Ukraine

The Pentagon has successfully tested a new long-range precision-guided bomb that will be delivered to Ukraine on Wednesday to enhance its strike capabilities.

The massive Internet outage in Russia was the result of a cyberattack by Ukrainian intelligence that disabled a special communications server used by the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Over the past two years of Russian occupation, Melitopol's population has grown to about 100,000 people due to an influx of Russian military, labor migrants, and other immigrants, although more than half of the original 150,000 residents have left. Mayor Ivan Fedorov said that Russia is trying to "eradicate Ukrainians" in the city and "change the gene pool of the nation.

Ukraine is increasing the production of drones and ammunition, as well as developing new weapons to strengthen its defense against a full-scale Russian invasion.

Zelenskyy thanked Finnish President Sauli Niinistö for his personal support of Ukraine, including defense assistance and advocacy for Ukraine's integration into Euro-Atlantic organizations.

Ukraine passed the first heating season relying exclusively on domestically produced gas, thanks to an 11% increase in production by Naftogaz and Ukrgasvydobuvannya.

The head of Ukraine's military intelligence noted that no one has completely blocked Russians' access to foreign components, which they receive from both the West and the East through legalized smuggling.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine held the first Hackathon to improve unmanned systems at the front, bringing together more than 450 developers, engineers and inventors who created innovative solutions to various military problems.

The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine said that Ukraine seeks good neighborly relations with Hungary after a more than 6-hour meeting with the Hungarian foreign minister to discuss the formation of pro-Ukrainian positions ahead of a potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Orban.

The head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said that Russia failed to achieve the goals of its offensive, which began in November 2023, and that the enemy's offensive potential would be completely exhausted by early spring.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal today met with a delegation of Inspectors General from the Department of State, Department of Defense and the U. S. Agency for International Development.

In the Ukrainian city of Beryslav, Kherson region, a 35-year-old man was fatally wounded as a result of the Russians dropping an explosive device on the city from a drone. In addition, one more resident of Beryslav was wounded in the leg and was treated.

A 25-year-old Lviv resident defrauded about 60 people by posting online ads for renting non-existent cottages in the Carpathians and demanding an advance payment.

The SBI is investigating more than 300 criminal proceedings against territorial recruitment centers and social support centers.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and the U. S. Embassy in Ukraine are launching a selection system for senior positions in the National Police to modernize the criteria and ensure transparent and high-quality appointments.

russia is planning to deploy new weapons on the disputed Kuril Islands, which has drawn criticism from Japan, which considers them its territory. medvedev said that russia does not care about Japan's "feelings" about the islands, as russia considers them its own.

Zelenskiy and Orban will meet if Ukraine fulfills Hungary's conditions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto says.

In 2023, the weighted average price of agricultural land in Ukraine amounted to UAH 37 thousand per hectare, up 13% compared to 2022. The price decreased by 2% in the fourth quarter

Czech President Petr Pavel said that European countries should prepare for a possible Trump victory in the US elections. He believes that Trump can quickly reach an agreement with Putin that will not be beneficial for Ukraine and Europe.

Over the past week, Ukrainian drones destroyed 26 Russian tanks, 54 armored vehicles, 85 trucks, and 87 Russian soldiers.

The Ukrainian government has decided to lease a part of the Sukhoi Estuary in Odesa region for mariculture, allowing entrepreneurs to grow clams, shrimp and other seafood. This will help to provide the domestic market with healthy seafood, drawing on the experience of mariculture leaders such as Norway and Chile.

The head of the National Police of Ukraine has signed cooperation agreements with U. S. agencies to strengthen the fight against fraud, corruption and illegal activities related to U.S. security assistance to Ukraine.

The National Commission on State Language Standards has started conducting Ukrainian language exams for civil servants, which now include writing a text on a specific topic in addition to test questions.

Deputy Foreign Minister Perebyinis called the Hungarian Foreign Minister's visit to Ukraine a breakthrough, including in terms of dialogue between the two leaders. Both sides confirmed their desire to hold a meeting between the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Hungary.

Ukraine has simplified the process of identifying family members of military personnel who are eligible for financial assistance.

Russian artillery shelled Tokarivka village in Kherson region, injuring a 47-year-old woman.

Border guards in the Bukovyna region of Ukraine used a drone to detect and detain two men who were trying to illegally cross the border with Moldova. The men were from Kyiv and Dnipropetrovs'k regions.

Lviv region dismantled all 312 Soviet monuments, becoming the first region in Ukraine to complete the process of decommunization. Local communities and activists dismantled the monuments without using budget funds.

As of January 1, 2024, the largest number of 500 hryvnia banknotes were in circulation, almost a third of the total, as well as 10 kopiika coins.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas called on EU leaders to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine to help rebuild and restore the country's economy.