War in Ukraine
Russians plan to create tourist sites, so-called "places of military glory," in the occupied Donbas and attract investments there for "tourism development. "
The 3rd assault battalion of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment liberated five villages in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: Orestopil, Novoselivka, Sosnivka, Khoroshe, and Vorone. The operation lasted over 100 days in the autumn of 2025 with the support of the 20th Army Corps.
The SES has completed emergency search operations in Chernihiv after a Russian drone hit a residential building. One person died, nine were injured.
As a result of the Russian attack on Chernihiv, 10 people were injured, including three children. An 80-year-old woman died.
In Lviv, on Christmas Day, the "Homin" choir sang mournful carols dedicated to Ukrainians who died in the war. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi announced this event.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova urged Russians to refrain from traveling to Germany unless absolutely necessary. The reasons for this appeal are not given.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from Pavlo Palisa on strengthening front-line positions and the army. The head of state announced the strengthening of combat units and the drone component, and also signed decrees on awarding Ukrainian soldiers with state awards.
In Chernihiv, 40 rescuers and 7 units of State Emergency Service equipment continue emergency rescue operations after the enemy strike that destroyed floors of a residential building. State Emergency Service psychologists provided assistance to 100 victims.
British monarch Charles greeted the world for Christmas; he did not mention specific countries in his speech, but he included the Ukrainian carol "Shchedryk" in the video sequence.
The White House has released a photo card featuring US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. The couple smiles and holds hands, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
On December 26, hourly power outage schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov will meet with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. President Zelenskyy hopes the conversation will be a step towards peace.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, representatives of President Trump. Significant details of work and ideas for achieving lasting peace were discussed.
The Ministry of Defense has launched a pilot project using photo and video recording during the acceptance of rear property for the needs of the Armed Forces. This will ensure the objectivity of procedures and create an evidence base to minimize corruption risks.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine extended the ban on the import of goods from Russia until December 31, 2026. This decision has been renewed annually since 2015 as a countermeasure to economic pressure.
Frontline Robotics and German Quantum Systems are scaling up production of the Lens drone for tactical reconnaissance and target destruction. This bomber drone can carry up to 2 kg of payload over 10 km and is equipped with a gyro-stabilized camera.
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže announced a ban on entry for 14 Russian citizens. This decision was made ahead of the Luge World Cup stage in Sigulda, which the International Federation allowed "neutral athletes" from Russia to participate in.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhiy Tykhyi, stated that Putin denied Ukraine's right to exist as early as 2001. This happened 13 years before the Revolution of Dignity and 21 years before the full-scale invasion.
On December 25, a Christmas procession with stars took place in Kyiv, starting at Mykhailivska Square. The event, organized by the Ivan Honchar Museum, invited families, folklore groups, choral ensembles, and veterans to participate.
The HUR handed over an ancient icon of Archangel Michael to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. This relic, symbolizing the struggle of good against evil, was returned to the Ukrainian church with the participation of Kyrylo Budanov.
Since the beginning of the day, 61 combat engagements have taken place at the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Oleksandrivka directions, having carried out 49 shellings.
The number of people injured in the Russian UAV strike on a five-story building in Chernihiv has risen to 8, three of whom are in serious condition. An 80-year-old woman died, and the drone hit an apartment on the third floor.
President Zelenskyy had a warm conversation with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, thanking him for his support of Ukraine. They discussed Russia's brutal attacks on Ukraine during Christmas and their "barbaric" nature.
In Dnipro, a man inflicted knife wounds on two military personnel from the Territorial Recruitment Center (TCR) during a notification process. The injured were hospitalized, and shots were fired into the air to apprehend the assailant.
JSC "Ukrainian Defense Industry" has announced the selection of candidates for the positions of independent members of the Supervisory Boards of six key defense industry enterprises. Applications for participation in the selection will be accepted until the end of 2025.
The head of Ireland's defense and foreign policy departments has refuted a statement by the Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) that China is "hostile. " The minister emphasized the importance of economic cooperation and warned of the risks of isolating Beijing ahead of his upcoming trade mission.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced slow but steady progress in the negotiation process with the United States on Ukraine. This comes against the backdrop of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's publication of 20 points of a "basic document on ending the war."
A 48-year-old woman who was injured in the Russian shelling of Kyiv on December 23, 2025, has died from her injuries. She sustained shrapnel wounds to the head during a drone attack in the Sviatoshynskyi district.
In Kharkiv region, a mother was served with a notice of suspicion for malicious non-fulfillment of parental duties after her 6-year-old daughter sustained severe injuries during shelling in Kupyansk. The woman left the child in an active combat zone, despite mandatory evacuation.
Free trips within 3,000 km are valid during off-peak periods and are focused on routes to frontline communities. Tickets can be purchased through the Ukrzaliznytsia application