Ukraine

President Zelenskyy said that the Hungarian and Slovak people support Ukraine, and their authorities should recognize the truth. He emphasized the importance of European unity and warned against cooperation with Russia.

In the President's New Year's address, the launch of the Sapsan missile was demonstrated for the first time. Zelenskyy spoke about the production of Ukrainian missiles and drones, including one million UAVs a year.

Starting January 1, 2025, the military tax for individuals will increase from 1. 5% to 5%, and for individual entrepreneurs it will amount to UAH 800 per month. Military personnel will pay 1.5%, while social benefits and government bonds will remain unchanged.

The President of Ukraine expressed confidence that the new American president will be able to stop the aggression of the terrorist country. Zelenskyy emphasized the impossibility of “zeroing out” Russia's crimes and the need for a just peace.

In the capital, law enforcement officials have begun checking reports of possible fireworks launches found on social media. The police reminded the public of the ban on the use of pyrotechnics during martial law and sent teams to verify the information.

The National Bank of Ukraine has set the official exchange rate at 41. 0295 UAH/USD, which is 1 kopeck stronger than the previous rate. The euro rose by 24 kopecks to 43.68 UAH/euro.

There were 188 combat engagements in the frontline, with 56 attacks in the Pokrovsk sector. The most active fighting also took place in the Liman, Kramatorsk and Kurakhove sectors.

And how much will you have to pay.

The NEURC has approved an increase in the electricity transmission tariff to UAH 686. 23/MWh starting in 2025. The tariff for dispatch control was reduced by 5% to 98.97 UAH/MWh.

Starting from January 1, 2025, to retire at the age of 60, you will need to have at least 32 years of insurance coverage. By 2028, this figure will gradually increase to 35 years.

The Minister of Digital Transformation has outlined the main goal for 2025 - the development of Ukrainian defense tech. The priority will be the development of drones, robots and missiles to enhance defense capabilities.

The President of Ukraine called the year 2024 “won and free” and addressed the nation with a New Year's greeting. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of unity and stressed the desire for a just peace and victory.

The President signed Law No. 12104, which grants the right to defer mobilization to civilians who have been captured by Russia. The law also applies to people whose close relatives are missing.

Andriy Tupikov has been appointed the new head of the SBU's Counterintelligence Department by Presidential decree. Tupikov is a major in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and a holder of the Order of Danylo Halytskyi for courage in the defense of Ukraine.

In 2024, the Air Force of Ukraine destroyed more than 1,300 missiles, 1,400 drones, 40 airplanes and 6 helicopters. The Ukrainian Air Force flew more than 20,000 sorties, of which almost 9,000 were with Western weapons.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally congratulated Oleksandr Usyk on his return home after the fight with Tyson Fury. The meeting took place on December 31, and the boxer plans to resume training only at the end of April.

The second meeting of the Technology Council discussed strengthening air defense and domestic arms production. The President spoke about system solutions for missile defense and the development of the defense industry.

The Ministry of Environment has assessed the extent of environmental damage caused by Russian aggression. 3 million hectares of forests were destroyed, more than 6,500 environmental crimes were recorded, and 180 million tons of CO₂ were emitted.

The head of the GRU, Kirill Budanov, commented on the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, hinting at the possible involvement of Ukrainian intelligence. Assad fled to Russia, and Ahmad al-Sharaa became the new leader of Syria.

Producers of alcohol and bioethanol will pay a guaranteed tax on the maximum possible production volume. The law will remain in force until Ukraine joins the EU or until 2030.

In Kryzhopol, an explosion occurred in the office of the head of the company when a former employee entered. The incident killed three people and injured another.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces struck at the Yartsevskaya oil depot in the Smolensk region of Russia. Powerful explosions and a fire of oil tanks were recorded at the facility, which supplied the Russian army.

Wholesale prices for tangerines in Europe have reached record levels, approaching €2 per kilogram. The reason was a poor harvest in Turkey and weather disasters in the EU in 2024.

The regulator confirmed that gas tariffs for households will remain unchanged, despite the new tariffs for GTSOU. The moratorium on tariff increases for households will remain in effect until 2022.

The head of the GUR refused to comment on the impact of the operation in Kursk region on the situation at the front. Budanov confirmed that Russia is capable of continuing the war at the current level.

The cost of the consumer basket in Ukraine increased by up to 15% in 2024. Dairy products (up to 30%), vegetables and fruits (up to 35%) rose the most, while bread and meat showed moderate growth.

Starting from January 1, 2025, the cost of issuing biometric documents in Ukraine will change. An ID card will cost from UAH 558, and a foreign passport from UAH 1,042.

There were 117 combat clashes on different parts of the front, with the Russian army most actively attacking in the Pokrovske direction - there have already been 30 battles there. The Ukrainian military successfully repelled most of the enemy's attacks, and some battles are still ongoing.

Russia stops supplying gas through Ukraine after the transit agreement expires on January 1. Europe has found alternative sources, but the loss of Russian gas has affected the EU economy.

The head of the GRU confirmed the participation of the North Korean military in the war against Ukraine in the Kursk region of Russia. According to the White House, over the past week, the DPRK has lost about a thousand troops there.