Bloomberg: Germany expects EU aid to be supported 'in any case'
Germany expects the European Union to finalize a deal on a major aid package for Ukraine even without Hungary's support, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 28.
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Zelensky holds call with Pope Francis, discusses peace formula
President Volodymyr Zelensky held a call with Pope Francis and discussed Ukraine's peace formula, Zelensky said during his evening address on Dec. 28.
UK Defense Ministry confirms Ukrainian strike 'completely destroyed' Russian landing ship
Ukraine's missile strike on the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk on Dec. 26 "completely destroyed" the vessel, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its intelligence update on Dec. 28.
Dutch Army commander warns country must be better prepared for war with Russia
The Netherlands must become better prepared for a future war with Russia, for example by encouraging voluntary military service, outgoing Dutch Army Commander Martin Wijnen said in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on Dec. 28
Russian attack on village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast kills 2, injures 5
A Russian artillery attack on the village of Bilenke in Zaporizhzhia Oblast killed two civilians and injured five others, the Prosecutor General's Office reported on Dec. 28.
Russia imprisons two poets for anti-war poetry reading
A Moscow court sentenced two men to prison for participating in a reading of poems against the Russian invasion of Ukraine in public, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported on Dec. 28.
Zelensky appoints new governors of Donetsk, Rivne oblasts
Vadym Filashkin, who was deputy head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, has been appointed Donetsk Oblast governor. Oleksandr Koval has been appointed Rivne Oblast governor.
Ukraine opens embassy in Ghana with Rwanda, Mozambique, Botswana to follow
Ukraine has opened a diplomatic mission in Accra, the capital of Ghana, and plans to open embassies in Rwanda, Mozambique, and Botswana, the Foreign Ministry announced on Dec. 27.
Economy Minister warns of delays to salaries, pensions if Western aid stops
Ukraine may have to prioritize spending on defense above paying salaries if the EU and U.S. do not approve more aid soon, Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said in an interview with the Financial Times on Dec. 27.
Government dismisses Ternopil Oblast Governor
Ternopil Oblast Governor Volodymyr Trush has been dismissed, Taras Melnychuk, the government's representative in parliament, announced on Dec. 27.
Defense Ministry approves first body armor for female soldiers
Women serving in the Ukrainian military will be provided with specially designed body armor for the first time, after Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 27 that it had certified a sample of bulletproof vests for female soldiers.
Zelensky: Ukraine triples weapons production in 2023
Ukraine tripled its domestic production of equipment and weapons in 2023 compared to the year before, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 27.
Poll: 58% of Ukrainians believe Ukraine will win war in short term
Among those who believe in victory in the short term, 6% believe Ukraine will win in the next few months, 21% believe Ukraine will win by the summer of 2024, and 31% believe a Ukrainian victory will take one to two years.
Borrell: Putin will 'continue war until final victory'
Russian leader Vladimir Putin "cannot be satisfied with a limited territorial victory" and "has decided to continue the war until the final victory," the EU's chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in an interview with the Guardian on Dec. 24.
Polish farmers suspend blockade at one border crossing over Christmas
Polish farmers have suspended their blockade at the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing for the Christmas period, Ukraine's State Border Service announced on Dec. 24.
Media: Man throws training grenade at BBC Russian service journalists in Riga
An unknown attacker threw a training grenade at BBC News Russian Service journalists holding a party at a bar in central Riga on the evening of Dec. 23, according to independent Russian news outlet Novaya Gazeta, citing a witness report.
Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast kill 4, injure 9 over past day
Russian attacks in Kherson Oblast killed four civilians and injured nine others over the past day, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Dec. 24.
Zelensky outlines Ukraine's 2024 foreign policy goals
President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined Ukraine's foreign policy goals for the upcoming year in a speech to members of Ukraine's diplomatic service on Dec. 22.
Air defense downs 7 Russian drones in Odesa Oblast
Air defense in Odesa Oblast downed seven Russian attack drones, the Southern Defense Forces reported on the evening of Dec. 22.
Top Defense Ministry official arrested in embezzlement case
A senior official in the Defense Ministry has been detained over his suspected involvement in using an artillery shell contract to embezzle Hr 1.5 billion ($40 million), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Dec. 22.
Russian attacks in Donetsk Oblast kill 1, injure 6
Russian attacks on multiple settlements in Donetsk Oblast have killed one civilian and injured six others during the day, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office reported on Dec. 22.
Zelensky meets Polish foreign minister, hopes for new page in bilateral relations
President Volodymyr Zelensky told Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski that there was hope for "a new page in our relations" during their meeting in Kyiv on Dec. 22.
Ukraine retrieves bodies of 66 fallen soldiers
The bodies of 66 fallen Ukrainian soldiers were returned to Ukraine, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of the Prisoners of War reported on Dec. 22.
Drone attack reported in multiple Russian oblasts
Ukrainian attack drones hit their target on Russian territory, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 22, citing a source in intelligence. Earlier on Dec. 22, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed air defense systems in Moscow, Kaluga, and Bryansk oblasts had stopped an attempted Ukrainian drone attack.
Air Force: Ukraine downs 3 Russian Su-34 supersonic aircraft
Ukraine downed three Russian Su-34 supersonic striker/bomber aircraft on the southern front, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk announced on Dec. 22.
Netherlands to deliver 18 F-16s to Ukraine
The Netherlands will deliver 18 F-16s to Ukraine, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed during a phone call to President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 22. "Besides an export permit, a number of other criteria must also still be met before delivery can take place, including requirements for personnel and infrastructure," Rutte said on X.
NYT: White House intensifying efforts to confiscate Russian assets
The Biden administration is intensifying efforts to confiscate around $300 billion worth of Russian assets frozen in the West to ensure continued funding for Ukraine, the New York Times reported on Dec. 21.
Oscar shortlist includes Ukrainian film '20 Days in Mariupol'
The Ukrainian documentary "20 Days in Mariupol" has been shortlisted for the 96th Academy Awards, the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced on Dec. 21.
Finland announces military aid package for Ukraine worth $116 million
Finland will deliver military aid amounting to 106 million euros ($116 million), the Finnish Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 21.
Poroshenko's party says he received $1 million from Hungarian Finance Ministry as interest payments
Ukraine's former President Petro Poroshenko received $1 million from Hungary due to interest earned on foreign investments, Poroshenko's party, European Solidarity, said in a statement on Dec. 21.
Shooting in Prague kills at least 15, injures 24
A shooting at Charles University in Prague has killed at least 15 people and injured 24 others, according to the Czech emergency services on Dec. 21.
Russian strike on mines in Donetsk Oblast kills 3, injures 6
A Russian strike on two mines in Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast killed three civilians and wounded six others, the Interior Ministry reported on Dec. 21.
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