In England, trains were canceled and delayed on New Year's Eve due to the theft of 200 meters of signal cables between Doncaster and Sheffield. This led to the cancellation of 13 services and the delay of 83 trains for more than 15 hours.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba summarized the results of 2025 in the transport industry, noting an increase in seats on international trains and the launch of the Eurotrack. The "transport visa-free regime" with the EU was extended, and digital systems such as eCherha and e-TTN were introduced.
Since September 2025, over 1200 IDPs and residents of frontline territories have applied for preferential mortgages. The state covers 70% of the down payment and monthly payments, as well as 40 thousand hryvnias for related expenses.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to extend restrictions on the export of timber and scrap metal until the end of 2026. This decision provides for a licensing regime with zero quotas to preserve strategic raw materials in Ukraine and direct them to the needs of domestic processing.
The government approved the procedure for implementing the Medical Guarantees Program for 2026, allocating over UAH 191. 6 billion, which is UAH 16.1 billion more than last year. This will allow for an increase in medical workers' salaries, and increased funding for primary healthcare and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed healthcare facilities to purchase housing for medical workers in frontline regions. Housing will be provided for the period of employment in the settlement or within 30 km of it.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has cost Russian taxpayers approximately $550 billion, which is equivalent to 24 annual Russian higher education budgets. A significant portion of these expenditures is hidden, and the financing of the war is shifted to the population through new taxes and rising prices.
In Bukovyna, an official of the Service for Restoration and Infrastructure Development is suspected of abuse of office. He signed acts of acceptance of work for the construction of a bridge, which led to an overpayment to the contractor of more than UAH 2.5 million in budget funds.
This refers to UAVs, sights, thermal imagers, anti-drone rifles, and other critically important goods for Ukraine.
The United Nations has approved a 7% budget cut to $3. 45 billion for 2026, which is $270 million less than the current budget. This decision is due to a financial crisis caused by US debt and involves cutting 2,900 positions.
Romania has contributed 50 million euros to the PURL initiative, aimed at purchasing American weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This step, according to Foreign Minister Oana Țoiu, will strengthen regional security and is in line with Romania's NATO commitments.
The hryvnia exchange rate at the end of 2025 turned out to be stronger than predicted, which casts doubt on the government's pessimistic expectations for 2026. Expert Ihor Garbaruk points to the risk of budget non-fulfillment due to an overestimated planned exchange rate.
Discounts on Russian oil at export terminals again approached historical highs, reducing margins and leading to losses. More than half of Russian oil companies are eligible for zero or reduced mineral extraction tax rates.
In December 2025, demand for "female beauty" services in Russia decreased by 25–30%, which was the worst indicator in a decade. This is due to the rising cost of living, increased tax burden, and the impact of the war against Ukraine.
Kyivzelenbud officials and a contractor have been notified of suspicion of embezzling UAH 1. 2 million during the major renovation of Hydropark. They inflated the prices of building materials in the estimate.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko announced a complete update of the Admission Procedure to higher education institutions in 2026. Changes include the cancellation of motivational letters and a reduction in the number of applications from 15 to 12.
In 2025, Ukraine attracted over $52. 4 billion in external aid, of which more than 70% came from frozen Russian assets. These funds allowed for the full provision of social and humanitarian expenditures, while domestic resources were directed to security and defense.
In Ukraine, annual inflation is 9. 3%, but the situation remains stable. The expert predicts predictable inflation for the next two years thanks to international support, not expecting hyperinflation.
Russian pipeline gas exports to Europe in 2025 decreased by 44% to 18 billion cubic meters, which is the lowest figure since the mid-1970s. This happened after the closure of the Ukrainian route and the cessation of fossil fuel imports from Russia.
Ukraine's government bonds rose on Monday after positive signs in peace talks to end the war. Some bonds reached their highest level since the sovereign debt restructuring.
In 2025, over three thousand migrants died trying to reach the Spanish coast, which is three times less than last year. The vast majority of deaths occurred on the Atlantic migration route to the Canary Islands.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that without weapons from the United States, Ukraine would not be able to win the war, especially in air defense. He emphasized that Russian forces are massively using drones and missiles, and the available air defense systems are insufficient for complete protection.
The US Department of Defense has signed an $8. 6 billion contract with Boeing to supply 25 new F-15 fighter jets to the Israeli Air Force, with an option to purchase 25 more aircraft. Work under the contract, which is part of the Foreign Military Sales program, is expected to be completed by the end of 2035.
Ukrainian and American delegations prepared a package of solutions for Ukraine's post-war reconstruction and economic growth on December 28. It includes financing, investment mechanisms, reforms, and cooperation with American businesses.
Starting in September 2026, students in grades 1-11 across the country will receive free meals. The government has allocated almost UAH 6 billion for the first phase of the program, and a total of UAH 14.4 billion is provided in the State Budget for 2026.
A group that smuggled medicines from India and Turkey, selling them online under the guise of well-known brands, has been exposed in Khmelnytskyi region. More than 360 packages of medicines, including those unregistered in Ukraine, have been seized.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is interested in receiving reparations from Russia for the restoration of the state. He announced that the issue of funds for reconstruction has already been resolved with the Europeans, and the first 100 billion dollars will arrive in equal tranches over two years.
The Cabinet of Ministers plans to consider Ihor Zelinskyi's candidacy for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, lobbied by Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. This personnel decision raises serious questions given Zelinskyi's decisions made during his work in the leadership of the aviation regulator.
In 2025, with the support of the State Film Agency, the production of 46 film projects with a total cost of over UAH 562 million was completed, of which over UAH 319 million was state funding. Among them are 18 non-fiction, 17 feature films, 6 TV series, 4 non-fiction TV films, and 1 animated series.
Citizens of Ukraine who adopt children can receive social assistance from the state. Payments are made until the end of their studies, but no longer than 23 years, in the amount of the difference between 100% of the subsistence minimum and the average monthly total income of the family.
