War in Ukraine
FIFA has approved a record budget of $727 million for the 2026 World Cup, a 50% increase from the previous tournament. The champion will receive $50 million, while group stage participants will each get $9 million.
As of the evening of December 17, the Defense Forces are holding back a massive onslaught by the occupiers, with 125 combat engagements recorded during the day. The enemy used over 3100 kamikaze drones and 82 guided aerial bombs to strike at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This weekend, American and Russian officials will meet in Miami to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine. The Trump administration is increasing pressure on Kyiv regarding territorial concessions.
Turkey is negotiating with Russia to return the S-400 systems to resolve the conflict with NATO and acquire F-35 fighters. This will allow Ankara to resume military cooperation with the West and strengthen its air force.
The XXV Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo will take place from February 4 to 22, 2026, with 116 gold medals to be awarded across 16 sports. For the first time since 2014, NHL players will return to the ice, and ski mountaineering will make its debut.
The US Senate has approved a national defense bill worth almost $900 billion, which includes $800 million for Ukraine for 2026-2027. The funds will be distributed in equal parts for the procurement of weapons.
Ukraine will increase the accessibility of prostheses and orthoses for civilians affected by Russian aggression by increasing compensation and, for the first time, providing children with bionic prostheses. The government has adopted a corresponding decision, while maintaining the algorithm for receiving assistance.
Zelenskyy appointed Vadym Boichenko as head of the Mariupol City Military Administration. The new status of the body allows for prompt decision-making in the interests of the community, removing restrictions caused by the incapacity of the deputy corps.
The Danube Commission has decided to create a Register of Damages from Russian aggression on the Lower Danube. This will ensure systematic collection of data on the damages caused and their transfer to the Council of Europe and the EU for compensation.
The Ukrainian government has approved a package of Ministry of Defense decisions to launch the Defence City space from January 5, 2026. This will provide comprehensive state support to Ukrainian arms manufacturers for scaling up, modernizing production, and generating innovations.
The Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council denied information about lowering the mobilization age and conscripting students. The CCD called this an enemy IPSO aimed at destabilizing the situation in the country.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine appealed to UEFA and European governments with a demand for a complete ban on the participation of Belarusian national teams and clubs in international tournaments. It is also proposed to restrict the entry of Belarusian athletes until the restoration of Ukraine's sovereignty.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Moscow is preparing next year as a year of war, and these are signals not only for Ukraine. He emphasized the need for partners, particularly the US, to react to this rhetoric, which undermines diplomacy.
FIFA has announced the launch of a new competition for players under 15, open to all 211 member associations. This decision effectively lays the groundwork for the return of Russian teams to world football after their suspension in 2022 due to aggression against Ukraine.
On December 18, hourly shutdown schedules and power limitations for industrial consumers will be in effect in most regions of Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized the importance of the EU's plan to use frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's defense. This will increase pressure on Putin and accelerate the end of the war, despite some countries' fears of possible reprisals.
President Zelenskyy held talks with Czech President Petr Pavel. The situation on the front, particularly the operation in Kupyansk, and defense support for Ukraine were discussed.
A photograph by Anastasia Taylor-Lind, taken in Poltava region, has been recognized as one of the best in the world by National Geographic. The shot, titled "In the Embrace of Family," is part of the "5K From the Frontline" project.
Dictator Putin will appear in one of the episodes of the animated series "Prostokvashino". "Soyuzmultfilm" stated that this should become a tool of "soft power" to promote Russia and its culture.
Poland will begin producing anti-personnel mines for the first time since the Cold War. They will be deployed along the eastern border and exported to Ukraine.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that his country will not participate in the meeting of EU leaders with their counterparts from the Western Balkans. This is Vučić's personal decision, who claims to be protecting the interests of Serbia, which has made little progress in its bid to join the EU.
Belgium has appealed to the EU with a proposal to activate an emergency provision for issuing joint debt to finance Ukraine's war efforts.
Nearly a million Ukrainian children live in an "eternal lockdown," studying online due to the pandemic and war. This has led to a deterioration in psychological well-being but has also revealed a high level of resilience among young people.
As a result of the Russian air strike on Zaporizhzhia, 30 people were injured, including 5 children. Emergency rescue operations have been completed, and State Emergency Service psychologists have provided assistance to 27 citizens.
MEPs supported a resolution on abolishing internal borders for the movement of troops and equipment within the EU, which will enhance military mobility. This decision was made against the backdrop of Russia's war against Ukraine, with the aim of rapid cross-border movement of troops and equipment.
In Ukraine, December accounts for 30% of the annual import of mandarins, the demand for which was growing before the war. The main suppliers are Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt.
The Special Operations Forces of Ukraine successfully attacked the field artillery depot of the 101st Logistics Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army of the Russian Federation in Luhansk region. The operation was carried out on the night of December 17, 2025, using FP-2 attack UAVs.
Vladimir Putin stated that Russia would achieve its military goals in Ukraine by force or diplomatically, calling European leaders "piglets. " He accused the previous US administration of provoking the conflict and threatened to liberate "historical lands" on the battlefield.
According to a Razumkov Center poll, 92% of Ukrainians trust the Armed Forces of Ukraine, while 76% distrust the Verkhovna Rada. 32.5% of respondents believe that events in Ukraine are developing in the right direction.
Since the beginning of the day, 87 combat engagements have taken place. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions, having carried out 60 shellings and airstrikes.