Ukraine

German Chancellor says that Russia's war affects innocent people outside Ukraine, commenting on the plane crash in Aktau. Azerbaijan Airlines suspends flights to Moscow until the end of March.

187 soldiers and 2 civilians were released from Russian captivity as part of the 59th exchange. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 3956 people have been released, including 1358 Ukrainians in 2023.

A deputy from the far-right Confederation of Freedom and Independence party said that Ukrainian soldiers should not be allowed into Poland after the war. According to him, they are allegedly “prone to organized crime.

The Parliamentary Committee on Health will investigate the possible monopoly of Molnlycke Health Care on the market of dressings for patients with epidermolysis bullosa. The committee will check for corruption and the effectiveness of the care products.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets published a video with the reaction of the liberated soldiers to the greeting cards. The defenders who returned from Russian captivity were touched by the warm words in their native language.

Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise conducts more than 35,000 examinations annually. KFI experts document war crimes and investigate Russian weapons, including missiles and drones.

In 2025, the green wooden snake should choose the right colors of clothes and follow special rituals. Here's a look at New Year's fortune telling on the Christmas tree, tangerines, and sweets.

The court remanded the commander of the 211th Pontoon and Bridge Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in custody with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 12 million. He is suspected of abusing the military and using soldiers to build a private house.

Olga Reshetylova became the Presidential Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Servicemen and Their Families. A draft law on a military ombudsman and modernization of the management of the Defense Forces are planned.

The Ministry of Health has reviewed 924 cases of disability for officials, 136 of whom have lost their disability status. Two prosecutors have already been notified of suspicion, and more than 2,000 cases are being checked.

The Ukrainian flag was solemnly raised over the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in the Syrian capital. Minister Sibiga met with the Ukrainian community and Honorary Consul Tamer Al-Tunsi.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported the return of 198 Ukrainians from Russian captivity. The exchange took place on Monday.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported daily losses of about 1,700 troops. The total losses of Russian troops in Ukraine over the year reached 427,000.

A 19-year-old student in a state of alcohol intoxication stabbed two people during a conflict in the center of Kyiv. The perpetrator was detained at the crime scene and faces up to 8 years in prison.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced the exchange of 150 prisoners from each side with the mediation of the UAE. The Ukrainian side has not yet confirmed this information.

The SBU served a notice of suspicion in absentia to Metropolitan Oleg Ivanov (Yelisey), who supported the occupiers in Izium. After the Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive, he fled to Russia, where he regularly visits the residence of Patriarch Kirill.

Over the last day, 104 combat engagements took place in various frontline areas. In the Pokrovsk sector, the enemy tried to force the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of their positions in the vicinity of 10 settlements, 23 attacks were repelled.

The NEURC has approved new tariffs for the Ukrainian GTS Operator for 2025-2029. The tariff for direct consumers will increase from UAH 124.16 to UAH 501.97 per 1000 cubic meters per day excluding VAT.

On December 30, 1975, Oleg Blokhin received the Ballon d'Or as the best footballer in Europe. The Dynamo Kyiv striker was ahead of Beckenbauer and Cruyff in the voting, scoring 122 points.

The United States has provided Ukraine with $3. 4 billion in direct budget support, subject to reforms. The aid came at a critical time when Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure were intensifying.

Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Office has announced cooperation with Russia in the investigation of the Embraer 190 plane crash. Investigators from four countries are conducting a large-scale investigation into the causes of the crash.

Joe Biden believes he could have defeated Donald Trump in the election if he had not dropped out. Democrats have criticized his decision to stay in the race for a long time, which has complicated Harris' campaign.

Starting January 1, 2025, the MSEC will be liquidated and replaced by expert commissions in cluster hospitals. All previous decisions of the MSEC will remain in force, and the new system of assessing the functioning of individuals will be implemented in stages.

The Accounting Chamber has identified serious problems in the management of seized assets by the ARMA. Only 1% of the seized property has been transferred to management, and assets worth UAH 39.4 billion remain unmanaged.

Ukrainian ministers pay an official visit to Damascus on behalf of President Zelensky. Ukraine will provide Syria with 500 tons of wheat flour, which will provide food for 33,000 Syrian families.

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.