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.
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.
Ukraine and Portugal have signed a statement on partnership for the production of naval drones. Portugal also supported a financial security guarantee for Ukraine worth 90 billion euros.
Today, December 20, Ukrzaliznytsia begins selling tickets for additional carriages to Chisinau from Odesa and Kyiv. This decision is an operational response to the complications of crossing the Moldovan border by other modes of transport.
The Ukrainian government is promptly eliminating the consequences of the Russian strike on the key bridge between Odesa and Izmail, establishing alternative communication routes. The region is provided with resources, transport operations are being adapted, and business operations are supported, the Cabinet of Ministers assures.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, 255 km of non-explosive barrier strips, 340 km of anti-tank ditches, and over 2. 1 km of the "Egoza" barrier line have been built. Major General Oleksandr Yakovets reported to Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal on the high pace of fortification construction.
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.
Due to traffic restrictions in the mentioned directions, the Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach checkpoint on the border with Moldova in Vinnytsia region is currently overloaded.
The Cabinet of Ministers has not yet approved the procedure for obtaining a certificate for 150,000 hryvnias for the purchase of a vehicle for military personnel, as provided for by the law on strengthening mobilization. The Ministry of Finance has developed a draft resolution, which is processing comments from interested bodies.
The head of the NACP, Viktor Pavlushchyk, opposes changing the criteria for the external audit of the body's work before it is conducted, believing that this contradicts the principles of legal certainty and threatens independence. He also believes that attempts to bring the NACP audit criteria closer to those used to monitor the activities of NABU are an attempt to remove him from office.
The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has launched the first artificial intelligence-based service for forensic examinations. It simplifies document preparation, helps choose the type of examination, and formulate questions.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has started testing the digital system "Property" for accounting for military property in units. This will simplify the work of supply services and allow for faster and more transparent resource management.
The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine reported that the procedure for providing compensation to military personnel under the eOselia program has not yet been developed. The law provided for compensation of 50% of the first installment and additional payments after the first and second year of service.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz revealed details of the agreement between EU leaders on providing financial assistance to Ukraine for 2026–2027.
The U. S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has fully launched the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, which will begin reviewing projects in 2026. The fund will focus on critical minerals, energy, transportation, logistics, and technology, attracting private capital.
A new batch of 6,995 hearing aids has arrived in Ukraine for children and adults. The equipment is being prepared for free distribution to the regions during December-January.
Ukraine announced a successful restructuring of GDP warrants worth $2. 6 billion, which will avoid significant payments in the post-war period. This transaction will strengthen debt sustainability and increase the country's budget predictability.
Olena Ivanovska appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine with a proposal to increase administrative fines for violating the language law. She believes that the current amounts of penalties do not provide a preventive effect and do not stimulate the elimination of offenses.
The National Bank of Ukraine considers receiving a reparation loan as the baseline scenario, but in case of delays with external assistance, the government can rely on banks. NBU Deputy Governor Serhiy Nikolaychuk noted that banks have the potential to increase investments in government securities.
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 Ministry of Finance of Ukraine has published a draft law on the introduction of VAT for individual entrepreneurs from 2027, which is intended to improve VAT administration for single tax payers. The changes envisage a reduction of the single tax rate from 5% to 3% for the 3rd group of individual entrepreneurs who reach the limit of UAH 1 million, and mandatory registration as a VAT payer.
President of the European Council António Costa stated that a decision on supporting Ukraine would be made by the end of the EU summit. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen also confirmed that leaders would not leave the summit without an agreement on financing Ukraine for the next two years.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reallocated the 2025 budget, allocating over UAH 25 million for generators and equipment for cultural institutions. This decision will allow museums, theaters, libraries, and reserves to operate continuously during power outages.
Ukraine will increase the accessibility of prostheses and orthoses for civilians affected by Russian aggression by increasing compensation and, for the first time, providing children with bionic prostheses. The government has adopted a corresponding decision, while maintaining the algorithm for receiving assistance.
The Ukrainian government has approved a decision to compensate for the costs of retrofitting cars for people with disabilities. The payment amount will be up to UAH 50,000, and applications can be submitted in person or online.
Zelenskyy appointed Vadym Boichenko as head of the Mariupol City Military Administration. The new status of the body allows for prompt decision-making in the interests of the community, removing restrictions caused by the incapacity of the deputy corps.
The Danube Commission has decided to create a Register of Damages from Russian aggression on the Lower Danube. This will ensure systematic collection of data on the damages caused and their transfer to the Council of Europe and the EU for compensation.
The Ukrainian government has approved a package of Ministry of Defense decisions to launch the Defence City space from January 5, 2026. This will provide comprehensive state support to Ukrainian arms manufacturers for scaling up, modernizing production, and generating innovations.
Nearly a million Ukrainian children live in an "eternal lockdown," studying online due to the pandemic and war. This has led to a deterioration in psychological well-being but has also revealed a high level of resilience among young people.
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.
