Armed Forces of Ukraine

Ukraine has successfully destroyed most of russia's regular and elite troops, contradicting media reports of a failed Ukrainian offensive, says Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Presidential Office.

Russian warships have not been deployed in the Black Sea for more than three weeks since November 29, mainly due to weather conditions and Ukrainian strikes. However, the threat of missile attacks remains, as the ships are armed and on alert.

An FSB agent nicknamed "Skif" is sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to recruit informants and an SBU officer to gather intelligence in Odesa region.

The Vinnytsia Regional Council promoted former Prime Minister Groysman's "humanitarian headquarters" by using logos on aid sent to the Ukrainian Armed Forces that was actually supported and possibly funded by local communities and utility workers.

Ukrainian troops are defending against the Russian offensive at the Kupyansk, Lyman and Bakhmut directions, successfully holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the enemy.

Russian troops shelled more than 20 settlements in Kharkiv region, wounding one man in Kupyansk; his condition is moderate.

The General Staff reports that missile troops destroyed 2 remote mining areas and 1 enemy artillery unit.

Russian troops are moving from Crimea to the front line as they suffer significant losses, reports the Ukrainian partisan movement Atesh. There are reports of personnel movements and a reduction in the Russian military organization.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, outlined the expectations from the new State Logistics Operator: eradicating corruption, ensuring quality supply of troops and improving procurement processes.

Rheinmetall will supply the Ukrainian Armed Forces with tens of thousands of artillery shells in 2025 under a framework contract.

Ukraine's armed forces are scaling back some combat operations due to a lack of Western aid and an acute shortage of artillery shells.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, refused to discuss plans for a counteroffensive in 2024.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Zaluzhnyi said that a listening device was found in the office he was supposed to use today.

Latvia will increase its efforts to train the military. By the end of the year, more than 1,500 additional Ukrainian servicemen will be trained.

Ukrainian Special Forces destroyed a Russian TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system in Kherson region after it attacked Ukrainian positions. The destruction was documented by a drone video.

Russians have been most actively using their saboteurs in Sumy region lately, said Andriy Demchenko, a spokesman for the State Border Guard Service.

Ukrainian troops are holding defensive positions on the left bank of the Kherson region, no enemy breakthroughs have been recorded, reports ATO spokesperson Natalia Humeniuk. The enemy continues shelling and pressure on the right bank, trying to storm it and facing internal disagreements.

Russian artillery and mortar shelling hits more than 20 settlements in Kharkiv region, damaging an agricultural enterprise; no casualties, but one man injured by an explosive device.

On the night of December 18, Ukrainian air defense shot down 5 Russian Shahid drones in several regions.

ATES guerrillas tracked down and reported the location of a Russian anti-aircraft system in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea, designed to counter Ukrainian strikes.

Zelensky thanked the GUR, SBU, Air Force, and foreign intelligence for their significant efforts, without disclosing details but noting that their actions were "powerful. " The Ukrainian president also emphasized Ukraine's determination and the importance of demonstrating to the world its ability to defend and win.

The SBU opened a criminal investigation after finding a non-functional listening device in a place allegedly used by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi. The device had no means of storing or transmitting information.

The General Staff of Ukraine reports that the ongoing russian aggression has resulted in 54 battles, missile and air strikes, and civilian casualties; Ukrainian troops have repelled numerous enemy attacks and continue to hold defensive positions.