As of January 1, changes to the Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations came into force in Ukraine, aligning it with European standards. The document includes 11 mandatory free vaccinations, including a new vaccination against human papillomavirus infection for girls aged 12-13 and revised dates for MMR vaccination.
On December 31, in Horodyshche, Cherkasy region, a gas cylinder explosion caused a fire in a residential building. Two women sustained burns, one of whom was hospitalized.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has uncovered a new Russian tactic on TikTok: mass registration of accounts before holidays with emotional AI content. After gaining an audience, the profiles change their theme, promoting manipulative narratives.
Rescuers in Poltava region saved two men and a woman from a boat stuck in the ice on the Dnipro River in Hradizk village. One man fell through the ice, while the other man and the woman were brought to shore with the help of an airboat.
On New Year's Eve, from December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2026, 12 babies were born in Kyiv's maternity hospitals: 6 girls and 6 boys. The largest number of babies – seven – were born at the Kyiv City Perinatal Center.
Russia is preparing for the militarization of children, including adding drone control to GTO standards and expanding state regulation of military-sports training. Militarization has been extended to New Year's events, where children are given rides on military equipment and allowed to shoot.
Oleksandr Usyk congratulated Ukrainians on the New Year 2026 on Instagram, emphasizing that victory is possible only through unity. The boxer thanked soldiers, teachers, and doctors for their work.
The National Resistance Center published New Year greetings from Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. Residents of the captured cities conveyed words of support and holiday wishes, demonstrating their loyalty to Ukraine.
In Kyiv, traffic is difficult on Olena Teliha Street in the direction of the Shuliavska metro station due to a road accident. Drivers are asked to take this information into account when planning their route.
Near Rivne, patrol officers stopped a Mercedes-Benz, driven by an intoxicated man in a Santa Claus costume. An alcohol test showed 2.25 ppm, and the car was evacuated.
Kyiv law enforcement officers receive thousands of calls every day, some of which are unusual. The Kyiv police shared a selection of curious calls received on the 102 line.
Russia attacked ports in Odesa region and railway infrastructure in Kovel and Konotop on New Year's Eve. Piers, equipment, machinery, transport and infrastructure were damaged, but the attack did not affect train traffic.
Former special prosecutor Jack Smith said that Republicans, allies of Trump, were ready to testify against him in investigations into attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Smith emphasized that his arguments were based on the testimony of Republicans who put loyalty to the country above party.
On January 1, Russian troops struck the Zaporizhzhia district, causing a power outage for almost 4,000 subscribers. Restoration work has already begun.
In the high-altitude Carpathians, over a meter of snow fell on New Year's Eve, and the air temperature was -18°C. The State Emergency Service urges people to refrain from hiking due to difficult weather conditions.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed damage to the Ilsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar Krai and the Almetyevskaya oil preparation plant in Tatarstan. A UAV warehouse, a Tor-M2 anti-aircraft missile system, and a fuel and lubricants warehouse in the occupied Donetsk region were also hit.
President Zelenskyy reacted to Russia's massive drone attack on at least 7 regions on New Year's Eve. He emphasized the need for partners to supply air defense systems without delay.
On New Year's Eve, emergency services in Ukraine received over 5,500 reports, processing 1,105 calls. Among them, two concerned pyrotechnics: in Kyiv, the information was not confirmed, and in Dnipro, those involved are being sought.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces confirmed the defeat of 10 military and infrastructure targets deep within enemy territory and in temporarily occupied territories on New Year's Eve. Among the targets were Russian oil refineries, an oil depot, a KASTA-2E2 radar, and a TOR air defense system.
Most Ukrainians are optimistic about 2026, but positive sentiments are declining, and skepticism is growing. A "Rating" survey showed that 39% expect improvements, 27% – no changes, and every fourth – deterioration.
On New Year's Eve, a fire broke out in the "Le Constellation" bar at the Crans-Montana ski resort in Switzerland. About 40 people died, and about 100 more were injured.
New Year's Eve in the capital of Ukraine passed without serious violations of public order; no crimes were recorded. Information about the launch of fireworks in the Shevchenkivskyi district turned out to be unreliable.
On December 31, in Zhovkva, the driver of a BMW 520 collided with a locomotive at a red light. As a result of the accident, a 58-year-old passenger died on the spot, and the driver was hospitalized.
Russia continued its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on New Year's Eve, leading to power outages in the Volyn, Odesa, and Chernihiv regions. Power outage schedules are being applied in all regions to stabilize the energy system.
Donald and Melania Trump hosted a New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago, where the president held a charity auction. A painting of Jesus was sold for $2.75 million.
French President Macron stated that European defense will begin to form faster from January 6, 2026, in Paris. Many European states will commit to protecting Ukraine.
On the night of January 1, a number of Russian regions, including Krasnodar Krai and Kaluga Oblast, were subjected to drone attacks, which caused fires at an oil refinery and an oil depot. The mayor of Moscow reported repelling two UAVs that were allegedly flying towards the capital.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 205 attack UAVs on New Year's Eve from December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2026. Of these, 176 were shot down or suppressed, but 24 hits were recorded in 15 locations.
On New Year's Eve, Odesa was attacked by several waves of kamikaze drones, which caused fires at infrastructure facilities and damage to residential buildings. All fires were promptly extinguished, and there were no fatalities or injuries.
US President Donald Trump has postponed tariff increases on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and vanities until January 1, 2027. This decision was made amid growing voter dissatisfaction with price levels, maintaining the existing 25% tariff.
