Ukraine
The nine-valent HPV vaccine has arrived in Ukraine and will be distributed to the regions by the end of December. Starting January 1, 2026, mandatory vaccination for girls aged 12–13 will begin according to the updated Calendar of Preventive Vaccinations.
The Ministry of Education and Science provided detailed information on "winter admission" and preparation for the main admission for applicants.
Two Ukrainian citizens were detained at the Ukrainian-Slovak border while attempting to import 2 kg of methamphetamine. During searches, another 1.7 kg of the substance was seized from them, with a total value of approximately 9.5 million hryvnias.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine extended the operational period of large combustion plants until December 31, 2028. This decision was made to ensure energy security and fulfill Ukraine's international obligations.
Ukrposhta presented a new postal issue "Christmas Angel".
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 52 combat engagements on the front as of 4:00 PM on December 24. Russian troops attacked in a number of directions, carried out artillery shelling and airstrikes.
Analysts warn that tariffs imposed by Donald Trump will slow global GDP and overload European ports. This will also lead to a massive review of supply chains by companies.
Political expert Petro Oleschuk claims that Petro Poroshenko has joined Ihor Kolomoisky to destabilize the situation in the country. This is done with the calculation of avoiding criminal responsibility for state treason.
Russia views the US 20-point peace plan as a starting point, demanding more restrictions on Ukraine's military forces and guarantees regarding NATO. Ukraine and the US have disagreements on territorial issues and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, but negotiations are nearing completion.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a number of draft laws concerning economy and defense. Among them are the creation of financial inclusion banks, the extension of special operating rules for "Pivdenmash", and the introduction of bank taxation.
President Zelenskyy reported a correlation between Chinese satellite imagery of Ukraine's territory and Russian strikes on energy facilities. Ukraine views this as a factor prolonging the war.
The Russian FSB killed an alleged saboteur who collaborated with Ukraine and planned terrorist attacks on Russian territory.
President Zelenskyy received a report from the head of the Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko, on Russian attempts to circumvent sanctions and the deployment of "Oreshnik" complexes in Belarus. The report also covered the state of Russian military production and cooperation with Chinese companies that provide space intelligence data.
The government has adopted a resolution on stable internet in Invincibility Points. Each hub will be equipped with xPON or Starlink, and access will be monitored in real time.
The US is looking for a special approach to Belarusian dictator Lukashenka in order to later test it on Putin and end the war.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed bills No. 14169 and No. 14170, which expand tax benefits for the import of defense goods and simplify customs procedures. This applies to components for drones, demining machines, and other products for the modernization and repair of weapons.
Since 2019, Ukraine has tightened responsibility for violating child transportation rules. Over 10,000 violations have been recorded in a year, despite fines of UAH 510-850.
Ukrainian PEN has compiled a list of the best domestic publications of the year for the eighth time, which includes 252 books. Among them are prose, poetry, non-fiction, children's books, art publications, and humanities.
The science fiction drama You Are Space by director Pavlo Ostrikov confidently holds high positions in Ukrainian cinema distribution and continues to attract the attention of viewers.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026/2027 Nations League will take place on February 12, 2026, in Brussels. The Ukrainian national team will compete in League B.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is ready to withdraw Ukrainian troops from parts of eastern Donetsk Oblast to create a demilitarized zone. This is a potential condition for peace talks, although Russia has not shown willingness to withdraw its troops.
The Kremlin will formulate its position based on the information received and will continue contacts, Putin's spokesman said.
Ukraine and the US have disagreements on territorial issues and the status of the Zaporizhzhia NPP in peace talks. Zelenskyy reported on the state of affairs regarding elections and EU accession.
The funds are directed to the energy support fund and are crucial for getting through the heating season.
Units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully struck several enemy targets on the night of December 24, including a synthetic rubber plant in Russia's Tula region. A storage facility for uncrewed boats in Crimea and a logistics depot in Luhansk region were also hit.
For the first time, Russia used over 600 attack drones simultaneously during a massive attack on Ukraine, launching 673 "Shaheds" and missiles at energy infrastructure facilities. This is the ninth massive attack on energy facilities this year, and it has become the largest in terms of the number of drones used in all previous years of the full-scale war.
The Russian authorities are considering postponing the construction of an Arctic railway worth over $10 billion due to uncertainty regarding funding sources. The Northern Latitudinal Railway project, which involves connecting railways and building a bridge, could be delayed by three years.
The Ministry of Development has decided on the mandatory evacuation of children from 19 settlements in Donetsk Oblast. About 200 people with limited mobility are also being evacuated from Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
On December 24, two Russian policemen who fought in Ukraine and tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war were eliminated in Moscow. Two more sustained serious injuries from an explosion near a police station.
AB InBev Efes Ukraine has launched its annual campaign "Drank? Don't drive!" with interactive activations using "drunk" Drunk Busters goggles at WOG gas stations. The program reminds drivers about the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol and covers Kyiv, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, and Odesa highways.