19-year-old Kateryna Endeberia left a college in the UK after being advised to replace challenging subjects with learning Russian. She has applied to take her A-level exams as a private candidate in 2026.
The Novoshakhtinsk oil products plant has been attacked and is on fire in Novoshakhtinsk, Rostov Oblast, ASTRA reports.
The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, visited the soldiers of the "Timur Special Unit" on the Zaporizhzhia front. He spoke with the soldiers, checked their working conditions, and awarded the intelligence officers.
Five Russian servicemen were sentenced in absentia to 10 years in prison for torturing four civilians in the city of Trostianets during the occupation of Sumy region. The occupiers beat detainees, simulated executions, and held them in inhumane conditions.
Drones of the SBU's Alpha Special Operations Center successfully hit the seaport of Temryuk and the Orenburg gas processing plant. This led to fires and the suspension of the technological process at the enterprise.
The head of the German parliament's foreign policy committee, Armin Laschet, stated the need for a German-French initiative to coordinate European plans for a ceasefire in Ukraine. He emphasized that Europe must develop its own strong foreign and security policy, agreed upon with Ukraine, which could then be presented to Russia from a position of strength.
The government has expanded the possibilities for civilians affected in temporarily occupied territories to obtain the status of a person with war-related disability. The basis for granting the status is the decision of the Interdepartmental Commission under the Ministry of Veterans Affairs.
As a result of the night attack by Russian drones on the port infrastructure of Odesa region on December 25, the head of the guard was killed. Two more people were injured and received medical assistance.
As a result of Russian attacks on Christmas night, consumers in four regions were cut off from power, and emergency blackouts occurred in Odesa region. Restriction schedules are in effect throughout Ukraine around the clock.
On the eve of Christmas, the work of the French national postal service La Poste was paralyzed by a large-scale DDoS attack. The pro-Russian hacker group Noname057 claimed responsibility.
Declassified transcripts of conversations between Putin and Bush have been released, in which the Russian leader openly opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO, warning of conflict. He considered Ukraine an artificial state and its entry into the Alliance a threat to Russia.
On the night of December 25, Russia attacked Ukraine with 131 drones, mostly Shahed. Air defense forces shot down or suppressed 106 enemy UAVs, and hits were recorded in 15 locations.
US President Donald Trump discussed Santa Claus's travels, which are tracked by the NORAD program, with children. During the conversation, he mentioned Ukraine along with China and Russia.
As a result of the night attack by Russians on the port and industrial infrastructure of Odesa region, one person was killed and two more were injured. Administrative, production, and warehouse premises were damaged, and fires broke out.
Over the past day, 151 combat engagements took place on the front, with the hottest spots being the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions. The invaders launched 1 missile and 80 air strikes, used 3 missiles and dropped 193 guided aerial bombs.
On December 24, Russian troops lost 860 soldiers and 600 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 25.12.25 amount to 1,201,230 personnel.
ISW analysts believe that the Kremlin will have to compromise on its demands that are incompatible with the peace plan. Russia is not interested in a compromise-based settlement, as evidenced by its constant references to the 2024 demands.
Russian media are actively promoting the "Black Book on the Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis in Donbas," published by the Russian Military Historical Society. This book contains no objective evidence, only propagandistic theses comparing "Ukrainian neo-Nazis" with German Nazis.
The enemy equipment was located in the area of the settlement of Kulbaky, 7 km from the border with Ukraine. The enemy used this self-propelled artillery unit to carry out artillery strikes on the territory of the Sumy region.
The Russian authorities are actively militarizing the education system, involving "SVO veterans" in the upbringing of children. History teachers are advised to organize children's search for "SVO veterans" as part of extracurricular activities.
As part of a recent operation, Lasar's Group pilots burned another TOS-1A "Solntsepyok". The target was operating against the advanced positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that the war in Ukraine could end within the next 90 days. He emphasized that the Trump administration is working towards peace and will pressure both sides to end the conflict.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 130 combat engagements since the beginning of December 24, 28 of which were enemy attacks in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched one missile and 52 air strikes, and used 3274 kamikaze drones.
The Russian ruble has strengthened by 45% since the beginning of the year, trading at around 78 rubles per dollar, which is the strongest growth since 1994. This poses a threat to the country's war economy, despite falling oil prices and new sanctions.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna announced the full combat readiness of Estonian services to give armed resistance to any Russian provocations. Tallinn will no longer tolerate the appearance of soldiers without insignia on its territory.
In Russia, the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center predicts the end of Russia's war against Ukraine in 2026. 70% of respondents consider 2026 to be more successful, and 55% associate this with the possible end of the war.
Representatives of the embassies of Great Britain, Germany, and France presented a joint creative greeting for the winter holidays, performing Mykola Leontovych's legendary composition in the Kyiv subway. The recording took place at the Zoloti Vorota station with the participation of Ukrainian musicians.
German Federal President Steinmeier congratulated citizens on Christmas, choosing overcoming challenges as the central theme. He emphasized that supporting Ukraine will not be a short-term task and will require significant efforts from German society.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the interception and destruction of 132 Ukrainian aircraft-type UAVs from 13:00 to 20:00. The drones were allegedly shot down over 10 regions and occupied Crimea.
Soldiers of the Rubizh brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine celebrated Christmas Eve at the front line. Hot tea and kutia were on the tables, symbolizing the connection with generations and native homes.
