The death toll from the enemy strike on Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, has risen to two: a 47-year-old man and his 42-year-old wife, a police officer, were killed. On December 20, at about 3:40 PM, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a guided aerial bomb attack, damaging an enterprise, a cafe, a Palace of Culture, a residential building, and cars.
In Odesa region, transport links have been partially restored after Russian attacks, allowing cars, minibuses, and small trucks to cross the Dniester. Banks, post offices, and supplies of food and fuel have also resumed operations, and emergency services are working in an enhanced mode.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced discussions on replacing the commander of the Air Command "South", Dmytro Karpenko. This decision is related to the need to strengthen air defense and timely response, especially in the Odesa region.
As of 4 PM, 128 combat engagements have been recorded on the front line, which is twice as many as the day before. The most intense battles are taking place in the Pokrovsk direction, where 50 enemy attacks have been repelled.
Ukraine discussed holding elections with the US, which may indicate that the American side understands how to ensure secure elections. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has begun to address the issue of the necessary infrastructure abroad for Ukrainians to vote.
The 53-year-old actor and director Akhtem Seitablayev published photos with his daughter and granddaughter from Belgium, captioning them as "moments of happiness. " In January 2022, the actor showed photos from his daughter's wedding.
Ukraine and Portugal have signed a statement on partnership for the production of naval drones. Portugal also supported a financial security guarantee for Ukraine worth 90 billion euros.
The Minister of Defense heard a report on the construction of fortifications in six regions. 2,130 platoon strongholds and over 3,000 km of anti-tank ditches have already been built.
The Defense Forces conducted a special operation near Pokrovsk, destroying tanks, Osa SAM systems, and armored fighting vehicles. The enemy planned to use this equipment for assault operations in the Pokrovsk direction.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi met with the British delegation led by Richard Knighton. The operational situation at the front, the measures of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to disrupt the autumn-winter campaign, and the needs for means of destruction were discussed.
Prosecutors have sent to court the case of an employee of the Territorial Recruitment Center and Social Support (TCC and SP) who beat a defender of Mariupol. The incident occurred in December 2025, and the victim sustained minor bodily injuries.
SBU long-range drones hit two Russian Su-27 aircraft at the Belbek military airfield in Crimea, one of which was ready for a combat sortie. The control tower was also confirmed to have been hit, which will complicate the organization of flights.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his interest in the joint production of drones and missiles with Poland. He noted that both countries have companies with great potential in these areas.
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.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is not blocking and will not block the process of searches and exhumations in Volyn. He emphasized that all tragic moments must not be forgotten.
As a result of the Russian missile attack on December 19 on the port infrastructure in Odesa region, 8 people died and 27 more were injured. Some of the victims were in a bus that was at the epicenter of the strike.
On December 19, the Russian army lost at least 1090 servicemen, 37 artillery systems, and 1 armored combat vehicle. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 20.12.25 amounted to about 1,195,610 personnel.
Leading Russian funeral companies earned 14. 872 billion rubles in 2024, which is 24% more than a year earlier. Coffin prices increased by 84%, and grave digging by 51% since the beginning of 2022.
IAEA head Rafael Grossi stated that the situation in Ukraine's energy system is the worst since September 2024, when substation monitoring began. Constant instability in the power grid undermines nuclear safety, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has lost external power supply 12 times.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation at the front, calling it "difficult" due to the increasing number of Russian troops. He noted that Kupyansk, which he recently visited, remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite enemy pressure and problems with missile supplies.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he does not seek to remain in the presidential office. He emphasized that he supports holding elections provided that security is guaranteed and legislative changes are made.
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.
The SOF hinted at damage to a Russian Russian ship by publishing a photo with the alleged damage to the vessel. The photo likely shows a Project 22460 "Okhotnik" patrol ship, which is used for border patrol service.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, 255 km of non-explosive barrier strips, 340 km of anti-tank ditches, and over 2. 1 km of the "Egoza" barrier line have been built. Major General Oleksandr Yakovets reported to Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal on the high pace of fortification construction.
Over a third of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel have undergone biological material sampling, with 95% of samples delivered to the Genomic Information Accounting Center. This is critically important for the rapid identification of defenders in cases of their disappearance.
Military analysts at Defense Express refute panic predictions about a quick strike by "Oreshnik" on Kyiv from the territory of Belarus. The missile has a minimum flight range of 700 km, which makes Kyiv and most of Ukraine unreachable for it from Belarusian training grounds.
Due to traffic restrictions in the mentioned directions, the Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach checkpoint on the border with Moldova in Vinnytsia region is currently overloaded.
The GUR published a radio interception that reveals new methods of "forced" mobilization in the aggressor's army. Russian sailors are being transferred to infantry units, given a choice: either extend their contract or be transferred to the assault detachments of the 810th separate marine infantry brigade.
The Defense Forces conducted a special operation to destroy enemy armored vehicles near Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. An anti-aircraft missile system, tanks, combat vehicles, and motor transport were destroyed.
Representatives of "Plast" handed over the Bethlehem Fire to the chaplains of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fire will be delivered to the soldiers in the combat zone as a symbol of support and home comfort.
