Ukraine

In Sloviansk, a soldier driving a minibus caused an accident that killed two people. Among the dead were the driver of the car and state media journalist Anastasia Volkova.

The Finnish Immigration Service is considering resuming the deportation of Ukrainians to safe regions. Currently, the threshold for making such decisions remains high, and Ukrainians retain the right to temporary protection.

The Reserve+ app now allows users to update their personal data in the Oberig register. Users will be able to update their phone, email, and address no more than once every 7 days.

The NBU's electronic payment system will operate around the clock during the New Year holidays. The State Treasury has set temporary restrictions on December 30-31 due to the end of the reporting year.

The President of Ukraine had a video conversation with Oleksandr Usyk on the eve of the fight for all the championship belts. The boxer spoke about his preparations and promised to “keep the Ukrainian spirit” during the fight.

The number of vehicles on the Ukrainian-Polish border has increased significantly compared to last week. The longest queues are observed at 4 checkpoints in Lviv and Volyn regions.

The HACC, NABU and activists have created a system of mutual coverage of violations of the law with grants. Political expert Oleh Posternak spoke about the ineffectiveness of fighting corruption through such activities.

The Parliament has passed a law on the exclusion from military registration of persons found unfit for service. The military registration documents will not be confiscated, but will be marked with an exclusion note.

Cryptographic data encryption has been introduced in the Army+ military app and mandatory daily authorization has been canceled. Now 500,000 military personnel will be able to use the app without re-verification for a month.

The former head of the Sumy region's Office of the State Security Service was served with a notice of suspicion of aiding an MP in taking a bribe. According to the investigation, the MP demanded 14% of the amount of the water supply system repair in Okhtyrka district.

The Presidents of Ukraine and the Czech Republic held a video conversation on the supply of artillery shells and military training. They discussed the opening of a representative office of the Ministry of National Unity in the Czech Republic.

The head of the Moon Records music label is suspected of fraud with royalties from Kuzmenko's works. Through a scheme with a Czech company, the musician's widow lost UAH 1.5 million in 2017-2019.

Starting January 1, 2025, a new law on preschool education will come into force in Ukraine. The changes provide for the optimization of the work of educators, the emergence of mobile and family kindergartens, as well as the expansion of forms of education.

White cabbage has become the most expensive vegetable in the borscht set, reaching a price of 25-35 UAH/kg. Farmers are holding back sales due to forecasts of further price increases and a limited supply of quality products.

There were 146 combat engagements over the day, most of them in the Kursk and Pokrovsk sectors. The enemy unsuccessfully stormed Ukrainian positions near Kozatsky Island twice.

On the territory of Belarus, 1500 Christmas parcels were delivered to Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war. Letters from relatives were also handed over and lists of prisoners and missing persons were discussed.

Law enforcers uncovered clandestine tobacco production in Kolomyia and Sniatyn districts. One ton of tobacco, 2000 packs of finished products and equipment worth UAH 600 thousand were seized.

The experts named Ukraine's key tasks for 2025, including scaling up military production and mobilization. They emphasize the importance of entering negotiations from a position of strength and with the support of partners.

UA:PBC has announced the names of 9 finalists of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The tenth participant will be chosen by Ukrainians by voting in Diia, and the full list will be announced by January 17.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is working in detail on a proposal to support Syria's food security. The specific details of the assistance to the Syrian people will be announced soon.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson denied the existence of a real “Christmas truce,” calling it a PR stunt by the Hungarian side. Ukraine has repeatedly asked Hungary to stop manipulating the war and Christmas.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it is working on organizing a phone call between Zelenskyy and Biden, but the specific dates are not yet known. They are planning to discuss the issue of inviting Ukraine to NATO.

Ukrainian military experts provided the US with evidence of the use of Western components in Russian weapons. Foreign parts were found in the Orlan-10 UAV, including guidance and navigation systems.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry is working to create a coalition of countries to shoot down Russian missiles and drones in Ukrainian airspace. The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasizes that such actions are not an escalation or participation in the war under international law.

The SBU has collected evidence against Russian Colonel General Alexei Kim, who ordered the Iskander strike on a hotel in Kramatorsk. The attack killed a Reuters journalist and injured 10 others.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi announced that Ramstein's meeting is scheduled for January. Ukraine expects important announcements on military support during the meeting.

By the end of February 2025, Ukraine will introduce electronic referrals to the military medical commission through Reserve+. The medical examination will be available at any designated medical facility, and the results will be stored digitally.

The Ministry of Defense has prepared a draft law on clear terms of military service, but its submission has been postponed. The reason is the lack of sufficient reserves to replace soldiers at the front.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirmed the readiness of some countries to deploy their military contingents on the territory of Ukraine. Specific plans for the deployment of foreign military forces are under discussion.

The President of Ukraine met with employees of the energy sector and presented them with state awards. Ukraine will receive new air defense systems from partners to protect its energy infrastructure.