'If Putin attacks, we need to be able to wage war,' German Defense Minister says
Boris Pistorius has come out in favor of a reform of the debt brake in order to increase funding for military defense.
Ukraine
Two Russian airports suspend flights after Ukrainian drones target Kazan, media, officials report
Russian state media Kommersant reported that the airports of both Kazan and the neighboring city of Izhevsk had suspended flights.
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 762,440 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
This number includes 1,860 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia injures 4, including child
The attack damaged a 9-story apartment building in the city, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Three women and a 12-year-old boy sustained injuries.
Over 12,000 civilians killed in Ukraine during Russia's full-scale war, UN says
Over 12,340 civilians were killed and more than 27,836 were wounded in Ukraine between Feb. 24, 2022 and Nov. 30, 2024, according to the United Nations.
IMF approves $1.1 billion in funding for Ukraine
The IMF approved the $1.1 billion tranche after completing its sixth review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), a plan to provide Ukraine with over $15 billion in budget support over four years.
Russian drone attack in Kharkiv injures 6, including child
The drone hit a 9-story residential building in the city's Saltivskyi district, authorities said. A 12-year-old child was among the injured.
Trump plans to continue US military aid to Ukraine after inauguration, FT reports
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump plans to continue military support for Ukraine, the Financial Times reported on Dec. 20, citing undisclosed sources.
Zelensky approves over 30 new ambassador appointments
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the approval of over 30 Ukrainian ambassadorial appointments abroad during his evening address on Dec. 20.
Russia buys acceptance with cash, plunging economy into uncertainty
For Russia's military recruiters, money talks. In July, Russian President Vladimir Putin doubled the federal signing-on bonus for contract soldiers to 400,000 rubles ($3,850) — over five times the country's average monthly wage. Regional governments are expected to top this up further, although the exact amount differs in each
Zaluzhnyi releases book 'My War,' first in planned trilogy
"This book is about my war. First, the war with my own fears that prevent me from doing anything. Second, the war with people who prevent you from achieving your goals. And finally, the war against circumstances that become obstacles in life," Ukraine's former commander-in-chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said.
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.
Russian missile attack damages 6 foreign embassies in Kyiv, Foreign Ministry says
The embassies of Albania, Argentina, Palestine, North Macedonia, Portugal and Montenegro are located in a building that was heavily damaged by the Russian attack.
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.
Lithuania's new PM, ministerial cabinet visit Kyiv
Lithuania's new ministerial cabinet arrived in Kyiv on Dec. 20, Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas said mere hours after Russia's missile attack against the capital.
Bulgaria's parliament no longer supports signing Ukraine security deal
The Bulgarian parliament does not have enough votes to support the signing of Bulgaria's bilateral security treaty with Ukraine due to a shift in stance from the strongest party, Euractiv reported on Dec. 20.
Ukraine retrieves bodies of 503 fallen soldiers
The bodies of 403 soldiers were recovered from Donetsk Oblast, while 57 and 12 bodies were brought back from Zaporizhzhia and Luhansk oblasts. Another 31 bodies were repatriated from morgues in Russia.
Russia's GRU possibly behind cyberattack on Ukraine's government, SBU says
"All the Justice Ministry's data has been saved. Recovery is underway," Deputy PM and Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna said.
Russian missiles strike Kyiv on the eve of holiday season (Photos)
Editor's note: The article was updated with the latest casualty figure. Russia launched five ballistic missiles against Ukraine's capital on the morning of Dec. 20, highlighting the stark contrast between the approaching holiday season and the realities of war. Though Ukraine's Air Force reported that all projectiles were downed, missile
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 34 over past day
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed seven people and injured at least 34 others over the past day, regional authorities said on Dec. 20.
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.
Ukraine intercepts Russian sabotage groups attempting to push toward Kherson
The reports come amid an anticipated large-scale Russian advance in Kherson Oblast. In early December, Russian troops were carrying out assaults in the southern region to gain a foothold on islands in the Dnipro River delta.
Russia targets Ukrainian government services in 'largest cyberattack in recent time'
In the largest cyberattack in recent months, several government services were targeted, including state registers the Ministry of Justice oversees. Russia has regularly targeted Ukrainian companies and government institutions with cyberattacks since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
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.
Russian losses exceed 750,000 troops, expected to surpass 1 million within 6 months, UK estimates
The U.K.'s latest estimate are in line with figures from Ukraine's General Staff, which, as of Dec. 19, sits at 768,220 troops lost since the start of the war. The figures do not specify killed or wounded, though the overall consensus is that it includes dead, wounded, missing, and captured.
Fire, casualties reported in Kyiv amid Russian missile attack
Russia attacked the capital with five ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M or the North Korean KN-23 model, the Air Force said. All five missiles were reportedly shot down, with debris falling in several districts of the city.
Ukraine must decide between 'carrying on the fight or looking to negotiate ceasefire,' Blinken says
In a wide ranging interview with MSNBC on Dec. 19, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke about prospects for a potential ceasefire in Ukraine as well as support for the embattled country ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump in January.
6 injured in Russian attack on residential building in Kryvyi Rih
A Russian missile struck a two-story residential building in the city of Kryvyi Rih overnight on Dec. 19, injuring six people, including a child.
Putin says full-scale invasion of Ukraine should have been 'earlier,' expresses willingness to meet Trump
When asked what he would have done differently if he could go back to February 2022, the month Russia launched its all-out war against Ukraine, Putin responded, "Knowing what's happening now, back in 2022, I would've thought the decision ought to have been taken earlier."
EU leaders call for more military aid to Kyiv, pledge Ukraine's inclusion in key decisions
"Only Ukraine as the aggressed country can legitimately define what peace means — and if and when the conditions are met for credible negotiations," said Antonio Costa, president of the European Council.
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