Ukraine: Russia reaches agreement on hiring Libyan mercenaries.

2:00 AM

Explosions reported at Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov Oblast.

A fire broke out at the facility after a mass drone attack in the early hours of Dec. 19, Russian media reported, citing eyewitnesses. Video footage allegedly shows the refinery in flames.

1:20 AM

Zelensky, Macron discuss possibility of peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

"We continued to work on the initiative of President Macron regarding the presence in Ukraine of forces that can contribute to stabilization on the path to peace," Zelensky said after meeting with the French President on Dec. 18.

12:31 AM

World Bank approves over $2 billion in funds for Ukraine.

The funding includes a $1 billion grant from the new $20 billion U.S. loan backed by frozen Russian assets. Another $1.05 billion is supported by the U.K. and Japan.

11:35 PM

One of Russia's largest chemical plants reportedly attacked in Rostov Oblast.

The attack struck the Kamensky Combine, a chemical plant that produces rocket fuel for the Russian military, according to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine's counter-disinformation center.

10:51 PM

25% of Russian malls may face bankruptcy in 2025.

Russian shopping centers have been hit hard by the departure of major foreign companies, rising operational costs, and increased competition from online marketplaces.

10:44 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: 'Couple hundred' North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports

10:19 PM

Russian bombers detected in Alaskan air defense zone.

Russian state media later claimed that the presence of Tu-95MS military aircraft near Alaska was part of a planned operation.

10:06 PM

‘Not a good idea’ — Trump's peace envoy nominee criticizes Russian general assassination.

U.S. General Keith Kellogg, nominated as Ukraine peace envoy by President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the recent assassination of Russian Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov during an interview with Fox News on Dec. 18.

9:45 PM

Kursk operation prompted Russia's first POW exchange initiative, ombudsman says.

“It was at the start of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ military operation in Kursk Oblast. I believe the Kursk operation provided strong arguments in favor of Ukraine,” Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said.

8:27 PM

Two EU accession clusters for Ukraine to open in first half of 2025, EU official says.

Two European Union accession clusters for Ukraine are expected to open during the first half of 2025 under Poland’s presidency of the EU Council, a high-ranking EU official told The Kyiv Independent on Dec. 18.

8:03 PM

Politics

A shake-up in Ukraine’s drone buying alarms corruption watchdogs

7:59 PM

Sweden 'does not exclude' more direct physical presence in Ukraine to bolster defense.

In response to a question over whether Sweden would potentially take part in a more direct physical presence in Ukraine amid talks of potentially deploying peacekeepers to monitor a possible ceasefire, Jonson said he doesn't "exclude that possibility."

7:27 PM

EU does not expect Ukraine war ceasefire, peace talks in near future, EU official says.

The EU does not anticipate potential negotiations or a ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia in the near future, a high-ranking EU official told the Kyiv Independent on Dec. 18.

6:24 PM

Belarus

As Lukashenko gears up for new election, Belarusian political prisoners recount horrors they endured in his prisons

5:49 PM

Video

Swedish defense minister on the prospects of European troops in Ukraine.

The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell spoke with Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson about Europe’s security and Ukraine’s future as Sweden builds ties with Ukraine’s defense industry to boost production.

4:15 PM

Ukraine delivered 200,000 domestically-produced drones to front-line units so far in December, Umerov says.

The Ukrainian military has proven to be a pioneer in drone technology, using innovative ways to undermine Russia's material and numerical advantage.

3:28 PM

Intercepted Russian phone call suggests North Korean troops suffering trainloads of wounded.

In the call, a nurse at a Moscow hospital tells her husband, a soldier fighting in Kursk Oblast, that wounded fighters are being brought in by the trainload.

2:27 PM

US may not be able to send remaining $5.6bn in military aid to Ukraine before Trump takes office, NYT reports

Although the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden plans to allocate some funds from the presidential drawdown authority, it is unlikely to spend the whole amount.

1:23 PM

Slovak PM Robert Fico to discuss gas transit through Ukraine with EU chief.

Slovakia currently imports 3 billion cubic meters of gas per year through Ukraine from Russia’s energy giant Gazprom.

12:27 PM

Zelensky to meet NATO chief Rutte, EU allies during talks in Brussels.

Ukraine's allies have doubled down on economic and military support for Kyiv in attempts to strengthen the war-torn nation's hand before any potential peace talks.

10:52 AM

Peace talks with Russia only possible when Moscow runs out of resources, Ukraine’s Yermak says.

"Real negotiations for a lasting peace will begin only when the enemy no longer has the resources to continue the war," Andriy Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, said on Dec. 17.

9:30 AM

Russia detains two suspects over assassination of General Igor Kirillov, Kremlin media reports.

Russian Telegram channel 112 said the suspects had already confessed to authorities.

8:47 AM

'Couple hundred' North Korean troops lost fighting for Russia against Ukraine, AP reports.

A senior U.S. military official did not give an exact figure but said the high casualty rate was in part due to the soldiers' lack of battle experience.

8:25 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 766,690 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022

This number includes 1,580 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:30 AM

Gazprom shares fall to 16-year low.

Shares of Russian gas giant Gazprom fell to their lowest level since January 2009, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 17.