War in Ukraine
Donald Trump stated that the war in Ukraine will eventually end. The US is working hard on this, "establishing peace around the world, settling wars at levels no one has seen before."
The Institute for the Study of War assesses that Putin is trying to conceal his initial war goals, limiting them to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Kremlin also rejected a US peace proposal without disclosing details.
The city of Syzran in Russia's Samara region was attacked by a UAV on the night of December 5, as confirmed by the mayor. A local oil refinery was likely hit, where a fire broke out.
US Vice President J. D. Vance said that the failure to establish peace in Ukraine is his biggest disappointment in office. He noted that "this Russian-Ukrainian affair" has been a source of constant frustration for the entire White House, but "there is hope."
Ukraine faces the threat of demographic collapse due to war, population losses, and declining birth rates. It is estimated that by 2051, the population will shrink to 25 million, whereas before the full-scale invasion, it was 42 million.
On the night of December 5, drones attacked the city of Temryuk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai. Drones likely attacked the local seaport, causing fuel tanks to catch fire.
The "Phoenix" evacuation group of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine evacuated two residents from the city of Druzhkivka, Donetsk region. The situation in the region remains tense due to daily Russian attacks.
On December 4, the UNESCO Committee supported Ukraine's initiative, adding 19 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites to the International List under enhanced protection. The total number of Ukrainian sites on this list has increased to 46.
Russians attacked the Chuhuiv community in Kharkiv region, hitting a non-operational industrial enterprise. The administrative building was damaged, a fire broke out, and there were no casualties.
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever will hold talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the use of frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Belgium expresses concerns about legal aspects and potential risks for its taxpayers.
On December 4, 2025, 154 combat engagements took place at the front, the hottest spot being the Pokrovsk direction. Russian occupiers used 38 airstrikes, 119 guided aerial bombs, and 3,207 kamikaze drones.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine struck one of Russia's largest chemical enterprises, "Nevinnomysskiy Azot" in the Stavropol Krai, and a concentration of enemy personnel at a training ground near Dokuchaievsk. The plant is a critically important component of the enemy's military-industrial complex, and enemy losses amounted to 60 servicemen killed and wounded.
A delegation of 15 UN Security Council members visited Syria for the first time since 1945, meeting with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The visit took place on the eve of the anniversary of the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and aimed to build trust.
Ukrainian representatives will continue talks in the US with President Trump's team. The task is to get full information about what was said in Russia and what other pretexts Putin found to prolong the war.
Envoys of US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian negotiators for the third time in two weeks to discuss a peace plan, while the Trump administration eased economic pressure on Russia. The US Treasury Department partially suspended sanctions against Lukoil gas stations outside Russia until April 29.
Ukraine has pushed back against hedge funds' demands regarding debt restructuring, stating that its proposal to exchange $3. 2 billion in GDP warrants is the best possible solution. The Ministry of Finance of Ukraine is confident in its proposal, which is intended to restore the sustainability of public debt.
EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that the European Union must develop its own peace plan for Ukraine, without relying on US initiatives. This is due to the fact that Europe was "caught off guard" by a 28-point peace plan developed by American Trump negotiators together with the Russians without the participation of the EU.
Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko stated that the prosecutor's office does not work under pressure, commenting on the criminal proceedings against the NABU detective and his father. He emphasized that the change of pre-trial detention is not an acquittal, and the investigation continues.
A Belarusian factory that produces tableware has been supplying drones to Russia for several years, bypassing European sanctions.
President Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with President of the European Council António Costa, discussing the negotiation track and the planned meetings of the Ukrainian team with the American side. Ukraine expects meaningful work to achieve a lasting peace.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned representatives of the diplomatic missions of Russia and Ukraine due to attacks on ships in the Black Sea. The head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Fuat Oktay, stated that the spread of the war to civilian shipping is a cause for concern.
A Vatican research commission has decided not to ordain women as deacons, disappointing Catholic women. Instead, it has been proposed to create new lay ministries for women outside of the ordained diaconate.
On December 5, hourly power outages will be in effect throughout Ukraine for household and industrial consumers. The restrictions will last from 00:00 to 23:59 due to the consequences of Russian attacks.
Operators of the 8th Special Operations Forces Regiment of Ukraine destroyed a group of Russian servicemen in Donetsk region who tortured a local resident. Among the liquidated was an African with the call sign "Malik".
In Ivano-Frankivsk, a symbolic amulet Christmas tree was installed, the base of which is pixel fabric, symbolizing the resilience of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Its decoration combines Ukrainian patterns and colorful embroidery, as well as white and blue beads as an amulet.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported that Russia and 11 other countries opposed the return of Ukrainian children, despite the adoption of a UN resolution. Only 1,850 children have been returned home after forced deportation.
The Ministry of Defense has allocated an additional UAH 2. 1 billion for the procurement of drones and equipment for the Armed Forces brigades through the DOT-Chain Defense marketplace. In total, almost UAH 6.3 billion has been allocated for these procurements, ensuring fast deliveries without bureaucracy.
Thanks to the efforts of Donald Trump's wife, Melania, seven children, previously illegally transported to Russia, were able to return to Ukraine.
Russian "war correspondents" are spreading narratives about "preparing an offensive on Chernihiv," but the aggressor has no real forces for this. This is part of Russia's pressure tactics on Ukraine and an attempt to prolong US efforts.
Since the beginning of the day, 131 combat engagements have been recorded at the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Kostiantynivka directions, where the Defense Forces repelled numerous attacks.