The SBU counterintelligence detained two FSB agents in Kharkiv Oblast who were collecting coordinates of the Defense Forces in the Izium direction. The suspects provided data on military facilities and transformers of the gas compressor station.
Over 110,000 consumers in Donetsk, Odesa, and Dnipropetrovsk regions remain without electricity due to Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. Throughout all regions of Ukraine, hourly power outage schedules are applied around the clock.
Kremlin head Vladimir Putin held a nearly 5-hour meeting with American negotiators, calling it "very useful" and "necessary," and issued new threats regarding Donbas.
Russia will intensify cognitive operations against Ukraine to sow despair and division, especially in winter. The campaign aims to convince Ukrainians of the inevitability of defeat and influence the diplomatic process.
Negotiations to end the Russian-Ukrainian war involving US representatives have hit a snag due to Vladimir Putin's stance. The Russian dictator has effectively rejected the agreement and is also unwilling to see US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow.
The Cabinet of Ministers adopted new rules for financing small schools, which will allow more institutions to retain state educational subventions. The changes provide for a minimum number of students for lyceums and gymnasiums required to receive funds.
Russia launched two ballistic missiles and 138 Shahed and Gerbera drones at Ukraine overnight. Air defense forces neutralized 114 enemy UAVs in the north, south, and east of the country.
Kateryna Rashevska, a representative of the NGO "Regional Center for Human Rights," stated that there are 165 "re-education" camps for Ukrainian children in the occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as in Russia, Belarus, and North Korea.
French President Emmanuel Macron met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he sought to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine and discussed trade relations. Macron called for a rebalancing of trade ties and cooperation with the G7.
Over the past day, 170 combat engagements were recorded on the front, with 45 attacks repelled in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched three missile and 62 air strikes, using 5251 kamikaze drones.
Over the past day, December 3, the Defense Forces of Ukraine eliminated 1140 Russian occupiers. Also, 29 artillery systems and 3 enemy tanks were destroyed.
New Zealand is allocating $15 million to a program for the procurement of American weapons for Ukraine. This contribution is part of Ukraine's Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL) and will only be used to purchase weapons or equipment that comply with the country's international obligations.
On Thursday, December 4, cloudy weather with light rains is expected in the northern, central, and southern regions of Ukraine. Air temperature will range from 0-5°C at night to 3-8°C during the day.
Russian propaganda channel RT is launching English-language broadcasting in India, actively promoting its anti-British and anti-Western messages. A Hindi-language website is planned for launch next year to expand the audience.
The Australian government has announced a military aid package for Ukraine worth 95 million Australian dollars. It includes contributions to PURL and the Drone Coalition, as well as military equipment.
Donald Trump stated that Ukraine and Russia had the opportunity to reach agreements on ending the war earlier, but "in their wisdom chose not to. " He believes that the best time to conclude a peace agreement was when he spoke about the absence of maps.
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding that the Russian Federation immediately return all illegally deported Ukrainian children. The document was supported by 91 countries, 57 abstained, and 12 opposed it.
Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and US President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will meet with Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, in Miami on December 4 to continue discussions on the American "peace plan" for Ukraine.
As part of the next waves of "Winter Support" payments, over 2. 2 million Ukrainians will receive UAH 1,000. Funding for those who applied via Diia on November 18-19 will take place on December 3, and for those who applied via Ukrposhta, funds will start arriving on December 6.
US President Donald Trump called the December 2 meeting between Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Vladimir Putin "very good. " The next steps after the meeting are currently unknown.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the draft law of the Ministry of Culture, which for the first time defines patronage activities, patrons, and recipients of assistance. The document also covers forms of support for culture, including the renewal of the material and technical base and the restoration of cultural heritage sites.
The government approved three educational reforms concerning refugee teachers, colleges, and the evaluation of scientists. Refugee teachers will retain their experience, and colleges will gain autonomy starting in 2026.
Ukraine does not have a complete picture of Ukrainian children in the occupied territories, but Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Olha Stefanishyna, reported cases of sexual violence and torture of children by Russian troops. About 1.6 million Ukrainian children are under Russian control, which blocks all evacuation routes.
On December 4, temporary traffic restrictions will be introduced in the center of Kyiv. This is due to security measures involving foreign delegations.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham announced the identification of 210 facilities in Russia where Ukrainian children from the occupied territories may be held. He emphasized that this is happening in 2025, not 1945, and called for it to be stopped.
Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski, after a meeting with his European counterparts, stated that the NATO-Russia Council no longer exists.
Sanctions reportedly forced Lukoil to announce the sale of its foreign assets, and several buyers have approached US authorities for permission to negotiate with Lukoil, including oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron.
Deputy Prosecutor General Mariia Vdovychenko emphasized the need to implement European standards for protecting victims of gender-based violence. She stressed that justice must be human-centered, and a victim-oriented approach should be the only standard of work.
On December 4, hourly power outages will be applied to household consumers and power limitations to industrial consumers throughout Ukraine. The reason is the consequences of massive Russian attacks on energy facilities.
The average temperature of winter months in Ukraine is expected to be 1. 5 – 2 °C higher than normal. However, sharp cold snaps down to -18°C are possible, especially in January and February.
