Russian propaganda
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Ukraine is trying to change the situation on the battlefield instead of preparing for negotiations. Lavrov also accused European countries of blocking peace efforts.
Russian troops are accumulating and consolidating in the south of Pokrovsk, trying to enter the northern part of the city. The occupiers are also trying to penetrate Myrnohrad with small sabotage and reconnaissance groups.
US President Donald Trump went to play golf in Palm Beach before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Russian fashion industry has not capitalized on the departure of international brands, facing falling demand and store closures in 2024–2025. Instead of developing its own production, the market has been flooded with imported goods, and businesses are losing profitability.
The head of the Center for Countering Disinformation, Kovalenko, stated that fighting for Huliaipole, Pokrovsk, and Myrnohrad is ongoing. Defense forces control the northern part of Pokrovsk, while the enemy resorts to propaganda in Myrnohrad.
Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, denied the Russian command's statements about the capture of Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia. Ukrainian units are in the city and its western outskirts, despite intense enemy attacks.
The Defense Forces hold the northern part of Pokrovsk, blocking enemy attempts to advance westward. In Myrnohrad, the situation is difficult, the enemy resorts to propaganda, but Ukrainian units are strengthening their grouping.
Russia actively exploits the theme of "anti-colonialism" to strengthen its influence in African countries, promising compensation for colonialism. The Russian Federation's goal is to gain access to the resources of African countries to realize its geopolitical ambitions.
The meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump has been moved to 1:00 PM local time, two hours earlier than planned. The reasons for the change in time have not been disclosed, but such adjustments are not unusual.
The highest military-political leadership of the aggressor country is lying about the complete capture of Pokrovsk, Huliaipole, and Myrnohrad, as well as control over half of Kostiantynivka. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council refute these statements, emphasizing that fighting continues and the Russians do not have control over the cities.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia demonstrates a desire to continue the war and will not stop, despite any agreements. Peace is a priority for Ukraine, but this requires the support of the world.
The Russian dictator stated that the issue would be resolved by military means if Ukraine does not seek peace on the Kremlin's terms. The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov, reported on advances in Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is not going to abandon the idea of territorial seizures in Ukraine; his claims extend far beyond the already occupied regions. This rhetoric is not new, as Putin has long used historical arguments to justify the war against Ukraine.
Over 40% of residential buildings in Kyiv and part of the Obukhiv district of Kyiv Oblast were left without heating after the Russian attack on December 27. Water supply in Kyiv and the region has already been restored, and heat supply is expected within 24 hours.
The Russian Ministry of Defense once again disseminated information about the alleged transfer of Kupyansk under the control of Russian troops. This happened after Russian military bloggers and Z-channels reported the loss of positions.
The head of the Swiss armed forces, Thomas Süssli, stated that the country is not ready for large-scale military threats and can only counter cyberattacks. Only a third of soldiers would be equipped in an emergency.
The President of Ukraine stated that Russia has set the task of organizing voting for Ukrainians on its territory and in the occupied territories of Ukraine. This is intended to show a large number of Ukrainians in these territories.
The Mariupol City Council reported that the occupiers changed the profile of the city's museums, using them for ideological processing and glorification of the invasion participants. Valuable exhibits, including paintings by Aivazovsky and Kuindzhi, were taken to Donetsk and Russia, and replaced with portraits of "DPR" militants and Russian military personnel.
The ATESH movement disabled a key telecommunications infrastructure facility of the Russian troops in the Zaporizhzhia region. This caused large-scale communication disruptions in the Russian Armed Forces units, particularly in the area of the Berdiansk airfield.
The Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine reports that the Russian financial system is entering a phase of controlled chaos, losing transparency and control. Starting from 2027, Russian financial companies will publish only depersonalized data on ownership structure, and regular income declarations for civil servants will be abolished.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, 870 violations against journalists and media have been recorded. In November-December 2025, the destruction of editorial offices and the prosecution of Ukrainian journalists were documented, as well as the death of two media workers who defended Ukraine.
Ukraine's Ministry of Energy declared legally null and void the decision of Russia's "Rostekhnadzor" to issue a "license" for the operation of the occupied ZNPP power unit.
The President of Poland was informed about the incident with objects from Belarus and the interception of a Russian aircraft. An analysis of the events, which may be a provocation, is underway.
A video is circulating online in which Russian soldiers claim to have captured a command and observation post in Huliaipole. Law enforcement officers are verifying the authenticity of the video and the circumstances of the event, said Vladyslav Voloshyn, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine.
In December, intelligence identified over 150 foreigners from 25 countries recruited into the Russian army, with about 200 more preparing to join. The main sources of recruitment are post-Soviet states and countries of the Global South.
"Poroshenko's team and Russia are actively working against Ukraine's volunteer movement," - Prytula.
On the morning of December 24, two explosions occurred in Ussuriysk in the parking lot of military unit 19288. Russian sources report a "welding machine pop," but a significant number of security forces were seen at the scene.
The SBU detained an FSB agent who tried to kill a HUR MO of Ukraine officer in Kyiv. The assassination attempt was carried out by a 28-year-old citizen of a Central Asian country, who was promised 50,000 US dollars and legalization in the EU.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the situation surrounding the building of the Russian consulate in Gdansk, stating that there could be consequences. Earlier, Poland withdrew its consent for the Russian consulate to operate in response to a railway sabotage linked to Russian special services.
In a Christmas address, Donald Trump accused political opponents of falsely linking him to Epstein. This came after the US Department of Justice announced a delay in the release of documents related to the financier.