Ukraine
Ukrainian communities have handed over almost 40 buses to Odesa to solve problems with passenger transportation caused by massive Russian shelling and a difficult situation with electricity supply. This assistance will compensate for the impossibility of using 40% of the city's electric transport.
Border guards defending Ukrainian cities demonstrate the creation of a festive atmosphere. This happens even in places where the occupiers are trying to destroy all life.
All regions of Ukraine will face hourly power outages and power restrictions for industry on January 1. This is a consequence of Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, and the situation may change.
Nine sailors, including two Ukrainian citizens, were released from pirate captivity on December 25, 2025. On December 3, a Portuguese-flagged vessel was attacked by pirates in the territorial waters of Equatorial Guinea, abducting 9 crew members.
The Center emphasizes that Russia needed more than two days to fabricate this 'evidence'. The photographs of metal fragments laid on the snow, published by the Russian Ministry of Defense, do not prove anything by themselves.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed hope that the leaders of these countries would express deep concern about Russia's real attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine and solidarity with Ukraine, against which Russia has been waging an unjustified and unprovoked aggression for the fourth year.
As reported by the General Staff, on the night of December 31, the Tuapse oil refinery, Tamanneftegaz, the Rosrezerv oil depot, and a number of other targets of the Russian occupiers were hit.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba summarized the results of 2025 in the transport industry, noting an increase in seats on international trains and the launch of the Eurotrack. The "transport visa-free regime" with the EU was extended, and digital systems such as eCherha and e-TTN were introduced.
The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine noted that the concern about the fabricated attack on Putin's palace is particularly surprising against the background of the absence of reactions from the respective countries to regular and real Russian strikes on civilians in Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed Ruslan Mahomedov from the post of head of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission. He had headed the commission since February 2021, according to a presidential decree.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin does not seek peace in Ukraine. The Kremlin aims to restore the empire, ignoring Russia's deteriorating military position.
The Ukrainian language will be added to the list of languages for correspondence with Santa Claus. Santa Claus's post office is initiating steps for its inclusion.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on the upcoming New Year. He emphasized that 2025 was made possible thanks to Ukrainian defenders.
Since September 2025, over 1200 IDPs and residents of frontline territories have applied for preferential mortgages. The state covers 70% of the down payment and monthly payments, as well as 40 thousand hryvnias for related expenses.
Political scientist Stanislav Zhelikhovsky highlighted the key events of the year: Trump's return, resumption of negotiations, creation of the "Coalition of the Willing", allocation of 90 billion euros to Ukraine, and the PURL mechanism. The expert also mentioned the elections in Poland and Zelenskyy's visit.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to extend restrictions on the export of timber and scrap metal until the end of 2026. This decision provides for a licensing regime with zero quotas to preserve strategic raw materials in Ukraine and direct them to the needs of domestic processing.
Over the past week, 120,764 new cases of ARVI were recorded in Ukraine, which is 12. 7% less than the previous week. The epidemic threshold has been exceeded only in Lviv Oblast, while in most regions the incidence remains at a background level.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, commented on photos of drone debris that allegedly flew to attack the residence of the Russian dictator. He stated that this is traditional Russian lies.
In 2025, Ukrainian ports transshipped 76. 1 million tons of cargo, of which 89% accounted for the ports of Greater Odesa. The Ukrainian sea corridor transported over 163 million tons of cargo, including about 100 million tons of agricultural products.
In 2026, new automated services will appear in Ukraine, including online divorce in Diia and data verification in the civil registry office. The Ministry of Digital Transformation announces the rejection of the concept of "certificate for the sake of a certificate" and the launch of "Trembita 2.0" for secure data exchange.
Since the beginning of the day, 58 combat engagements have taken place at the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions, where fighting continues.
In 2025, Ukraine's energy system was supplemented with 423 MW of new balancing capacity thanks to Ukrenergo's special auctions. The largest share is accounted for by energy storage facilities (398 MW) and gas piston units (25 MW).
Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna attended a government meeting with her newborn daughter, Osaka. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko called the event historic for the Cabinet of Ministers' hall.
On December 31, SBU drones attacked the Temp oil depot in Rybinsk, which is part of the Rosrezerv system. A large-scale fire broke out at the facility, disrupting the supply of petroleum products in the northeastern region of the Russian Federation.
Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has cost Russian taxpayers approximately $550 billion, which is equivalent to 24 annual Russian higher education budgets. A significant portion of these expenditures is hidden, and the financing of the war is shifted to the population through new taxes and rising prices.
The publication notes that Kellogg found himself at the center of an internal conflict within the US administration due to disagreements on Ukraine policy.
In 2025, Russians used over 60,000 guided aerial bombs, about 2,400 missiles, and over 100,000 drones. Air raid alerts sounded at least 19,033 times across Ukraine.
EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said that Russia's statements about Ukraine's attack on government facilities are a deliberate distraction. She emphasized that Moscow seeks to disrupt the progress of Ukraine and its Western partners towards peace.
Relations between Trump and Zelenskyy improved after the Oval Office scandal on February 28. Trump noted the beauty of Ukrainian women, which defused the atmosphere between the leaders.
Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday but are expected to fall by more than 15% over 2025. This is due to fears of oversupply, despite wars, tariffs, and sanctions.