Ukraine receives $1.1 billion from IMF
The funds come as already the sixth tranche disbursed to Ukraine under the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program, raising the amount provided so far to $9.8 billion.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
Articles
General Staff: Russia has lost 776,090 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,990 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones
Key developments on Dec. 21-22: * For the first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones * Over 12,000 civilians killed in Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war, UN says * Two Russian airports suspend flights after Ukrainian drones target Kazan, media, officials report * Slovak PM Robert Fico meets with
Ombudsman reacts to alleged Russian execution of Ukrainian POWs
"The video shows how Russian soldiers shot five captured Ukrainian defenders," Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said, referring to drone footage released by the 110th Mechanized Brigade earlier on Dec. 22 that appears to have captured Russian troops shooting surrendered Ukrainian soldiers from behind.
Full restoration of state registries expected within weeks, Justice Ministry says after major cyberattack
In comments to the Kyiv Independent, the first deputy justice minister said that the precise date of the full restoration of the registries would be more clear in the coming days.
At least one killed, 10 wounded by Russian attacks over past day, local authorities say
The reports of casualties come as Ukraine's Air Force reported shooting down 52 attack drones, including the Shahed type, that Russia launched against the country overnight.
Air Force reports downing 52 Russian drones overnight
The Air Force added that it lost track of 44 decoy drones that Russia launched alongside the real attack drones.
General Staff: Russia has lost 774,100 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,820 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported on Dec. 22.
Slovak PM Robert Fico to visit Putin in Russia next week, Serbian president says
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he had "learned unofficially" of the upcoming visit.
Orban says Hungary proposing ‘trick’ to keep Russian gas shipments via Ukraine
Ukraine has said it will not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, set to expire on Dec. 31.
For first time, Ukraine attacks Russian positions using solely ground, FPV drones
A military spokesperson said the drones included ground systems equipped with machine guns, and kamikaze FPV drones.
General Staff: Russia has lost 772,280 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,860 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine begins receiving first funds covered by frozen Russian assets proceeds
Ukraine is already receiving U.S. funds under the framework of the G7's $50 billion loan covered by profits from frozen Russian assets, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Dec 20.
Ukraine launched ATACMS, Storm Shadow against Russian chemical plant on Dec. 18, Moscow claims
Ukraine attacked the Rostov Oblast's Kamensky Combine, one of the largest chemical plants in Russia, with six U.S.-made ATACMS and four British Storm Shadow missiles on Dec. 18, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on Dec. 20.
Biden administration to announce its final $1.2 billion Ukraine aid package under USAI, Reuters reports
The package is expected to include air defense interceptors and artillery ammunition, one of the sources told Reuters.
Russia captures 'Uspenivka pocket,' Ukraine denies reports of failed breakout
"Commander-in-Chief (Oleksandr Syrskyi) decided to withdraw Defense Forces units from the said area to avoid encirclement," the Khortytsia group of forces said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 770,420 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 2,200 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Zelensky blasts Putin’s Oreshnik threats, calling him ‘dumbass’
Key developments on Dec. 19: * Zelensky blasts Putin’s Oreshnik threats, calling him ‘dumbass’ * Zelensky dismisses ceasefire as Putin’s ploy to regroup, seeks coordinated peace plan * Ukraine strikes 'only oil refinery operating' in Russia's Rostov Oblast, military says * Putin acknowledges sanctions have impact on Russia's economy * Ukraine’s Special
Ukraine's brigade commander arrested over alleged power abuse after media investigation
A court in Ternopil took into custody Colonel Oleh Poberezhniuk, commander of the 211th Pontoon Bridge Brigade, suspected of abuse of power, the Prosecutor General's Office reported.
Ukraine's economy healthier than Russia's in some indicators, The Economist reports
Ukraine's economy has adapted itself well to the realities of the full-scale war while Russia's economy faces increasingly unfavorable forecasts, The Economist wrote on Dec. 19.
Putin claims Russia wasn't 'defeated' in Syria
"Everything what is happening in Syria is not a defeat for Russia," Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
Ukraine's parliament passes bill dissolving medical commissions after corruption scandals
Starting Jan. 1, Ukraine will introduce new expert commissions in major hospitals for assessing people's medical status based on a new, "modern system," MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak said.
US reimposes sanctions on entities involved in Nord Stream 2 construction
"We’re going to continue to work and ensure that Russia is never able to weaponize its energy resources and its energy positioning for political gain again," U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ukraine war latest: 'Couple hundred' North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports
Key developments on Dec. 18: * 'Couple hundred' North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports * Sweden 'does not exclude' more direct physical presence in Ukraine to bolster defense * Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports * Peace talks with Russia only possible
Intercepted Russian phone call suggests North Korean troops suffering trainloads of wounded
In the call, a nurse at a Moscow hospital tells her husband, a soldier fighting in Kursk Oblast, that wounded fighters are being brought in by the trainload.
'Couple hundred' North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports
A senior U.S. military official did not give an exact figure but said the high casualty rate was in part due to the soldiers' lack of battle experience.
General Staff: Russia has lost 766,690 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,580 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine's SBU assassinates Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes
Key developments on Dec. 17: * Ukraine's SBU assassinates Russian general charged with chemical weapons crimes, source claims * Ukraine's Special Forces claim to kill 50 North Korean soldiers in 3 days * Russia heavily attacking in Kursk Oblast for 3rd day, 'actively' using North Korean troops, Syrskyi says * Zelensky rejects Orban's mediation,
Editors' Picks
'I'll need more ammo' — Ukraine's soldiers react to Trump-Zelensky Oval Office showdown
Editorial: A president just disrespected America in the Oval Office. It wasn’t Zelensky
We asked Americans about Trump’s Ukraine policy. Here’s what they said
