The Ukrainian government has approved a decision on an experiment with project-based postgraduate studies, which combines the training of doctors of philosophy with the implementation of research projects. This will change the logic of financing, focusing on specific projects rather than on the status of a postgraduate student.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the updated composition of deputy defense ministers. Mykhailo Fedorov introduced the new deputies who will be responsible for key areas of the ministry's transformation.
Starting from March 1, 2026, minimum pension payments for families of fallen and missing defenders in Ukraine will increase. Payments for a disabled family member will be at least UAH 12,810, and for families with two or more members, at least UAH 10,020 per person.
Ukraine has issued the first preferential loan at 0% annual interest for businesses to purchase energy equipment. In total, 306 applications for UAH 384 million have already been received under the program to support the energy independence of enterprises.
The Cabinet of Ministers has reappointed volunteer Taras Chmut as a member of the supervisory board of the "Defense Procurement Agency". This government decision No. 109-r was confirmed by Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov.
Immediately after signing a peace treaty, Ukraine plans to gradually transform its Armed Forces, numbering around 800,000, into a contract army with voluntary service and increased payments for the front line, with the support of European partners.
The government approved the Ministry of Defense's bill, which guarantees social and legal protection for foreign volunteers. The document will provide access to medical services on par with Ukrainian military personnel.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that manufacturers of transformer equipment will be able to book 100% of their employees. The government also reduced the number of criteria for a company to be recognized as critically important.
The Verkhovna Rada plans to extend the deadline for physical identification for pensioners until July 2026. This decision was made due to long queues and the suspension of payments for some citizens.
Ukraine will resume competitions for public positions to receive €50 billion from the EU. This is stipulated by the Ukraine Facility Plan, and draft law No. 13478-1 is intended to ensure transparent personnel selection.
Starlink terminals on the "whitelist" are working, while Russian terminals are blocked. This led to a catastrophe in the enemy's troop management and a halt to assault operations, said "Flash," an advisor to the Minister of Defense.
Elon Musk emphasized the importance of registering Starlink terminals in Ukraine. This is due to the verification of terminals for defense purposes and to prevent their use by Russians.
Russia massively attacked the railway infrastructure of Sumy region with drones at night. The station attendant was injured, infrastructure and the "Wagon of Invincibility" were damaged.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has begun a visit to Kyiv. He was met by Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha.
In the first quarter, Ukraine will receive 140 million euros in loans and 21 million euros in grants from the EU for dual-use technologies. This funding is part of the systemic build-up of the country's defense capabilities.
The Cabinet of Ministers has instructed the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection to monitor the recalculation of utility payments. This applies to heating, water supply, and waste removal from January 1.
Ukrainians generally perceived the personnel reshuffles as an opportunity and a source of restrained hope, but not as a genuine system renewal, against the backdrop of fragmented trust, high disapproval ratings, and a sense of an early start to the election campaign.
Five individuals have been notified of suspicion of appropriating UAH 26. 9 million allocated to help people who survived the Russian occupation. Among the suspects are representatives of pseudo-charitable foundations, an entrepreneur, and a lawyer's assistant.
More than 60 ambassadors and representatives of foreign states inspected the Darnytsia TPP in Kyiv, which suffered massive attacks from Russia. Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized that the TPP is a critical civilian infrastructure object.
On February 24, the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leaders and ministers of foreign states will arrive in Kyiv. On the same day, the UN Security Council will hold a special meeting.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the most difficult electricity situation in the capital region, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Poltava regions. In Kyiv, the number of brigades will be increased for rotation due to the exhaustion of workers.
Minister of Defense Fedorov called for the verification of all Starlink terminals used for defense purposes through the DELTA system to include them in the "whitelist. " This will ensure their operation after blocking and the continuity of communication.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko discussed urgent assistance for the energy sector's recovery with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte through the EADRCC mechanism. Equipment from partners will help restore networks and gas infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine clarified the new polio immunization schedule. Now, vaccination will consist of 5 doses of inactivated vaccine, canceling the booster shot at 14 years of age.
In Kharkiv, the situation after damage to the thermal power plant and electrical substations was classified as a local-level man-made emergency. About 60% of subscribers remain without electricity, and 105,000 without heat.
Due to frozen ports and railway tracks in Poland, Ukraine is experiencing a shortage of Arctic diesel. This is causing queues at gas stations, despite the resumption of supplies.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved a new structure for Ukraine's defense plan. The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to develop a defense plan with the participation of the SBU, Foreign Intelligence Service, and the NBU.
The government has started checking 29 licenses for strategic minerals and 10 for oil and gas subsoil, where extraction has not started or work programs have been violated. Additional restrictions against Dmytro Firtash have also been initiated, which will allow the annulment of three special permits.
In Kyiv, 63 teams are working on restoring power grids, and over 220 teams are restoring heat supply. NJSC "Naftogaz" is ready to provide another 40 teams of specialists.
Loud statements and heated discussions - pension reform is being discussed in Ukraine. The biggest promises, for example, a minimum pension of UAH 6,000 for everyone, run into a budget ceiling, and real levers of stabilization run into what is always unpopular: economic growth, de-shadowing through the business climate, and political capacity to implement unpleasant decisions. What awaits pension reform in the near future.
