US to send $15 billion to Ukraine using frozen Russian assets, PM says
The United States will provide Ukraine with $15 billion, backed by future revenues from frozen Russian assets, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Dec. 30.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
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Ukraine's foreign minister meets with Syrian leadership in Damascus
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha visited Damascus on Dec. 30, marking the first official Ukrainian delegation to Syria in years. During the trip, he held talks with Syria’s de-facto leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa.
Ukraine received over $41 billion in international aid in 2024, finance minister says
The Ukrainian Finance Ministry received $41.7 billion in international aid in 2024, Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko said in a televized statement on Dec. 30.
Ukraine shot down 21 Russian drones overnight, Air Force reports
Russia used 43 drones against Ukraine overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force reported on Dec. 30.
Ukrainian FM urges EU to ban, replace Russian LNG imports
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the European Union must be banned and replaced with supplies from the United States and other partners.
General Staff: Russia has lost 787,940 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 2,010 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine prioritizing security guarantees over immediate NATO membership, senior diplomat says
Key developments on Dec. 28 - 29: * Ukraine prioritizing security guarantees over immediate NATO membership, senior diplomat says * Russia must admit guilt over downing Azerbaijani airliner, pay compensation, Azerbaijan's president says * Ukraine secures over $156 million for defense industry from European allies, defense minister says * Russia rejects Trump team's reported
General Staff: Russia has lost 785,930 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,730 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Russia's new Oreshnik missile relies on Western manufacturing technology, FT reports
Key developments on Dec. 27: * Russia's new Oreshnik missile relies on Western manufacturing technology, FT reports * 3 senior Russian officers killed in HIMARS, drone attack, Ukraine's military intelligence says * Ukraine working to extend basic training to 2 months, Syrskyi says * Russia ramps up production of Shahed drones, decoys at Tatarstan
NATO to 'enhance military presence' in Baltic Sea following damage to undersea power cable, Rutte says
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Dec. 27 that "NATO will enhance its military presence in the Baltic Sea" following the recent damage to the Estlink 2 power cable in the Gulf of Finland likely caused by Russia.
China’s Xi Jinping to visit Russia next year, Kremlin’s Beijing ambassador says
Speaking to Russian media, Ambassador Igor Morgulov said plans for several bilateral events were being "drawn up" but that Xi’s trip was a priority.
Loud bang heard before Azerbaijan Airlines plane crashed, passengers tell Reuters
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) on Dec. 27 said the aircraft had been hit by “a Russian Pantsir S1 air defense system on Russian terrain.”
Ukraine considers 60,000 citizens as missing persons, official says
As of late 2024, 60,000 individuals in Ukraine are considered missing under special circumstances, Ukrinform reported on Dec. 26, citing Dmytro Bohatyuk, head of the Interior Ministry’s Department for Missing Persons.
Seoul confirms Ukrainian capture of wounded North Korean soldier in Kursk Oblast
The confirmation followed a report from Ukraine's military-focused news outlet Militarnyi on Dec. 26, which first revealed the capture without specifying the date of the incident.
General Staff: Russia has lost 782,510 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,650 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast; North Korean troops endure heavy losses
Key developments on Dec. 26: * Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast, Stratcom reports * North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast endure heavy losses, logistical struggles, Ukrainian military intelligence says * 18 Russian soldiers allegedly killed in Ukraine's Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says * 'Increase in enemy activity'
Russian air defense missile caused plane crash over Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani government sources claim
A Russian surface-to-air missile caused the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines flight near Aktau, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijani government sources reportedly confirmed on Dec. 26. The missile was fired from a Pantsir-S air defense system.
Ukraine war latest: Russian air defense may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say
Key developments on Dec. 25: * Russian air defense missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say * Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack against energy grid on Christmas morning * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian ammunition depot in Rostov Oblast, SBU source claims * Ukraine approves homemade Shchedryk aerial vehicle for military
Kellogg condemns Russia's mass attack against Ukraine on Christmas Day
President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Ukraine peace envoy, Keith Kellogg, denounced Russia's mass attack on early Christmas morning, emphasizing that "Christmas should be a time of peace."
Russian air defense missile may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say
Footage of the plane shows traces of a large surface-to-air missile impact on the tail section of the plane, according to Russian independent media outlet Meduza.
Japan to transfer $3 billion from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, Zelensky says
In a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Zelensky expressed his gratitude for Japan's previous aid to Ukraine, which has totaled $12 billion and "makes it possible to save thousands of lives."
Former top enlistment officer arrested after planning to flee abroad, investigators say
The former official planned to hide from authorities after his release from detention and flee abroad, the bureau said.
Russia ready to export gas to EU via routes bypassing Ukraine, official claims
The declaration comes after President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed during a press conference on Dec. 19 that Ukraine would not extend the transit agreement for Russian gas through its territory, which is set to expire on Dec. 31.
General Staff: Russia has lost 779,320 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,600 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Russia has 'systemic problems' with fleet, Navy spokesperson says after Ursa Major explosion
"The Russians have a systemic problem. It is quite expectedly reflected in the general condition of their fleet," Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk said on Dec. 24.
Russia strikes apartment building in Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve, at least 1 killed, 15 injured
Preliminary reports say that a Russian ballistic missile hit a four-story apartment building in the city, according to Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul. "Unfortunately, we're preparing for difficult news," Vilkul said in a statement.
Russian government considers restricting calls made via messenger apps
The possible blocking of calls is being justified by authorities as a crackdown on anti-fraud calls.
Ukraine receives $1 billion from Japan, UK through World Bank DPL program
“The funds raised will be used to strengthen our economy and finance priority expenditures in the social and humanitarian spheres,” Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Dec. 24.
Russia trying to seize bridgehead on west bank of Dnipro, but no talk of storming Kherson, military says
From the new foothold, Russian forces could fire on Kherson and the Ukrainian military units located in the coastal zone on the western bank of the Dnipro.
Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sinks in Mediterranean after explosion
According to reports, 14 crew members were rescued, and two remain missing.
General Staff: Russia has lost 777,720 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,630 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Ukraine war latest: Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says
Key developments on Dec. 23: * Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says * Satellite imagery suggests North Korea to supply more arms to Russia, WSJ reports * 'Mysterious' fire engulfs Russian Shahed warehouse, Ukrainian intelligence claims * First Ukrainian Legion unit trained in Poland deployed to Ukraine,
