War in Ukraine
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy named three fundamental things in security guarantees from the US, including legally binding guarantees, an analogue of NATO Article 5, and a response to Russian aggression. He also mentioned details regarding weapons and the size of the Ukrainian army, which are not yet being disclosed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's needs depends on the political will of partners. The President noted that these funds could be directed to support the Ukrainian army and defense production.
Russia seeks the complete capture of Donbas and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, which Ukraine does not agree to. The US is looking for a compromise solution, and the Ukrainian delegation has departed for Washington to discuss a peace plan.
President Zelenskyy states that Putin's signals about unwillingness to end the war are not new. The possibility of continuing the war depends on pressure from partners, particularly the US, and sanctions.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stopped the payment of state scholarships to Serhiy Bubka and Yana Klochkova, according to decree No. 967 of December 17. Other Olympic champions and medalists have also been deprived of scholarships.
The Russian dictator confirmed his intention to seize territories that he considers "historical lands of Russia. " This primarily refers to the south and east of Ukraine.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's plane was damaged at Brussels airport, rendering it unairworthy. Fico also expressed support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who did not attend the summit, protesting against the EU's unfair treatment of Serbia.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine straightened the front line and improved their tactical position in the Lyman direction. As a result of joint assault operations by the Third Army Corps and the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, a regiment of the Russian army was destroyed, and a significant number of occupiers were taken prisoner.
At Thursday's EU summit, leaders will try to persuade Belgium to agree to the use of frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine. This is the EU's last chance to greenlight a proposal to raise 210 billion euros from Russian assets.
Over the past day, 134 combat engagements took place on the front line, which is half as many as the day before. The greatest activity was observed in the Pokrovsk direction, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled 38 enemy attacks.
On the night of December 18, the tanker "Valeriy Gorchakov", part of Russia's "shadow fleet", was hit in the port of Rostov-on-Don. This tanker was spotted in the waters of the ports of Mariupol and Berdyansk; there are dead and wounded.
Russia launched 82 drones at Ukraine overnight, 63 of which were shot down or suppressed. 19 attack UAVs were recorded hitting 12 locations.
EU diplomats are trying to find a compromise on financial aid to Ukraine ahead of the bloc's leaders' summit. Options being considered include a loan based on frozen Russian assets or joint EU debt.
In Kryvyi Rih, four people were injured as a result of a UAV attack, two were hospitalized. Private and two-story houses, an administrative building, and a cultural institution were damaged. Nikopol region was shelled with MLRS and an FPV drone.
Over the past day, December 17, the Russian army lost 950 servicemen killed and wounded, as well as 484 units of equipment. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 18.12.25 amounted to approximately 1,193,300 personnel.
Six people were injured as a result of a drone attack on Cherkasy on the night of December 18. The enemy targeted critical infrastructure, damaging residential buildings and a sports complex.
The UK Ministry of Defence is stepping up preparations for sending a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine to support a truce. Funding has been allocated for training and equipment procurement to be ready for rapid deployment after peace agreements are concluded.
US President Donald Trump, in an address to the nation, criticized his predecessor Joe Biden, stating that he inherited a "mess. " He did not touch upon the topic of Russia's war against Ukraine or events surrounding Venezuela.
Ukraine receives reinforcements for its air defense systems amid attacks, including automated turrets and missiles to destroy Russian drones, totaling £600 million. The supplies include modern air defense systems, as well as RAVEN and GRAVEHAWK systems for protection against low-flying targets and deep strikes.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine reallocated the 2025 budget, allocating over UAH 25 million for generators and equipment for cultural institutions. This decision will allow museums, theaters, libraries, and reserves to operate continuously during power outages.
On the evening of December 17, Russian drones attacked Odesa region, as a result of which at least seven people were injured. A nine-story residential building and an educational institution in Odesa district were damaged.
Russian intelligence organized a campaign to intimidate Belgian politicians and Euroclear top managers to block the use of frozen Russian assets for the benefit of Ukraine. The attack targeted key Euroclear officials, where most of Russia's frozen assets are held.
On the night of December 18, Russian military attacked the energy infrastructure of Voznesensk. Due to the damage, water supply has been temporarily suspended in one of the city's microdistricts.
The US does not support EU initiatives to confiscate Russian sovereign assets, warning of possible consequences. They consider frozen assets a flexible leverage in future negotiations.
Estonia has begun the construction of the first five of 600 defensive bunkers on the border with the Russian Federation, which are to be built by the end of 2027. These structures are designed to protect soldiers from artillery shells and are part of the Baltic defense line against potential attacks.
On the evening of December 17, Russian drones attacked Cherkasy, Sumy, and Kryvyi Rih regions, causing infrastructure damage and destruction. As a result of the shelling, there are casualties, including two in Kryvyi Rih and one person in Sumy region.
A 20-year-old veteran who lost all his limbs in the war could not renew his bank card because he was unable to hold it for confirmation. NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi apologized and promised to personally deliver the card to the serviceman.
On December 17, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the creation of a number of new military administrations in the Dnipropetrovsk region. This decision was made in pursuance of the law "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to meet with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on December 19. The meeting will discuss security issues and the implementation of agreements reached in Berlin and Helsinki.
The US presidential administration has temporarily suspended sanctions against several Russian banks involved in settlements in the civilian nuclear energy sector. Financial transactions are permitted until June 18, 2026, for projects initiated before November 21, 2024.