Ukraine

Defense Minister Umerov announces preparations to receive French Mirage 2000 fighter jets. Deliveries are scheduled for the first quarter of 2025, as announced by the French Minister of the Armed Forces.

The head of the Ukrainian Security Center called mobilization and involvement of civilians in the army the main challenges of 2025. To counter Russian attacks, Ukraine needs a large-scale supply of anti-personnel weapons.

Ukraine has received the first tranche of $1 billion from the United States from frozen Russian assets. This is part of a G7 initiative totaling $20 billion to be allocated by the United States.

The Center for Assistance to Ukrainian Refugees in Zagreb was founded by the Favbet Foundation team at the beginning of the war. Here, migrants can still receive legal and psychological support, and children can attend educational events and sections.

In 2022, during the retreat from Kherson, Russian troops abducted 48 children under the age of three. Most of the children were taken to Crimea, while the rest were deported to Russia.

Explosions were reported in Kryvyi Rih around 15:40 after a warning of a ballistic missile threat. According to monitoring channels, one Iskander-M ballistic missile was used.

The last three residents were evacuated from the village of Ivanivka in Donetsk Oblast, one kilometer from the frontline. The people walked 5 km to a neighboring village, from where they were taken by the White Angel crew.

The government approved the NSDC's plan to preserve the national identity of Ukrainians in Russia and on the lands historically inhabited by them. The plan envisages collecting evidence of crimes, countering propaganda, and covering Ukrainian history in educational programs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Reintegration of Ukraine denied information about demands to stop assistance to Ukrainian refugees in the EU. The agencies emphasize the creation of conditions only for the voluntary return of citizens.

The Kyiv National University has initiated proceedings against Professor Mykyta Vasylenko over his pro-Russian statements. The Ethics Commission will analyze the situation and make appropriate decisions in accordance with the law.

President Zelenskyy held talks with Angolan President João Lorenzo. The parties discussed the development of bilateral relations and agreed on a possible visit of the Angolan leader to Ukraine.

The Ministry of Social Policy is preparing a reform of the social insurance system starting in 2026. Maximum payments will increase to UAH 40 thousand, and sick leave will be paid for up to 14 months.

The IAEA mission documented the damage to electrical substations critical to the operation of Ukrainian nuclear power plants after the Russian attacks in November and December. The experts assessed the intensity of the attacks and the status of the restoration work.

The 77th separate airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces captured 11 Russian servicemen. One Belarusian was also found among them. The occupiers surrendered without a fight, throwing away their weapons after being surrounded.

The Russian vessel Ursa Major, which was under U. S. sanctions, sank in the Mediterranean Sea. 14 crew members were rescued, two are considered missing.

Ukrainians have purchased books 75 thousand times under the Winter eSupport program. Mykhailo Fedorov published a list of the 10 most popular books chosen by citizens.

Inna Miroshnychenko spoke about her intention to give birth or adopt a fifth child with her husband, Timur. The couple is currently raising four children, including two adopted children.

A security expert criticizes Olena Duma's highest rating as head of the ARMA for 2024 amid scandals. The agency is accused of corruption, fake disability certificates, and lack of public control.

The Government has approved a list of positions in the National Police, the State Bureau of Investigation, the NABU, and the State Emergency Service that require English language skills. The requirement will come into force 4 years after martial law is lifted.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Daniil Menshikov as Deputy Head of the State Aviation Service of Ukraine. He will be responsible for digital development, transformation and digitalization.

Ukrainian defense forces are actively defending Makarivka in Donetsk region, trying to regain their positions and preserve logistics routes. Over the past day, 252 combat engagements took place, with the hottest spots in the Kursk and Vremivsk sectors.

Japan and the United Kingdom have provided $1 billion to Ukraine under the World Bank's DPL program. The funds will be used to strengthen the economy and finance social and humanitarian expenditures.

A member of the Verkhovna Rada's National Security Committee spoke about the impossibility of mass demobilization due to threats to national security. The rotation system for the military is also not fully implemented due to the escalation at the front.

The Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a resolution on flexible terms for the implementation of grant projects for veterans - 3, 5 or 7 years. Defenders who pay taxes on the amount of the grant will be able to receive an additional grant payment.

More than 30,000 18-year-old Ukrainians have registered for the eBook program to receive UAH 908 to buy books. More than 15 partner bookstore chains have joined the program.

The National Security and Defense Council and the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security denied the information about the draft law on lowering the mobilization age from 25 to 18. The 17th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine denied that its representative was involved in spreading these rumors.

The government plans to attract more than $38 billion in foreign aid to cover non-military budget expenditures. In 2023, direct budget support from international partners amounted to about $41 billion.

The Avdiivka Humanitarian Hub “VPOraisemo” has been launched in Brovary to help IDPs from Donetsk region. The hub will provide humanitarian and counseling assistance, including social protection, pensions and legal services.

Vitaliy Mykolenko, a footballer for the Ukrainian national team and Everton, and his wife Victoria are expecting their first child. The player recently suffered a foot injury before the Euros and missed the match against Romania.

An obstetrician-gynecologist at a private clinic was convicted of misjudging a CTG scan and performing a late cesarean section. Due to the medical error, the newborn baby died 55 days after delivery.