War in Ukraine
Energy workers are stabilizing the situation in Ukraine after Russia's massive attack on energy infrastructure. Restoration work is underway in Rivne, Ternopil, and Odesa regions, with consumption restrictions applied in all regions.
On December 24, hourly power outage schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be applied in all regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
Journalist Mykhailo Tkach refuted Ihor Kolomoisky's statement that Timur Mindich is his neighbor in Israel. This also confirms the falsity of Kolomoisky's previous statement about an assassination attempt on Mindich.
Russians attacked an enterprise in the Kremenchuk community, as a result of which two people were injured. Medics are providing them with assistance, and life support facilities are operating normally.
Kenyan authorities are investigating a network that recruited Kenyans to participate in hostilities on the side of the Russian Federation under the guise of employment. At least 200 citizens were lured to Russia with promises of work and then sent to war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian defenders withdrew from Siversk in Donetsk region due to the enemy's superiority in manpower and equipment. The city remains under the fire control of the Defense Forces, which allows blocking the enemy's advance and inflicting damage on them.
The CEC has resumed the work of the State Register of Voters, which is a basic condition for holding elections. This will allow updating the register taking into account demographic changes during the war, Arakhamia said.
In Germany, representatives of centrist parties accused the right-wing Alternative for Germany party of collecting data that is of interest to Russian special services.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They discussed the decision on 90 billion euros in financial aid to Ukraine for 2026-2027, adopted on December 19.
In 2025, assets dependent on the end of the war showed rapid growth, but investors are acting cautiously due to risks to the Ukrainian economy. US activation in the peace process and a loan from the EU stimulated optimism, but large funds remain skeptical about the terms of the agreement.
Serhiy Tarakanov, director of the Chornobyl NPP, stated that another Russian shelling could destroy the internal radiation shelter. Even an indirect ballistic hit is capable of causing seismic vibrations that the old Sarcophagus might not withstand.
On December 19, the European Union approved €90 billion in funding for Ukraine, which the country will repay after receiving reparations from Russia. Journalists found out how this process took place.
Ihor Zelinsky, who is being lobbied for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, blocked the operation of the Ministry of Defense's Il-76MD military transport aircraft. This decision made it impossible to use critically important aviation equipment for the logistical needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the war.
The Finnish Ministry of Interior has announced stricter criteria for obtaining a permanent residence permit, which will come into force on January 8, 2026. The changes include extending the period of residence to six years, mandatory proficiency in the state language, and stable employment history.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul believes that Russia could use a ceasefire in Ukraine to prepare for an attack on NATO. He emphasizes the need for reliable security guarantees for Ukraine, especially from the United States, in the event of territorial concessions.
Former Head of the State Judicial Administration Oleksiy Salnikov stated that NABU fabricated criminal cases to seize control over the State Judicial Administration. He claims that a provocateur with Russian citizenship, who is on an international wanted list, was used for this purpose.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi reported on the forced reduction of electricity production at two Ukrainian nuclear power plants. This happened due to targeted attacks on electrical substations, which creates risks for the stability of the energy system.
The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled a mechanized assault by Russian occupiers in the Kostiantynivka direction on December 22. Soldiers of the 28th separate mechanized brigade destroyed enemy infantry and tanks.
Ukraine has officially requested Poland to extradite Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, suspected of illegal excavations in Crimea. His activities caused Ukraine losses of over 200 million hryvnias.
During the day, 67 combat engagements took place on the front, of which 27 enemy attempts to advance were recorded in the Pokrovsk direction. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, battles continue in several directions, including the Northern-Slobozhansky, Kupyansk, and Huliaipole directions.
The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed electricity distribution system operators to lease state-owned energy equipment without auctions. The monthly rent will be 1 hryvnia for each object, and the decision applies for the period of martial law and six months after its completion.
Switzerland has deported about 100 Ukrainian refugees, including the large Bohachuk family from Kharkiv, who were denied protection status S due to their previous stay in Lithuania. The Swiss migration service is demanding that they urgently leave the country, despite two years of living in Geneva and the children's adaptation to local schools.
On December 22, 2025, near the Ukrainian House in Copenhagen, a vandal destroyed sculptures from the exhibition "My Body Is a Battlefield. Copenhagen" by Ukrainian artist Maria Kulikovska. The Ukrainian House condemns this act of hatred and considers it an attack on the stories, dignity, and meanings embodied by the works.
Law enforcement officers have notified a Dnipro city council official and three individuals of suspicion for causing UAH 3. 3 million in budget losses. They organized a scheme to embezzle funds by entering into contracts for the supply of windows and doors at inflated prices.
Rating agency Fitch upgraded Ukraine's long-term foreign currency issuer default rating to "CCC" from "restricted default. " This reflects the normalization of relations with commercial creditors and the restructuring of 94% of commercial external debt.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine appealed to the NEURC regarding the postponement of planned changes in water tariffs. The government believes that water tariffs should remain unchanged throughout the war.
Banks in a number of countries around the world have begun to massively block accounts of Russians and tighten checks on their transactions. This is happening after Russia was included in the list of high-risk countries by the European Commission.
As a result of the night shelling of Odesa region on December 23, a civilian vessel under the flag of Lebanon, which was transporting Ukrainian soybeans, was damaged. Civilian warehouses and critical energy facilities were also affected, but there were no casualties.
Most of the 34 cruise missiles shot down during the night attack of the Russian Federation on December 23 were intercepted by F-16 aircraft. Three "Kinzhal" missiles did not reach their targets, although they were not intercepted by Patriot.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a package of decisions to strengthen the country's defense industry at the submission of the Ministry of Defense. A new experimental project is being launched for the Motor Sich enterprise, accelerating the design of new facilities and providing them with water, gas, heat, and electricity through a simplified procedure.