Ukraine

Latvian border guards detained a Ukrainian man who was trying to illegally cross the border from Latvia to Russia on a bicycle. The offender faces a warning or a fine under local law.

The Minister of Internal Affairs has appointed National Guard veteran Dmytro Finashyn as an advisor on veteran policy. Finashyn, who rose from private to officer, will deal with rehabilitation and support for the Interior Ministry's military.

Robert Fico announced that the Smer party is ready to reduce support for Ukrainian citizens in Slovakia. This is a reaction to the cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine, which resulted in a loss of 5 billion euros in revenue.

A newborn boy was found in a bag on Bohuslav Street near a private house. The child was taken to the hospital, and the police are looking for the parents and asking witnesses to provide information.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry denies the UN's accusations that religious freedoms in the country are being restricted. The Ministry emphasizes that the law only prohibits subordination of religious organizations to the governing centers of the aggressor country.

As a result of the Russian attack on January 1, the administrative buildings of the Ukrainian parliament were damaged. Two people were killed - scholars Ihor Zyma and Olesya Sokur - and seven were injured, including two pregnant women.

In November, the average salary of civil servants rose to UAH 62 thousand, which is 3. 4 times higher than the average in Ukraine. The highest salaries were paid at the Antimonopoly Committee - UAH 118.7 thousand.

The Swedish company Molnlycke Health Care is suspected of financing the Orphan Diseases of Ukraine NGO to maintain its monopoly. The head of the association, Tetiana Kulesha, may be lobbying for the interests of the medical bandage manufacturer.

Nuclear and radiation safety experts have refuted widespread rumors about harmful radiation from electric vehicles. The study showed that electric cars meet all safety standards and pose no threat to health.

The media found evidence of military service evasion by Hlib Kanevsky, who is now in charge of procurement at the Defense Ministry. His colleague at StateWatch, Lemenov, was also prosecuted for violating military records.

Russian troops launched a missile attack on an open area in Mykolaiv region. The blast wave damaged the windows of a private house, with no casualties.

The Main Inspectorate of the Ministry of Defense will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the Land Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The inspection will include an assessment of the structure, management processes and compliance with the law.

The Diia app ranked between Facebook and ChatGPT in terms of popularity among Ukrainians in 2024. The Minister of Digital Transformation announced further development of the app in 2025.

Two areas of oil pollution were discovered in Crimea after the tanker accident in the Kerch Strait. The total length of the pollution is 3.9 km, and 150 people are involved in the cleanup.

The Ministry of Defense is launching a new initiative called the Wounded Warrior Package for servicemen starting in 2025. It is also developing adaptive clothing for wounded and female soldiers, and will improve the food system.

Ukraine sent 500 tons of flour to Syria for 167,000 people. The Syrian side is interested in long-term supplies of various products from Ukraine, including oil, sugar, and meat.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine attacked the command post of the Russian occupiers in the village of Maryino in Kursk region. According to media reports, a missile hit the cultural center in Ivanivske, where the 810th Russian Brigade was stationed.

“Tiraspoltransgaz” stopped supplying gas to a number of settlements controlled by Chisinau. Residential houses, boiler houses, schools, hospitals and state institutions were left without gas supply.

Ukrainian troops repelled one Russian attack in the Kursk region, and two more clashes are ongoing. Over the last day, 72 combat engagements took place in various frontline areas.

In the town of Buryń, a 43-year-old man attacked his younger brother with a knife during the New Year's Eve celebration. The victim was hospitalized with a stomach wound, and the attacker was detained by police.

The Ukrainian Weather Center warns of possible risks to the agricultural sector due to the warm winter and lack of snow. The main threats are a sharp cold snap and a potential spring drought due to a lack of moisture in the soil.

On January 3, farmers will protest in Warsaw under the slogan “5 x STOP” against the EU and Ursula von der Leyen's policies. The participants are opposed to the Green Deal, imports from Ukraine and other EU initiatives.

Zelenskyy announced the resumption of diplomatic relations with Syria and cooperation in international organizations. Ukraine also plans to double its agricultural exports to Lebanon, which currently stand at $400 million.

Public Broadcasting has announced a draw among the participants of the longlist to select the last finalist of the national selection. The voting will take place in Diia from January 13 to 17 among 10 candidates.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have successfully attacked the 810th Brigade of the Russian Federation. According to media reports, the missile hit a cultural center in the village of Ivanivske in Kursk region.

The weather is expected to change in Ukraine due to an atmospheric front from the northwest. Forecasters predict precipitation in the form of rain and sleet, and the temperature at night will drop to -7 degrees.

More than 40,000 delayed MSEC cases were transferred to expert teams for review. 1476 expert teams were formed in 291 medical institutions, involving more than 5,000 doctors.

Ukrainian manufacturers presented more than 10 models of FPV drones with fiber optic control. The drones, which can carry up to 3 kg of payload, will soon be put into service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Armed Forces Chief Syrskyi reported to the President on the situation in Donetsk, Kursk, Kherson, and Kharkiv regions. Most of the attacks are on the Pokrovske and Kurakhove directions, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces are successfully repelling the enemy.

An air alert has been declared throughout Ukraine due to the threat of ballistic missile use. The Ukrainian Air Force warned the population of the danger.