President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 987/2025 of December 25 on the inclusion of First Deputy Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Yevhen Ostryansky in the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. Ostryansky, a major general, is responsible for coordinating security and defense issues and preparing Staff meetings.
The head of Ukrenergo, Vitaliy Zaichenko, announced a gradual improvement in the situation in Ukraine's energy system. Energy workers are working on restoration, which allowed for softening the blackout schedules for Christmas.
MHP's network of social stores, which includes 7 stationary and 9 mobile points, covers over 290 settlements and serves over 40,000 customers. The company plans further expansion of the network in 2026, particularly to Cherkasy and Khmelnytsky regions.
Russia and Kazakhstan have postponed the first launch of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle as part of the joint Baiterek space project for additional system checks. The Baiterek program is in its final stages, and the launch was delayed due to falling behind schedule and sanctions.
"Poroshenko's team and Russia are actively working against Ukraine's volunteer movement," - Prytula.
On the morning of December 24, two explosions occurred in Ussuriysk in the parking lot of military unit 19288. Russian sources report a "welding machine pop," but a significant number of security forces were seen at the scene.
The SBU detained an FSB agent who tried to kill a HUR MO of Ukraine officer in Kyiv. The assassination attempt was carried out by a 28-year-old citizen of a Central Asian country, who was promised 50,000 US dollars and legalization in the EU.
Emergency power outages have been implemented in certain regions of Ukraine due to a difficult situation in the energy system. Previously published hourly outage schedules are currently not in effect.
Former Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Yuriy Sadovenko, who headed Shoigu's apparatus until 2024, died in Russia. He died in Moscow at the age of 57 from heart disease.
Russia attacked Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight, leaving subscribers in Donetsk, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Kharkiv regions without power. Due to constant attacks, electricity consumption restriction schedules are applied in almost all regions of Ukraine.
Andriy Demchenko, spokesman for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, reported that Russian troops cannot expand the combat zone beyond Hrabovske in Sumy Oblast. The enemy deployed about a hundred servicemen but is suffering losses and does not have a significant concentration.
Former heads of the State Aviation Service, Oleksandr Bilchuk and Ihor Zelinskyi, made decisions that could have harmed Ukraine's defense capabilities. Their actions, including blocking the use of Il-76 aircraft and cooperating with Russian companies, should be investigated within the framework of criminal proceedings.
As a result of Russia's night attack, elevators, warehouses, a barge, and vessels flying the flags of Slovakia, Palau, and Liberia were damaged in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions. There is also damage to the Lviv railway at Kovel station, including a locomotive and a freight car.
Gusts of wind of 15-20 m/s, blizzards, and ice are expected throughout the country, and a level I danger has been declared. On Mount Pip Ivan, as of the morning of December 26, the air temperature was -11°C.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated the need to normalize relations with the EU, expecting changes within the European Union. He believes that the difficult situation in the EU will force Brussels to seek closer cooperation with Tbilisi.
From January to November, 2,938 people died in road accidents in Ukraine, including 179 children, and 29,093 people were injured. The most common cause of death was speeding.
On the night of December 26, Russia attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 99 attack UAVs. The defense forces neutralized 73 drones.
Western sanctions have reshaped India's oil trade, reducing its reliance on Russian oil. Imports from Russia decreased by 17.8% in January-October 2025, while imports from the US increased by 83.3% and from the UAE by 8.7%.
Over the past day, 121 combat engagements were recorded at the front, half of which occurred in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Oleksandrivka directions. The enemy launched 1 missile and 66 air strikes, using 1 missile and 172 guided aerial bombs.
Russian dictator Putin voiced a set of propaganda theses about "almost full employment," "low unemployment," and an "inevitable technological breakthrough. " These statements are intended to create an image of prosperity amid war and sanctions.
On December 25, Russian troops lost 840 soldiers and 537 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 26.12.25 are estimated at 1,202,070 personnel.
After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, China did not distance itself from Moscow, but turned the Russian Federation into its raw material appendage. The head of the CPD, Andriy Kovalenko, noted that Russia is an instrument of strategic pressure for China.
The Federation Council of the Russian Federation initiated a law that obliges owners of large social media channels to post propaganda. This step strengthens the Kremlin's control over bloggers and threatens prison sentences for refusal.
Russia has postponed plans to triple its annual liquefied natural gas production due to international sanctions. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that achieving the goal of producing 100 million tons of LNG per year would be delayed by several years.
On December 25, during an air raid alert, the enemy attacked a critical infrastructure facility in Volyn. There were no casualties or deaths.
Great Britain, France, Germany, and Turkey are ready to send a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine after the war ends. This was confirmed by Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the President's Office, who emphasized the need for international participation in deterring Russia.
In his New Year's address, Putin thanked Kim Jong Un for the participation of North Korean troops in the war against Ukraine. He emphasized strengthening ties and further cooperation between the countries.
Putin claims that Moscow is discussing joint management of the ZNPP with the United States. He also stated that the American side is interested in cryptocurrency mining at the plant and supplying electricity to the territory controlled by Ukraine.
During December 25, 115 combat engagements, 50 air strikes, 4060 kamikaze drones, and 2792 shelling attacks were recorded. The highest intensity of fighting was in the Pokrovsk direction, where the enemy carried out 26 attacks.
A court in the Russian Federation found Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, guilty of justifying terrorism and sentenced him to six years in prison. Udaltsov denied the charges, calling them fabricated, and announced a hunger strike.