Pope Leo XIV sent three trucks with over 100,000 servings of instant soups to the regions of Ukraine most affected by the hostilities. This humanitarian aid, received from a Korean manufacturer, is important for the population facing damage to civilian infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the day, 103 combat engagements have been recorded at the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Oleksandrivka directions, where fighting continues.
US President Donald Trump had a "good conversation" with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin before meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Florida. The leaders discussed preparations for the meeting with President Trump and the consequences of Russian strikes.
Fierce fighting continues in Huliaipole, with part of the city under the control of Russian troops. The occupiers are actively storming positions, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding a significant part of the city, inflicting tangible losses on the enemy.
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.
Russia again attacked the Kherson CHP, causing significant damage. An employee was injured and hospitalized.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with US President Donald Trump today at 8:00 PM. Approximately at 9:00 PM, Zelenskyy and Trump will hold a phone conversation with European leaders.
Tram traffic in Kyiv has been fully restored after a power outage on the left bank. Work is underway to restore trolleybus traffic.
In Sumy region, a Russian drone attacked a vehicle delivering bread in the Stetskivka старостат (starostat). As a result of the strike, the car was damaged, but the people inside were not injured.
In Chernivtsi region, rescuers extinguished a large-scale fire at a poultry farm in the village of Zamostya. The fire destroyed a building with an area of 975 square meters and led to the death of about 5,000 birds.
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.
Why Keir Starmer was not present during Zelenskyy's phone call with European leaders, The Telegraph found out.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that much could be resolved in diplomacy before the New Year, and Ukraine is doing everything for this. He noted that decisions depend on partners, important sanctions and pressure on Russia, missiles for air defense, and the finalization of formats for ending the war and security guarantees.
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.
Following a local ceasefire brokered by the IAEA, repair work has begun on the power line near the ZNPP. The IAEA team is monitoring the repairs, which will last several days, to prevent a nuclear accident.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the damage to the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region on the night of December 28, which led to a fire. Also successfully attacked were a boat storage facility in Chornomorske, a repair unit in Antratsyt, a pontoon crossing near Nikonorivka, and a UAV warehouse in Makiivka.
The Drone Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the defeat of the Russian GRU special forces in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region. More than 120 servicemen of the 14th Special Forces Brigade of the Russian GRU were eliminated or wounded.
From January 1, 2026, the salaries of pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical staff will increase by 30%. The government has approved a resolution that provides for an increase in official salaries for all pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical staff of state and communal educational institutions.
In Brovary, Kyiv region, one person died and another was hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator. The incident occurred in an apartment building where the generator was operating in the basement.
The Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of a number of enemy military targets in temporarily occupied Crimea. Among the hit targets is the enemy "Valdai" radar station.
Russian troops in Kupyansk are surrounded and have no prospects of de-blockade. Enemy forces are concentrated on the left bank of the Oskil River, and not in the city itself.
In Russia's Rostov region, a freight train locomotive derailed, causing delays for 25 trains. The accident disrupted Russia's railway connection with temporarily occupied Crimea.
Oleksiy Kuleba reported that after the massive Russian attack, most homes in Kyiv and the Kyiv region already have heating, and water supply has been fully restored. It is expected that the heating system will be fully operational everywhere by the end of the day.
During the night, the enemy attacked the energy infrastructure of several regions of Ukraine. Emergency power outages continue in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, with over 19,000 consumers remaining without electricity.
The presidents of Ukraine and the United States will meet in Florida to discuss a plan to end the war, including Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The meeting takes place against the backdrop of Russian air attacks and disagreements on key issues.
After a massive attack, 748,000 families in Kyiv are again with electricity. On the left bank of the capital, emergency outages continue to be applied due to network overload.
