It has been the 672nd day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.
What happened in Ukraine today:
Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 6 pm:
There were 80 combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 8 missiles and 60 air strikes, 69 MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.
The russian occupiers launched yet another attack on Ukraine, using 46 Shahed-136/131 UAVs last night. The Ukrainian air defense forces and means destroyed 32 strike UAVs.
Air strikes hit Hremiach (Chernihiv oblast), Varvarivka, Synkivka, Ivanivka, Kupiansk, Sobolivka (Kharkiv oblast), Serebrianske forestry, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Dibrova, Novobakhmutivka, Oleksandropil, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), Zmiivka, and Krynky (Kherson oblast).
Around 100 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts were shelled with artillery.
Towards Volyn and Polissis, there were no significant changes.
Towards Siversk and Sloboda, the enemy maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The troops conduct active subversive activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. They increase the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).
Towards Kupiansk, Ukrainian defenders repelled 8 enemy attacks in the vicinity of Synkivka and northeast of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The enemy attempted to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in that area.
Towards Lyman, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11 enemy attacks in the vicinities of Serebrianske forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Vesele (Donetsk oblast).
Towards Bakhmut, the Ukrainian troops repelled 8 attacks of the enemy near the settlements of Bohdanivka, Klischiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
Towards Avdiivka, the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground as they inflict major losses on the enemy. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 13 enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 16.attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske (Donetsk oblast).
Towards Mariinka, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinity of Mariinka and Pobieda (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 7 attacks in that area.
Towards Shakhtarsk, the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.
Towards Zaporizhzhia, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9 attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Towards Kherson, the Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its intention to push back Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the enemy made 14 unsuccessful attempts to assault that were repelled and the invaders retreated.
At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.
The Ukrainian Air Forces launched air strikes on 17 buildup of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 5 anti-aircraft missile systems. Also, the air defense of Ukraine destroyed 2 Kh-59 air-launched guided missiles and 1 reconnaissance UAV of the enemy. Also, the tactical aviation of the Ukrainian Air Forces successfully attacked 1 large landing ship of the russian Black Sea Fleet – the Novocherkassk.
The Ukrainian rocket troops and artillery hit 3 buildups of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1 command post, 2 artillery systems, and 3 other important targets of the russian invaders.
Russian mines killed 277 people in Ukraine, including 14 children. In addition, 608 people were injured, including 74 children. Since February 2022, pyrotechnicians of the State Emergency Service have defused 464,000 explosive objects on the territory of Ukraine, including 3,145 aerial bombs.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, russia has carried out 465 chemical attacks on the territory of Ukraine. Most often, the enemy uses K-51 grenades, RGR and Drofa-PM hand gas grenades, which are dropped from UAVs. However, improvised explosive devices equipped with irritant substances are also used. Artillery shelling with the content of chemically dangerous substances is also carried out.
The Ministry of Health reported that every Ukrainian soldier who has survived an injury should receive three hours of rehabilitation per day. The cost of a full 21-day course is UAH 33,600. The medical facility receives an increased rate of 19,700 hryvnias for the course of rehabilitation per person for 14 days. It stimulates medical institutions to attract more specialist.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
According to Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, more than 15 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were under enemy artillery and mortar attacks, including: Udy of Bohodukhiv region, Vovchansk of Chuhuiv region, Ambarne, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove of Kupiansk region.
The enemy launched an air strike near Varvarivka settlement, Chuhuiv region.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled 16 enemy attacks near Synkivka and Petropavlivka of Kupiansk region.
At 10:50 am, the enemy attacked Kupiansk. Two private houses and outbuildings were damaged. There were no casualties.
Around 11:30 am, Vovchansk, Chuhuiv region, was shelled. There were no reports of casualties or destruction.
At around 4:50 pm, a gas pipe was damaged as a result of an enemy shelling in Kozacha Lopan village, Kharkiv region. A man born in 1977 was injured. The victim was taken to hospital with shrapnel wounds. His condition is moderate.
Combined teams of pyrotechnics de-mined 4.9 hectares of Kharkiv oblast, destroying 420 explosive ordnance. Mine clearance is ongoing.
Donetsk oblast
The press service of Donetsk police reported that russian army conducted 14 attacks on ten settlements yesterday. The shelling damaged and destroyed 14 residential buildings, a hospital, a school, outbuildings and cars. The invaders attacked civilians 14 times yesterday. The enemy used UAVs and artillery.
Russian army shelled 10 settlements: Avdiivka, Zalizne, Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Toretsk cities, Niu-York, Pivnichne settlements, Berdychi, Kostiantynivka and Nykyforivka.
21 civilian objects were destroyed, including 14 residential buildings, a hospital, a school, outbuildings and cars.
Russia shelled Toretsk with artillery, killing two civilians. Two private houses were damaged.
One person was killed and another injured as a result of the shelling of Pivnichne. Shells damaged an apartment building, three private houses and social infrastructure.
In Avdiivka, shells hit a private house. A man was killed and a woman injured. The injured woman was saved from the rubble and evacuated to hospital by White Angels crew.
Another civilian was killed by russians in Krasnohorivka.
As a result of hostile attacks, a man was killed in Kostiantynivka village of Marinka community.
The invaders shelled Kurakhove, damaging the hospital, two apartment buildings and a private house. There was no information on casualties.
Oleksandr Shtupun, Spokesman of the joint press centre of Defence Forces towards Tavriisk, reported that the number of attacks towards Avdiivka and Marinka has increased.
Ivan Vyhivskyi, Acting Head of the National Police of Ukraine, informed that police officers are involved in the frontline as part of the Security and Defence Forces and are taking care of security inside the country. Out of 100,000 police officers currently working in the units of the National Police of Ukraine, about 20,000 law enforcers are on duty every day.
The invaders in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk oblast do not pay salary debts to miners and fire them. According to the National Resistance Centre, 1,200 miners were fired in 2023 alone and most mines in the region are idle. The total debt to employees is over EUB 200 million.
Taras Kremin, Commissioner of the Protection of the State Language, stated that the invaders continue to carry out linguistic violence in the occupied territories. He named six manifestations of linguistic violence, including restrictions on access, a ban on the distribution, destruction of literature and printed materials in Ukrainian, especially those published after 1991.
Ivan Vyhivskyi, Head of the National Police of Ukraine, confirmed that the School Safety Officers project, focused on the safety of children during full-scale russian aggression, will be launched in 400 schools close to the frontline.
Luhansk oblast
The enemy tried to advance in Serebrianka forest, where russian infantry stormed with the support of aviation. Another air strike hit Bilohorivka. The enemy used mortars and artillery at it and Nevske.
Three more locals were evacuated from the frontline Nevske. They are 73-year-old, 55-year-old men and a 72-year-old woman. They have chosen different safer regions of the country and are provided with accommodation. If they have any questions, they can contact Krasnorichensk military administration and officials keep in touch with every evacuee from the de-occupied villages of the community.
Luhansk police delivered basic necessities to Nevske, Novoliubivka, Hrekivka and Makiivka. They brought bread and essential items from Krasnorichensk community to the residents of the de-occupied villages. The items included sleeping mats, chairs and matches.
Another six orphans from Luhansk oblast were provided with accommodation in safe regions of the country. A total of 11 orphans were provided with accomodation at the expense of the relevant state subvention.
A 12-year-old girl from occupied Molodohvardiisk, who died on her way back from tyumen, was vaccinated with russian drugs. She was vaccinated on the eve of her departure to the north of russia for rehabilitation. Currently, several children from Luhansk oblast remain in critical condition in russian hospitals.
Fingerprints will be taken from citizens of Ukraine in lpr. This is another means of keeping track of those who have not received a russian passport.
In order to increase the turnout and hide the shortcomings of the forced passportisation, russian Central Election Commission decided to empower the election commissions in the occupied territories to independently approve the lists of documents that will be used to vote in the presidential elections. In particular, in the so-called “lpr” it is allowed to vote with a Ukrainian passport. However, russian Central Election Commission removed responsibility, stressing that this was the choice of the local occupation authorities.
To make the agitation a little more active, car clubs, multifunctional cultural centres on wheels, were sent to the occupied cities and districts. And russian Ministry of Culture promised to purchase 28 such vehicles back in March. However, preparations for the so-called “first” elections went ahead without them. putin’s next election was approached more carefully. Thus, on 25 December, a propaganda centre on wheels was already operating in Starobilsk region.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
Mark Buschmann, German Federal Minister of Justice, the German Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office has identified a group of suspected russians who took part in the shooting of a convoy of civilian vehicles in Hostomel. In July 2023, Germany launched an independent investigation into the events in Hostomel, as a German was also among the victims. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office interviewed witnesses to the crimes who had sought asylum in Germany. The authorities launched an appeal in Ukrainian, russian and English to persuade people to share their experiences with the police. The persons suspected of the shelling of Hostomel and the officers responsible have already been identified.
Petro Olenych, Head of Digital Transformation of Kyiv and Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, Kyiv’s air defence forces will receive 6 thermal imaging sights for man-portable air defence systems thanks to donations on the Safe Sky platform. The devices will be used by mobile teams that protect the capital from shaheds and missiles around the clock.
Vitalii Klychko, the mayor of Kyiv, reported that Berlin and Leipzig sent 5 new fire and rescue vehicles and 3 modern garbage trucks to Kyiv.
Volodymyr Kostikov, director of the Department of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development at the Kyiv City State Administration, combatants from Kyiv, as well as people with war-related disabilities and their families, will be encouraged to start and develop their own businesses through financial support, preparation of business plans and feasibility studies.
According to Kyiv RMA, an open space of the coordination centre of the Svatove community in Luhansk oblast has been opened in Brovary to serve internally displaced persons. The Centre has a permanent staff of 7-10 specialists who will serve visitors.
Zhanna Osypenko, Deputy Head of the Kyiv Regional State Administration, in February, a project called Security Officer will be launched in schools in Kyiv oblast. The project is scheduled for 2024-2025. The project is primarily being implemented in the regions closest to the war zones or to the border with russia and belarus. The first 9 schools in the oblast where law enforcement officers will start serving have already been identified. These are large, mainstream educational institutions in Borodianka, Hostomel, Novi Petrivtsi, Dymer, Pirnove and Ivankiv communities.
Soldiers restored a workshop in Irpin that was destroyed by the russian invaders. 8 veterans blow glasses, sharpen knives, and sew belts. The money came as a result of a project competition from the Ukrainian Veterans Fund.
Ihor Sapozhko, Chairman of the Brovary City Council, the Brovary community donated a car to strengthen one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The vehicle will be used to ensure military security in the Kyiv oblast.
According to the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Capital District, the war caused environmental damage to Kyiv and Kyiv oblast worth UAH 49 billion 274 million. The greatest damage was caused to the air as a result of the burning of oil depots, commercial warehouses and energy infrastructure facilities. The amount of damage is UAH 46 billion 836 million 486 thousand. The land resources of Kyiv and the oblast sustained losses of UAH 2 billion 54 million 690 thousand as a result of contamination and pollution due to the destruction caused by the shelling by the russian invaders.
An evacuation train from Kherson, which came under fire yesterday, has arrived in Kyiv. More than 100 passengers who survived the shelling of Kherson railway station on December 26 have successfully reached Kyiv. At one of the intermediate stations, the train with the Kherson residents stopped, and representatives of Ukrainian Railways handed over 320 meals, including food kits for children.
Students of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute handed over a batch of drops for drones of their own production to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This is the first batch. They will be especially useful in the elimination of enemy sabotage groups, in particular in areas where there are no hostilities. It was created by Vladyslav Honcharuk, a postgraduate student at the KPI Institute of Nuclear and Thermal Energy. Now the entire KPI community is working on the creation of such discharges with the support of the Student Parliament. In just 1.5 weeks, they managed to make 30 dumps and handed them over to the Armed Forces.
Zhytomyr oblast
A briefing on the payment of financial assistance to servicemen who have been assigned a disability group was held in the Zhytomyr RMA. In particular, it was about one-time financial assistance to persons who have received a disability group and its amount depending on the percentage of disability.
On December 27, a train with 11 evacuees, including 2 children and 1 person with a disability, arrived in Berdychiv. The meeting was attended by rescuers, law enforcement officers, representatives of the Caritas Ukraine charity and the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. The rescuers then transferred the IDPs to vehicles intended for further transportation to places of temporary residence in Berdychiv and Zhytomyr districts.
Yesterday, employees of the Zhytomyr Regional Blood Centre conducted a scheduled blood donation at the Myropil outpatient clinic. 54 residents of the community expressed a desire to become voluntary blood donors, and 45 people were allowed to donate blood. In total, the community residents donated 22 litres of donated blood.
Sumy oblast
At night and in the morning, russian troops fired 6 times at the border of Sumy oblast. There were 15 explosions. The Khotin, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Shalyhine communities were shelled.
Over the past day, russians fired 17 times at the border areas and settlements of Sumy oblast. There were 140 explosions. Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Khotin, Velyka Pysarivka communities were shelled.
Activists of the Money for the Armed Forces protest achieved success in the Romny community. The activists called on local authorities not to spend money on tiles and parks during the war, but to use it to support our soldiers. The Romny City Council decided to allocate 15% of the budget reserve fund for 2024 (or UAH 83.4 million) to finance the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On Christmas Eve, residents of Dubynka village organised a “carol tour” of the village and raised funds to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They raised UAH 11,620. These funds will be used to purchase the basics and further manufacture camouflage nets for Ukrainian soldiers, materials for making trench candles, dry food preparations, etc.
A modern shelter has been built in an educational institution in Sumy oblast. In December, children will be able to stay in a safe and comfortable bomb shelter during an air raid alert. It has passed all the necessary inspections and meets the requirements of the State Emergency Service.
In Shostka, the Shostka-Dobro Volunteer Centre is sewing winter camouflage suits for Ukraine’s defenders.
According to State Emergency Service of Ukraine, over the past 24 hours, pyrotechnics destroyed two enemy munitions in Sumy oblast.
Chernihiv oblast
According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, during the day, russians fired 9 times from their territory at the border of Chernihiv oblast. There were 54 explosions. Semenivka, Novhorod-Siverskyi and Snovsk communities were shelled.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on December 27, the troops of the aggressor country shelled Chernihiv oblast. The Snovsk community came under fire. Regional power grid equipment and a water tower were attacked. As a result, 9 settlements were left without electricity. No people were injured.
A mobile mine safety training continues to operate in Chernihiv Oblast. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine visited the border settlements to conduct explanatory work among the residents of the Liubech community. The rescuers told children and adults about the high probability of detecting explosive devices. They told them about the most common types of explosives.
Representatives of the oblast’s communities received 32 diesel generators from the Latvian government. The generators will help ensure uninterrupted power supply in educational institutions.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
At night, the Air Force destroyed 13 enemy ‘Shaheds’ across the region in Sinelnykove, Nikopol, Pavlohrad, and Kamianske districts. The occupants targeted Chervonohryhorivka community in Nikopol district with artillery, resulting in no casualties.
Throughout the day, the aggressor bombarded Nikopol region with artillery, hitting the communities of Myrove and Marhanets. The district center also faced shelling and kamikaze drone attacks. This led to damage in a multi-storey building, 9 private houses, and a gas pipeline.
Mykola Lukashuk, Head of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council, reported that Kryvyi Rih hospitals received 150 specialized medical beds as part of humanitarian aid from Polish allies and partners. These functional 3-section and 4-segment beds are crucial for treating seriously ill patients. They offer adjustable angles for the head, back, and legs, significantly aiding in the recovery of wounded soldiers and individuals with severe pathologies, amputations, and strokes.
Vinnytsia oblast
Vinnytsia RMA reported that during the night, the air defense forces successfully neutralized two enemy UAVs over the region.
Mayor Andrii Ocheretnyi announced the dispatch of another aid shipment from Vinnytsia to one of the most challenging frontline areas in terms of security and defense. The delivery includes an aviation complex and 5,000 chemical heating pads.
Kirovohrad oblast
A modern full-service DNA laboratory was opened in the Kirovohrad region. It is a laboratory of the Research Forensic Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. Prior to that, DNA samples from Kirovohrad region were tested in Vinnytsia. This is the 12th laboratory in Ukraine. It will employ eight experts. UAH 200 million was spent on its arrangement and purchase of equipment. This is money from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the local budget.
Poltava oblast
As part of the Poltava Resistance programme, the military received three vehicles, seven night vision devices, four thermal imaging binoculars, seven optical sights, two scopes and mounts. The purchase cost over UAH 7.7 million from the Poltava community budget.
Cherkasy oblast
Cherkasy RMA reported that families of Ukraine’s defenders and families of IDPs from among the defenders in Cherkasy will be paid money for housing. This is compensation for getting an apartment. Eight people from these categories will receive compensation for housing worth more than UAH 19 million.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
During the past day, the enemy conducted 151 strikes on 22 populated areas in Zaporizhzhia oblast.There were 125 artillery shelling incidents that targeted the territories of Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Charivne, Bilohiria, Levadne, Poltavka, Shcherbaky, Luhivske, Stepnohirsk, Kamianske, Stepove, Piatyhatky, Plavni, and other frontline cities and villages. Occupiers launched 24 UAV attacks on Novoandriivka, Novodarivka, Malynivka, Mala Tokmachka, and Chervone, and also shelled Robotyne and Mala Tokmachka with multiple rocket launcher systems. There have been four reports of residential buildings and economic structures being destroyed.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 9 enemy attacks in the area of Robotyne and west of Verbove towards Zaporizhzhia. This information was provided by the General Staff.
Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor’s Office initiated a criminal investigation into the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners of war by russian military near the village of Robotyne. According to the investigation, russian forces took three Ukrainian servicemen prisoner this December. An hour later, in violation of Article 3 of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the occupiers executed them.
Twelve-year-old displaced resident Maksym Brovchenko from Berdiansk, known as “Cosmo-Max,” creates space-themed and patriotic paintings. He donates the proceeds from their sale to support Ukrainian military personnel. This year, Maksym showcased his works in over 30 solo exhibitions, sold 27 paintings at auctions, and conducted art workshops, teaching approximately 1,000 children across Ukraine to paint. Throughout the year, he donated over 100K hryvnias to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Mykolaiv oblast
Mykolai RmA reported that during the night of December 27, air defense forces destroyed three “Shahed-131/136” drones in the region. Additionally, on December 26 at 12:21, russian forces shelled the village of Iaselka in Kutsurub community. As a result, a private house and water supply were damaged. Also, at 22:58 and 23:40, the village of Dmytrivka in Kutsurub community was shelled. Furthermore, on December 26 at 15:02 and 15:41, there were artillery strikes at the waters of Ochakiv community. There are no reported casualties or injuries.
Shevchenko community received six modern modular houses from the volunteer organization “Caritas-Spes-Odessa” and donors from Luxembourg. These houses were provided to families whose homes were completely destroyed due to the military actions of the russian army.
Representatives of Kazakhstani business will finance the construction of a rehabilitation center in Mykolaiv, which will operate within a unified network. Kazakhstan has already confirmed its readiness to build a rehabilitation center for the region. They will allocate around $14 million for this project. This was announced on Tuesday, December 26, by the head of Mykolaiv RMA, Vitalii Kim.
Odesa oblast
On the night of December 26-27, the russian army attacked Odesa oblast with pusher-drop drones, and air defense forces successfully shot down eight drones of the “Shahed-131/136” type over the region. The debris from the drones caused a fire, resulting in two casualties and three injuries. The wreckage also damaged a pier and nearby structures. This information was reported by the “South” Operational Command.
Efforts are underway to digitize the crosses at the ancient Cossack cemetery in Odesa known as Sotnykivsky or Kuialnytsky cemetery, where Black Sea Cossacks and members of their families are buried. Preserving this memorial is of great importance as it refutes the main myth propagated by russian propaganda about Odesa, claiming that the city was supposedly founded by Catherine II and that nothing existed on these lands before.
Kherson oblast
On the morning of December 27, 2023, russian forces shelled Novoberyslav. During the shelling, a local 59-year-old resident was walking down the street and sustained life-threatening injuries. Additionally, in the morning, enemy drones attacked a medical facility in Beryslav, injuring a 47-year-old technical worker. The building has suffered damage.
Yesterday, the enemy conducted 161 shelling attacks, using 853 projectiles from mortars, artillery, “Grad” MLRS, tanks, aircraft, and UAVs, including 7 “Shahed” drones. The city of Kherson was targeted with 90 projectiles. Due to russian aggression, 3 people were killed, and 16 sustained injuries.
The previous day, Kherson experienced one of the most massive attacks by the russian terrorist army, targeting infrastructure and civilian areas. Aerial strikes hit Zmiivka, and Beryslav was again attacked by drones, dropping munitions on residential areas.
Explosions echoed throughout Kherson day and night, with the enemy shelled all areas of the city. The downtown Kherson was under attack from enemy UAVs of the “Shahed-136” type. Two multi-story buildings and a shopping center were damaged, leading to fires. Similar attacks occurred in Naddniprianske, damaging warehouse facilities. Chornobaivka was hit with three missiles, causing damage to an educational institution and residential buildings.
Yesterday, russian military carried out another terrorist act against civilians, launching combined attacks on the territory of the railway station (rocket, artillery, and reactive barrage fire). At that time, over 140 passengers were waiting to board trains. As a result, a 29-year-old police officer was killed, two others were injured, and two civilians were wounded. The railway station building, train cars, three private houses, the base area, a shop, and a motel were damaged.
Due to the massive russian attack on December 26, 2023, Kherson’s power infrastructure suffered significant damage. Seventy percent of consumers have been left without electricity. The railway station in Kherson has no intact windows, with partially destroyed walls and roof. Urgent repairs are underway. Emergency recovery work is ongoing at critical infrastructure sites. Gas supply has been restored in the city, and efforts are being made to provide electricity to Kherson residents.
Over 100 passengers from the Kherson railway station, which was shelled by russian forces on the evening of December 26, successfully reached Kyiv according to schedule—exactly at 07:20. Trains heading to Kherson will stop in Mykolaiv. The route will be updated once the security situation changes, as reported by Ukrzaliznytsia passenger direction spokesperson Anastasiia Zolotorova.
Ukrainian defenders continue actions to expand the foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the area of responsibility of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) “Odesa.” Despite significant losses, the enemy persists in trying to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions. In the past day, the enemy made 14 unsuccessful assault attempts, faced strong resistance, and retreated. At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, through active measures, continue to inflict losses on occupying forces in personnel and equipment, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.
Residents of the Tiahynka community received LED lamps. The regional humanitarian headquarters provided 3,5K LED lamps for the needs of local residents, organizations, and Centers of Invincibility. They can be powered by power banks or generators. The day before, almost 33K lamps were sent to Stanislav and Bilozerka communities.
Residents of Kherson and Chornobaivka, whose homes were damaged by russian shelling, received another batch of heaters from charity organizations. This support is crucial for our people, especially during the cold season.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
The Army of Restoration project continues. In the course of 2023, 77 unemployed citizens of Lutsk district were involved in socially useful works. In December of this year, 15 citizens who are registered as unemployed in Lutsk branch of Volyn regional employment center were involved in socially useful works of weaving nets and “kikimor” for the protection of the military.
Zakarpattia oblast
The RMA held a meeting with UNHCR representatives. They discussed the results of creating housing for IDPs and the prospects for implementing new projects in the oblast.
Zakarpattia oblast sent 100 FPV kamikaze drones to the military units that operate in directions of the enemy’s main forces.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
In the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Lviv, relatives of the fallen soldiers of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo were awarded the “Hero’s Cross” orders. Families of fallen soldiers from Prykarpattia were among those awarded. The “Hero’s Cross” was posthumously awarded to Ihor Mikhalchuk, Vasyl Shalamai and Yurii Hryhoriv.
Lviv oblast
Military serviceman Andrii Pentsak from Chervonohrad community was posthumously awarded the III degree “For Courage” Order. The junior sergeant, sniper shooter of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo was killed on September 11, 2022 near the settlement of Shchaslyve, Kherson oblast.
Oleh Rohovets from Pidberiztsiv community was posthumously awarded the III degree “For Courage” Order. Sergeant, was killed on June 26, 2023 near Staromaiorsk, Donetsk oblast.
Dobrotvir village council sent a set of flashlight searchlight and a Miliboo MTT602A Aluminum video tripod for the 72nd separate road rehabilitation battalion of the 1st separate brigade named after Prince Lev of the State Special Transport Service. The device will help increase the effectiveness of the fight against enemy drones.
The RMA reported that over UAH 60K were donated during the Christmas holidays by residents of the village of Chornushovichi, Lviv district, for the needs of local defenders who are now on the front lines.
Rivne oblast
Social support for residents of the Rivne region does not stop. Since the beginning of the year, residents of the region have received state aid for more than UAH 2.6 billion. In particular, the regional budget provides financial assistance for burials to families whose loved ones died defending the Motherland. It is about UAH 30,000. Families of missing persons and prisoners receive UAH 10,000 each. This year, UAH 2,000 was paid to each child who lost their parents in the war. In total, such families received one-time cash assistance in the amount of UAH 1.32 million.
Ternopil oblast
Ternopil City Council launched a new initiative – payment of UAH 10K for each community defender. The right to receive this financial aid is given to military personnel who take a direct part in the defense of the country and are registered in Ternopil community.
In 2023, over 16K servicemen were treated in the oblast, of which rehabilitation assistance was provided to 3 530 soldiers. Currently, rehabilitation assistance can be obtained in 8 hospitals of the region, 4 of them are included in the capable network.
Ternopil City Council reported that medics of the City Communal Dental Polyclinic have already treated over 75 defenders in Donetsk oblast.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Within the limits of Khmelnytskyi oblast, the air defense forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine neutralized 1 unmanned aerial vehicle of the Shahed type during a night air alert. According to the available information, the civilian population was not injured, there was no damage to the infrastructure facilities.
The RMA reported that the military received another pickup truck.
Khmelnytskyi City Council reported that the community sent 400 FPV drones to various units of the Defense Forces.
Chernivtsi oblast
Chernivtsi City Council reported that the expenses of the community for needs related to the war – over UAH 500 mln in two years and approximately one billion in 2024.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Japan sent cars for the Armed Forces to Ukraine. The embassy emphasized that they will continue to provide assistance to Ukraine in the next year, 2024.
France provided a second pilot ship to accompany exports through the sea corridor from Ukraine. “It came out of Dunkirk and will be used to export grain to help feed the world. Our commitment is total, our solidarity will not stop,” said Clement Beaune, French Transport Minister.
The EU is preparing a €20 billion contingency plan for Ukraine in case of Hungary’s veto. It will be considered at the summit on February 1, if Orbán continues to deny aid to Ukraine. This scheme will involve the provision of guarantees by the participating states to the EU budget, which will allow the European Commission to borrow up to €20 billion on the capital markets in the interests of Kyiv.
Vitalii Koval, Head of the State Property Fund, met with Martin Yeger, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Ukraine. They discussed plans of the State Property Fund for the next year.
Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President, held a phone conversation with Sidney Mufamadi, National Security Adviser to the President of the South African Republic. They discussed the issue of contacts between Ukraine and South Africa in the near future.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, had a phone conversation with His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to exchange Christmas greetings.
Materials compiled by Tetiana Kliuchnyk-Horobets, Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Аnna Efremova, Albahachiieva Helena
Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Viktoriia Pushyna, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova, Olga Shalya
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