Russia shells 6 communities in Sumy Oblast

6:06 AM

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.

4:43 AM

5 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 five people, including a child.

4:05 AM

5 killed, 7 injured in fire at detention facility housing war deserters in Russia's Sakha Republic.

Five people have been killed and a further seven injured in a fire at a detention center in the city of Yakutsk, which houses Russian soldiers who deserted their units during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian officials reported.

2:50 AM

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."

1:59 AM

Russian court orders two-month detention for suspect in General Kirillov assassination.

A Moscow court ruled on Dec. 19 to place the suspect in the killing of General Igor Kirillov in pre-trial detention for two months. Kirillov was killed in Moscow on Dec. 17, with a bomb attached to a scooter.

12:24 AM

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.

10:44 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky blasts Putin’s Oreshnik threats, calling him ‘dumbass’

10:39 PM

G7 discusses slashing Russian oil price cap, complete ban, Bloomberg reports.

Discussions reportedly include lowering the current $60-per-barrel cap to approximately $40 or even implementing a complete ban on Russian oil supplies.

10:19 PM

War analysis

Will Ukraine sustain its F-16 fleet if Trump halts US aid?

10:14 PM

Belarus sentences 2 Belarusians, Ukrainian to 11-25 years for alleged terrorism.

Two Belarusians and one Ukrainian were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 11 to 25 years by Belarusian authorities for their alleged involvement in preparing terrorist acts, the Viasna Human Rights Center reported on Dec. 19.

9:48 PM

Human story

One killed, one in captivity: The tragic story of two brothers forever separated by Russia’s war

9:40 PM

Ukraine’s Special Forces report killing 12 North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast.

Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reported on Dec. 19 that they had killed 12 North Korean soldiers and injured 20 others, preventing their advance in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

8:54 PM

Ukraine won't extend Russian gas transit, Zelensky confirms.

“We will not engage in extending the transit of Russian gas. We will not give (Russia) the opportunity to earn additional billions on our blood,” Zelensky said.

8:44 PM

North Korean troops in Kursk Oblast boost Russia's manpower, despite vulnerabilities

8:17 PM

Zelensky dismisses ceasefire as Putin’s ploy to regroup, seeks coordinated peace plan.

“We need coordinated work for a lasting peace, not just the suspension of hostilities that Putin seeks in order to buy time,” Zelensky said.

7:13 PM

Denmark allocates $292 million to bolster Ukraine’s air defense, minister says.

The announcement comes amid intensified Russian attacks against Ukraine, including one of the largest aerial strikes on Dec. 13, which targeted energy infrastructure across Ukraine.

6:08 PM

‘Dumbass’ — Zelensky blasts Putin’s Oreshnik threats, 'high-tech' duel proposal with the West.

At a press conference in Brussels on Dec. 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent threats of using the new Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile against Kyiv to test Western air defense systems in what he called a "high-tech duel" with the West.

6:24 PM  (Updated:  December 19, 2024 4:00 pm)

Belarus

'You'll die here' – Belarusian political prisoners recount experiences ahead of Lukashenko's reelection

3:53 PM

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.

3:52 PM

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.

3:39 PM

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.

1:26 PM  (Updated:  December 19, 2024 3:00 pm)

Russia building road to connect Crimea, Mariupol, with Russia's Rostov Oblast, Putin claims.

Moscow has already built a 40-kilometer-long segment between the Russian city of Taganrog and occupied Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

2:36 PM

Zelensky meets top EU officials in Brussels, discusses 'just peace' approach.

"As we approach the start of the new year, we really need unity between the United States, the EU, and European countries," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "Only together, the U.S. and Europe can truly stop (Russian President Vladimir) Putin and save Ukraine."

2:17 PM

Shooting reported in Russian-occupied Abkhazia's local council; council member killed.

Vakhtang Golandzia, a member of the assembly that de facto serves as the occupied region's legislative body, was fatally shot, and his colleague Kan Kvarchia was injured, RFE/RL reported, citing local health authorities.

1:36 PM

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.