The European Parliament accepted Ukraine's application to join the European Union. A special admission procedure has been launched.

6:23 AM

German drone manufacturer joins Diia City to produce drones in Ukraine.

Quantum Systems hopes its residency in Diia City will help it establish drone production facilities in Ukraine and launch a research and development center.

5:35 AM

Russian cities cancel New Year celebrations to save money for war.

Various officials have pledged to scale back traditional holiday festivities and fireworks displays in order to purchase military equipment to supply Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

4:21 AM

Hackers impersonated Ukrainian agencies in emails to Polish officials.

Government employees in Poland and Ukraine received emails with subject lines related to "debts" and "legal claims," according to an investigation carried out by the Computer Emergency Response Team of Ukraine.

3:43 AM

Russia shells 4 communities in Sumy Oblast.

Russian forces attacked four communities along the Sumy Oblast border on Dec. 8, firing 6 times over the course of the day, the Sumy Oblast military administration reported.

2:23 AM

Estonia, Lithuania condemn IOC decision to let Russian athletes compete in Paris.

"Allowing Russian athletes participate in the Olympics without a flag will not wash away the blood on their hands," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

1:33 AM

Zelensky urges Ukrainians to remain resilient amid anticipated attacks on energy infrastructure.

"The role of our state now — no matter how difficult it may be — is to not lose strength and not allow the enemy to seize the initiative," Zelensky said.

1:13 AM

RFE/RL: Russian intelligence may receive data from Ukrainian surveillance cameras.

A Schemes investigation found that footage from surveillance cameras with Russian software goes directly to servers in Moscow with ties to the FSB.

11:51 PM

Zelensky: Nearly 40 more Ukrainians evacuated from Gaza.

Ukraine evacuated another group of its citizens from the Gaza Strip amid increasing Israeli strikes on the Palestinian enclave, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Dec. 8.

11:00 PM

Zelensky signs 4 laws required for EU accession.

However, the law on reforming the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) signed by Zelensky failed to fully repeal the so-called Lozovyi's amendments, which are thought to help those suspected or accused of corruption to avoid responsibility.

10:47 PM

Bulgarian parliament overrides presidential veto to approve more military aid to Ukraine.

The agreement to provide Kyiv with over 100 previously written-off Soviet-era armored vehicles, already signed by both Sofia and Kyiv, had been initially sent back by Rumen Radev on Dec. 4 to parliament, which now approved the transfer again, with 162 votes in favor and 55 against.

10:35 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Scammers reportedly cheat volunteers out of millions on drone purchases

10:16 PM

Belarus weekly

Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko visits China, meets Xi Jinping

9:40 PM

Human story

Anger and disappointment in endless lines of Ukrainian trucks at Polish border

9:00 PM

Russia

Putin plays it safe by delaying new mobilization ahead of election in Russia

8:47 PM

Guardian: EU set to unlock part of frozen funds for Hungary.

The European Commission is expected to unlock 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion) in frozen funds for Hungary, the Guardian reported on Dec. 8, citing anonymous diplomatic sources.

8:03 PM

Opinion

Alexander Khrebet: Don’t write off Ukrainians living under Russian occupation

7:51 PM

Russia records 11 incidents involving civilian airplanes in first 8 days of December.

All of the planes that experienced serious incidents, which included cabin depressurization, fires, engine and rudder failure, among other issues, eventually landed safely, although several were forced to make emergency landings.

7:32 PM

International Maritime Organization to send mission to Ukraine.

"This decision, as well as the non-election of Russia to the International Maritime Organization Council for 2023-2024, shows the protection of the international maritime community's right to free navigation of every country," said Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov.

6:38 PM

Update: Russian strike on Novohrodivka, Donetsk Oblast, kills 5.

Forensic experts identified the body of the fifth victim of Russia's Nov. 29 missile strike on Novohrodivka in Donetsk Oblast, the National Police reported on Dec. 8.

6:27 PM

Russians, Belarusians to be allowed to compete as neutral athletes at 2024 Paris Olympics.

Under the rules, Russian and Belarusian athletes will not be able to participate as teams nor display any flags or any official identification with either country. Athletes or support personnel who have openly supported the war will not be allowed, as will anyone who has served or is affiliated with either the military or security organizations of Russia or Belarus.

6:20 PM

Tusk says Orban government 'openly' supports Russian positions.

"(Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor) Orban does not hide it," Donald Tusk added, saying, "his relationship with Moscow is organic."

6:01 PM

UK sanctions 17 members of Belarusian judiciary over role in politically-motivated cases.

The U.K. announced sanctions on Dec. 8 against 17 members of the Belarusian judiciary, including judges, prosecutors, and an investigator, for their involvement in politically-motivated cases. The sanctioned individuals had been involved in cases against "political activists, independent journalists, and human rights defenders."

5:39 PM

Prosecutors: Ukrainian spy who coordinated Russian attacks in Odesa identified.

According to the prosecutors, the individual began spying for Russia in October and was tasked with taking pictures of the locations of Ukrainian troops, as well as defense and energy infrastructure in Odesa, which he then sent to his Russian contacts. He also allegedly photographed the aftermath of Russian strikes in the oblast so that future Russian attacks could be corrected for a more accurate result.

5:23 PM

Parliament approves additional amendments to law on national minorities.

Ukraine's parliament adopted an updated draft law on national minorities to implement the latest recommendations by the Council of Europe, lawmakers reported on Dec. 8.

4:09 PM

Finnish court releases suspected Russian terrorist, rules he cannot be extradited to Ukraine.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) found that Yan Petrovsky collaborated with members of the Russian-installed proxy government in occupied Luhansk Oblast and the Rusich neo-Nazi paramilitary unit to aid the Russian invasion of Ukraine starting in 2014.