The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is introducing state financial support for enterprises of the defense-industrial complex under financial leasing agreements. The program provides for a reduction in the lessor's remuneration for critically important defense industry enterprises, providing access to transport and equipment at reduced rates.
The Japanese government has planned a record defense budget of over 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) to strengthen its defense capabilities amid tensions with China. The country is also developing long-range missiles and the SHIELD drone system to protect its coast.
Western sanctions have reshaped India's oil trade, reducing its reliance on Russian oil. Imports from Russia decreased by 17.8% in January-October 2025, while imports from the US increased by 83.3% and from the UAE by 8.7%.
India is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in a network of roads, tunnels, and airfields along its disputed border with China. This is a response to the bloody clashes of 2020, which exposed the Indian army's logistical vulnerabilities.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from Pavlo Palisa on strengthening front-line positions and the army. The head of state announced the strengthening of combat units and the drone component, and also signed decrees on awarding Ukrainian soldiers with state awards.
The former head of a communal enterprise in Tiachiv region has been notified of suspicion of abuse of office. He purchased two trucks at inflated prices, which led to an overpayment of over UAH 1.17 million.
The Ministry of Defense has launched a pilot project using photo and video recording during the acceptance of rear property for the needs of the Armed Forces. This will ensure the objectivity of procedures and create an evidence base to minimize corruption risks.
Law enforcement officers have uncovered new facts and individuals in the case of a criminal group that terrorized elderly residents of Ukraine, threatening prosecution for refusing to buy biologically active additives. A hundred new episodes have been documented, and 21 individuals have been notified of suspicion.
Free trips within 3,000 km are valid during off-peak periods and are focused on routes to frontline communities. Tickets can be purchased through the Ukrzaliznytsia application
The Cabinet of Ministers approved a mixed financing mechanism for the procurement of innovative medicines, allowing regional health departments and hospitals to participate. This will ensure that patients with severe and rare diseases receive the necessary medications.
The Central Bank of Russia has developed a concept for regulating the cryptocurrency market, which provides for strict control over digital assets. Cryptocurrencies are recognized as currency values, but their use as a means of payment in the Russian Federation is prohibited.
The Russian ruble has strengthened by 45% since the beginning of the year, trading at around 78 rubles per dollar, which is the strongest growth since 1994. This poses a threat to the country's war economy, despite falling oil prices and new sanctions.
The Trump administration has developed a plan to reform the immigrant detention system, envisioning the conversion of industrial warehouses into deportation centers. The new system is designed to accommodate over 80,000 people simultaneously, with a network of seven "super-warehouses" and 16 smaller facilities.
The US State Department has signed memorandums of cooperation with four African countries, investing $1. 4 billion, while recipient countries have pledged to invest more than $900 million of their own resources. The new US approach requires financial discipline and a gradual phasing out of donor aid, with clear benchmarks and consequences for non-compliance.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that institutions hosting IDPs will receive compensation for utility services. The changes include compensation without IDP status, accounting for the actual period of stay, simplifying expense verification, and increasing the norm for social housing area.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a number of draft laws concerning economy and defense. Among them are the creation of financial inclusion banks, the extension of special operating rules for "Pivdenmash", and the introduction of bank taxation.
The funds are directed to the energy support fund and are crucial for getting through the heating season.
The Russian authorities are considering postponing the construction of an Arctic railway worth over $10 billion due to uncertainty regarding funding sources. The Northern Latitudinal Railway project, which involves connecting railways and building a bridge, could be delayed by three years.
The Ministry of Development has decided on the mandatory evacuation of children from 19 settlements in Donetsk Oblast. About 200 people with limited mobility are also being evacuated from Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Law enforcement officers served a notice of suspicion to a group of individuals for seizing 70 million hryvnias from the Kharkiv city territorial community. This happened during the procurement of goods in the energy sector at prices inflated by 2.5 times.
Russia planned to build 2062 vessels by 2035, but funding has been secured for only 593, casting doubt on over 1500 projects. Ship construction in Russia is 2.5–3 times more expensive than in China due to low labor productivity and technological backwardness.
President Zelenskyy stated that new direct support programs for Ukrainian citizens will be implemented in 2026. Almost 18 million Ukrainians have applied for this year's winter support.
The Ministry of Defense has identified the comprehensive renovation of the military rehabilitation system as a priority area of work, which requires about UAH 8 billion. Next year, the state budget will allocate over UAH 700 million for the development of the network of military hospitals, and the NATO project "RENOVATOR" has already accumulated 80 million euros.
France has approved a temporary law to prevent a government shutdown from January 1, as they failed to agree on a full budget. This measure allows the state to collect taxes and make critical expenditures, duplicating the fiscal parameters of 2025.
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.
Prosecutors reported suspicion to officials due to violations of sanitary norms and E. coli in school food. Dangerous bacteria were found in products supplied to schoolchildren.
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.
Over 11 months of this year, local budgets received UAH 41. 4 billion in land payments, which is 15.3% more than last year. Dnipropetrovsk region, Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv regions provided the largest revenues.
In 2025, the trend towards nationalization sharply intensified in Russia, with the authorities actively seizing private companies and subsequently reselling them to Kremlin-loyal investors. The total value of assets transferred to state ownership exceeded 3 trillion rubles, which is 4.5 times more than in 2024.
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.
