SOF presented with icon of patron saint, Saint Ilia Muromets of Kyiv-Pechersk
The Special Operations Forces received an icon of Saint Ilia Muromets of Kyiv-Pechersk, who will be the patron saint of the Special Operations Forces.
Society and Culture
20 December 2025
Only Ukrainian citizens allowed to leave Moldova toward Odesa via two border crossings
Currently, only Ukrainian citizens are allowed to leave Moldova toward Odesa via the Palanca – Maiaky – Udobne and Tudora border crossing points. An additional requirement is that vehicles must weigh no more than seven tons.
Head of GR Bazilevych: During full-scale war, Russians attacked 400 Nova Poshta branches
The Russian army has destroyed hundreds of facilities belonging to Nova Poshta and killed more than 20 employees at their workplaces.
Russian army destroys or damages 704 religious sites in Ukraine during war
By the end of 2025, 704 religious sites in Ukraine had been destroyed or damaged as a result of Russian aggression, with around 200 completely destroyed.
Donors fund UAH 1M FPV drone delivery to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has received FPV drones worth a total of UAH 1 million from donors.
19 December 2025
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Bulgaria urges respect for presumption of innocence in case involving her son
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Bulgaria, Olesia Ilashchuk, has called for restraint from speculation and political interpretations regarding the detention of her son, urging that official legal conclusions be awaited.
Searches are underway at Lutsk City Council
On December 19, law enforcement agencies are conducting searches at the premises of the Lutsk City Council.
Repatriation efforts bring 1,003 fallen Ukrainian soldiers back home
Ukraine has received the bodies of 1,003 fallen Ukrainian soldiers.
Another 20 Belarusian political prisoners released by Lukashenko arrive in Lithuania
On Thursday, another 20 Belarusian political prisoners arrived in Lithuania after being released earlier by Aleksandr Lukashenko as part of an agreement with the United States.
Over 1,200 war-affected Ukrainians treated abroad under Medevac Ukraine program in 2025
In 2025, a total of 1,230 Ukrainians affected by the war received free treatment and rehabilitation abroad under the Medevac Ukraine program.
18 December 2025
NATO general highlights Ukrainian combat experience most valuable to Alliance
Lieutenant General Remigijus Baltrenas, Director General of the NATO International Military Staff, praised the work of Ukrainian officers within NATO and emphasized that the main exchange of experience takes place at the joint training and analytical center.
Only 33 of 304 Ukrposhta offices continue operating in Donetsk region
In the territory of Donetsk region controlled by Ukraine, 33 Ukrposhta offices are currently operating – 27 stationary and six mobile – whereas before Russia’s full-scale invasion a total of 304 offices were functioning there.
17 December 2025
Ottomans referred to Ukrainians as “Cossack nation” even before French Revolution, historian says
Ukrainian historians have discovered documents from the 17th-18th centuries in Ottoman archives in which Ukrainians are referred to as “kazak milleti” – a Cossack nation. This predates the French Revolution of 1789, which is commonly considered decisive for the emergence of the concept of the “nation.”
Tender for construction of road to Bukovel resort cancelled
The tender for the development of design documentation for the construction of a highway in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, which was to run through Bukovel, has been cancelled due to the absence of further need for the procurement.
Austrian public broadcaster to allow Palestinian flags at Eurovision
Austria’s public broadcaster ORF, which is organizing the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna, does not intend to ban Palestinian flags and will not mute booing during the show.
Spyware detected on phone of journalist previously interrogated by Belarusian KGB
The Digital Security Lab (DSL) of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), together with the Eastern European organization RESIDENT.NGO has identified ResidentBat spyware on the smartphone of a journalist who the Belarusian KGB had previously interrogated.
Parliament adopts law on social guarantees for foreigners serving in Ukraine's Armed Forces
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has adopted a law regulating the legal status and medical support of servicemembers who are foreigners or stateless persons.
Ukraine’s National Police expose nearly 500 human trafficking cases during war
Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the National Police of Ukraine have uncovered more than 490 cases of human trafficking.
Vinnytsia delivers 400 FPV drones, vehicle to Ukrainian combat brigades
Vinnytsia community, together with the Interregional Coordination Humanitarian Headquarters, has handed over 400 FPV drones and a vehicle to Ukrainian defenders.
Since beginning of full-scale war, 364 artists and media workers killed in Ukraine
As a result of Russia’s full-scale invasion, 245 artists and 119 media workers, including foreigners, have been killed in Ukraine.
3,000 km across Ukraine program activated by 300,000 users in Ukrzaliznytsia app — Svyrydenko
The 3,000 km across Ukraine program has already been activated by 300,000 Ukrainians in the Ukrzaliznytsia app, with more than 24,100 tickets issued since the program’s launch.
Attack on Ukrainians on tram in Poznan: Sybiha orders clarification of incident
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has instructed Ukrainian consuls to promptly clarify the circumstances of an attack on Ukrainian citizens in Poznan.
White Angels evacuate over 700 people from Kramatorsk district in autumn
From September to November, police officers from the White Angel special unit evacuated more than 700 people from the Kramatorsk district of Donetsk region due to Russian attacks.
16 December 2025
Zelensky meets with Ukrainian servicemen undergoing rehabilitation in Netherlands
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ukrainian defenders who are recovering from their injuries at the Aardenburg military rehabilitation center in the Netherlands.
NABU detectives plan to investigate at Ukrainian Embassy in Israel – ambassador
Investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine are expected to arrive in Israel soon to conduct investigative actions on the premises of the Ukrainian Embassy.16
Over 17 million Ukrainians apply for Winter Support program – Svyrydenko
Over 17 million Ukrainians have submitted applications to receive UAH 1,000 under the Winter Support program.
Law enforcement finds weapon used to kill Parubiy – prosecutor general
Law enforcement agencies have found the weapon used to kill a member of parliament and prominent Ukrainian political figure, Andriy Parubiy.
Stepan Hiha laid to rest in Lviv
In Lviv, a farewell ceremony was held for People’s Artist of Ukraine Stepan Hiha.
Fraudulent call center uncovered in Dnipro: nearly 100 operators involved
The Department for Combating Transborder Crime of the Eastern Regional Directorate of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, together with prosecutors in Dnipro, uncovered and shut down a large-scale fraudulent call center operating in the city.