The Russian Federation officially appealed to the US State Department with a demand to stop pursuing the oil tanker Bella 1, which the American authorities consider a stateless vessel. The tanker, en route from Iran to Venezuela, is currently trying to evade the US Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean.
In Bashkortostan, payments for signing a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense have been increased again from 500,000 to 1 million rubles. New payments will take effect on January 1, 2026, despite previous reductions and budget problems.
Australian Russell Allan Wilson was killed on December 12 during combat operations in the Donetsk region, fighting for Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. He was supposed to get married a week after his last mission.
According to Kaliňák, Ukraine will never be in NATO. In his opinion, Ukraine will also have problems joining the European Union.
After the first frosts, ice appeared on the reservoirs of Ukraine. Law enforcement officers reminded of the rules of behavior on ice and actions in case of falling into icy water.
On January 2, hourly power outage schedules will be applied in most regions of Ukraine. This is due to the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
President Zelenskyy announced a meeting of the chiefs of general staffs on January 5 to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. On January 3, national security advisors will meet, and on January 6, European leaders will meet.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the next day will be important for the country's domestic policy. He did not specify details, but earlier announced personnel changes, particularly regarding the head of the President's Office and heads of regional administrations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced efforts to resume prisoner exchanges. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov is holding meetings in Turkey to facilitate this process.
President Zelenskyy held a conversation with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides regarding the priorities of Cyprus's presidency of the EU Council, which begins on January 1, 2026. Ukraine expects continued support and emphasizes the importance of EU membership as a guarantee of security.
Russia stated that it had decrypted a file from a Ukrainian drone, which, it claims, indicates that the target was the residence of the Russian dictator. These materials will be handed over to the American side through established channels.
On January 1, Ukraine celebrated the 117th anniversary of the birth of OUN leader Stepan Bandera. Ceremonies took place in cities in the west, south and east of the country.
As of January 1, changes to the Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations came into force in Ukraine, aligning it with European standards. The document includes 11 mandatory free vaccinations, including a new vaccination against human papillomavirus infection for girls aged 12-13 and revised dates for MMR vaccination.
Laws regulating the naming of alcoholic beverages of Ukrainian origin and ceasing the use of a number of EU geographical indications have come into force in Ukraine. Ukrainian producers will no longer be able to call their products "cognac" and "champagne."
The High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) applied preventive measures in the form of bail to 5 People's Deputies of Ukraine, suspected of systematically receiving undue benefits. The court set bail for two suspects at UAH 40 million and UAH 30 million, for two others at UAH 20 million each, and for the fifth deputy at UAH 16.6 million.
As of January 1, an updated procedure for military training of reserve officers, stipulated by Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1612, is in force in Ukraine. The program allows citizens to obtain an officer rank and prepare for contract or conscription service.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. The security situation, negotiation processes, and the return of Ukrainians were discussed.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has uncovered a new Russian tactic on TikTok: mass registration of accounts before holidays with emotional AI content. After gaining an audience, the profiles change their theme, promoting manipulative narratives.
From January 1, 2026, "Pulse" officially functions as a state tool for dialogue between government and business. Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1304 launches the project of digitalization of interaction between government bodies and economic entities.
Rescuers in Poltava region saved two men and a woman from a boat stuck in the ice on the Dnipro River in Hradizk village. One man fell through the ice, while the other man and the woman were brought to shore with the help of an airboat.
Since the beginning of the day, 45 combat engagements have been recorded, the enemy launched nine attacks each in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions. The enemy also tried to storm the area of the Antonivskyi Bridge twice.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy honored 53 Ukrainian men and women from various regions of the country with state awards. Among the awardees are people who rescued the wounded, restored power plants, performed surgeries, and engaged in volunteering.
Starting January 1, an electronic audit system (E-audit) was launched in Ukraine. It automatically checks taxpayers' accounting data, identifying risks and inconsistencies.
Oleksandr Usyk congratulated Ukrainians on the New Year 2026 on Instagram, emphasizing that victory is possible only through unity. The boxer thanked soldiers, teachers, and doctors for their work.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustem Umerov in Ankara. The meeting took place on the eve of the talks between national security advisers of the "coalition of the willing" countries on January 3.
The Ministry of Energy reported that Ukraine transported 6. 9 billion cubic meters of gas through interstate entry points in the year following the cessation of Russian gas transit. This concerns the needs of Ukraine and other countries through the Ukrainian GTS.
The National Resistance Center published New Year greetings from Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories. Residents of the captured cities conveyed words of support and holiday wishes, demonstrating their loyalty to Ukraine.
Uzhhorod has become the most expensive city in Ukraine in terms of the average cost of apartment rental, surpassing Kyiv and Lviv. The average rental price in Uzhhorod is 21,300 hryvnias per month, which is 12% more.
Defense Forces have eliminated over 7,000 Russians and wounded over 2,600 in the Pokrovsk agglomeration over the past 5 months. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed hundreds of enemy equipment, thwarting attempts to capture Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.
The commander of the "Russian Volunteer Corps", Denis Kapustin, is alive, and the Russian special services paid $500,000 for his elimination. The GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine conducted a special operation, saving Kapustin's life and receiving funds that will strengthen special forces.
