Orban claims Russian invasion of Ukraine is not war
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is not a war, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed on Dec. 21 while speaking at an annual press conference in Budapest.
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Telegraph: London mayor refused Klitschko's request to send scrap cars to Ukraine
London Mayor Sadiq Khan rejected a proposal to send cars handed over to the city authorities to Ukraine, since the plan would not benefit Londoners from an "economic, social, and environmental perspective," the Telegraph reported on Dec. 15.
Military: Russia committing more reserves in attempt to capture Kupiansk
Russia is aiming to capture Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast due to its importance as a logistical hub for a potential offensive westwards, Volodymyr Fito, the head of the Army's public relations service, said on air on Dec. 16.
Russian Patriarch Kirill placed on Ukraine's wanted list
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has placed Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow on its wanted list, according to the Interior Ministry's wanted persons database on Dec. 15.
Air Force: Ukraine downs 30 of 31 drones launched by Russia overnight
Ukraine downed 30 of the 31 Shahed "kamikaze" drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said on Dec. 16.
Russian attack on Kherson injures 3
Russian forces attacked Kherson overnight, injuring three people, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Dec. 16.
Finland to shut border crossings with Russia, day after reopening
Finland will close its border crossings with Russia from 8 p.m. local time on Dec. 15, the Finnish government announced on Dec. 14. Finland announced earlier that it had temporarily reopened two border crossings with Russia.
Zelensky speaks with Moldovan, Georgian counterparts following EU decision
President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Dec. 14. Zelensky said he congratulated Sandu, calling the EU's decision a "joint victory."
German drone manufacturer to open R&D center in Ukraine
German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems will open a research and development center in Ukraine, tech news outlet DOU reported on Dec. 14. Quantum Systems is the company behind advanced Vector reconnaissance drones, 152 of which have already been provided to Ukraine.
Orban abstains from EU vote on Ukraine accession, claims EU leaders made 'bad decision'
An EU source told the Kyiv Independent that “PM Orban was momentarily absent from the room in a pre-agreed and constructive manner.”
Germany delivers Patriot missile defense system, ammunition to Ukraine
Germany has handed over a Patriot air defense system, Patriot missiles, and more ammunition to Ukraine, the German government announced on Dec. 14.
Defense Ministry wins five cases of international arbitration against foreign suppliers
Over the last three months, Ukraine won five disputes with foreign suppliers of military equipment worth over Hr 900 million ($24.3 million), the Defense Ministry reported on Dec. 14.
Politico: Zelensky not invited to EU summit to avoid antagonizing Orban
President Volodymyr Zelensky has not been invited to the EU Council Summit in Brussels due to fears that his presence "could antagonize" Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Politico reported on Dec. 14, citing unnamed EU diplomats.
Poll: 74% of Ukrainians against territorial concessions
Three-quarters of Ukrainians are against any territorial concessions in exchange for peace with Russia, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on Dec. 14.
Local authorities reject Polish truckers' protest permit at recently-opened border crossing
The local authorities in Dorohusk rejected a protest permit submitted by Polish truckers who wanted to resume a blockade at the Dorohusk-Yahodyn border crossing, Polish media outlet RMF24 reported on Dec. 13.
Man injured in Odesa drone attack dies in hospital
A person injured in a Russian attack on Odesa on the evening of Dec. 12 died in the hospital, Governor Oleh Kiper said on Dec. 13. The 42-year-old man died from a heart attack after being injured in the drone attack.
Kyivstar CEO: Hackers used compromised employee account to carry out attack
Russian hackers broke through Kyivstar's cyber security through the compromised account of one of the company's employees, Kyivstar CEO Oleksandr Komarov said on air on Dec. 13.
Zelensky meets King Harald of Norway
President Volodymyr Zelensky met King Harald V of Norway and other senior members of the Norwegian royal family during his visit to Oslo, Zelensky posted on X on Dec. 13.
EU determined to persuade Hungary to support Ukraine aid, accession talks
The 26 European Union member states are determined to overcome Hungary's objections and move forward with several key priorities for Ukraine in one of the most "complex, complicated, and difficult European Councils."
Media: Austria posing obstacle to EU's 12th Russian sanctions package
Austria currently has reservations about the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia, preventing the package from being officially approved, EU officials reportedly told the Austrian Press Agency on Dec. 13.
Zelensky 'still waiting for answer' from Orban on why Ukraine should not join EU
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not give President Volodymyr Zelensky an answer when asked why Budapest wants to block Ukraine's entry into the EU, Zelensky said at the Nordic-Ukraine Summit in Oslo on Dec. 13.
Media: European football club transfers may have violated Russian sanctions
Almost 30 European football clubs have made deals with Russian clubs since February 2022 that may have violated Western sanctions against Russia, the Dutch investigative outlet Follow the Money reported on Dec. 12.
Here’s where to shop for Christmas gifts by Ukrainian brands
Even amid the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukrainian entrepreneurs remain resilient. October set a new record for the number of new small and medium-sized businesses being registered, while hundreds of enterprises have relocated away from front-line regions so that they can continue their operations. Buying a gift this Christmas from a
Biden allocates $200 million aid package to Ukraine
The White House has allocated $200 million in drawdown funds for Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden told President Volodymyr Zelensky during his visit to Washington D.C. on Dec. 12.
Bloomberg: Orban may unblock Ukraine aid package in exchange for release of EU funds for Hungary
Hungary is open to unblocking a huge EU funding package for Ukraine in exchange for the release of EU funding for Budapest, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's political advisor told Bloomberg on Dec. 12.
Reuters: US intelligence reports Russia has lost 90% of original pre-invasion force in Ukraine
Russia has lost 315,000 troops in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion, representing nearly 90% of the military personnel it had in February 2022, Reuters reported on Dec. 12, citing a declassified U.S. intelligence report.
Slovak FM: Slovakia ready to support launch of Ukraine EU accession talks
Having assessed the progress of Ukraine's reforms, Slovakia is "ready to support the opening of accession negotiations," Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar said in Brussels on Dec. 12.
Hack on phone operator causes issues with air raid alert in Ukrainian regions
Air raid alert systems in some parts of Ukraine, including Kyiv Oblast, Sumy, and Dnipro, face technical issues due to the hack on telecommunications company Kyivstar, regional authorities reported on Dec. 12.
Military intelligence hacks Russian tax authorities
Ukrainian cyber units hacked into thousands of servers of Russia's tax system, extracting sensitive information before destroying the tax database, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said on Dec. 12.
White House: Another aid package for Ukraine to be announced before end of year
Another support package for Ukraine can be expected from the White House before the end of 2023, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told the press on Dec. 11.
Declaration of Zelensky staffer charged with bribery reveals huge earnings
Tatarov is the most controversial official at Zelensky's administration. He has been charged with bribery but the corruption case against him has been obstructed and destroyed by law enforcement agencies and courts. Despite the controversies, Zelensky has refused to fire or suspend Tatarov.
Media: Hungarians in Ukraine ask Orban to support launch of Ukraine's EU accession talks
The leaders of the Hungarian community in Ukraine have written a letter, appealing to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban not to block the launch of Ukraine's EU accession talks during the upcoming European Council summit, Ukrainska Pravda reported on Dec. 11.
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