Ukraine

The Brovary City Council will consider monthly surcharges of UAH 1,300 for pre-school and out-of-school teachers. The initiative will require about UAH 18 million per year from the local budget.

The Verkhovna Rada has voted in favor of a bill to compensate for car insurance costs for combatants starting in 2025. The document provides for a 50% discount on insurance policies and special conditions for certain categories of citizens.

The World Bank has estimated Ukraine's needs for recovery and reconstruction at $524 billion by 2034. The housing sector, transport, and energy were the most affected, with direct losses of $176 billion.

In 2024, 1270 orphans and children deprived of parental care were adopted in Ukraine.

The SBI is investigating former acting head of the State Tax Service, Tetyana Kiriyenko, for failing to comply with a court order. She faces up to 8 years in prison and a ban on holding certain positions.

At night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 213 Shahed drones and 7 X-101 cruise missiles. Air defense forces shot down 133 UAVs and 6 missiles, with damage in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions.

President Zelenskyy presented new developments of the Ukrainian defense industry to partners, including fiber-optic FPV drones and robotic platforms. During the three years of war, the defense industry has developed significantly and plans to increase drone production.

In 2024, 189 offenses related to animal cruelty were recorded in Ukraine, of which 46 cases were sent to court. Most cases were registered in Kyiv, Poltava and Dnipro regions.

The Verkhovna Rada supported the resolution on democracy in Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression by 268 votes. The document confirms Zelenskyy's legitimacy and the impossibility of elections until peace is established.

German Finance Minister Jörg Kukis said that Russia will not be readmitted to the G7, despite Trump's demand. He also discussed the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's recovery.

Due to the warming weather, electricity consumption in Ukraine decreased by 4. 1% compared to the previous day. In Odesa region, forced blackouts are introduced due to the consequences of Russia's attack on power facilities.

The G7 countries continue negotiations on a joint statement on the anniversary of the war because they disagree with the US position. Washington objects to the wording “Russian aggression” and tries to soften the UN's position.

France is ready to use its nuclear deterrence to defend Europe and may deploy nuclear fighters in Germany. This is happening against the backdrop of US threats to withdraw its troops from the continent and statements about a possible peaceful settlement in Ukraine.

Serbia voted in favor of the European resolution on Ukraine at the UN General Assembly, but President Vucic called it a mistake. He attributed the decision to his own fatigue and apologized to his citizens.

The US and Russian diplomatic delegations will meet again in the Saudi capital. This is a continuation of last week's talks between Lavrov and the US Secretary of State.

During his visit to the United States, Macron did not argue with Trump's idea of resuming a dialogue with Putin, mentioned the importance of Ukraine's interests, but did not receive any commitments of support from the United States. Changes in global politics create a need for France to work on a strategy for an autonomous Europe

The EU has offered Ukraine a deal on critical minerals, competing with the US offer. Trump demands mineral rights in exchange for $500 billion in compensation for support.

The French president said that a truce between Ukraine and Russia could be reached in the coming weeks. Macron also commented on Trump's willingness to meet with Zelenskyy and discuss security guarantees.

The National Bank of Ukraine has set a new official exchange rate of 41. 7015 UAH/USD, which is 11 kopecks more than the previous one. The euro is set at UAH 43.64, and the dollar is trading at UAH 41.74-41.77 on the interbank market.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet with Donald Trump to discuss Ukraine's involvement in peace talks. The meeting will take place after Britain announces a new package of sanctions against Russia.

Over the past day, 98 combat engagements took place on the front, most of them in the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions. The enemy launched 85 airstrikes and carried out about 5,000 shellings.

Calm winter weather with partly cloudy skies and minimal precipitation is expected in Ukraine. Temperatures will range from +8°C in Lviv to -8°C in the eastern regions, with no precipitation in most areas.

Former Health Minister Oleg Musiy warns of the risks of state regulation of the pharmaceutical market. The new restrictions could lead to the withdrawal of foreign manufacturers from Ukraine and a shortage of important drugs.

Over the past day, Ukrainian troops eliminated 1300 occupants. Moreover, 5 tanks, 11 armored vehicles, 26 artillery systems and 122 enemy UAVs were destroyed.

On February 25, 1918, the Ukrainian Central Rada approved the Trident as the emblem of the Ukrainian People's Republic. The decision was made in Korosten, when Kyiv was under the occupation of Bolshevik Russia.

The Polish Operational Command has activated its military aviation due to russian strikes on targets in western Ukraine. Air defense and radar intelligence systems have been put on alert to ensure the security of the adjacent territories.

An air alert has been declared in Ukraine due to the takeoff of enemy missiles. Four Tu-95MS strategic bombers launch cruise missiles from the Saratov region.

As a result of shelling in Obukhiv district of Kyiv, a 44-year-old woman was wounded and received a cut wound to her leg. A private house and outbuildings in Obukhiv and Fastiv districts were damaged.

British Security Minister Dan Jarvis said that Russia could return to the G7 after the war is over.

A large-scale fire broke out at an industrial facility in the Poltava region after shelling. 153 rescuers and 51 pieces of equipment from Poltava, Cherkasy and Dnipropetrovs'k regions were engaged in the firefighting.