "Nebo-SVU" complexes, a 92N6 radar, a "Pantsir-S2" air defense system, and a MiG-31 aircraft were hit.
The Verkhovna Rada, with 260 votes of people's deputies, adopted in general a law that defines the basic principles and rules for conducting academic activities, and also establishes the signs and types of violations of academic integrity.
The court re-extended the arrest of a 52-year-old Lviv resident, suspected of murdering People's Deputy Andriy Parubiy. He is accused of treason, attempted assassination of a people's deputy, and illegal handling of weapons.
Draft law No. 14093 provides for the de-Sovietization of the name of Ukraine's small coin. At the same time, the coins "kopiika" and "shah" will be in circulation simultaneously for some time, and the ratio will remain 1:1.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine must be in a strong position, and Russia must understand that Ukraine will not capitulate. He emphasized the need to reduce the Russian economy through sanctions to force the Russian Federation to move to diplomacy.
Russia seeks the complete capture of Donbas and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, which Ukraine does not agree to. The US is looking for a compromise solution, and the Ukrainian delegation has departed for Washington to discuss a peace plan.
The Russian dictator confirmed his intention to seize territories that he considers "historical lands of Russia. " This primarily refers to the south and east of Ukraine.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane was damaged at Brussels airport, rendering it unairworthy. Fico also expressed support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who did not attend the summit, protesting against the EU's unfair treatment of Serbia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the approval of a 112 billion shekel ($34. 67 billion) deal to supply natural gas to Egypt. This agreement will help Egypt, which has spent billions on importing liquefied natural gas, to ease its energy crisis.
On the night of December 18, the tanker "Valeriy Gorchakov", part of Russia's "shadow fleet", was hit in the port of Rostov-on-Don. This tanker was spotted in the waters of the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk; there are dead and wounded.
Traffic on Verkhovna Rada Boulevard to Budivelnykiv Street in Kyiv has been blocked due to a pipeline rupture. Emergency crews are working on site, and patrol officers are ensuring traffic safety.
The Warner Bros Discovery board of directors rejected Paramount Skydance's $108. 4 billion offer due to insufficient funding guarantees. This decision means support for Netflix's offer to acquire Warner Bros assets.
The High Anti-Corruption Court extended the term of procedural duties for former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshov. This decision will be valid for two months, but not longer than the pre-trial investigation period.
The State Logistics Operator of the Ministry of Defense will for the first time purchase 150,000 DNA systems for servicemen for UAH 37. 8 million. This will allow for the identification of the deceased and missing, and the data will be stored in accordance with the law.
On December 17, a 600 mm cold water supply pipe was damaged in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv. An emergency team from Kyivvodokanal is working at the site of the rupture, and public transport is operating as usual.
Vladimir Putin claimed that the Russian army captured over 300 settlements in 2025 and accused the West of starting the war. Andrei Belousov stated that Russia allegedly captured Kupyansk, while Ukraine denied this.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a Law extending special rules for the operation of the state enterprise "Pivdenny Machine-Building Plant named after Makarov" in Dnipro. This decision suspends forced enforcement actions and seizures of the enterprise's funds until January 1, 2027.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law on the legal status and medical care of foreign military personnel. The document provides for the issuance of temporary residence permits for the entire duration of their contract and after its termination, and also extends certain social guarantees to them.
Dmitry Peskov stated that the Kremlin would not agree to the presence of military personnel from EU countries on the territory of Ukraine, arguing that this could lead to the presence of NATO military personnel. He emphasized that Moscow's position on this issue is consistent and clear.
The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Andriy Kovalenko, stated that the Kremlin is trying to drag out time to force Ukraine to surrender.
In the Odesa region, over 4 days, energy workers restored the technical capability to supply power to 583. 7 thousand households. Despite this, 32.3 thousand consumers temporarily remain without power due to extensive damage to the energy system.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov called for not putting pressure on entrepreneurs during the war, speaking out against the introduction of VAT for individual entrepreneurs with an annual income of more than UAH 1 million. He emphasized that small businesses are the foundation of the economy, and the Kharkiv City Council canceled local taxes to support more than 127,000 individual entrepreneurs operating in the city.
