Ukraine
The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a new commemorative coin "Ukrainian Cotton. Magura Unmanned Surface Vehicle" with a face value of 5 hryvnias. The coin is dedicated to the engineering prowess of Ukrainian weapons developers and the combat valor of soldiers who have turned naval drones into one of the most effective types of weapons.
Ukrenergo announced the implementation of hourly power outage schedules on December 14 in most regions of Ukraine. The reason cited was the consequences of Russian missile and drone attacks on energy facilities.
The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russia attacked the Turkish vessel VIVA, carrying sunflower oil and en route to Egypt. The drone strike occurred in the open sea, and the crew was unharmed.
The new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Andrej Babiš, stated that the country would not guarantee financing for Ukraine. He noted that the Czech Republic needs funds for its citizens and is lobbying for the restoration of access to preferential loans under the SAFE program.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree imposing sanctions against 656 maritime vessels that are part of Russia's shadow fleet. This is the largest sanctions package aimed at blocking Russian oil and energy exports.
Since the beginning of the day, 53 combat engagements have been recorded at the front. Russian troops are actively attacking in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions, where 19 and 12 attacks took place, respectively.
Ukraine received 114 civilians, including 5 Ukrainians and Belarusian political figures such as Maria Alexandrova and Viktor Babariko. The exchange took place with the assistance of American partners and the Coordination Headquarters.
Odesa utility workers have eliminated the consequences of the enemy attack; damaged facilities are being inspected to determine the terms for restoring heat, water, and electricity. 428 invincibility points have been deployed in the city, 16 pump rooms and 16 water distribution points are operating, and another 32 are planned to be deployed by evening.
The Zaporizhzhia NPP switched to diesel generators for over an hour due to damage to power lines during the Russian attack on December 13. Vitaliy Zaichenko, Chairman of the Board of Ukrenergo, emphasized the danger of such incidents for all of Europe.
Five Ukrainians who were in Belarus are returning to freedom thanks to a special operation by the GUR with the participation of the United States. President Zelenskyy instructed to intensify work on the release of prisoners of war from Russia before the new year.
The US is lifting sanctions on Belarusian potash, as announced by special envoy John Cole after a meeting with Alexander Lukashenka. This decision is part of the normalization of relations between the countries, which could lead to further lifting of restrictive measures.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has canceled a planned visit to the United States to participate in European discussions on the peace process in Ukraine. He will join talks in Berlin, where other European leaders and high-ranking officials will also be present.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after talks with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, hopes to discuss a peace plan between Ukraine and Russia with US President Donald Trump, adding that "peace is not far off. "
Foreign policy advisers from the US, Ukraine, Germany and other countries will continue talks on a peace plan for Ukraine in Berlin. The talks will take place ahead of a summit involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders.
North Korea held a welcoming ceremony for sappers who returned from Russia's Kursk region after demining. Kim Jong Un thanked the troops for their safe return, noting the loss of nine lives.
Petr Fiala, the outgoing head of the Czech government, announced that the goal of supplying 1. 8 million large-caliber shells to Ukraine has been met. The new Czech government may discontinue this initiative, despite the president's support.
Pulmonologist Rostyslav Liubevych spoke about the hidden symptoms of bronchial asthma and the importance of timely diagnosis. He provided recommendations for first aid during an attack and disease prevention.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is starting payments in case of death or injury of journalists while performing their professional duties. The first payment will be received by the father of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity. The program is provided for in the state budget for 2026.
On the night of December 13, Russia attacked Ukraine with 30 missiles and 465 drones, of which 13 missiles and 417 drones were shot down or suppressed. The main direction of the attack was Odesa region.
Over a million subscribers in Ukraine are without electricity after Russia's night attack on energy infrastructure. Missile and drone attacks were recorded in five regions, and five people were injured.
After a massive night attack by Russia on energy infrastructure, power outage schedules are not in effect in Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions due to a significant number of disconnected consumers. In other regions of Ukraine, hourly schedules and restrictions for industrial consumers remain in effect.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine published footage of assault operations by special forces in the Pokrovsk direction in November 2025. The operation improved the tactical position of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Russia launched an overnight attack on Ukraine, using over 450 attack drones and 30 missiles, with the main strike targeting the energy infrastructure of the south and Odesa region. Thousands of families were left without electricity in 7 regions, and two people were injured in Odesa region.
European officials are concerned that a new US-initiated peace deal in Ukraine could allow Russia to use a demilitarized zone to re-invade Donbas. Moscow demands the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops, while Kyiv refuses to cede territory.
UNN has compiled a top 10 legendary Christmas compositions that fill the holidays with warmth and festive mood. Among them are "Shchedryk", "Last Christmas" and "All I Want for Christmas Is You".
As a result of massive Russian strikes on Ukraine, part of the Kherson region, including the city of Kherson, has been de-energized. The consequences are being investigated.
Italy, Belgium, Malta, and Bulgaria have opposed the EU's plan to transfer 210 billion euros of frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. They are calling on the European Commission to consider alternative options for financial assistance, such as joint EU debt.
Negotiations on security guarantees for Ukraine from the US and Europe have made significant progress. The US is ready to provide guarantees based on NATO's Article 5, approved by Congress, with legal force.
US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Berlin. Witkoff will also hold meetings with counterparts from France, Great Britain, and Germany.
Over the past day, December 12, 178 combat engagements took place at the front, 42 of which were assault actions stopped in the Pokrovsk direction. Russian invaders lost 1,300 personnel, three tanks, and 283 UAVs.