United Nations
In December, 105 civilians were killed and 514 injured in Ukraine, the lowest number since the beginning of the invasion. Most of the victims were recorded near the frontline in Kherson and Donetsk regions.
In the suburbs of Damascus, militants affiliated with the new government publicly executed a local official, Masen Knehneh. He was accused of writing reports for the Assad regime that led to the torture of young people.
Senior Russian military and security officials advocate escalation of hostilities in Ukraine instead of negotiations. Despite significant losses, they are calling on Putin to intensify military efforts and hold partial conscriptions.
Deputy U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations announces the presence of 12,000 North Korean troops in the Kursk region of Russia. The DPRK receives military technology and experience from Russia, which enhances its combat capabilities.
The President dismissed Liubov Abravitova from the post of Ambassador of Ukraine to Mozambique. Rostyslav Tronenko was appointed in her place, as evidenced by the relevant decrees of the head of state.
The Verkhovna Rada has passed a law restoring mandatory monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions. Operators must register in the Unified Register within 30 days after the law comes into force.
Trump's transition team is preparing an executive order to withdraw the United States from the global climate agreement. The EU warns that this could deal a serious blow to global efforts to combat climate change.
The hMPV metapneumovirus spreading in China is not new and does not pose a serious threat. According to the WHO, the virus has a very low mortality rate and causes symptoms similar to the common cold.
The M23 armed group has seized the city of Masisi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading to the massive displacement of more than 100,000 people. The situation remains critical, and humanitarian organizations are calling for international intervention.
Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 28 people. Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire continue, and the humanitarian crisis is deepening.
U. S. Secretary of State Blinken announced Russia's intention to share advanced space technologies with North Korea. This may happen after the DPRK provided military support to Russia in the war against Ukraine.
Russian military forces likely executed three Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Neskuchne in Donetsk Oblast on January 3. According to DeepState, the prisoners had their hands bound and were shot in the back of the head.
Dmytro Lubinets stated that the UN conclusions on the treatment of prisoners of war in Ukraine were unfounded. The Ombudsman emphasized the inadmissibility of equating the scale of violations by Ukraine and Russia.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denies the UN's accusations that religious freedoms in the country are being restricted. The Ministry emphasizes that the law only prohibits subordination of religious organizations to the governing centers of the aggressor country.
An Israeli air strike on a tent camp in Gaza killed Hamas police chief Mahmoud Salah and security chief Husam Shahwan. A total of 11 people, including children and women, were killed in the attack.
In March 2025, Ukraine will index pensions by 13-17%. The minimum increase will be UAH 100, the maximum will be UAH 1,500, and pensioners aged 70-80 will receive an additional UAH 300-570.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon warned the Houthis of a “miserable fate” if they continue their attacks. He also stated Israel's readiness to strike any targets in the Middle East, including Iran.
The DPRK's leader announced the strengthening of anti-American policy during the five-day plenary session of the Workers' Party. Experts believe that it is unlikely that Kim and Trump will resume talks because of the DPRK's support for Russia's war against Ukraine.
The Israeli Ministry of Health has prepared a report on torture and violence against hostages in Gaza, including children. The report is based on the testimonies of more than 100 released persons and will be presented to the UN.
The newly appointed head of the Syrian intelligence services, Anas Khattab, announced the complete disbanding of all Assad-era intelligence organizations. It is planned to create a new security system that takes into account the interests of the people.
Israeli aircraft attacked Sanaa airport as an Airbus 320 with hundreds of passengers was landing there. The attack injured members of the UN delegation, including a humanitarian representative.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine needs a comprehensive and just peace based on a 10-point formula.
Tedros Gebreyesus and UN staff came under Israeli fire at Sanaa airport. The attack killed two people, wounded a crew member and damaged the airport's infrastructure.
The Israeli Air Force attacked the Sanaa airport and the port of Hodeidah in Yemen in response to a missile attack. The strikes were aimed at infrastructure facilities, including power plants, after the Houthis attacked central Israel.
An investigation by the Israeli military found that its ground operations influenced Hamas's decision to kill six hostages in Rafah. The bodies were found in an underground mine, and the soldiers were unaware of the hostages' presence.
The Coordination Center confirmed the deaths of 184 Ukrainians in Russian captivity, including 169 military and 15 civilians. The actual number of victims may be much higher due to systematic torture and lack of medical care.
Hundreds of Christians took to the streets of Damascus over the burning of a Christmas tree in central Syria. The protesters demanded the rights of Christians and marched to the residence of the Orthodox Patriarchate.
Russian propaganda has shifted its focus from justifying aggression to undermining Ukrainians' belief in victory. KIISE warns of hidden narratives aimed at discrediting the government and weakening Western support.
The UN investigation team visited Damascus for the first time since 2016 to investigate war crimes committed by the Assad regime. The new Syrian government has agreed to cooperate and help collect evidence.
In the city of Irpin, two multi-storey buildings where 50 apartments were damaged during the Russian invasion have been restored. The project was implemented under the UNITED24 program under the supervision of the United Nations, with a cost of about UAH 33 million.