Air Serbia cancels flights to Russia

10:52 AM

Ukraine strikes 'only oil refinery operating' in Russia's Rostov Oblast, military says.

Initially, SBU drones attacked the facility to distract Russian air defenses, providing a "window" for Ukrainian missiles to strike the facility, an SBU source said.

10:23 AM

At least 100 North Korean soldiers killed, 1,000 wounded in Russia-Ukraine war, South Korean official says.

At least 100 North Korean troops have been killed while fighting for Russia against Ukraine, a South Korean lawmaker said after an intelligence briefing, the BBC reported on Dec. 19.

10:13 AM

Russia fails to breach Ukraine's defense lines in simultaneous attacks, Syrskyi says.

"The Ukrainian defense forces in heavy battles did not allow the Russians to breach the defense and achieve operational success on any of the directions," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.

9:42 AM

Russian attacks kill 1, injure 8 in Ukraine over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 45 of the 85 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles launched overnight, the Air Force reported. Forty drones were reportedly lost across Ukraine thanks to electronic warfare countermeasures.

9:06 AM

Trump's peace envoy nominee to visit Ukraine in early January, Zelensky confirms.

"(The visit to Ukraine) will take place in early January. We are waiting for Mr. Kellogg, and then we will talk about what he had meant," President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Brussels.

8:50 AM

North Korea producing missiles for Russia's use in Ukraine within months, researcher tells UN.

Jonah Leff said that the researchers from his group examined remnants of four North Korean missiles recovered in Ukraine in July and August. One of them had marks showing it was procured in 2024, according to the researcher.

8:12 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 768,220 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,530 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

2:00 AM  (Updated:  December 19, 2024 8:05 am)

Fire reported at Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast amid alleged drone strike.

A fire broke out at the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast in the early hours of Dec. 19 following a mass drone and missile attack, Yuri Slyusar, acting governor of Rostov Oblast said.

7:32 AM

Russian hockey player sentenced to prison in Poland for spying.

Russian ice hockey player Maxim Sergeyev was convicted by a Polish court on Dec. 16 on charges of espionage and sentenced to nearly three years in prison.

6:26 AM

UK announces $283 million military aid package for Ukraine.

According to media reports, the package includes over 92 million pound ($115 million) in equipment to support Ukraine's navy, including small boats as well as reconnaissance drones. A further 39 million pounds ($49 million) will be used to supply over 1,000 counter-drone electronic warfare systems.

5:07 AM

Zelensky, NATO chief Rutte discuss air defense, 'reliability of peace' during meeting in Brussels.

President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Brussels on Dec. 18 for talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as Ukraine seeks to secure more air defense as well effective security guarantees from its Western allies.

4:20 AM

Zelensky sees 'positive response' from some European leaders on potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Ukraine is "discussing ideas with European leaders" on the potential deployment of European peacekeeping forces to the embattled country, President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters during a press briefing on Dec. 18.

1:20 AM

Zelensky, Macron discuss possibility of peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

"We continued to work on the initiative of President Macron regarding the presence in Ukraine of forces that can contribute to stabilization on the path to peace," Zelensky said after meeting with the French President on Dec. 18.

12:31 AM

World Bank approves over $2 billion in funds for Ukraine.

The funding includes a $1 billion grant from the new $20 billion U.S. loan backed by frozen Russian assets. Another $1.05 billion is supported by the U.K. and Japan.

11:35 PM

One of Russia's largest chemical plants reportedly attacked in Rostov Oblast.

The attack struck the Kamensky Combine, a chemical plant that produces rocket fuel for the Russian military, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center.

10:51 PM

25% of Russian malls may face bankruptcy in 2025.

Russian shopping centers have been hit hard by the departure of major foreign companies, rising operational costs, and increased competition from online marketplaces.

10:44 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: 'Couple hundred' North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports

10:19 PM

Russian bombers detected in Alaskan air defense zone.

Russian state media later claimed that the presence of Tu-95MS military aircraft near Alaska was part of a planned operation.

10:06 PM

‘Not a good idea’ — Trump's peace envoy nominee criticizes Russian general assassination.

U.S. General Keith Kellogg, nominated as Ukraine peace envoy by President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the recent assassination of Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov during an interview with Fox News on Dec. 18.

9:45 PM

Kursk operation prompted Russia's first POW exchange initiative, ombudsman says.

“It was at the start of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ military operation in Kursk Oblast. I believe the Kursk operation provided strong arguments in favor of Ukraine,” Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said.

8:27 PM

Two EU accession clusters for Ukraine to open in first half of 2025, EU official says.

Two European Union accession clusters for Ukraine are expected to open during the first half of 2025 under Poland’s presidency of the EU Council, a high-ranking EU official told The Kyiv Independent on Dec. 18.

8:03 PM

Politics

A shake-up in Ukraine’s drone buying alarms corruption watchdogs

7:59 PM

Sweden 'does not exclude' more direct physical presence in Ukraine to bolster defense.

In response to a question over whether Sweden would potentially take part in a more direct physical presence in Ukraine amid talks of potentially deploying peacekeepers to monitor a possible ceasefire, Jonson said he doesn't "exclude that possibility."

7:27 PM

EU does not expect Ukraine war ceasefire, peace talks in near future, EU official says.

The EU does not anticipate potential negotiations or a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia in the near future, a high-ranking EU official told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 18.

6:24 PM

Belarus

As Lukashenko gears up for new election, Belarusian political prisoners recount horrors they endured in his prisons