Russia hits energy infrastructure in Kyiv, 3 explosions reported

5:01 PM

Russia strikes apartment building in Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve, at least 1 killed, 11 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.

3:57 PM

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.

3:38 PM

Ukraine receives $1bn 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.

3:03 PM

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.

2:32 PM

Russian-installed head of occupied Berdiansk injured after his car explodes.

Ukrainian authorities have previously accused Vasyl Nechet of collaborationism.

1:21 PM

US allocates almost $254 million for increasing missile production.

The U.S. Defense Department has provided $253.7 million to Williams International (Williams) through the Defense Production Act (DPA).

1:08 PM

WhatsApp may be blocked in 2025 in Russia if company doesn't comply with law, senator says.

WhatsApp is the only Meta service that has not yet been blocked in Russia.

11:57 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 5 over past day.

Russian forces launched 60 drones at Ukraine overnight from the Russian cities of Bryansk, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk, according to a report from Ukraine's Air Force.

11:44 AM

Russian cargo ship Ursa Major sinks in Mediterranean after explosion.

According to reports, 14 crew members were rescued, and two remain missing.

10:28 AM

Ukrainian volunteers developing more powerful model of Trembita missile capable of reaching Moscow, The Economist reports.

The Trembita is significantly cheaper than Western or Russian cruise missiles, and operates like the V1 flying bombs used by Germany during World War II.

9:46 AM

Ukrainian drones attack Russian city of Millerovo, Rostov Oblast, acting governor says.

Millerovo hosts a military airbase which houses aircraft used to attack Ukraine, Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center, said.

8:38 AM

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.

7:10 AM

Italy extends military support to Ukraine through 2025.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Italy has delivered 10 military aid packages to Kyiv which have included advanced systems like the French-Italian SAMP/T air defense units.

5:49 AM

EU to produce 2 million artillery shells in 2025, new defense commissioner tells media.

Europe is unlikely to ramp up weapons and ammunition production for Ukraine in the coming years, according to Andrius Kubilius, the newly appointed EU Commissioner for Defense and Space.

3:37 AM

Parliament proposes bill to allow male students free travel from Ukraine.

The Verkhovna Rada is drafting a bill that will allow Ukrainian students enrolled in universities abroad to freely cross Ukraine's borders. Once entering the country from abroad, most male students currently cannot leave Ukraine again.

2:23 AM

Ukraine receives 86 million euros from European Investment Bank to protect energy infrastructure from drone attacks.

Anti-drone shelters will be constructed with the funding to protect electricity transmission equipment and make Ukraine's energy grid more reliable and resilient, the EIB said in a statement.

12:46 AM

US plans to impose more sanctions on Russian energy by year-end, Ukrainian official says.

The U.S. is planning to impose additional sanctions on Russian oil by the end of the year, particularly targeting Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s commissioner for sanctions, told public broadcaster Suspilne on Dec. 23.

11:52 PM

Ukraine to prohibit withdrawal of foreign issuer securities amid efforts to curb bypasses to currency restrictions.

Ukraine's National Securities and Stock Market Commission announced on Dec. 23 that it will prohibit the withdrawal of foreign issuer securities, with the ban taking effect on Jan. 1.

10:15 PM

Ukraine war latest: Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says

9:49 PM

War analysis

Ukraine ends year battered, with Russian troops pushing north, east, and south

9:36 PM

'Fico’s energy policy poses a threat to Europe' — Ukraine criticizes Slovak PM after Russia visit.

The criticism followed Fico's meeting with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 22 to discuss gas supplies after Ukraine announced it would not extend its transit deal for Russian gas beyond Dec. 31.

8:19 PM

North Korean troops deployed to aid Russia were Pyongyang’s idea, NYT reports.

While some Western officials initially viewed the arrival of North Korean soldiers in Russia as evidence of the Kremlin’s desperation, U.S. agencies now reportedly believe the idea was North Korea’s initiative, quickly embraced by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

8:02 PM

YouTube traffic in Russia drops 80% as authorities try to curb access.

The ongoing slowdown, reportedly implemented by Russian regulators to restrict access to the service, has made the platform nearly unusable in the country.

7:35 PM

Defense production

How Ukraine’s new drone-missile hybrids are changing long-range weapon technology

6:40 PM

Over 3,000 North Korean troops killed, wounded in Kursk Oblast, Zelensky says.

This estimation, coming from Ukraine's intelligence, is a significant increase from other recent reports about the North Korean casualties.