Ukraine

Ukrenergo informs that no electricity consumption restrictions are planned for December 17. The company urges to use electricity sparingly and avoid turning on powerful appliances at the same time from 8:00 to 22:00.

In the first 11 months of 2024, 32. 3 million people crossed the border of Ukraine, including 28 million Ukrainians. The flow of people entering and leaving the country remains balanced, but 55 thousand people were denied entry.

Ukrainian tech companies presented innovative solutions at Web Summit 2024 in Lisbon. From Esper Bionics bionic prostheses to VSYS crypto processors, domestic developments are setting new global standards.

On December 14, the Ukrainian military destroyed 181 units of enemy vehicles, a record since the beginning of the invasion. The previous record was 179 units and was set on March 15, 2022.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a new strain of the Mpox virus has been detected in four members of the same family. The infection entered Germany after one of the family members returned from Africa.

In November-December 2024, the hacker group UAC-0099 carried out a series of cyberattacks on Ukrainian government organizations. The attackers gained unauthorized access to the computers of forestry, forensic institutions, and industrial enterprises.

The EU Council imposed sanctions against 16 individuals and 3 legal entities for destabilizing actions of the Russian Federation abroad. The restrictions include asset freezes and a ban on entry to the EU.

Russia uses videos of interrogations of Ukrainian prisoners of war as a tool of information warfare to demoralize them. Military personnel in captivity may give testimony under pressure that does not reflect their true position.

In early 2025, Ukraine expects to open additional negotiation clusters on EU accession. The Verkhovna Rada is actively working on European integration laws and forming 35 negotiating groups.

The Ministry of Social Policy has reported on the development of a digital tool for communication with Ukrainians abroad. The project is intended to help establish connections and facilitate the return of citizens to Ukraine.

The Italian government has approved the tenth package of military aid to Ukraine, the details of which remain confidential. Defense Minister Guido Crozetto will present it at COPASIR. The country continues to support Kyiv in its quest for a just peace.

Until the end of December, 95 Christmas tree fairs will be open in Kyiv to sell conifers and decorations. All trees are chipped and have special labels to verify their origin.

The voting for the jury members of the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 has started in the Diia app. Ukrainians can choose one of the 10 candidates until December 23, and three winners will be included in the jury.

Citizens declared more than 1,000 firearms and 80,000 rounds of ammunition. The declared weapons include 350 assault rifles and 470 smoothbore shotguns.

The Main Inspectorate of the Defense Ministry will check the facts of bullying and extortion in the 211th Pontoon and Bridge Brigade. Minister Umerov announced the establishment of the Military Ombudsman institution to protect the rights of servicemen.

The Center for Strategic Communications responded to the Pope's words about “understanding” between Ukrainians and Russians. The Center emphasized that the rhetoric about “brotherly peoples” is dangerous and plays into the Kremlin's narratives.

Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Kovalyov said that Russia does not have the forces to launch a large-scale offensive in the north of Kharkiv region. The enemy is rotating due to losses and trying to create a “buffer zone.

Two Russian Volgoneft tankers crashed near the Kerch Strait, causing a significant fuel oil leak. According to environmentalists, the consequences for the marine ecosystem could be catastrophic and last for decades.

The foreign ministers of 10 countries and the EU condemned military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including the deployment of North Korean troops. The countries called on Pyongyang to stop helping Moscow and withdraw its troops.

Russian TV channels spread a fake that TCC and JV employees were delivering summonses in Santa Claus costumes. In fact, they were volunteers who were congratulating children on the holidays and collecting gifts for kids from Kherson region.

UNIT. City hosted the GET Business Festival with more than 100 business leaders on three stages. 1400 participants discussed development strategies, innovations, and partnership programs.

After the end of the war in Ukraine, inflation is expected to accelerate due to the rapid economic recovery. According to the expert, the controlled inflation rate could reach 20%.

The Ministry of Social Policy reports that it is impossible to implement the electronic census through the NBU and telephone numbers. Currently, an alternative statistical observation tool developed jointly with UNICEF is being used.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Syrskyy sent a commission to verify information about abuse in the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade. The commander of the unit has been temporarily suspended from his duties.

The latest massive attack targeted energy infrastructure facilities involved in the export and import of electricity. Ukraine is currently importing 700-1100 MW to compensate for the load.

A spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service reported no threats on the border with Belarus and a stable situation. All units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces are in full control of the border from Volyn to Chernihiv.

The State Emergency Service warns of strong wind gusts of 15-20 m/s throughout Ukraine, except for Transcarpathia. A significant level 3 avalanche hazard is expected in the highlands of Zakarpattia region.

The Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239 tankers went to sea during the storm, violating the requirements of navigation. According to a spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy, the 50-year-old vessels ignored safety rules and the identification system.

Over the past week, border guards killed 160 and wounded 220 occupants, destroyed 6 tanks and 30 armored vehicles. Also, more than 30 enemy “Shaheds” were shot down and ammunition depots were destroyed.

Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Stefanchuk criticized Yuriy Boyko's statement about “radicals” who rename cities and ban people from going to church. Stefanchuk recalled the churches destroyed by Russians and emphasized Putin's responsibility.