Zelensky thanks Pope Leo for efforts toward ‘Christmas ceasefire’
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his efforts to establish a Christmas ceasefire during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
24 December 2025
President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his efforts to establish a Christmas ceasefire during Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has greeted Ukrainians on Christmas Eve, saying that Ukraine is marking Christmas in a difficult time. Yet despite all the suffering brought by Russia, it is not capable of occupying what matters most – Ukraine’s unity.
In Kenya, a criminal network was uncovered that, under the guise of "high-paying jobs" in Russia, recruited people to take part in the war against Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that a link has been observed between Chinese satellites imaging Ukrainian territory and Russian strikes on energy infrastructure facilities.
Between the Defense Forces of Ukraine and Russian troops, 52 combat encounters have occurred since the start of the day. Fighting continues on six front-line directions, with the enemy concentrating most of its efforts on Pokrovsk.
They are united by the formal documentation of Russian aggression in official UN instruments and by sustaining international attention on the war.
Two North Korean prisoners of war captured by the Defense Forces in Russia's Kursk region wrote a letter expressing their wish to leave North Korea and relocate to South Korea.
The defense forces struck the facilities of the Yefremov Synthetic Rubber Plant in the Tula region of the Russian Federation, which specializes in the production of components for plastic explosives and solid rocket fuel, as well as storage and maintenance facilities for unmanned boats in the Myrnyi area of the temporarily occupied Crimea.
In the south, Russian troops continue active assault operations in the Huliaipole and Oleksandrivka directions and are simultaneously preparing for combat in winter conditions, receiving white camouflage uniforms for assault operations.
On the night of December 24, two Russian Interior Ministry officers who had participated in the war against Ukraine and tortured Ukrainian prisoners of war were killed on Yeletska Street in Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine estimates its total losses from the war with Russia at $800 billion and hopes to mobilize these funds through various post-war recovery funds.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the United States is proposing the joint operation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) by Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, but no agreement has yet been reached on this issue.
If ratification of a peace agreement between Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe, should it be signed, requires a nationwide referendum, Ukraine could hold the referendum at the same time as a presidential election. This could take place as early as 60 to 90 days after the agreement is signed.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the draft framework document between Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe on ending the war provides Ukraine with security guarantees that would mirror NATO’s Article 5, yet with certain caveats.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that restoring the Kakhovka Dam, without which the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant cannot operate, will require EUR 2 billion.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed details of a 20-point draft framework document between Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe aimed at ending the war.
The shelter over the destroyed reactor at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant was damaged in a Russian attack earlier this year and may not withstand a second strike.
Ukraine’s air defense forces neutralized 60 of 116 UAVs launched by Russian forces against Ukraine since the evening of December 23.
On December 23, Ukrainian Defense Forces recorded 126 combat clashes with Russian invading troops along the frontline.
The total combat losses of Russian forces in the war against Ukraine from February 24, 2022 to December 24, 2025 amount to approximately 1,200,370 personnel, including 1,090 in the past 24 hours.
Russia is systematically abusing diplomatic status, transforming its missions abroad into elements of hybrid warfare.
Explosions were heard in Zaporizhzhia during an air raid alert.
The first elements of a system designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles have been installed along the Polish-Belarusian border, with the system set to become operational in January next year.
Estonia's Ministry of Climate will contribute EUR 2 million to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund to help restore the country's energy infrastructure.
Fitch Ratings lifted Ukraine's score from selective default after the nation announced creditors agreed to an exchange of its growth-linked debt into conventional bonds.
Pilots of the 39th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade, together with fighters from the 34th Venom Unmanned Systems Center, destroyed the Russian invaders' Strila-10 air defense system and 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled artillery unit in the Kherson region.
23 December 2025
Seventeen South African citizens were allegedly deceived into joining the Russian army and sent to fight against Ukraine.
On December 23, there were 110 combat engagements between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Russian troops, including 29 attacks in the Pokrovsk sector.
Ukraine is actively working with the United States on peace efforts. The main priority is ensuring that Russia does not sabotage this diplomacy. If it does, additional pressure on Russia will be necessary.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has revealed new details about how a Russian submarine was targeted in Novorossiysk on the night of December 15.