War in Ukraine
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation announced the elimination of 45,000 paid places in universities, which is about 13% of the total. Universities are sharply increasing tuition fees, and the state is depriving students of preferential loans.
During the night, the enemy attacked one of DTEK's units in the Dnipropetrovsk region, causing power equipment to catch fire. The fire was quickly extinguished, and there were no casualties.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that changes to legislation regarding elections and a referendum depend on the progress of peace negotiations. He noted that if Ukraine manages to agree on a peace plan in January, then February could become a month for legislative changes.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expects to meet with US President Donald Trump to discuss, among other things, security guarantees for Ukraine for a period of more than 15 years. This issue was raised by Zelenskyy in December in Mar-a-Lago.
Since the beginning of the day, 140 combat engagements have taken place. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions, having made 52 and 24 attempts, respectively. The enemy also twice unsuccessfully tried to approach the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine is discussing future peace talks and possible venues with its partners. Turkey has previously served as a platform for prisoner exchanges, and this track will continue.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a possible contact with Vladimir Putin in the coming weeks. The goal of the dialogue is peace.
In Ivano-Frankivsk region, a serviceman of the district TCC security platoon was detained for humiliating and beating conscripts. The court remanded him and an officer in custody without the right to bail, and one of the victims sustained serious injuries.
A clear US commitment to support Ukraine has been removed from the text of the joint statement adopted in Paris. Instead, the US commits to supporting forces in the event of an attack and providing intelligence and logistical assistance.
President Zelenskyy believes that the US has tools to pressure Russia, similar to the operation to capture Nicolas Maduro. He suggested conducting a similar operation against Ramzan Kadyrov so that Putin would consider ending the war.
President Zelenskyy stated that information policy is not a priority for Kyrylo Budanov. He also mentioned that there is no deputy for economic affairs yet, but Oksana Markarova and Chrystia Freeland will join the Presidential Office as advisors to work on Ukraine's recovery, economic issues, and investments in particular.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not received a clear answer from partners regarding the defense of Ukraine in the event of a renewed Russian attack. He noted that Ukraine must rely on its own forces, and the number one guarantee is a strong army.
In Lviv, two medical facilities, including a center for victims of captivity and torture, are without power. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported that electric transport is resuming operation but expressed outrage over the power outage at hospitals.
The Ombudsman sent requests to the Ministry of Education and Science, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Security Service of Ukraine.
Ukraine's international reserves grew by 30. 8% in 2025, reaching $57.3 billion, the highest figure in the entire history of independence. This was made possible by record financial support of $52.4 billion from international partners.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia has suspended prisoner exchanges to pressure Ukraine. Budanov and Umerov will continue to deal with exchanges, despite Russia hindering the process.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that future security guarantees do not involve extending a "nuclear umbrella" to Ukraine. Discussions focus on troop contingents, ground, air, and sea defense, air defense systems, and strengthening and additional funding for the army.
Ukrainian negotiators, led by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, held consultations in Paris with national security advisors from France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Turkey, with the participation of the US, NATO, the European Commission, and the European Council. The parameters of security guarantees, deterring Russian aggression, and the logic of further steps in the peace process were discussed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with His Beatitude George, Archbishop of New Justiniana and All Cyprus. Efforts to achieve peace and humanitarian support for Ukraine were discussed.
Former Donald Trump adviser Fiona Hill stated that the Kremlin offered the White House "a free hand" in Venezuela in exchange for the US "turning a blind eye" to events in Ukraine.
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Poland will hold a meeting in Paris. The main topic of discussion will be support for Ukraine.
Ukraine is counting on accelerating progress with clusters for EU accession during Cyprus's presidency of the Council of the European Union. Strengthening sanctions against Russia and bolstering air defense were also discussed.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council published information about 11 Russian public figures who supported the war and the occupation of Ukrainian territories. Among them are actors, singers, theater and ballet artists, producers, composers, and public figures.
Nadiia Leshchyk familiarized herself with the investigation into the activities of the illegal school at the "Holosiivska Pustyn" monastery and sent a letter to the State Service for Quality of Education regarding an unscheduled inspection of general secondary education institutions, and also appealed to certain institutions and law enforcement agencies.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba is promoting Ihor Zelinskyi's candidacy for the head of the State Aviation Service without an open competition, despite the planned resumption of selections. This decision raises concerns due to Zelinskyi's questionable management background, as he previously contributed to the exclusion of Il-76 aircraft from the Ukrainian register.
Vladimir Putin celebrated Christmas with servicemen and their families, stating that they are fulfilling a “sacred mission of defending the homeland. ” The Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine notes that the Kremlin presents aggression as a “holy war,” militarizing Russian society.
In Dnipro, as a result of the Russian attack, the number of victims has risen to 8, including two children. Damage to high-rise buildings, a private house, administrative buildings, and infrastructure has been recorded.
During the night, Russia attacked the energy infrastructure of the Dnipropetrovsk region, which led to significant power outages. In the Odesa region, network restrictions continue, and in the Kyiv and Zakarpattia regions, there are power outages due to bad weather.
In 2025, over 11,000 mobile internet outages were recorded in Russia across 80 regions, including Kamchatka. The authorities explain this by protection against drones, although the real goal is to strengthen control over the information space.
He emphasized that communities had time to prepare for the new requirements for priority electricity supply. He also reminded that back in 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers amended the resolution on the list of objects that have guaranteed priority electricity supply.