A new cyber fraud scheme targeting pensioners is spreading in Ukraine, where attackers send fake messages to confirm age.
In Ukraine, in 2024 and 2025, there was a significant increase in the number of men aged 25+ in professional pre-higher education. This phenomenon indicates a possible use of education as a way to defer military service.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk announced that the new law on elections during martial law will be a one-off. The working group is preparing a draft law for safe and democratic elections.
Factions and groups of the Verkhovna Rada were invited to delegate two representatives each to the working group. It will be engaged in preparing for elections during a special period and/or post-war elections in Ukraine.
Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba is lobbying for the appointment of Ihor Zelinsky to the post of head of the State Aviation Service, despite his involvement in decisions that could have harmed Ukrainian aviation and effectively played into the hands of the Russian Federation. Zelinsky's appointment could become a strategic mistake for the state and obviously carries risks for national security in wartime.
The so-called "Odrex case" became a catalyst for discussing systemic problems in the field of licensing private medicine in Ukraine. At a meeting of the relevant Verkhovna Rada committee, MP Viktoriia Vagner raised the issue of the risks of the current model of control over medical institutions, which allows effectively circumventing regulator's sanctions. Following the discussion, the Ministry of Health is to prepare an analysis of the gaps in the licensing system and present it to the deputies.
The head of the "Servant of the People" faction, David Arakhamia, announced the formation of a working group in the Verkhovna Rada. It will address the issue of holding possible presidential elections in Ukraine during martial law.
Deputy head of the Central Election Commission Serhiy Dubovyk stated that elections in Ukraine are possible only under peaceful conditions and with appropriate legislative changes. He emphasized the need to review the current legislation, which is designed for peacetime.
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubynets called for legislative regulation of forced evacuation, especially of children, from dangerous territories. He emphasized the risks of civilians remaining in the combat zone.
Russian servicemen illegally detained and forcibly removed about 50 civilians from Sumy region to Russia. The Ombudsman of Ukraine appealed to his Russian counterpart and the ICRC regarding their return.
Poland has expressed its readiness to provide Ukraine with legal and logistical support in preparing for future presidential or parliamentary elections. The Marshal of the Sejm of Poland, Włodzimierz Czarzasty, noted that a working group would be created to determine the scope of assistance, taking into account the large number of Ukrainians abroad.
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 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.
On December 18, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law granting military personnel released from captivity an additional leave of 90 calendar days with the preservation of monetary allowance. This leave is granted without additional conditions and without division into parts.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to the heads of states, parliaments, and governments of democratic countries of the world, as well as the International Paralympic Committee. This appeal concerns the ban on the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in international sports competitions.
The Verkhovna Rada, with 260 votes of people's deputies, adopted in general a law that defines the basic principles and rules for conducting academic activities, and also establishes the signs and types of violations of academic integrity.
Draft law No. 14093 provides for the de-Sovietization of the name of Ukraine's small coin. At the same time, the coins "kopiika" and "shah" will be in circulation simultaneously for some time, and the ratio will remain 1:1.
FIFA has approved a record budget of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup, a 50% increase from the previous tournament. The champion will receive $50 million, while group stage participants will each get $9 million.
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.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a Law extending special rules for the operation of the state enterprise "Pivdenny Machine-Building Plant named after Makarov" in Dnipro. This decision suspends forced enforcement actions and seizures of the enterprise's funds until January 1, 2027.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a law on the legal status and medical care of foreign military personnel. The document provides for the issuance of temporary residence permits for the entire duration of their contract and after its termination, and also extends certain social guarantees to them.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted bill No. 3195, which obliges members of the Cabinet of Ministers to report on their work upon dismissal. A written report becomes a mandatory condition for submitting a resignation letter.
The Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office will appeal the decision of the Appeals Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) dated December 15, 2025, which overturns the verdict against two former investigators and an operative for bribery. The proceedings were closed due to the expiration of the pre-trial investigation period in accordance with the "Lozovyi amendments."
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted draft law No. 12285-d, which brings national regulation in the field of veterinary medicine and animal welfare in line with EU legal acts. The document eliminates inconsistencies between Ukrainian legislation and the EU acquis, creating legal grounds for the implementation of European requirements.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted in principle draft law No. 14144, which allows cities and communities to use the national alert system. This will allow for a daily moment of silence at 9 AM.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading draft law No. 13347, which changes the approach to preparing citizens for national resistance. It provides for the integration of military training into the educational process and the introduction of a new academic discipline.
The Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 14238, which expands the list of bodies that maintain the Unified State Register of Conscripts, Persons Liable for Military Service, and Reservists, adding the recruitment centers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to it. This will allow for more effective recruitment of citizens for military service and ensure the manning of military units.
People's Deputy Mariana Bezuhla used obscene language towards MP Mykola Tyshchenko in the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada. Presiding officer Ruslan Stefanchuk announced a break and demanded that Bezuhla take her seat.
A draft resolution on the dismissal of Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. The authors of the document claim that under the slogans of higher education reform, schemes for controlling state property and land plots may be implemented, and also point to financial irregularities in the activities of the Ministry of Education and Science.
People's Deputy Yaroslav Zhelezniak announced that Oleksandr Kornienko will once again head the "Servant of the People" party instead of Olena Shuliak on December 17. Kornienko already served as the party leader from 2019 to 2021.
