At night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 81 Shahed drones and other UAVs from different regions of the Russian Federation. Defense forces destroyed 51 attack drones and spotted 30 imitators in 10 regions of Ukraine.
The NBU has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at 41. 8271 UAH/USD, which is 8 kopecks lower than the previous one. In exchange offices and banks, the dollar is trading in the range of UAH 41.55-42.05.
The U. S. State Department did not record the deployment of new North Korean troops to Russia after the losses in Kursk. Russia is trying to hide the presence of the DPRK military in Ukraine by burning the faces of the dead.
Gas companies from four EU countries warned the European Commission of the risks of stopping gas transit through Ukraine. Slovakia is negotiating with Gazprom, but the EC refuses to participate in the discussion.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian troops carried out 199 attacks on Ukrainian positions, launched 51 air strikes and fired over 4,300 times. Most of the attacks were recorded in the Kursk, Pokrovske and Kurakhove directions.
Over the past day, the Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated 1580 Russian occupants and destroyed 4 tanks. Also, 21 armored vehicles and other enemy military equipment were destroyed.
On December 18, it will be mostly cloudy in Ukraine with clearings, in some places light rain and sleet. Temperatures at night will be from +6 to -2°, during the day up to +9°, with some icy conditions on the roads.
Russia is trying to conceal the presence of North Korean troops in the battles in the Kursk region. The Kremlin is hiding this fact in order not to recognize the lack of personnel in its own army.
The Scottish Secretary of State's Office has chosen a drawing by 12-year-old Amelia Marchenko from Ukraine for its official Christmas cards. The girl from Donetsk region, who now lives in Edinburgh, drew a golden-haired cherub near a Christmas tree.
“The Porcelain War and Once Upon a Time in Ukraine have been shortlisted for the Academy Awards in the documentary category. Both films were co-produced by Ukraine and the United States.
The British and Estonian prime ministers met in Tallinn before the Joint Expeditionary Force summit. The parties discussed strengthening military and economic support for Ukraine, as well as expanding defense cooperation.
The Ukrainian government is studying European models of electoral law for holding elections after the war. Options for electronic, postal, and proxy voting for 6.5 million displaced people are being considered.
On the Estonian border, Russia organizes weekly provocations, including the appearance of a blimp with a Z sign and smuggling attempts. Over the year, the number of border incidents increased from 18 to 96.
In the village of Udachne, Russian troops shelled a bus with passengers with artillery. Four people, aged 26 to 46, received injuries of varying severity and were hospitalized.
Zelenskyy said that Trump is aware of Ukraine's reluctance to freeze the war, although he wants a quick resolution to the conflict. Ukrainian teams are already working with Trump's teams to build relationships with the new administration.
The DPRK has earned up to $5. 5 billion from arms sales to Russia and can receive $572 million annually for sending troops. In exchange, North Korea receives oil, food, and modern weapons.
Donald Trump received 304 electoral votes, which exceeds the required 270 for victory. The decisive votes were 40 from the state of Texas, and the official approval of the results by Congress will take place on January 6, 2025.
Ukraine evacuated five children from the occupied territories, including two siblings and two teenagers who were threatened with service in the Russian army. The children were isolated without education and under pressure from Russian propaganda.
During their meeting in Lviv, Zelenskyy and Tusk discussed the common historical past of Ukraine and Poland. Tusk emphasized the importance of resolving historical issues without emotion and mutual respect between the two nations.
Over the last day, 183 combat engagements took place in various frontline areas. The occupants launched one missile attack, 40 air strikes and used 632 kamikaze drones on the territory of Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says the country is not considering sending its troops anywhere. He plans to discuss with Zelenskyy ways to unite the West to support Ukraine.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on human rights in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The document was supported by 81 countries, for the first time officially recognizing Russia's actions as a “war of aggression.
Keith Kellogg, Trump's new special envoy for Ukraine, will visit Kiev and European capitals in January. The visit is aimed at gathering information to quickly end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on the Western world to strengthen support for Ukraine and stop speculation about its possible defeat. He emphasized that a just peace is possible only if the entire Western world joins forces.
There are constant incidents and daily shootings on the Polish-Belarusian border. Poland has already recorded 17 full-scale sabotage attacks and continues to invest in security.
Washington denies that it was informed of the operation in Moscow that killed General Kirillov and his aide.
Donald Tusk announced maximum support for Ukraine during Poland's EU presidency from January 2024. According to him, if it were up to Poland, the accession process would take one day.
On December 18, household consumers will have unlimited electricity supply. Industry and business will be subject to power limitation schedules from 07:00 to 20:00.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the country is increasingly becoming a target of sabotage. During his meeting with Zelenskyy, he reaffirmed his continued support for Ukraine.
Germany's defense minister has announced the country's possible participation in securing a future ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Specific details of the peacekeeping mission have not yet been discussed due to the absence of cease-fire talks.
