Ukraine
Ukrainian intelligence intercepted a conversation with a resident of the Belgorod region, who spoke about eight aerial bombs dropped by Russian aviation on its own territory. This causes fires and destruction, as ammunition falls on the border areas of the Russian Federation due to technical malfunctions.
The government has initiated a large-scale audit in Ukraine's energy sector. According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, Energoatom was the first to be audited.
The working group on exhumation between Ukraine and Poland held another meeting in Lviv. The head of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory, Oleksandr Alfyorov, announced the publication of important results in mid-December.
Russian authorities have added former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and economist Sergei Guriev to the list of "extremists and terrorists. " This allows their bank accounts to be frozen and labels them as a threat to the state.
Since the beginning of the day, 81 combat engagements have taken place on the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Sloviansk directions, launching three airstrikes and dropping eight guided aerial bombs.
At the next plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada this week, the draft law "On the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026" will probably not be adopted. The reason is the absence of a meeting of the VR Committee on Budget, which was supposed to approve the document for the second reading.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed solidarity with Poland after the act of sabotage on its railways. Ukraine is ready to assist in the investigation if requested, as this could be a hybrid attack by Russia.
Lithuanian operator Litgrid handed over new equipment to Ukraine for the restoration of substations and power lines. This is already the sixth aid package from the company, which will strengthen the energy system.
At the Dubai Airshow, the Russians presented the Forpost-RE drone, a copy of the Israeli IAI Searcher Mk II, and the Pantsir-SMD-E air defense system. Both developments, according to Moscow, meet the current challenges of modern conflicts.
The Center for Countering Disinformation denied information about the departure of the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, from the country. He is in the United States to strengthen international support for Ukraine.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sent a letter to EU leaders assessing Ukraine's funding needs for 2026-2027. This amount is 135.7 billion euros, based on the assumption that the war will end in 2026.
Roksolana Pidlasa, Chair of the Verkhovna Rada Budget Committee, said that Ukraine could receive the first tranche under the new IMF program worth approximately $8 billion in January 2026. The total size of the four-year IMF program is approximately $8 billion.
The number of children and adolescents with mental disorders in Europe has increased by a third in the last 15 years, according to a WHO analysis. Every fourth girl aged 15-19 reports mental health problems.
Finnish troops have begun artillery exercises in Lapland, near the Russian border, involving heavy artillery. Polish troops are also participating.
The Kremlin stated that discussions about a possible prisoner exchange with Ukraine are ongoing, declining to provide details. Earlier, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov reported on agreements regarding the release of 1,200 Ukrainians.
The Ukrainian defense industry has presented 370 new ammunition models, 250 of which are designed for unmanned systems. This was made possible by deregulation and the involvement of 76 new manufacturers in fulfilling state contracts.
The price of Urals oil fell to $36. 61 per barrel, the lowest since March 2023, ahead of US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil. This drop will reduce tax revenues to the Russian budget, which funds the war against Ukraine.
Prosecutors of specialized defense prosecutor's offices have documented dozens of large-scale abuses, detaining 50 individuals and uncovering over UAH 30 million in illicit gains. Systemic schemes of evasion from military service and illegal departure abroad have been exposed in seven regions and Kyiv.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that measures to cleanse Ukraine of corruption are insufficient. He emphasized that relevant actions will continue.
European Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius stated that Ukrainian troops could be deployed to defend the EU's eastern borders from Russia after the end of hostilities. He noted that the Ukrainian army has the most experienced military personnel in Europe.
Ukraine may receive 100 Rafale F4 aircraft and 8 SAMP-T air defense systems according to a declaration between Ukraine and France. President Zelenskyy called the agreement historic.
Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine will be the first country where the new SAMP/T air defense system with improved capabilities will be deployed. France and Ukraine have launched a ten-year bilateral partnership for the acquisition, development, and production of drones, UAV interceptors, and guided bombs.
Historian Yaroslav Hrytsak named Zaluzhnyi, Biletskyi, and Budanov as possible successors to Zelenskyy. He noted that Ukraine is close to the risk of national collapse due to Russian advances, economic crisis, and a corruption scandal.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that all efforts for a ceasefire have been made, but Russia continues the war. France remains committed to finding ways to end hostilities.
The High Anti-Corruption Court will consider today a motion to apply a pre-trial detention measure to former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov. He is suspected of illicit enrichment of $1.2 million and €100,000.
The European Commission has offered Belgium significant guarantees regarding a €140 billion loan to Ukraine to protect it from the legal and financial consequences of using Russian assets. EU countries are ready to assume the risks of Russian retaliation, including those arising from bilateral investment treaties.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed details of the declaration with France, which provides for the acquisition of 100 Rafale F4 aircraft by 2035, SAMP/T air defense systems, radars, air-to-air missiles, and aerial bombs. Joint projects for the production of interceptor drones will also begin this year.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, in response to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius' warning about a possible Russian attack on NATO, that Russia "may take measures to ensure security. " But he stressed that Moscow does not seek confrontation with NATO countries.
Ukrainian intelligence has published OSINT hackathon data on foreign equipment in Russian weapons production, which is already being used for sanctions initiatives. Equipment from Japan, China, and Taiwan has been found at Russian enterprises producing missiles and aerial bombs.
The European Union has offered Ukraine €90 billion in funding in the form of a grant or a loan backed by EU debt. This will happen if countries fail to approve the desired plan to use frozen Russian assets.