Ukraine
The Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of Defense announced that the North Korean military is ready for combat operations in the Kursk region. According to Ukrainian intelligence, 2,000 DPRK troops have been deployed to Russian brigades.
Over the last day, 175 combat engagements took place, with the largest number of attacks in the Pokrovsk sector - 51. The enemy carried out 37 air strikes and fired over 4,000 times, using 1,617 kamikaze drones.
ISW reports a critical reduction in Russia's financial reserves due to the war against Ukraine. Expenditures have exceeded $200 billion, and corruption in the country has increased by 30%.
Ukraine will receive $454 million from the World Bank for healthcare development under the THRIVE project. The money will be used to strengthen the effectiveness of the healthcare system in times of war.
Over the past day, the Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminated 1,350 Russian troops and destroyed 5 tanks. Total enemy losses since the beginning of the war have reached 755,940 people and over 9,500 tanks.
Precipitation is expected in Ukraine in the form of rain and sleet, with ice in some places. Temperatures will vary from -1°C to +14°C, with the warmest temperatures in Crimea.
the Russian military deliberately damages boats and engines to avoid storming the islands on the Dnipro River in Kherson region. Three internal investigations into sabotage have been recorded in the 126th Brigade of the Russian Federation.
The Ministry of Education and Science has announced the introduction of a modern system of specialized education for high school students starting in 2027. Students will be able to choose subjects for in-depth study and attend additional courses.
There is one Russian carrier ship without Kalibr cruise missiles in the Black Sea. There are 6 enemy ships in the Mediterranean, 4 of which have 41 missiles on board.
The German Finance Minister reaffirmed guarantees of support for Ukraine in 2025, despite the lack of a permanent budget. The draft envisages a reduction in aid to €4 billion from €8 billion in 2024.
In the occupied Kherson region, Russians are setting up new hospitals in civilian hospitals and basements due to increasing casualties. The occupiers are forcibly collecting blood from the local population for wounded soldiers.
At the December 19 summit, EU leaders plan to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and Moldova. At the same time, they will condemn the actions of the Georgian authorities to suppress protests and suspend European integration.
At a railroad checkpoint to Poland, border guards detained a 25-year-old man who was trying to travel abroad with a woman's passport. The offender also presented a fake gender reassignment certificate.
In the occupied territories of Ukraine, schools are closing their canteens en masse due to lack of staff. The occupation authorities are hiring untrained vocational school students to work in the canteens under the guise of internships.
A young man who set fire to an SUV ordered through social media was detained in Odesa. The offender filmed the arson to confirm the task, but was never rewarded.
The President of Ukraine opposed lowering the conscription age for sending soldiers to the front. He emphasized the importance of providing existing brigades with equipment and training instead of recruiting young soldiers.
The GPA reported that there are 6,000-7,500 Russian military personnel in Syria. Their possible transfer to Ukraine will not significantly affect the situation at the front due to the high daily losses of the Russian Federation.
The United States and Britain have imposed sanctions against the illegal trade in Russian gold, which finances the war of the Russian Federation. The assets of those involved were frozen and a global smuggling network through Zimbabwe was exposed.
As part of The Bring Kids Back UA initiative, five Ukrainian children and their families returned to Ukraine. On average, three adults and two children aged 11 and 14 who were persecuted for their pro-Ukrainian position.
Russia has organized a two-week export of children from the occupied Donetsk region to Yekaterinburg for new year's events. During the trip, children are given propaganda lectures about Russian identity.
Ukrzaliznytsia launches daily train No. 824/823 between Dnipro and Kharkiv from December 15. The route includes stops in Sinelnikovo-2, Pavlograd-1, Lozovaya and Likhachev, cars for bicycles and passengers with disabilities are provided.
Starting in 2025, mental health services will become part of the basic primary care package. All family doctors and medical staff will be required to have who mhGAP certificates.
Health Minister Viktor Lyashko held a meeting with the Lithuanian ambassador on cooperation in the medical field. The parties discussed technical support for European integration, rehabilitation of victims and restoration of medical infrastructure.
The Ministry of defense of Ukraine has allowed the Droid TW 12. 7 robotic system with a Browning machine gun to operate. The combat system on the tracked platform has been successfully tested and codified.
During the day, there were 151 military clashes, the greatest enemy activity in the Pokrovsky direction - 51 offensive actions. The enemy carried out 34 airstrikes and carried out almost 4,000 attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Cammy Day, head of Edinburgh City Council, has resigned over allegations of harassment of Ukrainian women. Police launched an investigation after complaints of inappropriate behavior and explicit reports.
The president approved the emblem and flag of the SVR of Ukraine with unique elements, including a QR code and the motto "Truth wins everything". The symbols will reflect belonging to the department and will be used at official events.
The Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia is investigating reports of the detention of a Ukrainian citizen during the protests in Tbilisi. The fact of the detained person's Ukrainian citizenship has not yet been confirmed by the Georgian side.
At the meeting of the headquarters, the president instructed to check the training system of Ukrainian soldiers and make the necessary changes. Sirsky reported on the situation at the front and the Kursk operation.
Ukraine will take part in the summit of the United expeditionary forces in an online format. The summit will discuss assistance in recruiting Ukrainian brigades, in particular a new brigade with the support of France.