Ukraine
German Chancellor's advisor on Ukraine, Günther Sautter, is heading to Florida for talks between the US and Russia. The talks concern a peaceful settlement of the war, where the US's 20-point plan will be discussed.
Gas prices in Europe have fallen to pre-war levels, but European factories continue to close or relocate. Experts believe that relief came too late, and businesses have lost faith in stability on the continent.
In Kharkiv, a traffic accident occurred involving a judge of one of the district courts, two girls aged 13 and 14 were injured. They were hospitalized with severe injuries and are in intensive care.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki stated that the joint work of Ukraine and Poland on historical issues deprives Russia of the opportunity to use them for disinformation. He emphasized that all formal and administrative issues will be resolved by the Ukrainian side.
The head of Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration, Vitalii Kim, emphasized the need to create conditions for investments in Ukraine's economy for its recovery.
The global oil market is experiencing an oversupply of "black gold," pushing oil prices down. A record 1.3 billion barrels of crude oil are in transit or awaiting buyers in the world's oceans.
As the source said, this time the “cotton” visited the drilling rig at the Rakushechnoye field (named after Valery Graifer).
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has provided partners with information on the deployment location of Russia's 'Oreshnik' missile system in Belarus. He noted that this system poses a threat to many European countries and called for sanctions against companies supplying components for its production.
EU leaders have decided to lend 90 billion euros to finance Ukraine's defense, avoiding the use of frozen Russian assets. Investors, experts, and analysts are divided on this issue.
Meteorologist Natalka Didenko reported that the upcoming weekend in Ukraine will pass without significant precipitation, with fogs. From December 25, on Christmas, a cold snap will begin.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine's independence is a key security factor for all of Europe, including Poland. He emphasized that without Ukraine's independence, Moscow will inevitably move further into Europe, particularly to Poland.
In the Obukhiv district of Kyiv region, the prosecutor's office is investigating a case of mass animal cruelty. 51 dead animals were found and another 39 cats, kept in unsanitary conditions, were rescued.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the key deficit in the war is trained pilots, not aircraft. He noted that Ukraine can use Polish MiG-29s, as Ukrainian pilots are already trained on them.
According to the State Emergency Service, "Points of Invincibility" are operating around the clock in Odesa fire stations: light, heat, water, and assistance to those who need it.
The Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council analyzed Putin's speech, noting that Russia is not interested in a real peaceful settlement of the war.
Belarus's economic dependence on Russia is rapidly deepening and already covers key sectors - from foreign trade and finance to investment and the defense industry, significantly narrowing the space for Minsk's independent decisions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced his readiness to share with Poland experience in drone defense and cooperate on maritime security issues. The Ukrainian side is ready to provide consultations on repelling all types of drones, as well as to maintain a security dialogue, taking into account threats from Belarus.
In Dnipro, residents of houses on Akademika Yangelya Street, where the lights had not been turned off before, attacked a team of power engineers. The incident resulted in injuries to an employee and a delay in restoring electricity supply.
The criminal prosecution of Roman Mileshko's group of aviation companies has been ongoing for more than three years without any charges being filed. A number of law enforcement agencies have found no evidence of a crime, which indicates possible pressure from competitors.
On December 20, cloudy weather without precipitation is expected in Ukraine, but with fog on the roads, visibility 200-500 m. The temperature will range from 2°C below zero to 3°C above zero, in the west and south up to 6°C above zero, in Crimea up to 10°C.
The Security Service of Ukraine conducted a new unprecedented special operation at a distance of more than 2,000 km from the territory of our state.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was asked various questions during the "direct line" – from absurd and funny to quite serious ones.
Leonid Kuchuk, the founder of the Odrex clinic, and his partner Tigran Arutyunyan, started with the gambling business. Kuchuk, who currently lives abroad, continues to control his business in Ukraine.
Ukrzaliznytsia has expanded the number of children's carriages on routes to the Carpathians, adding two more to train No. 95/96 Kyiv – Yasinya. These carriages have a unique compartment design dedicated to various places in Ukraine and are equipped with everything necessary for comfortable travel with children.
Commander of NATO's Allied Maritime Command, Mike Utley, stated that the Alliance has an advantage over Russia but is not ready for prolonged hostilities. Member countries have recognized the problem and plan to invest in increasing resilience.
The Ukrainian labor market at the end of the year is sending new signals: how vacancies are transforming, what is changing in employer behavior, and what to expect in 2026.
During his annual "Direct Line" event, Vladimir Putin once again made false statements about the situation at the front, claiming that Ukraine is not ready for peace on Russia's terms. He also cynically mocked Zelenskyy's visit to Kupyansk and announced alleged successes of Russian troops near Kupyansk, Lyman, Myrnohrad, and Huliaipole.
Due to the enemy's attack on a critical infrastructure facility, traffic on the Odesa-Reni highway has been stopped. Passage through the checkpoints "Mayaky-Udobne-Palanka" and "Starokozache-Tudora" on the Ukrainian-Moldovan section is temporarily suspended.
Law enforcement officers uncovered a scheme for selling mephedrone and amphetamine throughout Ukraine, two men were detained. Drugs worth UAH 95 million were seized during searches in Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Odesa regions.
Ukraine has repatriated 1003 bodies, which, according to the Russian Federation, belong to Ukrainian servicemen. Law enforcement agencies will conduct examinations and identification of the repatriated bodies.