Lithuania officially completed the procedure of withdrawal from the Ottawa Convention on December 27, which allows it to use and produce anti-personnel mines. The country plans to spend hundreds of millions of euros on the purchase and production of tens of thousands of units of ammunition.
Two Chadian soldiers were killed and one wounded in a drone strike on a military camp in the border town of Tine. Chadian intelligence suggests the drone came from Sudan, where a war is ongoing.
MHP company won gold and silver awards at the international Partnership for Sustainability Award 2025, organized by the UN Global Compact in Ukraine. Gold was received for the military support program "MHP Poruch", and silver for the project "School of Community Leaders".
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that experts have begun analyzing the black boxes of the crashed plane, which killed eight people, including the head of military units in western Libya. Libyan officials cited a technical malfunction of the aircraft as the cause of the crash.
In the Nigerian city of Maiduguri, an explosion occurred at the Jumaat mosque during evening prayers. Five people were killed and about 35 were injured.
AB InBev Efes Ukraine has launched its annual campaign "Drank? Don't drive!" with interactive activations using "drunk" Drunk Busters goggles at WOG gas stations. The program reminds drivers about the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol and covers Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, and Odesa highways.
Russia "strongly condemns" the US seizure of tankers off the coast of Venezuela and the imposed naval blockade. Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya called the US actions an act of aggression that could become a template for future forceful actions against Latin American states.
The Yemeni government and the Houthis have agreed to release 2,900 prisoners, the largest exchange in 11 years of civil war. The agreement, signed in Muscat with the support of the UN and the Red Cross, includes citizens of Saudi Arabia and Sudan.
The global legal framework for nuclear arms control could face obstacles in 2026. On February 5, the bilateral treaty between the US and Russia, New START, expires, and in April, the Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will take place in New York.
UN staffer Bol Roch Mayol was found dead in South Sudan days after his detention. An army lieutenant and two soldiers were arrested after confessing to the murder.
The criminal prosecution of Roman Mileshko's group of aviation companies has been ongoing for more than three years without any charges being filed. A number of law enforcement agencies have found no evidence of a crime, which indicates possible pressure from competitors.
The European Union and its member states are ready to contribute to robust security guarantees for Ukraine, including through a Coalition of the Willing and in cooperation with the United States. The EU will address matters within its competence or those affecting its security, according to the European Council conclusions of December 18.
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on southern and northeastern Lebanon, approaching the deadline for Hezbollah's disarmament. This occurred ahead of a ceasefire compliance committee meeting and meetings in Paris regarding aid to the Lebanese army.
The President of Mexico is ready to mediate negotiations between the US and Venezuela to prevent a regional conflict. This happened after Donald Trump imposed a blockade on oil tankers and increased military presence in the region.
The Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group claimed to have captured hundreds of Burundian soldiers during an offensive in eastern DR Congo. This happened after a meeting between the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda in Washington, where they reaffirmed their commitment to a peace agreement.
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry warned African countries against Russian recruitment after two Botswana citizens allegedly became victims of recruitment. The ministry emphasized that Russia systematically recruits foreigners under the guise of employment or education, which is an organized state policy.
A shooting occurred on Bondi Beach in Sydney during a Jewish Hanukkah holiday event. At least 11 people were killed and dozens were injured, prompting shock and condolences from world leaders.
Ella Libanova stated that active shelling of cities encourages Ukrainians to temporarily move to villages for safety. She predicts that after the war, people will return to large cities.
Deputy Head of the Central Election Commission Serhiy Dubovyk said that Ukraine needs six months to prepare for free and safe elections. This is due to the large number of refugees, damaged infrastructure, and military personnel at the front.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution initiated by Ukraine on minimizing the consequences of the Chornobyl disaster. The document points to the long-term serious consequences of the accident at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and calls on the world to help Ukraine restore the damaged infrastructure of the nuclear power plant.
Ukraine's Ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This happened after his criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statements about "close personal contact" with Vladimir Putin.
The digital entry/exit system EES has started operating at three checkpoints. It registers the identification and biometric data of citizens of third countries entering the Schengen area.
EU Permanent Representative Stavros Lambrinidis stated that Russia is escalating its attacks on Ukraine, destroying infrastructure and targeting civilians. He emphasized that the aggressor shows no desire for peace, and the EU will continue its diplomatic efforts.
Refat Chubarov, Head of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, stated that only Ukraine and the indigenous Crimean Tatar people have the right to determine the fate of temporarily occupied Crimea. This was a response to US President Donald Trump's statement that "Crimea is a small piece of land washed by four oceans."
Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Andriy Melnyk, stated that Ukraine will not trade its sovereignty and territories. He emphasized that Moscow will get "a hole from a bagel," not Ukraine's capitulation.
The Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN stated that Russia will achieve its goals, choosing either a diplomatic or military path. He noted that the Russian Federation prefers diplomacy, but sees no prerequisites for it.
Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Ukrainian homes, schools, and kindergartens suffer exclusively due to the placement of Ukrainian air defense systems in residential areas. He made this statement during a UN meeting.
The EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that 2025 is likely to be the second or third hottest year on record. This year will also mark the end of the first three-year period where the average global temperature has exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. This strengthens international pressure mechanisms and creates a political mandate for further action; Ukraine has returned 1,892 children, and over 20,000 reports of deportation are being processed.
The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating criminal proceedings against a group of aviation companies associated with businessman Roman Mileshko, opened by the National Police in 2022. Investigators have repeatedly checked the facts indicated in the case file and found no confirmation, which indicates the custom nature of the persecution and attempts to pressure the business by competitors.
