Since 2022, Russia has involved citizens of 128 countries in the war against Ukraine through fake centers, private structures, and diplomatic institutions. Foreigners are recruited by deception, coercion, or for money; many of them are killed or taken prisoner.
Duduzile Zuma, daughter of the former President of South Africa, has resigned amid an investigation into the recruitment of South African and Botswanan citizens to participate in Russia's war against Ukraine. Police confirmed a statement by another daughter of the former president against Duduzile Zuma for "luring men to Russia under false pretenses."
The Kyiv TCC announced the mobilization of former footballer Denys Harmash, who had no deferment or reservation. The athlete independently chose a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after passing a medical commission and was found fit for service.
A deferment request can be submitted by conscripts whose father or mother has a disability of group I or II.
A German court has issued an arrest warrant for a 49-year-old Ukrainian in connection with the Nord Stream pipeline explosions. Kuznetsov himself denies his involvement.
Two former law enforcement officers from Dnipropetrovsk region will face trial for deleting data of wanted draft dodgers from state systems. The accused made changes to information systems throughout 2024 and were exposed in June 2025.
The Ministry of Defense has started testing a new function in the Reserve+ application, which will allow adding the owner's photo to the electronic military registration document. This update is intended to make identity verification more transparent and speed up document checks.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that over the past week in Pokrovsk, the enemy was searched for and destroyed on an area of about 11. 5 square kilometers. The Russians engaged operational reserves due to significant losses and pressure from Ukrainian forces.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has declared a state of emergency and launched large-scale measures to strengthen security forces. The police will recruit an additional 20,000 officers, and forest rangers will search for armed groups.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the introduction of voluntary military service for 18- and 19-year-olds due to the growing threat from Russia. The program will last 10 months, and by 2030, it is planned to recruit 10,000 new recruits.
In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, a TCC official beat a conscript who refused to undergo fluorography, inflicting at least five blows to his groin. The victim sustained severe bodily injuries, which led to the need for surgical removal of an organ.
The SBU counterintelligence detained an FSB agent in Dnipropetrovsk region who was adjusting artillery shelling of Nikopol. The 42-year-old unemployed man was recruited through a dating site and transmitted data about the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Germany is developing and implementing a secret 1,200-page "Operational Plan Germany" (OPLAN DEU) in case of war with Russia, which provides for the transfer of up to 800,000 NATO troops to the front line. The plan details logistics and defense, and also brings back a Cold War mentality, taking into account modern threats and infrastructure problems.
Swiss citizens will decide whether to replace military service for men with universal civic duty for all and introduce new taxes for the super-rich to support climate projects. The government urges the rejection of both initiatives, citing potentially huge costs and a threat to the economy.
Over the past day, 213 combat engagements were recorded on the front line, which is a third more than the day before. The greatest activity is observed in the Pokrovsk (57 attacks) and Lyman (44 attacks) directions.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Staff, where they discussed the fair distribution of personnel among brigades. Draft decisions are to be prepared in the near future.
Kaja Kallas, the EU's chief diplomat, stated the need to limit the size of the Russian army and its military budget. This is to prevent further military conflicts, avoiding the trap Russia is setting regarding limiting the Ukrainian army.
The number of vacancies with booking options has increased 8-fold over the year, with the most offers in blue-collar professions. Demand among job seekers has also significantly increased, rising 16-fold, according to OLX Robota.
The Russian government has approved a list of 42 specialties for which the admission of fee-paying applicants to higher education institutions is restricted. This decision is explained by improving the quality of education, but the real goal is to increase the number of young people in the army and in blue-collar jobs in the military-industrial complex.
There is progress between the US and Ukraine in formulating a new draft proposal to end the war, but the final text has not yet been agreed upon. Disagreements remain over territories, army size, and Ukraine's NATO membership.
In Zakarpattia, law enforcement officers detained an armored car that was transporting a man of conscription age to the border with Hungary. The services were estimated at 16,500 US dollars.
A Ukrainian official said after talks in Geneva that Kyiv supports the essence of the framework peace agreement. However, some sensitive issues remain subject to discussion between the US and Ukrainian presidents, and final agreements have not yet been reached.
Law enforcement officers uncovered a number of offenses in Lviv and Kyiv regions, including illegal transportation of persons across the state border and receiving undue benefits. Persons involved in these crimes have been detained and charged.
Russian troops are trying to encircle Myrnohrad in Donetsk region, moving towards Rivne and Svitlo. The 7th Airborne Assault Corps is holding back the enemy, and the marines captured four occupiers.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that US President Donald Trump's peace plan needs refinement to be acceptable to Ukraine and Europe. He emphasized that only Ukrainians can decide on territorial concessions.
As part of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, Ukraine has returned a 22-year-old boy who had been under Russian occupation for over three years. He has been reunited with his parents and is receiving the necessary assistance.
In Dnipro, two individuals have been notified of suspicion of organizing the illegal transfer of conscripts across the state border. They valued their "services" at 20,000 US dollars, promising a military medical commission conclusion of unfitness.
As part of the national program "Pluses in the Army+ app," defenders receive discounts on fuel, food, and beverages at WOG CAFE, as well as goods at WOG MARKET (excluding alcohol, tobacco products, and promotional items).
The Foreign Intelligence Service reported that Russian regions are reducing payments for contracts that previously attracted volunteers to the armed forces. This indicates the depletion of the resource base, despite stable official contracting statistics.
From January 1, 2026, men aged 23–60 who work in the media will be able to cross the border with a letter from the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting. This is stipulated by the new Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1509, which changes the procedure for strategic communications representatives to travel abroad.
