Reuters: Romanian President says Ukraine must be granted EU candidate status ‘as soon as possible’

3:46 PM  (Updated:  December 26, 2024 7:19 pm)

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.

7:18 PM

Russia closes all 4 Moscow airports for unspecified 'safety' concerns.

"To ensure the safety of civil aircraft flights, temporary restrictions have been introduced on the operation of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Zhukovsky and Kaluga airports," Rosaviatsiya said on Dec. 26.

6:34 PM

'Increase in enemy activity' — governor on Russia's assaults in Kherson Oblast.

Russia's sabotage groups are trying to gain a foothold and have increased the number of attacks in Kherson Oblast, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Dec. 26 on national television.

6:19 PM

Thailand accepts Russia's invitation to join BRICS.

"(M)embership in BRICS will benefit Thailand by promoting trade, investment, food and energy security," Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nikondet Phalangkun said on Dec. 26.

5:27 PM

18 Russian soldiers allegedly killed in Ukraine's Dec. 25 attack in Kursk Oblast, military says.

Ukrainian troops reportedly hit the command post of Russia's 810th Separate Marine Brigade in the town of Lgov in Kursk Oblast overnight on Dec. 25.

5:04 PM

Russian shadow fleet tanker likely caused damage to undersea power cable, Finland says.

The Estlink 2, an undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia, was seriously damaged on Christmas Day. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible act of sabotage.

4:13 PM

Book review

‘Praise is not practice’ – Snyder’s new book challenges America’s understanding of freedom through comparison with Ukraine

3:37 PM

North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast endure heavy losses, logistical struggles, Ukrainian military intelligence says.

North Korean troops deployed in Russia’s Kursk Oblast continue to suffer significant losses, Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) reported on Dec. 26.

2:39 PM

Willingness to support Ukraine 'until it wins' drops significantly in Western Europe, poll says.

Public willingness to support Ukraine “until it wins” has dropped significantly across France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, and the U.K., according to a YouGov poll reported by The Guardian on Dec. 26.

1:39 PM

Polish PM Tusk slams Hungary’s Orban for praising Putin amid Ukraine attacks.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk criticized Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban for calling Vladimir Putin Hungary's “honest partner” during Russia’s massive missile attacks on Ukraine on Christmas Day, according to a Dec. 26 statement on X.

1:04 PM

Ukraine hits ballistic missile propellant plant in Rostov Oblast, Stratcom reports.

The Ukrainian Air Force struck a plant in Kamensk-Shakhtynsky, Rostov Oblast, that produces solid propellant for ballistic missiles, Ukraine's Center for Strategic Communications (Stratcom) reported on Dec. 26.

11:44 AM  (Updated:  December 26, 2024 12:35 pm)

Russian drone attack on central Nikopol market injures 8, officials report.

Russian forces struck the central market in Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, with a drone on Dec. 26, injuring eight people, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported.

11:32 AM

Russian luxury market thrives despite sanctions through shadow networks, FT reports.

Russian shoppers continue to access luxury Western brands despite sanctions imposed after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Financial Times reported on Dec. 26.

10:45 AM

Russia's inflation hits year-high, driven by war spending, food price hikes, Rosstat says.

Inflation in Russia has reached its highest levels in nearly a year, driven by war spending and rising food prices, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 25, citing Russia's Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat).

9:45 AM

Russian companies increasingly using Bitcoin amid sanctions, Reuters reports.

Russian companies are increasingly using Bitcoin and other digital currencies for international payments in response to Western sanctions, Reuters reported on Dec. 25.

9:22 AM

Biden directs Pentagon to 'continue its surge' of weapons deliveries to Ukraine after Russia's Christmas attack.

U.S. President Joe Biden directed the Pentagon to "continue its surge" of weapons deliveries to Ukraine in response to Russia's mass attack on the country on Christmas Day, he announced on Dec. 25.

8:38 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 780,860 troops in Ukraine since Feb 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,540 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

4:50 AM

Ukrainian poet and prose writer Oleksii Bezpaltsev killed in action.

Oleksii Bezpaltsev, a 34-year-old poet and prose writer from Kharkiv, was killed in action while performing a combat mission in Kharkiv Oblast, PEN Ukraine reported on Dec. 25.

2:01 AM

Zelensky wishes Ukrainians peace and unity in third wartime Christmas address.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his Christmas Eve address on Dec. 24 that Ukrainians continue to hold on to their faith, unity, and traditions during the third Christmas in wartime.

11:05 PM

Ukraine war latest: Russian air defense may have downed Azerbaijani plane, media say.

10:49 PM

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."

9:55 PM

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.

8:16 PM

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."

6:54 PM

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.

5:30 PM

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.