Electricity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels. The main topic of discussion was the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine, as well as coordination with Europe and the United States on the peace process.
The National Bank of Ukraine considers receiving a reparation loan as the baseline scenario, but in case of delays with external assistance, the government can rely on banks. NBU Deputy Governor Serhiy Nikolaychuk noted that banks have the potential to increase investments in government securities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine and the United States have different views on Donbas, and the issues of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and a reparations loan remain open. He emphasized the need for a positive decision on the reparations loan to avoid a budget deficit of 45-50 billion dollars next year.
The Center for Countering Disinformation (CPD) has recorded a new campaign in Ukrainian social networks. The enemy uses memes and songs to shift responsibility for the energy deficit from Russian shelling to the Ukrainian authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the US proposal to divide the Zaporizhzhia NPP unfair, noting that no agreements have been reached on this issue. He emphasized a number of unresolved problems related to the plant's operation, including its militarization and funding for its restoration.
Ukraine has launched the official emergency assistance service 112, developed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which functions even without mobile communication. The application allows you to call rescuers, police, medics, or gas service by authorizing through Diia.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine must be in a strong position, and Russia must understand that Ukraine will not capitulate. He emphasized the need to reduce the Russian economy through sanctions to force the Russian Federation to move to diplomacy.
At night, Russia attacked 5 regions, blacking out over 180,000 consumers, most of whom have already been reconnected. In Odesa region, 12,000 subscribers remain without electricity, and the cancellation of outage schedules is impossible.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the approval of a 112 billion shekel ($34. 67 billion) deal to supply natural gas to Egypt. This agreement will help Egypt, which has spent billions on importing liquefied natural gas, to ease its energy crisis.
Six people were injured as a result of a drone attack on Cherkasy on the night of December 18. The enemy targeted critical infrastructure, damaging residential buildings and a sports complex.
Ukraine receives reinforcements for its air defense systems amid attacks, including automated turrets and missiles to destroy Russian drones, totaling £600 million. The supplies include modern air defense systems, as well as RAVEN and GRAVEHAWK systems for protection against low-flying targets and deep strikes.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reallocated the 2025 budget, allocating over UAH 25 million for generators and equipment for cultural institutions. This decision will allow museums, theaters, libraries, and reserves to operate continuously during power outages.
On the evening of December 17, Russian drones attacked Odesa region, as a result of which at least seven people were injured. A nine-story residential building and an educational institution in Odesa district were damaged.
On the night of December 18, Russian military attacked the energy infrastructure of Voznesensk. Due to the damage, water supply has been temporarily suspended in one of the city's microdistricts.
The US presidential administration has temporarily suspended sanctions against several Russian banks involved in settlements in the civilian nuclear energy sector. Financial transactions are permitted until June 18, 2026, for projects initiated before November 21, 2024.
China has begun construction of the world's most powerful mountain hydroelectric power plant on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, valued at $168 billion. The project, which will produce 300 billion kWh annually, will be three times more powerful than the Three Gorges Dam and is causing concern in India and Bangladesh.
Silver prices have reached a new all-time high, surpassing the $65 per ounce mark, making it the best annual performance in history. The surge is driven by supply shortages, growing demand from high-tech industries, and the inclusion of silver on the US list of critical minerals.
The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council denied information about lowering the mobilization age and conscripting students. The CCD called this an enemy IPSO aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country.
On December 18, hourly shutdown schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
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.
On December 17, a 600 mm cold water supply pipe was damaged in the Dniprovskyi district of Kyiv. An emergency team from Kyivvodokanal is working at the site of the rupture, and public transport is operating as usual.
A state-level emergency has been declared in Odesa region due to enemy attacks on energy infrastructure. Over 50,000 residents of the region were left without electricity for a long time.
Since November 24, Kyivstar has launched Starlink Direct to Cell satellite technology, which allows users to stay connected without terrestrial coverage. It is currently available for iPhone 13 and newer models with iOS from 26.2, as well as for Android.
The US is considering new sanctions against Russia's energy sector, including its "shadow fleet" of tankers, if Putin rejects a peace deal with Ukraine. These measures could be announced as early as this week, as discussed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with European ambassadors.
In the Odesa region, over 4 days, energy workers restored the technical capability to supply power to 583. 7 thousand households. Despite this, 32.3 thousand consumers temporarily remain without power due to extensive damage to the energy system.
Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, striking Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, where power has already been restored. In Odesa region, about 32,000 consumers remain without electricity, and approximately 400,000 consumers suffer from outages daily.
In November, Ukrainians bought 5. 5 thousand used passenger cars from the USA, which is 2.2 times more than last year. 53% of them are electric vehicles, with an average age of 5 years.
In Zhytomyr region, a Russian agent was sentenced to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. He set fire to Ukrzaliznytsia facilities to disrupt logistics on the orders of Russian special services.
The occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP receives power through only one of two external power transmission lines. The disconnection of the backup line due to military actions creates a threat of a nuclear accident.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation explained how to stay online using xPON technology, which provides internet for up to 72 hours without electricity. To connect, you need to find a provider that uses xPON and arrange for the installation of an optical cable to your home.