Ukraine

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced an increase in the volume and frequency of military support from the United States. Ukraine is also working with European partners to strengthen Europe's defense self-sufficiency.

During the year, KFI experts examined more than 5,000 suspicious banknotes, of which 30% were counterfeits. The experts spoke about the methods of verifying the authenticity of banknotes and shared tips for protecting against fraudsters.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry established its first ministerial-level contacts with the new Syrian government after the severance of diplomatic relations. Ukraine also sent 500 tons of flour to Syria as part of the Grain from Ukraine program.

The Swedish company Molnlycke Health Care has gained a monopoly on the market of dressings for patients with epidermolysis bullosa through corruption schemes and lobbying. The protocol approved by the Ministry of Health in 2016 has not yet been revised, despite the emergence of high-quality and cheaper analogues, which makes patients dependent on expensive products from one manufacturer.

Starting from January 1, 2025, Ukraine will change the military duty rates for individual entrepreneurs and individuals. Individual entrepreneurs of the first, second, and fourth groups will pay UAH 800 per month, and those of the third group will pay 1% of their turnover.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson reported that contact with the new Trump administration has been established at all levels. Military support is being discussed, although no official offers have been made.

The German president dissolved the lower house of parliament after a vote of no confidence in the Scholz government. Early elections are scheduled for February 23, with Friedrich Merz of the CDU/CSU as the main candidate for victory.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed its readiness to consider the European Commission's request for energy supplies. However, as of January 1, the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine will be suspended.

Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said the country was ready to facilitate the peace process between Russia and Ukraine. Putin also does not rule out the possibility of holding talks in Slovakia.

The State Employment Service will conduct a survey of 50,000 business representatives to study the needs for employees. The survey will cover companies with 5 million employees and will last until January 2025.

Oleksiy Bahanets said that MP Hetmantsev's interference in the work of the State Tax Service was an abuse of power. NABU may open criminal proceedings if it finds a corruption component in the MP's actions.

The network of Made in Ukraine offices is expanding in Kyiv region, with the third office opened in Boryspil. Entrepreneurs can get free advice and support on business development.

The Chairman of the Committee of Economists of Ukraine explained the reasons for the hryvnia's fluctuation to 42 UAH/USD. According to him, the devaluation is related to the escalation of the situation at the frontline and the shelling of the energy sector.

Romania's radar systems detected a small flying object that penetrated 6 km inland in the Tulcea County. The object stayed in the airspace for about 5 minutes, after which it disappeared from the radar.

Starting from 1 January 2025, Ukraine will introduce a new licensing procedure for fuel, alcohol and tobacco trade. The licenses will be unlimited and payments will be made quarterly for retailers.

A North Korean soldier captured by Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region of Russia died a day after being taken prisoner. According to South Korean intelligence, the death occurred as a result of an exacerbation of his injuries.

Ukraine is subject to hourly blackouts until 17:00, but some regions have already lifted the restrictions. Power companies continue to repair damaged facilities after the December 25 Russian attack.

Gas prices in Europe are up 5% after Putin cast doubt on the possibility of a new transit deal with Ukraine. EU countries are looking for alternative solutions, but Zelenskiy rejects options financed by Russia.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on three “two hundredth” captains of the Russian army.

As part of the Grain from Ukraine program, 500 tons of wheat flour were shipped to Syria. The aid will reach 33,250 families, and each family will be able to feed itself for a month with a 15-kilogram package.

Vladimir Putin's experimental Oreshnik missile launched against Ukraine last month was manufactured by Russian companies that still rely on modern Western production equipment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports the shooting down of 13 drones over five regions, and there is also a report of an attack on a distillery. The "Carpet" plan has been introduced at several Russian airports due to the threat of UAVs.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces plans to increase the training period for the military to 2 months. It is also expected to provide a 14-day adaptation of recruits in brigades and update the standards of the BGMT.

Russian troops have conducted about 300 strikes in Zaporizhzhia region over the past day. Dozens of civilian infrastructure objects were damaged, including an industrial facility in the center of Zaporizhzhia.

The Russian ambassador to China announced that Xi Jinping will visit Moscow in 2025. According to him, China and Russia plan to jointly counteract the United States and its allies in the Asia-Pacific region.

At night, Russia attacked Ukraine with 2 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 24 drones. Air defense forces destroyed 13 UAVs, and another 11 imitator drones were lost without negative consequences.

The NBU has set the official hryvnia exchange rate at UAH 41. 84/USD, which strengthened the hryvnia by 2 kopecks. In banks, a dollar can be bought for 42.25 UAH, and a euro for 44.14 UAH.

Over the last day, 171 combat engagements took place, most of them in the Pokrovsk sector - 42 attacks. The enemy launched 2 missile attacks, 42 air strikes and fired over 5,700 times.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released data on the losses of the Russian army over the past day. The occupiers lost 1,650 soldiers, 14 tanks and other equipment, with total personnel losses reaching 782,510.

Cloudy weather is forecast in Ukraine with fog and sleet in some areas. Temperatures will range from -3° to +2°, with fog in the north and west of the country.