President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to prepare proposals for new approaches to holidays. He noted that the war has brought changes, and some dates need to be streamlined.
Loud explosions were heard in Sevastopol, likely in the area of Shturmove village, near the Balaklava TPP. Air defense activity was also reported in Feodosia and shooting at the Belbek airfield.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a possible massive Russian strike on Christmas. He emphasized the shortage of air defense and urged Ukrainians to respond to air raid alerts.
After the resumption of traffic on the Odesa-Reni highway, border guards are recording an increase in passenger and transport flow on the Ukrainian-Moldovan border. No checkpoint stopped working, despite the complications of movement after the Russian attack on the bridge near Mayaky.
In Kryvyi Rih, Dnipropetrovsk region, as a result of an attack by Russian Shahed UAVs, the "I-VETERAN" Administrative Service Center was destroyed. The main "Viza" ASC was also significantly damaged; both centers will not be operating on December 22.
In Odesa region, Russia attacked energy infrastructure and the port of Pivdennyi overnight, where about 30 containers with flour and oil caught fire. Over 120,000 subscribers in the region were left without electricity, and emergency crews are working to restore power.
On the night of December 22, Russia attacked Ukraine with 86 attack UAVs, 58 of which were shot down/suppressed. 26 drones hit 12 locations and debris fell in one location.
Ukrainian forces advanced in the central part of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast, as confirmed by geolocated video footage from December 20. Russian forces intensified activity in Sumy Oblast but did not achieve confirmed progress.
In the Rivne region, the enemy attacked a civilian infrastructure object, which resulted in its damage. One employee sustained minor injuries and received medical assistance on the spot.
On the night of December 21, the enemy attacked Ukraine with 97 attack UAVs of various types. Air defense forces neutralized 75 drones, but 19 drones hit targets in eight locations.
The bridge in Mayaky, Odesa region, suffered more than 5 enemy hits, making passage impossible; a pontoon crossing was deployed as an alternative. Employees of the Restoration Agency are working to restore the bridge, despite constant air raid alerts.
On the night of December 20, Russians attacked Ukraine with three Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 51 attack UAVs. Air defense forces shot down 31 enemy UAVs, and hits from ballistic missiles and 20 attack UAVs were recorded in 15 locations.
On the evening of December 19, the Russian army attacked a port infrastructure facility in Odesa district with ballistic missiles. As a result of the strike, seven people were killed and 15 more were injured.
On December 19, fierce battles continue on the front, with 148 clashes recorded. The occupiers carried out over 3,400 kamikaze drone attacks and launched 26 air strikes, 66 of which were KABs.
Due to traffic restrictions in the mentioned directions, the Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach checkpoint on the border with Moldova in Vinnytsia region is currently overloaded.
According to the State Emergency Service, "Points of Invincibility" are operating around the clock in Odesa fire stations: light, heat, water, and assistance to those who need it.
In Odesa, an energy facility and a residential building were damaged, and one person was injured. Residents of one of the largest residential areas were left without electricity, water, and heat supply.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 160 Shahed-type, Gerbera, and other drones on the night of December 19. Air defense forces destroyed or suppressed 108 enemy drones in the south and east of the country.
The State Emergency Service warns of deteriorating weather conditions on December 19. Dense fog is expected on the Left Bank, in the west, and in Zhytomyr region, limiting visibility to 200-500 meters.
On December 18, Russian drones attacked Dnipro, causing explosions. The head of the Dnipropetrovsk OVA confirmed the enemy UAV attack.
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.
Russian troops attacked Zaporizhzhia, hitting a residential building and one of the infrastructure facilities. The consequences are being clarified, the air raid alert continues.
Over the past day, 278 battles took place on the front line, which is significantly more than the day before. The largest number of enemy attacks, almost a third, fell on the Pokrovsk direction.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in The Hague. They discussed continued defense assistance to Ukraine and joint efforts to achieve peace.
At the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine needs $120 billion for defense needs in 2026, half of which will be provided by the state. He named five priorities for maintaining the pace and stability of the front.
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.
Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine with 69 Shahed-type, Gerbera, and other attack UAVs. Air defense forces shot down/suppressed 57 enemy UAVs; hits by 10 attack UAVs were recorded at 7 locations.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 151 combat engagements over the past day, more than half of which occurred in the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Kostiantynivka directions. The enemy launched 90 airstrikes and used 5,471 kamikaze drones.
Over the past day, 140 combat engagements took place on the front, Russia launched 60 airstrikes and used 3,445 drones. The highest activity of the occupiers was recorded in the Pokrovsk direction with 36 attacks.
