Russia and Vietnam have organized a scheme to circumvent the price cap on Russian oil, which involves joint oil and gas production. The agreements allow for the export of Russian oil under the guise of Vietnamese oil and set a minimum sale price for oil of no less than $75 per barrel.
The SBU and the National Police have blocked new draft evasion schemes, detaining seven organizers. The defendants sold forged documents or smuggled conscripts abroad for sums up to 18.5 thousand US dollars.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin announced the need to create a security zone along the border with Ukraine. Military analyst Ivan Stupak did not rule out that this is an informational maneuver.
On December 1, a bust of Ukrainian Hetman Ivan Mazepa was unveiled in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the UINP and the National Reserve.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that Ukraine might have to make "painful concessions" to end Russian aggression, suggesting a referendum could be held. He noted that diplomacy must produce compromises that the parties to the conflict can support.
From January to November 2025, Russia dropped almost 44,000 guided aerial bombs on Ukraine. This is 4,000 more than in the entire year of 2024.
On December 3, cloudy and wet weather is expected in Ukraine with rains in the north, center, and south. Air temperature will be +4+8 degrees Celsius, up to +12 in the south.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski announced a possible reset of US-Russian relations. He believes that Polish President Karol Nawrocki, who has good relations with Donald Trump, should intervene in the situation.
US officials intend to return Russian assets after a peace treaty is concluded. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposes using them to support Ukraine.
The spokesman for the Russian dictator Peskov stated that the Kremlin is "ready" for negotiations only after achieving the goals of the so-called "SVO. "
As a result of enemy attacks on energy facilities, consumers in Odesa, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Dnipropetrovsk regions have been cut off from power. Today, hourly blackout schedules are being applied in all regions of Ukraine.
This year's New Year's concert on the Champs-Élysées in Paris has been canceled for security reasons to avoid risks from crowds. The midnight fireworks will still take place; television viewers will see a recorded concert on France 2.
The former acting first vice-president of SE "NAEC "Energoatom" has been detained on suspicion of embezzling UAH 18. 6 million. The overstatement of civil liability insurance service costs, as suspected, is linked to a Russian financial holding.
The prosecutor's office has handed over to the state the largest collection of archaeological valuables in the history of independent Ukraine — over 7,000 artifacts seized as part of an investigation into the illegal storage of cultural heritage. Unique valuables, including ancient coins, ancient Greek ceramics, and weapons, have been transferred to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine.
The European Central Bank has rejected participation in the European Commission's proposal to use frozen Russian assets. This complicates the attraction of a loan secured by the immobilized assets of the Russian central bank.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reacted to the arrest of Nonkululeko Mantuli, a SAFM South African Republic host, suspected of recruiting men for the war in Ukraine on the side of the Russian Federation. MFA spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi called it an example to follow.
Donald Trump has tasked trusted individuals without diplomatic training, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, with negotiating a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia. They are scheduled to meet with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, despite criticism over their ties to Russian officials.
Fighters of the Active Actions Department of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine used drones to attack Russian radars and air defense system launchers in Donbas. A 9A83 launcher from the S-300V air defense system and two 1L125 Niobium-SV radar stations were destroyed.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will hold talks with Vladimir Putin on Tuesday regarding a possible path to ending Russia's war against Ukraine. The meeting will take place in the afternoon, following the earlier establishment of an "updated and improved peace framework agreement" by the US and Ukraine.
On the night of December 2, Russia launched 62 attack UAVs over Ukraine, 39 of which were shot down or suppressed. 20 drones hit 8 locations across the country.
Brent crude futures rose to $63. 24, WTI to $59.42. This comes amid an assessment of risks from drone strikes on Russian energy facilities and escalating US-Venezuela relations.
European governments accuse Belgium of excessive demands for protection in case the Kremlin sues over the use of 140 billion euros in frozen Russian assets. This could derail negotiations on the EU's plan to provide these assets to Ukraine before the December summit.
Over the past day, 226 combat engagements were recorded on the front line, a third more than the day before, with the greatest activity in the Pokrovsk direction. The enemy launched one missile and 66 air strikes, carrying out 3,547 shellings.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena began their first official visit to Ireland. They were greeted by Prime Minister Micheál Martin, who confirmed unwavering support for Ukraine.
The draft extended financing program between Ukraine and the IMF provides for a package of changes to strengthen public finances and enhance anti-corruption policy. These innovations will affect tax policy, customs rules, the energy sector, and the state's interaction with business.
On December 1, Russian troops lost 1,110 soldiers and 51 UAVs. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 02.12.25 amount to over 1.1 million personnel.
On December 2, cloudy weather with light rains is expected in Ukraine, with wet snow in the Carpathians. The air temperature during the day will be 3-8°C, up to 12°C in the south.
In December, the Kremlin will intensify its disinformation campaign regarding negotiations on a diplomatic settlement of the war in Ukraine. The NSDC predicts that Russia will focus on discrediting the negotiation process between Ukraine and the United States, strengthening the narrative that "Ukraine is disrupting negotiations."
The Institute for the Study of War believes that the Kremlin is setting conditions to refrain from publicly discussing the results of the US-Russian meeting on December 2. This is likely due to a desire to conceal Russia's rejection of the US and Ukraine peace proposal.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, stated that the Russians will try to increase pressure on the front in the coming weeks and accompany it with loud statements. This is being done for the Western audience and to raise the stakes in diplomacy.
