Europe
The incidence of influenza and SARS in Ukraine is 18-20% lower than last year, but it is expected to increase in winter. During the epidemic season, more than a million Ukrainians fell ill, and about 100 thousand are ill every week.
Gas prices in Europe continue to decline due to mild and windy weather. Storm Darrag increased wind power production, which reduced the use of gas for electricity.
Frankenburg Technologies will start testing its own anti-aircraft missiles in Ukraine in 2024. The missiles use IS for guidance and can shoot down targets at an altitude of up to 2 km.
Meteosat-12, the first geostationary satellite of the third generation, has been put into operation. It will provide more accurate weather forecasts and will be able to track lightning in real time over the next 20 years.
A bipartisan delegation of senior officials from the US Senate Appropriations Committee arrives in Kyiv. The visit underscores the importance of U.S. assistance in protecting Ukraine and European security from Russian aggression.
Transit of Russian gas through the territory of Ukraine will stop from January 1, 2025. The Ministry of energy and the Ukrainian GTS operator confirm the refusal to extend the contract with Gazprom and the development of alternative routes.
The European Union is lowering the protected status of wolves from "strictly protected" to "protected". The amendments will take effect in March 2025, unless there are significant objections from the Council of Europe member states.
Forecasters predict a mild start to winter with wet snow on St. Nicholas and temperature contrasts in the second decade of December. In the South, warming up to +15°C is possible, while in the Carpathians frosts up to -10°C are expected.
President Zelensky said that a strong Ukraine is the only chance to prevent Russia's war with Europe. According to him, Putin can attack NATO countries if Ukraine is forced to make an unprofitable peace.
The president of Ukraine announced the possibility of ending the war in 2025 with the support of the United States and Europe. To do this, it is necessary to create powerful pressure on Russia through the strengthening of Ukraine.
Ukraine's energy system remains under control despite the difficult situation. For businesses that provide 60% of their own consumption, the shutdown has been lifted, and electricity imports from the EU continue.
European countries are considering options to compensate for a possible reduction in US aid to Ukraine. The US remains the largest supplier of weapons, and the EU needs 3 340 billion annually to strengthen defense.
The head of the European Commission called for an increase in EU defense spending, which amounts to 1. 9% of GDP against 9% in Russia. The first European Commissioner for Defense has been appointed to strengthen Europe's military potential.
40% of all accidents with victims occur due to speeding. In the first 10 months of 2024, 2,541 people were killed and 26,959 injured in accidents.
NATO Allied Commander-in-Chief Pierre Vandier called on Europe to change its approach to armaments due to excessive bureaucracy. He emphasized the need to take more risks and invest in space, IT and military mobility.
In 2023, 5,100 women and girls were killed by partners or relatives, an average of 140 victims per day. The highest rate was recorded in Africa - 21,700 victims per year.
Realme plans to double its share of the European market to 10% within 3-5 years. Chinese manufacturers are actively investing in the promotion of premium smartphones in Europe, competing with Apple and Samsung.
The German Defense Minister said that Russia's war against Ukraine is no longer a regional one, but a threat to the whole of Europe. Putin has switched to a war economy and is waging a hybrid war with disinformation.
Denmark allocates 130 million euros for the Ukrainian defense industry. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen emphasized the importance of the Ukrainian experience for European countries.
The President said that inviting Ukraine to join NATO was a well-deserved step and a correction of a historical mistake. According to him, the only obstacle is the lack of political will of the partners.
The President said that the resilience of Ukrainians from Kupiansk to Zaporizhzhia could provide the preconditions for ending the war. He urged not to expect a miracle from Trump, but to work every day.
President Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not give up its rights to its entire territory. He also emphasized that the country would not allow itself to be used in election campaigns in Europe.
A group of people who created an artificial shortage of railway tickets to Europe through unauthorized access to accounts was exposed in Kyiv. The criminals resold tickets at three times the price via social media.
The President held a meeting on the policy of heroes as part of Ukraine's internal Resilience Plan. Specific programs to support soldiers and issues of war memory were discussed.
The head of the Kyiv RMA met with representatives of Poland to discuss support for Ukraine's Victory Plan. Security, energy issues and the restoration of Kyiv region's infrastructure were discussed.
President Zelenskiy announces the testing of four types of new Ukrainian missiles. UAH 775 billion is allocated from the state budget for the production of drones in 2025.
At his meeting with Trump at the White House, Biden emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine for US security. Sullivan said that the president would continue to defend this position both privately and publicly.
putin's spokesman denied that putin and Trump had a phone call after the US election. He also denied preparations for a conversation between putin and Scholz.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says that Europe will not be able to finance the defense of Ukraine without the United States.
The President of Ukraine emphasized that there are $300 billion of frozen Russian assets in Europe. Zelenskyy proposed transferring these funds to Ukraine for reconstruction and weapons purchases.