On the night of December 30, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with two ballistic missiles and 60 attack UAVs. Air defense forces shot down one missile and 52 drones; hits were recorded.
Mykola Shevchenko, an officer of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and a public figure from Dnipro, died in battles with the Russian occupiers. He joined the defense of his homeland in 2022.
The National Bank of Ukraine set the official exchange rate of the US dollar for December 30 at UAH 42. 21, which is 15 kopecks more. The euro rose by 10 kopecks, reaching UAH 49.65.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russian advance of 3,000 kilometers over the past year cost Russia hundreds of thousands of casualties. He noted that the number of mobilized in Russia now equals irreversible losses, indicating a halt in the growth of the Russian army.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that without weapons from the United States, Ukraine would not be able to win the war, especially in air defense. He emphasized that Russian forces are massively using drones and missiles, and the available air defense systems are insufficient for complete protection.
German military equipment exports in 2025 decreased to 8. 4 billion euros, significantly lower than in the previous two years. The reason was a reduction in arms supplies to Ukraine to 1.14 billion euros.
The Bring Kids Back UA and Save Ukraine initiative announced the successful evacuation of a group of children from the temporarily occupied territories. Among those rescued are teenagers with congenital disabilities, former territorial defense fighters, and those who were forcibly attempted to be mobilized into the Russian army.
Since the beginning of the day, 136 combat engagements have been recorded at the front, the enemy launched 31 air strikes and carried out 3202 kamikaze drone attacks. The most active enemy actions are observed in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Oleksandrivka directions.
The Cabinet of Ministers has postponed the mandatory use of payment terminals for individual entrepreneurs of the 1st group until the end of martial law and for another three months after its cancellation. This decision was made in response to appeals from small businesses to reduce financial pressure.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported the killing of seven civilians in Pokrovsk by Russian soldiers on the night of December 21. The occupiers shot a family in the basement after they were refused alcohol.
President Zelenskyy called Ukraine's attack on Putin's residence a lie, noting that Russia is preparing strikes on Kyiv and government buildings. He urged people to be vigilant, as there could be strikes on the capital.
The first critical infrastructure operators in the energy and defense industries have already installed electronic warfare equipment to protect their facilities. The Ministry of Defense is implementing this initiative by decision of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
An interactive installation "Heart in an Ice Block" has been installed on Sofia Square in Kyiv, which will be open until January 6, 2026. It symbolizes the importance of emotional support and human warmth during the war, allowing visitors to melt the ice with their touches.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is interested in receiving reparations from Russia for the restoration of the state. He announced that the issue of funds for reconstruction has already been resolved with the Europeans, and the first 100 billion dollars will arrive in equal tranches over two years.
The housing rental market in Ukraine is sensitive to events in the country, with a seasonal "lull" in December-January and May-June, which are the most favorable periods for searching. One-room apartments in new buildings remain the most expensive, and western regions show a price peak due to the war.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine cannot be sure of the return of all children abducted by Russia. He emphasized that partners and journalists are raising this issue, and it is very important, because otherwise Russia will do everything to make it forgotten.
The Cabinet of Ministers plans to consider Ihor Zelinskyi's candidacy for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, lobbied by Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. This personnel decision raises serious questions given Zelinskyi's decisions made during his work in the leadership of the aviation regulator.
In 2025, with the support of the State Film Agency, the production of 46 film projects with a total cost of over UAH 562 million was completed, of which over UAH 319 million was state funding. Among them are 18 non-fiction, 17 feature films, 6 TV series, 4 non-fiction TV films, and 1 animated series.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the presence of international forces in Ukraine will strengthen the security mechanisms proposed by partners. This will give confidence to citizens, businesses, and investors regarding the absence of repeated aggression by the Russian Federation.
President Zelenskyy stated that Putin demonstrates contradictory messages regarding the war, telling the US President about his desire to end it, but publicly declaring its continuation. The Ukrainian side is ready for a meeting, but it is important that the actions and words of the Russian leader coincide.
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine will conduct an unscheduled inspection of Medical House "Odrex" LLC, one of the legal entities of the Odrex clinic, which is involved in criminal proceedings regarding possible fraudulent activities. This is not the first inspection by the Ministry of Health of structures associated with the Odrex clinic.
Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that a call between Kremlin head Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is expected "in the near future" following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Peskov also noted that the Kremlin agrees with Trump's assessment that peace in Ukraine has become significantly closer.
The SBU detained an agent in Kyiv who worked for Russian and Belarusian special services, adjusting attacks on the capital's energy facilities and spying on the Defense Forces. The perpetrator, recruited via Telegram, was preparing to flee Ukraine but was detained and is in custody.
President Zelenskyy stated that partners will provide technical monitoring of the ceasefire in Ukraine. He noted that the issue of a free economic zone is currently being discussed, and a demilitarized zone is not yet on the agenda.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that martial law would be lifted only after Ukraine receives security guarantees. And it will also require the consent of the army command.
Employees of the Criminal Investigation Department and the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine stopped the activities of a group involved in illegal arms and ammunition deals. A 43-year-old resident of Poltava region, the organizer of the group, was detained, and an arms cache was discovered.
In temporarily occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, four Russian occupiers with a "Ural" were blown up. This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
On the night of December 29, Russia attacked Ukraine with 25 Shahed-type attack UAVs. Defense forces destroyed or suppressed 21 enemy drones in the north, south, and east of the country.
As of December 29, 2025, the Defense Forces of Ukraine have eliminated 1,205,690 Russian occupiers. The enemy has also lost over 11,000 tanks and 23,000 armored combat vehicles.
On the night of December 29, residents of Maykop, the capital of the Republic of Adygea, heard explosions. The Khanskaya military airfield, where air defense operations were recorded, came under attack.
