Ukraine

The head of the Moon Records music label is suspected of fraud with royalties from Kuzmenko's works. Through a scheme with a Czech company, the musician's widow lost UAH 1.5 million in 2017-2019.

Starting January 1, 2025, a new law on preschool education will come into force in Ukraine. The changes provide for the optimization of the work of educators, the emergence of mobile and family kindergartens, as well as the expansion of forms of education.

White cabbage has become the most expensive vegetable in the borscht set, reaching a price of 25-35 UAH/kg. Farmers are holding back sales due to forecasts of further price increases and a limited supply of quality products.

There were 146 combat engagements over the day, most of them in the Kursk and Pokrovsk sectors. The enemy unsuccessfully stormed Ukrainian positions near Kozatsky Island twice.

On the territory of Belarus, 1500 Christmas parcels were delivered to Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war. Letters from relatives were also handed over and lists of prisoners and missing persons were discussed.

Law enforcers uncovered clandestine tobacco production in Kolomyia and Sniatyn districts. One ton of tobacco, 2000 packs of finished products and equipment worth UAH 600 thousand were seized.

The experts named Ukraine's key tasks for 2025, including scaling up military production and mobilization. They emphasize the importance of entering negotiations from a position of strength and with the support of partners.

UA:PBC has announced the names of 9 finalists of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The tenth participant will be chosen by Ukrainians by voting in Diia, and the full list will be announced by January 17.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is working in detail on a proposal to support Syria's food security. The specific details of the assistance to the Syrian people will be announced soon.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the existence of a real “Christmas truce,” calling it a PR stunt by the Hungarian side. Ukraine has repeatedly asked Hungary to stop manipulating the war and Christmas.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is working on organizing a phone call between Zelenskyy and Biden, but the specific dates are not yet known. They are planning to discuss the issue of inviting Ukraine to NATO.

Ukrainian military experts provided the US with evidence of the use of Western components in Russian weapons. Foreign parts were found in the Orlan-10 UAV, including guidance and navigation systems.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is working to create a coalition of countries to shoot down Russian missiles and drones in Ukrainian airspace. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasizes that such actions are not an escalation or participation in the war under international law.

The SBU has collected evidence against Russian Colonel General Alexei Kim, who ordered the Iskander strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk. The attack killed a Reuters journalist and injured 10 others.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi announced that Ramstein's meeting is scheduled for January. Ukraine expects important announcements on military support during the meeting.

By the end of February 2025, Ukraine will introduce electronic referrals to the military medical commission through Reserve+. The medical examination will be available at any designated medical facility, and the results will be stored digitally.

The Ministry of Defense has prepared a draft law on clear terms of military service, but its submission has been postponed. The reason is the lack of sufficient reserves to replace soldiers at the front.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed the readiness of some countries to deploy their military contingents on the territory of Ukraine. Specific plans for the deployment of foreign military forces are under discussion.

The President of Ukraine met with employees of the energy sector and presented them with state awards. Ukraine will receive new air defense systems from partners to protect its energy infrastructure.

Hetmantsev is trying to hide the failure of the tax service by increasing taxes - former head of Khmelnytsky region tax service.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the preliminary date of the visit of Keith Kellogg, special envoy of US President-elect Trump. The visit will take place before Trump's inauguration, the exact date is not disclosed for security reasons.

The Brovary swimming pool has implemented a unique diving rehabilitation program for military veterans. The free classes include adapted equipment, special exercises and underwater basketball to improve physical and psycho-emotional well-being.

Oleh Poberezhnyuk, commander of the 211th Pontoon and Bridge Brigade, was released on bail of UAH 908,000. He is suspected of using the military to build a private house and other abuses.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson reported on the active work on the delivery of air defense systems that Ukraine needs. Specific systems and their locations have already been identified for further delivery.

Due to the restoration work in the state registers of the Ministry of Justice, deferrals in Reserve+ have been suspended. The registries of the Ministry of Defense continue to operate normally, but there may be delays in processing requests.

The World Bank will provide Ukraine with $2 billion through the DPL mechanism. $1 billion will come as a grant from the FIF fund at the expense of the United States, and another $1.05 billion will be provided as a loan guaranteed by Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Ministries of Defense of Ukraine and the Netherlands discussed priorities for military assistance for 2025, including air defense, artillery, and defense support. The Netherlands also plans to invest €400 million in the production of UAVs.

The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported the return of 503 bodies of fallen Ukrainian defenders. The transfer took place on Friday.

The entire Lithuanian government arrived in Kyiv. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys declared his support for Ukraine until victory.

The SBU (Security Service of Ukraine) has opened a criminal investigation into a large-scale cyberattack on Ukraine's state registers. According to preliminary data, the attack was carried out by hacker groups associated with the Russian Federation.