Leonid Kuchuk, the founder of the Odrex clinic, and his partner Tigran Arutyunyan, started with the gambling business. Kuchuk, who currently lives abroad, continues to control his business in Ukraine.
Due to Russian attacks on energy facilities in five regions of Ukraine, consumers have been cut off from power, with over 99,000 of them in Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Blackout schedules remain in effect, but additional capacities have been freed up to shorten them.
Over the past day, 193 combat engagements were recorded, the enemy launched 74 air strikes and carried out 4281 shellings. The Defense Forces hit three areas of personnel concentration and eliminated 1220 occupiers.
Russian troops advanced in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, according to DeepState. The enemy has made gains near Dronivka, Nykonorivka, Pankivka, and in Huliaipole.
The General Staff released its evening report as of 10:00 PM on December 18, 2025, recording 183 combat engagements. The Russian army carried out 49 airstrikes, 2409 kamikaze drone attacks, and 3104 shellings.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of a number of enemy targets in the temporarily occupied territories, including the 55Zh6 "Nebo-U" radar in Crimea and a fuel and lubricants depot in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. A UAV depot in Makiivka was also hit, and two S-400 air defense system launchers in Belgorod Oblast were destroyed.
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.
The US is considering new sanctions against Russia's energy sector, including its "shadow fleet" of tankers, if Putin rejects a peace deal with Ukraine. These measures could be announced as early as this week, as discussed by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent with European ambassadors.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said that Donald Trump doubts Vladimir Putin's desire for peace. Trump believes that Russia seeks full occupation of Ukraine.
The Kyiv Court of Appeal upheld the verdict against ex-president Yanukovych, sentenced to 15 years for organizing illegal border crossing and inciting desertion. His accomplice, the former deputy head of the State Protection Department, received 10 years in prison.
A scheme to embezzle budget funds by military officials and civilians has been uncovered in the Kyiv region, causing UAH 15. 5 million in damages to the state. The accountant of the military unit processed fictitious payments to civilians who were not on the personnel lists.
A 54-year-old resident of Donetsk prepared texts of speeches for local gauleiters and organized mass propaganda events in support of the Russian occupiers.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated that Russia will not make concessions regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine, considering them part of its constitution. Moscow will also not agree to the presence of NATO troops in Ukraine in any format.
The Kharkiv region was switched to emergency power outages in the morning, and consumers in the Donetsk region were completely de-energized due to night attacks by the Russian Federation. In total, more than 700,000 consumers in the Odesa and Donetsk regions remain without electricity.
Soldiers of the 3rd SSO regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed a group of Russian occupiers in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region. This happened after successful air strikes on enemy movement routes.
Ukraine may receive security guarantees similar to Article 5 of the NATO treaty under a peace agreement discussed in Berlin. These guarantees will not be permanent, as US President Donald Trump insists on ending the war started by Russia in 2014.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated there is a chance for peace in Ukraine, noting diplomatic efforts, particularly by US President Donald Trump. He hopes for further progress during dinner with European leaders, where territorial concessions remain a key issue.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Russia to arrange a truce for Christmas, hoping for a display of humanity. He stated this at a press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there are difficult issues in negotiations with the United States, particularly regarding territories. He noted that the positions of Ukraine and the United States on this matter still differ.
A US official stated that the negotiations in Berlin were positive, with consensus reached on a number of issues. Donald Trump is pleased with the progress, although some issues still require discussion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the conversation with the American side, which took place in Berlin, constructive. He emphasized the importance of a dignified peace.
The White House will hold a press conference on peace talks in Berlin regarding the war in Ukraine. Earlier, the second round of negotiations took place with the participation of President Zelenskyy and US representatives.
Yuriy Kostyshyn, a 48-year-old photographer and serviceman known as "Kit Kharakternyk," died in battles for Ukraine's independence. He served in the 93rd and 44th brigades, participated in the defense of Kyiv, and had personal exhibitions of his front-line photographs.
The Ukrainian diplomat refutes conspiracy theories regarding negotiations with the United States, stating that the information is false. He emphasizes the importance of involving the American side in the peace process.
American negotiators are pushing for Ukraine to cede control of Donetsk and Luhansk regions for peace talks with Russia. Kyiv refuses to withdraw troops from Donbas, despite US demands.
About 430,000 consumers in the south remain without electricity, and extended blackout schedules are being applied in Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions.
Ukraine and the US are holding a second day of talks in Berlin on a plan to end the war, with security guarantees for Ukraine taking center stage. President Zelenskyy is discussing abandoning NATO membership in exchange for bilateral security agreements.
Ukraine has introduced a new approach to air raid alerts with district-by-district notification, which will reduce the duration of alerts in communities without a real threat. This has already shortened the time of alerts in frontline and central regions, allowing businesses to operate more stably.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin refuses a unilateral withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Donetsk region. This comes against the backdrop of a 28-point US plan that envisages Ukraine's renunciation of NATO and new elections.
A KIIS poll showed that 72% of Ukrainians are ready for peace with a frozen front and security guarantees. Most Ukrainians reject the Russian peace plan and are ready to endure the war for as long as necessary.
