Ukraine

Slovakia is negotiating alternative solutions for gas transit through Ukraine after the current agreement expires. Gas prices in Europe are declining amid optimistic expectations for 2024 supplies.

The Parliament approved the updated program for the development of the mineral resource base of Ukraine until 2030 within the framework of the Ukraine Facility Plan. The program is aimed at providing the economy with its own mineral resources and reducing import dependence.

250 participants took part in the Kordon Race charity inclusive obstacle course race in Lviv. The event was aimed at raising funds for mine training simulators for combat units.

Russian troops launched 138 attacks on Ukrainian positions, most intensively in the Kursk and Pokrovsk sectors. Ukrainian defenders repelled 36 enemy attacks, and fighting continues in all key areas.

In Poltava, a conflict occurred over a walnut tree that was interfering with parking. A 40-year-old man on an excavator tried to take down the tree, destroyed the fence and opened fire with a traumatic weapon.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced an increase in Russian troops in Ukraine by 100,000 in 2024. The situation remains tense along 1,130 kilometers of the front line.

The President said that Ukraine seeks to end the war diplomatically, but without forgiving the aggressor. According to him, the West has enough power to force Putin to the negotiating table.

The Court of Justice of the European Union has dismissed the claims filed by Oleg Deripaska, Rosbank and Tinkoff Bank to lift sanctions. Deripaska was also denied compensation for non-pecuniary damage of one million euros.

The HACC Appeals Chamber rejected the SAPO's motion to arrest former MP Dmytro Kriuchkov. Over 10 years of investigation, the NABU and the SAPO spent over UAH 326 million from the budget.

The President of the European Commission plans to ask EU leaders to increase aid to repair and modernize Ukraine's energy system. The EU has already provided significant support, but more needs to be done because of the capacity shortage.

The first newborn penguins appeared at the Akademik Vernadsky station. There are already about a dozen penguin chicks near the geospace research laboratory.

The SBU exposed the rector of a church in the Odesa diocese of the UOC (MP), who justified Russia's war and praised Putin. The priest faces imprisonment for inciting religious hatred and justifying Russian aggression.

From now on, only an electronic pension certificate without a paper counterpart can be issued in Ukraine through the Pension Fund portal. The document will automatically appear in Diia, but some types of pensions need to be added manually.

The President of Ukraine says he has no military forces to return the occupied territories. Ukraine counts on diplomatic pressure from the international community to negotiate with Russia.

European countries are discussing the possibility of deploying up to 100,000 troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire or peace agreement. France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom could form the basis of a coalition.

The KORD special forces unit received a modernized BAD-2 robotic ground drone with a video camera and thermal imager. The robot is capable of conducting reconnaissance at a distance of over 2 km, which reduces the risk to police officers during dangerous operations.

The hearing to choose a measure of restraint against Oleh Poberezhniuk, commander of the 211th Pontoon and Bridge Brigade, was postponed to December 19. He is suspected of involving his subordinates in the construction of a private house instead of service.

In Volyn, the driver of a Mercedes Sprinter died after colliding with a tree in a ditch. Five passengers were injured and hospitalized, and the police opened a criminal investigation.

The comprehensive eBaby service has helped more than 600,000 Ukrainian families obtain documents for newborns. The service combines 9 services and reduces the processing time from 30 hours to 42 minutes.

The Czech Senate has recognized the mass deportation of Crimean Tatars as an act of genocide. The decision was supported by 70 senators out of 76 present, joining other countries that had previously made a similar recognition.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the transfer of 120 Bushmaster armored vehicles to Ukraine. Australia also provided 49 Abrams tanks and military aid worth $250 million.

Following the signing of the law on tax increases, there has been a massive closure of individual entrepreneurs in Ukraine. More than 1,000 entrepreneurs are closing down every day, which is significantly higher than the usual figure of 700 closures.

The Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and the MHP-Hromadske Charitable Foundation signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Partnership.

Ursula von der Leyen announced the start of the loan repayment within the G7 commitment from January. The EU will provide Ukraine with €13 billion from the Fund and more than €18 billion from frozen Russian assets.

Australia will provide 50 million euros to the EBRD and 6. 39 million dollars for energy support to Ukraine. This was announced by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong during a press conference with Andriy Sybiga.

Parliament passed a law creating a list of terrorist organizations with 282 MPs voting in favor. The SBU will be authorized to maintain a list of organizations that pose a threat to state security.

Australia has provided Ukraine with 49 Abrams tanks and 14 boats as part of its military assistance. The total amount of support from Australia exceeded $1 billion, of which $880 million was military aid.

The EU has provided Ukraine with a second tranche of EUR 4. 1 billion under the Ukraine Facility program. The total amount of assistance under the program will be EUR 50 billion by 2027.

Ursula von der Leyen announced the possibility of opening a basic cluster of negotiations on Ukraine's EU membership at the beginning of 2025. Other clusters are planned to be considered during the same year.

Six children were returned from the occupied Kherson region, including 4 boys and 2 girls. The youngest child is 9 months old, the oldest is 17 years old, two of them are orphans.