On January 1, explosions occurred in Kerch, with more than 10 blasts recorded. Russian air defense systems are also reported to be operating.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces' Unmanned Systems Forces confirmed the defeat of 10 military and infrastructure targets deep within enemy territory and in temporarily occupied territories on New Year's Eve. Among the targets were Russian oil refineries, an oil depot, a KASTA-2E2 radar, and a TOR air defense system.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 205 attack UAVs on New Year's Eve from December 31, 2025, to January 1, 2026. Of these, 176 were shot down or suppressed, but 24 hits were recorded in 15 locations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine seeks peace, but not at the cost of its own statehood. He emphasized that only pressure can force Russia to end the war, which has been ongoing for 1407 days.
SBU Head Vasyl Maliuk summarized 2025, noting the "Spiderweb" special operation, the destruction of 41 Russian strategic aviation aircraft, and an underwater explosion that shook the Crimean Bridge. A Russian submarine in the port of Novorossiysk was also hit.
As reported by the General Staff, on the night of December 31, the Tuapse oil refinery, Tamanneftegaz, the Rosrezerv oil depot, and a number of other targets of the Russian occupiers were hit.
In 2025, Russians used over 60,000 guided aerial bombs, about 2,400 missiles, and over 100,000 drones. Air raid alerts sounded at least 19,033 times across Ukraine.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense and the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine attacked a sea oil terminal and an oil refinery in the city of Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai, Russia.
Units of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine inflicted damage on a number of military and infrastructure facilities in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia regions and in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Among the hit targets are an oil depot, a floating craft base, a radar station, deployment points and substations.
On the night of December 31, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 127 attack UAVs of various types. Defense forces shot down or suppressed 101 enemy drones in the north, south, and east of the country.
The Russian authorities transferred the powers to register real estate in occupied Crimea to a federal structure - Roskadastr. This deprives local gauleiters of any opportunity to dispose of the peninsula's assets.
FBK investigators discovered a new palace of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin in occupied Crimea, built on the site of Viktor Yanukovych's former "dacha. " The cost of the object is estimated at 10 billion rubles, its area is 9 thousand square meters, and the territory includes a pier, an artificial beach, and a helicopter pad.
While searching for the "best candidate" for the position of head of the State Aviation Service, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba settled on Ihor Zelinskyi – a former deputy head of this body with a controversial legacy. Kuleba's relevant deputy commented on this choice and shifted all responsibility to the Cabinet of Ministers.
On the night of December 30, Russian troops attacked Ukraine with two ballistic missiles and 60 attack UAVs. Air defense forces shot down one missile and 52 drones; hits were recorded.
In temporarily occupied Luhansk, first-year medical students are being recruited as junior medical personnel due to a staffing crisis. This creates risks for patients, as the students lack basic knowledge.
On the night of December 29, Russia attacked Ukraine with 25 Shahed-type attack UAVs. Defense forces destroyed or suppressed 21 enemy drones in the north, south, and east of the country.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the damage to the Syzran oil refinery in Russia's Samara region on the night of December 28, which led to a fire. Also successfully attacked were a boat storage facility in Chornomorske, a repair unit in Antratsyt, a pontoon crossing near Nikonorivka, and a UAV warehouse in Makiivka.
The Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of a number of enemy military targets in temporarily occupied Crimea. Among the hit targets is the enemy "Valdai" radar station.
In Russia's Rostov region, a freight train locomotive derailed, causing delays for 25 trains. The accident disrupted Russia's railway connection with temporarily occupied Crimea.
Russia attacked Ukraine with 48 Shahed-type attack UAVs, Gerbera, and other drones. Air defense forces shot down or suppressed 30 enemy drones in the north, south, and east of the country.
The special unit of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine "Ghosts" conducted a successful operation in occupied Crimea on the eve of Christmas. A number of expensive air defense systems and other military facilities of the occupiers were destroyed.
Russia and Kazakhstan have postponed the first launch of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle as part of the joint Baiterek space project for additional system checks. The Baiterek program is in its final stages, and the launch was delayed due to falling behind schedule and sanctions.
On the night of December 26, Russia attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 99 attack UAVs. The defense forces neutralized 73 drones.
In occupied Crimea, mobile internet shutdowns and slowdowns are becoming permanent measures. This leads to problems with emergency services and access to information.
On the night of December 25, 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck the port of Temryuk, causing a fire in two oil product tanks. The military airfield in Maykop and a repair unit in Truzhenka were also hit.
On the night of December 25, Russia attacked Ukraine with 131 drones, mostly Shahed. Air defense forces shot down or suppressed 106 enemy UAVs, and hits were recorded in 15 locations.
ISW analysts believe that the Kremlin will have to compromise on its demands that are incompatible with the peace plan. Russia is not interested in a compromise-based settlement, as evidenced by its constant references to the 2024 demands.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the interception and destruction of 132 Ukrainian aircraft-type UAVs from 13:00 to 20:00. The drones were allegedly shot down over 10 regions and occupied Crimea.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to withdraw Ukrainian troops from parts of eastern Donetsk Oblast to create a demilitarized zone. This is a potential condition for peace talks, although Russia has not shown willingness to withdraw its troops.
Units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully struck several enemy targets on the night of December 24, including a synthetic rubber plant in Russia's Tula region. A storage facility for uncrewed boats in Crimea and a logistics depot in Luhansk region were also hit.
