The Kharkiv region was switched to emergency power outages in the morning, and consumers in the Donetsk region were completely de-energized due to night attacks by the Russian Federation. In total, more than 700,000 consumers in the Odesa and Donetsk regions remain without electricity.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reacted to the attack on a Ukrainian couple in Poznań, Poland, for speaking Ukrainian. Polish police detained the attackers, and the case has been handed over to the prosecutor's office.
Today, the 32nd meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the "Ramstein" format will take place. Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal will inform the allies about the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine's needs.
The German Chancellor called on EU member states to find a way to share the risks associated with the use of these assets.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the Pokrovsk agglomeration, destroying almost 100% of aerial targets. Over the past week, enemy personnel losses reached 446 people, which is 30% more than in the previous period.
The cost of a New Year's table for a family of four in Ukraine in 2026 will be about 3980 hryvnias. This is 10.7% more expensive than last year, according to data from the Institute of Agrarian Economics.
In Odesa region, energy workers restored electricity supply for about 330,000 families after a massive shelling. However, 288,000 families still remain without electricity, although critical infrastructure is powered.
The SBU found a Makarov pistol with a silencer, which was used to kill People's Deputy Andriy Parubiy. The weapon was in a cache set up by the killer and contains his DNA.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported on the discovery of the pistol used to kill Andriy Parubiy, and new evidence indicating the suspect's treason. His actions have been additionally qualified for cooperation with Russian special services and justifying Russian aggression.
The US is offering Ukraine security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5, but with an implicit ultimatum to accept them now. This offer is an attempt to accelerate a peace agreement and allay fears of a future Russian attack.
Martial law does not automatically exempt the state from paying penalties for overdue VAT refunds. The controlling body must prove force majeure circumstances that made the refund impossible.
Soldiers of the 3rd SSO regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a group of Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region. This happened after successful air strikes on enemy movement routes.
Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine with 69 Shahed-type, Gerbera, and other attack UAVs. Air defense forces shot down/suppressed 57 enemy UAVs; hits by 10 attack UAVs were recorded at 7 locations.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine have received reinforcements and continue active operations in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration area. The enemy has committed all its operational reserves, but Ukrainian troops are successfully resisting its attempts to break through the defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in the Netherlands for a series of meetings with European leaders, including the President of Moldova and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. A speech to parliament and an audience with King Willem-Alexander are also planned.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that there is no agreement on the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. He noted that the positions of Europe and the US on this issue differ significantly.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 151 combat engagements over the past day, more than half of which occurred in the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Kostiantynivka directions. The enemy launched 90 airstrikes and used 5,471 kamikaze drones.
Great Britain plans to strengthen citizen training for service, increase defense production, and develop necessary skills. This is a response to the growing threat from Russia, which seeks to challenge NATO.
Over the past day, December 15, Russian troops lost 1,150 servicemen, 9 tanks, and 1 submarine. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 16.12.25 amounted to about 1,190,620 personnel.
Germany will strengthen support for Ukraine's defense sector through joint ventures, market integration, and the possible provision of federal guarantees for investments within a 10-point plan. This includes joint procurement of Ukrainian military equipment and the establishment of a representative office of the Ukrainian defense industry in Berlin.
On the morning of December 16, Russian troops attacked Zaporizhzhia with a drone, which caused a fire in an apartment building. Two people were injured: a man sustained a shrapnel wound, and a woman suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the "coalition of the determined" has developed measures to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities and, if necessary, to deploy troops. The plans include ground deployment, but the priority is to achieve peace.
The next round of negotiations between Kyiv and Washington on a peace plan is scheduled for this weekend in the US. The discussion will take place after US consultations with Russia, and then a meeting at the leaders' level is possible.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated that the US is ready to respond with military action to renewed Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is enshrined in the security guarantees under discussion. He emphasized that Poland will not pressure Ukraine into concessions and will ensure the security of the eastern flank.
President Zelenskyy is concerned about the possibility of Russia rejecting Trump's peace plan, which could cause turbulence in the diplomatic process. In case of Russia's refusal, the United States of America will strengthen sanctions and increase arms supplies to Ukraine.
The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia and confirms the freezing of Russian assets. The EU is ready to cover two-thirds of Ukraine's financial needs for the next two years, which amounts to about 90 billion euros.
Ukraine will not cede control over Donbas but is considering creating economic zones without recognizing it as part of Russia. President Zelenskyy emphasized that Donbas is Ukrainian territory, and Kyiv will not recognize it as Russian either de jure or de facto.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that frozen Russian assets totaling up to $210 billion are a financial security guarantee for Ukraine. He presented two scenarios for their use: for post-war reconstruction or for annual financial assistance of 40-45 billion euros for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in case of continued aggression.
Russian troops advanced in Huliaipole, Predtechyne, Shakhove, and Stepnohirsk. This is evidenced by data from the DeepState monitoring project.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of a referendum on territories is not currently being considered. Ukraine is ready to hold elections provided a ceasefire is established and security infrastructure is ensured.
