War in Ukraine
Large American banks are refusing to cooperate with the network of gas stations of the Russian giant "Lukoil" in the United States due to sanctions previously imposed against the company. Therefore, "Lukoil" is conducting transactions through small American banks.
Denmark plans to donate 9. 4 billion kroner to Ukraine in 2026, almost half the amount allocated in 2025. In total, the country has allocated 70 billion kroner for military support to Ukraine.
French marines opened fire on five unidentified drones that flew over the Île Longue naval base, where France's nuclear submarines are stationed.
Tensions are rising within Italy's coalition regarding further financial and military aid to Ukraine in 2026. The League party has called for the return of frozen Russian assets, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister support aid.
In the city of Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, two men, aged 52 and 67, were killed as a result of a Russian drone strike on a truck while unloading firewood. A fire broke out at the scene of the attack. Investigators are probing the incident as a war crime.
Sweden will cease aid to Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Mozambique, Liberia, and Bolivia to increase support for Ukraine to 10 billion kronor by 2026.
The Norwegian Ministry of Defense will acquire two more submarines and long-range artillery from Germany, increasing the total cost of the order to almost 100 billion kroner. This is due to rising prices for raw materials and defense equipment, as well as the need to counter the activity of Russian submarines.
Russian occupiers are advancing in Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, but the city is almost destroyed. In Kupyansk, the occupiers overestimated their forces, noted Viktor Trehubov.
The United States is demanding that Europe take on a greater share of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027, including intelligence and missiles. Some European officials consider this deadline unrealistic, as Europe needs time to build up its potential.
Defense Forces units used e-Points to purchase 148,000 items worth UAH 8. 5 billion through Brave1 Market. This marketplace, integrated with the Army of Drones, offers over 200 products, including UAVs, ground control stations, and electronic warfare systems, with delivery in 10-20 days.
The German Bundestag has passed a new military service law that provides for a two-tier system with voluntary service and possible conscription. This is intended to increase the size of the Bundeswehr, as 18-year-old men will receive notices of readiness to serve.
In Lviv, the suspect in the murder of military enlistment office soldier Yuriy Bondarenko was taken into custody for 60 days without the right to bail. The deceased serviceman received a fatal stab wound while performing his official duties.
General Alexus Grinkevich, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO, stated that fewer American troops in Europe would not burden the continent's defense. This comes amid the expected withdrawal of American troops from Europe and their redeployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
The situation in the Pokrovsk direction remains tense, but Ukrainian units control the northern and central parts of the city. The enemy is trying to bypass the settlement from the flanks, but these areas are also controlled.
Rheinmetall AG CEO Armin Papperger said that a peace agreement in Ukraine will not change future demand for weapons, as Europe enters a prolonged period of rearmament. The company expects European and German defense spending to grow, aiming for 50 billion euros in sales by 2030.
On the night of December 5, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the infrastructure of the Temryuk seaport and the facilities of the Syzran oil refinery. Damage to the Saratov oil refinery has also been confirmed.
The United States has updated its national security strategy, which envisages the restoration of relations with Russia, the cessation of the war in Ukraine and preventing NATO expansion. The document also emphasizes the independent strengthening of Europe's defense and the importance of the Indo-Pacific region.
NATO Commander-in-Chief Alexus Hrynkevych stated that the Alliance must be ready to respond to the growing hybrid threats, which include cyberattacks and disinformation. He noted that Russia is behind some hybrid incidents in Europe.
A deputy of the Kharkiv City Council was served with a notice of suspicion of high treason and intentional failure to submit annual declarations. According to the investigation, in 2021–2024, the deputy disseminated pro-Russian narratives and facilitated the subversive activities of the Russian Federation.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the unity of Europe and the US in supporting Ukraine, rejecting reports of a possible betrayal of Washington. He refuted skepticism about peace talks, stressing the importance of cooperation.
The Ministry of Culture of Ukraine has recognized a number of public organizations and societies as critically important for the functioning of the economy. Among them are NGO "Wikimedia Ukraine", NGO "Slidstvo.Info" and LLC "Knyharnya Ye".
The US is trying to block EU plans to use frozen assets of the Russian central bank to support a loan to Ukraine. Washington believes that these assets are necessary to secure a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow.
European leaders are warning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to succumb to Russia's demands without ironclad security commitments from the United States. They advise clearly defining America's role in security guarantees for Kyiv before agreeing to Russia's demands.
In 2026, the security and defense sector will receive UAH 2. 8 trillion, of which UAH 1.4 trillion will go to military personnel's monetary allowance. The government assures that payments to military personnel will be made in full without delays.
Since December 1, a program for issuing housing certificates for internally displaced persons, military personnel, and people with disabilities has been in effect. As of this morning, 16.5 thousand applications have been submitted, but the terms for receiving the first certificates remain unknown.
The IMF welcomes discussions in Europe on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. The Fund emphasizes compliance with international law and non-disruption of the functioning of the global monetary system.
21 countries are participating in the PURL initiative to purchase American weapons for Ukraine, with total commitments amounting to $4. 18 billion. A recent visit to NATO headquarters brought in about a billion in additional contributions and five new participating countries.
In the morning, six regions of Ukraine were switched to emergency power outages. This happened due to a night attack by the enemy on energy facilities, which caused damage to equipment and local blackouts.
The International Monetary Fund has named conditions for a new four-year EFF program with Ukraine, which provides access to 8. 1 billion US dollars. Among the conditions are the adoption of the 2026 budget, expansion of the tax base, and a number of others.
Russian occupiers shot a Ukrainian prisoner of war in Svyato-Pokrovske, southwest of Siversk. A soldier of the Ukrainian Defense Forces came out of cover with his hands raised, but immediately after exiting, he received a burst of automatic fire and fell.