Ukraine

The government reduced funding for three educational programs totaling over UAH 430 million. Instead, the educational subvention to local budgets was increased to UAH 1.02 billion.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister held talks with the Syrian leadership in Damascus. The head of the National Security and Defense Council's Center for Countering Disinformation explained the importance for Ukraine of building new relations with Syria, pointing out that everyone would benefit from a weakened Russia in the Middle East and Africa.

According to a Rakuten Viber survey, 63% of Ukrainians regularly donate to support the Armed Forces, and 27% help in other ways. The majority (53%) learn about the collection from friends and acquaintances.

After the release of S. T.A.L.K.E.R.. 2 on November 20, stores recorded a sharp increase in sales of gaming laptops and accessories. Monitors, consoles, and other gaming equipment were in particular demand during Black Friday.

The educational app Mriya plans to introduce artificial intelligence in the first half of 2025. AI will help students with educational content and reduce the bureaucratic burden on teachers.

The Investigative Department identified Artem Tareev, the commander of the 234th Air Assault Regiment of the Russian Federation, who ordered the shooting at civilians in Bucha. On his orders, 13 civilians were killed, including Irina Filkina with a “red manicure.

The Cabinet of Ministers is improving the mechanism for calculating subventions for educational projects through the DREAM system. UAH 6.2 billion will be allocated for the construction of shelters, UAH 960 million for canteens, and an additional UAH 500 million for fire protection.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation is planning to add the ability to provide feedback on the work of government agencies through a voice assistant to Diia. Fedorov said that the system will use AI to categorize citizens' appeals.

Russian invaders have twice unsuccessfully tried to repair the damaged shunt reactor at ZNPP. Energoatom warns of risks due to unskilled actions of the occupiers.

Ukraine will have mostly no precipitation from December 31 to January 2, with rain possible only in the west. Temperatures will range from +12° during the day to -3° at night, with fog and winds in some places.

U. S. President Joe Biden announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine. The total amount of the new package is nearly $2.5 billion.

The former head of the Khmelnytsky Oblast Tax Service claimed that Hetmantsev systematically interfered with the work of the State Tax Service. The lawyer confirmed the illegality of such actions and called on the NABU and the SBI to launch an investigation.

The separatist authorities of Transnistria have cut off gas supplies to 12 state institutions due to the upcoming cessation of transit from Russia. “Gazprom plans to stop gas exports to Moldova on January 1 due to debts.

The Kremlin has rejected proposals to deploy a European peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine. Germany and other Western countries are considering sending peacekeepers if a consensus is reached.

The United States will provide Ukraine with $15 billion from frozen Russian assets through the World Bank. The funds will be used for social and humanitarian spending under the PEACE in Ukraine project.

More than 20 trucks with Ukrainian flour will arrive in Syria as part of the Grain from Ukraine program. The aid will provide food for 33,000 Syrian families for a month.

“Kyivstar has signed an agreement with Starlink to provide satellite mobile services in Ukraine. The SMS service is scheduled to launch in Q4 2025, followed by voice and data services.

The DPRK's leader announced the strengthening of anti-American policy during the five-day plenary session of the Workers' Party. Experts believe that it is unlikely that Kim and Trump will resume talks because of the DPRK's support for Russia's war against Ukraine.

Five chemical companies owned by Russian billionaires under sanctions provide 75% of the supplies for Russian explosives factories. Reuters uncovered the supply chain by analyzing railroad cargo.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga visits Damascus and meets with Syria's new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa. Ukraine is ready to restore diplomatic relations and expand cooperation with the new Syrian government.

Brent and WTI oil prices declined amid expectations of new economic data from major consumers. Traders are analyzing the demand outlook after China's record stimulus and the reduction in US inventories.

In Kyiv and Volyn regions, five people were detained for setting fire to military vehicles and relay cabinets for a monetary reward. The suspects filmed their actions to report to their “curators”.

The leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. The meeting took place on December 30, details of the talks have not yet been disclosed.

Volyn, Poltava, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions have canceled their blackout schedules. The decision will remain in effect until a separate order of Ukrenergo.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the creation of a register of certificates for working with animals, which will be launched in 2026. The system will contain data on certificate holders, areas of training, and cases of violations of the law.

Finance Minister Marchenko said there are no plans to raise taxes in 2025. At the same time, a law on new rates for individual entrepreneurs has already been signed, which has led to massive closures of businesses.

The Ministry of Justice has resumed the operation of the Unified Register of Powers of Attorney, the Inheritance Register and the Unified Register of Special Forms of Notarial Documents. Notaries will be able to enter all actions taken in the absence of access to the registers within 5 business days.

A 24-year-old man beat up a supermarket security guard because of a comment he made about the queue at the checkout. The victim sustained severe head injuries, and the attacker, who had a previous criminal record, was detained.

Slovak Prime Minister Fico writes a letter to the EU leadership regarding Ukraine's termination of Russian gas transit after 2024.

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine does not record any additional build-up of Russian forces on the border with Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Active hostilities continue in the direction of Lypky and Vovchansk.