On December 20, Russian troops lost 1130 soldiers and 116 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 21.12.25 amount to 1,196,740 people.
The icon of St. Ilya Muromets of Kyiv-Pechersk, who will become the patron saint of warriors, was handed over to the Special Operations Forces. Ilya Muromets, a real historical figure of the 12th century, was a warrior of the princely retinue, and then a monk of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will not be able to independently finance an 800,000-strong Armed Forces. Partial funding of the army by partners is being considered as a security guarantee.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi met with the British delegation led by Richard Knighton. The operational situation at the front, the measures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to disrupt the autumn-winter campaign, and the needs for means of destruction were discussed.
Prosecutors have sent to court the case of an employee of the Territorial Recruitment Center and Social Support (TCC and SP) who beat a defender of Mariupol. The incident occurred in December 2025, and the victim sustained minor bodily injuries.
On the night of December 19, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully hit the Russian military ship of project 22460 "Okhotnik" in the Caspian Sea. A Lukoil drilling platform and an RSP-6M2 radar system in occupied Crimea were also hit.
The SBU detained a Russian agent in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast who was attempting to set up "video traps" on Dnipro highways to spy on columns of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The perpetrator collected data on the quantity and types of military equipment of the Defense Forces moving to the front line.
The SOF hinted at damage to a Russian Russian ship by publishing a photo with the alleged damage to the vessel. The photo likely shows a Project 22460 "Okhotnik" patrol ship, which is used for border patrol service.
A traumatologist in Kyiv has been served with a notice of suspicion for extorting UAH 30,000 for a free operation using an Ilizarov apparatus for a wounded serviceman. The serviceman, hospitalized with injuries near Avdiivka, was forced to pay this amount.
Two FSB informants, exposed in Khmelnytskyi region in April 2024, have been sentenced to 12 and 10 years in prison. They installed hidden mini-cameras near operational airfields of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in western Ukraine to track combat aircraft.
US President Donald Trump will sign into law on December 18 the defense policy bill for fiscal year 2026, which regulates military pay raises and measures to respond to geopolitical threats, and also provides for the allocation of $800 million to Ukraine for the purchase of American weapons.
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.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Hungary, the US, Slovakia, and possibly a few other allies oppose Ukraine's membership in the Alliance. He noted that at the 2024 Washington Summit, allies agreed on Ukraine's irreversible path to NATO, but in practice, some members are against it.
Political expert Kyrylo Sazonov claims that Ihor Kolomoisky is working to destabilize Ukraine in order to avoid criminal liability. His statements are in line with Russia's interests, which seeks destabilization.
Learn how to effectively prepare for New Year 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse. Tips include cleaning, financial planning, early gift shopping, and festive attire.
A 20-year-old veteran who lost all his limbs in the war could not renew his bank card because he was unable to hold it for confirmation. NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi apologized and promised to personally deliver the card to the serviceman.
As of the evening of December 17, the Defense Forces are holding back a massive onslaught by the occupiers, with 125 combat engagements recorded during the day. The enemy used over 3100 kamikaze drones and 82 guided aerial bombs to strike at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to a Razumkov Center poll, 92% of Ukrainians trust the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while 76% distrust the Verkhovna Rada. 32.5% of respondents believe that events in Ukraine are developing in the right direction.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 14238, which expands the list of bodies that maintain the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service, and Reservists, adding the recruitment centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to it. This will allow for more effective recruitment of citizens for military service and ensure the manning of military units.
The occupation authorities of Crimea announced the "nationalization" of the property of 84 Ukrainians, accusing them of "cooperation with Kyiv" and supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The list includes world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, as well as politicians, entrepreneurs, and military personnel.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the Pokrovsk agglomeration, destroying almost 100% of aerial targets. Over the past week, enemy personnel losses reached 446 people, which is 30% more than in the previous period.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported on the discovery of the pistol used to kill Andriy Parubiy, and new evidence indicating the suspect's treason. His actions have been additionally qualified for cooperation with Russian special services and justifying Russian aggression.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine have received reinforcements and continue active operations in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration area. The enemy has committed all its operational reserves, but Ukrainian troops are successfully resisting its attempts to break through the defense.
Ukrainian troops have almost completely cleared Kupyansk of Russian occupiers. More than 30 Russian servicemen are blocked in the central city hospital, and several other groups are in the basements of residential buildings.
The Ministry of Defense plans to allocate 12 billion hryvnias for the purchase of drones and other military equipment through the electronic marketplace DOT-Chain Defence in the first quarter of 2026. Currently, 186 combat brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the Azov and Khartia corps brigades, have access to the system.
The head of the communications department of the Joint Forces Group, Trehubov, stated that up to 200 Russian servicemen are blocked in Kupyansk. Ukrainian forces are carrying out de-occupation operations and gradually pushing back the enemy.
Law enforcement officers exposed a scheme to legalize over UAH 578 million obtained from defense contracts. Enterprise officials acted in collusion with a "conversion center," withdrawing budget funds through forged documents.
Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported a missile strike on the city on December 14, which damaged engineering facilities and shattered windows of buildings. Local residents report a strike on a thermal power plant, which led to power outages.
Latvia has allocated 5 million euros for the purchase of drones for Ukraine, redirecting funds intended for the European Peace Facility. This decision was made due to Hungary's blocking of military support for Ukraine through the EPF.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine attacked the Afipsky oil refinery, an oil depot in Uryupinsk, and military facilities of the Russian Federation. Electronic warfare stations, control points, air defense systems, and a UAV laboratory were hit.
