The global economy is decarbonizing faster than expected, with record investments of $2. 2 trillion in 2025. Investments in clean energy exceed spending on fossil fuels, and renewable energy covers all new electricity demand.
Cherkasy Mayor Anatoliy Bondarenko reported that Russian troops shelled the local cemetery and the Alley of Heroes. As a result of the attack, monuments were damaged.
In Algeria, parliament supported a bill recognizing the 130-year French occupation as a war crime, demanding compensation and apologies. The document criminalizes the approval of colonialism and obliges France to deactivate nuclear test sites.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the Pope's disappointment over Russia's refusal of a Christmas truce. He noted that Russia not only rejected the proposal to stop the killings but also launched a massive missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian energy system.
Indian company Reliance Industries Ltd. has resumed purchases of Russian crude oil from non-sanctioned suppliers. India's largest refinery has chartered Aframax tankers to receive Russian oil.
China may be interested in the continuation of the war, as it weakens Russia and exhausts Europe. This allows Beijing to draw individual European countries into its dependence through investments.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that institutions hosting IDPs will receive compensation for utility services. The changes include compensation without IDP status, accounting for the actual period of stay, simplifying expense verification, and increasing the norm for social housing area.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine extended the operational period of large combustion plants until December 31, 2028. This decision was made to ensure energy security and fulfill Ukraine's international obligations.
Russia views the US 20-point peace plan as a starting point, demanding more restrictions on Ukraine's military forces and guarantees regarding NATO. Ukraine and the US have disagreements on territorial issues and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, but negotiations are nearing completion.
President Zelenskyy reported a correlation between Chinese satellite imagery of Ukraine's territory and Russian strikes on energy facilities. Ukraine views this as a factor prolonging the war.
The Russian FSB killed an alleged saboteur who collaborated with Ukraine and planned terrorist attacks on Russian territory.
President Zelenskyy received a report from the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko, on Russian attempts to circumvent sanctions and the deployment of "Oreshnik" complexes in Belarus. The report also covered the state of Russian military production and cooperation with Chinese companies that provide space intelligence data.
On Wednesday, December 24, a fire was recorded in the area of an oil refinery in Russian Saratov. Local "media" and Telegram channels published photos and videos from the scene.
Poland will acquire three Swedish A-26 submarines for $2. 8 billion to protect critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. NATO is intensifying patrols, and countries in the region are taking measures in response to systematic attacks linked to Russia's "shadow fleet."
As a result of a Russian strike, a critical energy facility in the Chernihiv district was damaged, leading to power outages for tens of thousands of subscribers. These are not the first strikes on the region; earlier, a UAV crash was recorded within the city, damaging cars and buildings.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to withdraw Ukrainian troops from parts of eastern Donetsk Oblast to create a demilitarized zone. This is a potential condition for peace talks, although Russia has not shown willingness to withdraw its troops.
Ukraine and the US have disagreements on territorial issues and the status of the Zaporizhzhia NPP in peace talks. Zelenskyy reported on the state of affairs regarding elections and EU accession.
The funds are directed to the energy support fund and are crucial for getting through the heating season.
For the first time, Russia used over 600 attack drones simultaneously during a massive attack on Ukraine, launching 673 "Shaheds" and missiles at energy infrastructure facilities. This is the ninth massive attack on energy facilities this year, and it has become the largest in terms of the number of drones used in all previous years of the full-scale war.
The Russian authorities are considering postponing the construction of an Arctic railway worth over $10 billion due to uncertainty regarding funding sources. The Northern Latitudinal Railway project, which involves connecting railways and building a bridge, could be delayed by three years.
Brent and WTI crude futures rose by 0. 2% and 0.3% respectively, reaching $62.53 and $58.56 per barrel. This increase is driven by strong US economic growth and geopolitical risks, despite an expected annual price drop.
As a result of Russian missile strikes on the Kharkiv suburb, 13 people were injured and one died. All injured have been hospitalized, and medics are providing the necessary assistance.
Venezuela's National Assembly has approved a law criminalizing activities that disrupt shipping and trade, including the seizure of oil tankers. The document provides for fines and imprisonment of up to 20 years for supporting or participating in such actions.
Law enforcement officers served a notice of suspicion to a group of individuals for seizing 70 million hryvnias from the Kharkiv city territorial community. This happened during the procurement of goods in the energy sector at prices inflated by 2.5 times.
One person was killed and several wounded as a result of the strike on the thermal power plant near Kharkiv. The city faced a voltage drop, which affected heat supply and the operation of electric transport.
President Zelenskyy has called for a meeting with US President Trump to resolve sensitive issues of a future peace agreement with Russia, such as territorial control. The Ukrainian and American delegations have come closer to finalizing a 20-point negotiation plan.
As a result of Russian strikes on the Pivdennyi port in Odesa region, a vegetable oil spill occurred in the Black Sea. The port's water area is temporarily closed to eliminate the consequences.
Ukrenergo confirmed the introduction of emergency power outages in several regions due to the consequences of Russian attacks. Previously published blackout schedules are currently not in effect.
Russia carried out targeted attacks on Ukraine's oil and gas infrastructure, using almost 100 attack drones against Ukrnafta's production facilities. Critical damage has been recorded, and the operation of the damaged equipment has been stopped.
On the morning of December 24, emergency power outages were introduced in Sumy and Poltava regions. The reason was damage to the energy system as a result of the Russian army's attack.
