Ukraine

Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratyuk announced that Yuriy Boyko's statements might be considered by the conciliation board. The issue concerns criticism of language policy and the demolition of monuments that repeat Russian propaganda.

Ukrainian troops control Kurakhove in Donetsk region, but are fighting hard to hold their positions. Russia is concentrating its reserves and trying to level the front line by deploying three large military formations.

Putin announces plans to launch mass production of the Oreshnik missile. The Center for Political Studies denied the fake about Russia's ability to produce 25 such missiles per month, and the General Staff confirmed the existence of only a few experimental models.

The OECD has noted Ukraine's significant progress in strengthening public integrity and anti-corruption strategy. Ukraine has made progress in political finance transparency and internal control.

Starting in 2025, Ukrtelecom will increase tariffs for fixed-line telephony and wired radio. The cost of services will increase by 30% on average, with new prices starting at UAH 189 for radio and UAH 249 for telephony.

Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna commented on the statements about lowering the mobilization age. She emphasized that such decisions are made solely with the safety of Ukrainians in mind.

During the two years of war, the poverty rate in Ukraine increased from 20. 6% to 35.5%. Zakarpattia and Chernivtsi regions suffered the least, while deep poverty increased 7 times.

Oleksandr Smirnov is preparing to plead guilty to providing false testimony about bribes to the Bidens from Burisma. Under the plea agreement, he faces 4 to 6 years in prison.

The Zaporizhzhia National University has approved the composition of the first supervisory board as part of the experiment on corporate governance. The board consists of 7 experts who have undergone a transparent competitive selection process.

The EU Council approves the 15th package of sanctions against Russia. The new restrictive measures are aimed at weakening Russia's ability to wage an aggressive war against Ukraine.

Nataliia Udodenko took part in the conference “All-Ukrainian XXXI Logistician's Day”.

Norway will provide 2. 7 billion kroner to strengthen Ukraine's navy and deter the Russian fleet. The funds will be used to protect the population, infrastructure, and maritime exports.

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said that a peacekeeping mission is possible only after peace is achieved. According to her, Russia does not demonstrate a desire for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister called on the EU to approve a joint strategy to counter Russia's hybrid actions. Lithuania, together with 6 EU member states, has prepared a proposal to be considered at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine is working on mechanisms to recover frozen Russian assets. Ukraine plans to use not only the interest but also the entire body of assets to support the state.

The Ukrainian power grid remains in a significant power deficit after 12 massive attacks by Russia. To compensate for the deficit, electricity is imported from 5 countries in the total amount of 21,226 MWh.

The President of Ukraine will attend a meeting of the European Commission in Brussels to consider the EU's strategic vision for the next 5 years. The meeting will discuss the priorities of European integration and the role of the EU in a peaceful Europe.

In Ternopil, a boy aged 1 year 10 months died under anesthesia during dental treatment. The doctor was served a notice.

In Kyiv, the national flag was removed from a 90-meter flagpole due to the forecast of strong winds of up to 28 m/s. The 16x24-meter cloth was dismantled to prevent damage.

The National Police has launched an investigation into the issuance of fake disability certificates to ARMA officials. Five employees of the agency are being checked, and experts are demanding the resignation of the leadership.

Russian troops are using DPRK soldiers without armored vehicles in the Kursk region, sending them to storm narrow areas. The losses among the North Korean military are significant, and Russian military commanders are trying to hide it.

Mike Volz, Trump's future national security adviser, has announced that he is looking for ways to end Russia's war against Ukraine. The team is working on options not for a temporary truce, but for a permanent end to the conflict.

Overnight, Russia attacked Ukraine with 49 drones from the areas of Bryansk and Orel. The defense forces destroyed 27 drones and forced 19 to lose their targets in six regions, with three drones still in the air.

Over the last day, 228 combat engagements took place in the frontline, most of them in the Vremivsk and Siversk sectors. The enemy carried out 36 air strikes and fired over 4000 times, losing 1070 occupants.

Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army lost 1,070 soldiers, 12 tanks and 23 artillery systems. Russia's total losses since the beginning of the war have reached 763,510 troops and more than 9,500 tanks.

Cloudy weather with sleet and rain is expected in Ukraine on December 16. The temperature will be -5°C to +9°C, with wind gusts of up to 28 m/s in the western, northern and central regions.

Future Trump adviser Mike Volz said he was ready to consider Orban's peace proposals for Ukraine. Volz emphasized Trump's desire to end the war, but refused to comment on the details of future policy.

The Czech Interior Minister reported a decrease in the number of applications for temporary protection from Ukrainians from 2000 to 1700 per week. The country supports internal migration in Ukraine from the eastern regions to the western ones.

Due to communication problems between Russian and North Korean troops, there are cases of friendly fire. In the Kursk region, 200 people were killed as a result of ineffective coordination and attacks by Ukrainian drones.

Ukrainian defense forces regained control of positions in Kolesnykivka in Kharkiv region. At the same time, Russian troops made progress in several areas of Donetsk region.