War in Ukraine
Russia launched a night attack on Ukraine with 69 drones, including Shahed and Gerbera. Ukrainian air defense shot down or suppressed 37 enemy UAVs, but 29 attack drones hit 12 locations in the north, south, and east of the country.
In Odesa, a man wanted for violating military registration rules attempted to inflict stab wounds on himself in the premises of the Kyiv District TCC and SP. He also aggressively threatened doctors and servicemen, preventing them from providing assistance.
The EU leaders' summit on Thursday will test whether the bloc can hold together or whether US President Donald Trump can divide it. Officials of the Trump administration have been pushing European governments to reject a plan to use 210 billion euros of Russian assets to finance Ukraine.
Over the past day, 278 battles took place on the front line, which is significantly more than the day before. The largest number of enemy attacks, almost a third, fell on the Pokrovsk direction.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenka stated that the end of Russia's war against Ukraine depends on the position of Donald Trump and the USA. He emphasized that Trump is ready to act as a guarantor of a peace agreement that will provide guarantees for Russia.
American lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill that provides for sanctions against the purchase or facilitation of imports of Russian oil. The document creates a legal framework for increasing sanctions pressure on Russia's oil revenues.
Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing occupation administrations to confiscate housing from Ukrainians who have left the occupied territories. Real estate can be transferred to residents who have lost their homes or used as official housing for officials.
Oil quotes rose after US President Donald Trump announced a blockade for all sanctioned tankers entering and leaving Venezuela. Brent quotes rose by 0.9% to $59.46 per barrel, and American WTI rose by 1% to $55.82.
The US and European allies have prepared two draft documents on supporting Ukraine after a potential "peace agreement," which were discussed with President Zelenskyy in Berlin. The documents outline general principles and detailed provisions for force interaction, and also envisage increasing the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to 800,000 servicemen.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said that Donald Trump doubts Vladimir Putin's desire for peace. Trump believes that Russia seeks full occupation of Ukraine.
The Latvian government will allocate 2. 42 million euros to strengthen the protection of Riga Airport from unauthorized drone flights. The project envisages the introduction of modern technologies for detecting, identifying, tracking and neutralizing drones.
A Care Space for veterans has opened in Bila Tserkva, providing medical, psychological, social, and legal support. The project was implemented by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Health with the support of IOM and the EU, as part of a national network.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz estimates the EU's chances of reaching an agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense as "50-50. " EU leaders are expected to agree on the issue of using frozen Russian assets for a "reparation loan" to Ukraine at the summit on December 18-19.
The Swedish Navy and Coast Guard report the presence of Russian military personnel on vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil. An increase in Russian military activity is also being observed near key maritime routes, where 500 to 1,000 such vessels operate.
In Zhytomyr region, a Russian agent was sentenced to 10 years in prison with confiscation of property. He set fire to Ukrzaliznytsia facilities to disrupt logistics on the orders of Russian special services.
In the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, the situation with teachers' salaries is rapidly deteriorating: salaries are delayed, bonuses are cut, and accruals remain non-transparent. A significant part of payments is tied to loyalty, a refusal of which leads to deprivation of bonuses.
Russia's military spending for the first 9 months of 2025 reached 11. 8 trillion rubles, four times more than in 2021. The war costs 43.4 billion rubles a day, absorbing 44% of federal taxes.
During the day, 255 combat engagements were recorded on the front line, with Russian troops concentrating their efforts on the Pokrovsk and Kupyansk directions. The enemy carried out 55 airstrikes and used almost 2,000 kamikaze drones.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ukrainian servicemen undergoing rehabilitation in the Netherlands and presented them with state awards. He thanked the Netherlands for its support and assistance in the rehabilitation of Ukrainian soldiers.
The Polish government is preparing a bill to revoke the "Special Law" on assistance to Ukrainians from March 4, 2026. Refugees will transition to general rules for the stay of foreigners, which will lead to a reduction in social benefits.
Today, the enemy again attacked the south of Odesa region with attack drones. Civilian and transport infrastructure facilities were damaged, there were no casualties.
The Ukrainian side submitted proposals to Poland regarding search and exhumation work under martial law. This happened during the fifth meeting of the Ukrainian-Polish working group on historical memory.
Russian soldiers of the 1441st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Federation have begun to massively self-harm due to inadequate orders from the command on the Pokrovsk front. This is the only way to avoid being sent to the front line to perform suicidal tasks.
The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development refuted information about the possible introduction of a reconstruction tax, calling it a misinterpretation of the discussion. The country's recovery will be financed by international aid and funds from the aggressor.
Lithuanian authorities have arrested 21 individuals allegedly linked to a criminal network that smuggled cigarettes from Belarus using weather balloons. The operation involved over 80 searches and the seizure of contraband goods, luxury cars, and weapons.
The occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP receives power through only one of two external power transmission lines. The disconnection of the backup line due to military actions creates a threat of a nuclear accident.
The boxing gloves of world champion Oleksandr Usyk were raffled off in Lviv. The 300,000 hryvnias raised will be used to rebuild the Roman Shukhevych museum, destroyed by a Russian Shahed drone on January 1, 2024.
The Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the verdict against ex-president Yanukovych, sentenced to 15 years for organizing illegal border crossing and inciting desertion. His accomplice, the former deputy head of the State Protection Department, received 10 years in prison.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation explained how to stay online using xPON technology, which provides internet for up to 72 hours without electricity. To connect, you need to find a provider that uses xPON and arrange for the installation of an optical cable to your home.
On December 17, hourly power outage schedules and power limitations will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.