Category: World

Croatia has determined to affix NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Necessities Listing (PURL) initiative, via which US-made weapons may be bought for Ukraine, contributing practically €14 million.

Supply: press service for the Croatian authorities, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: The Croatian authorities has accepted a reallocation of funds throughout the 2025 state funds, allocating €235.7 million for main defence procurement programmes.

The funding shall be used to cowl advance funds for the acquisition of CAESAR Mk2 wheeled self-propelled howitzers, together with related techniques and tools, and the acquisition of Leopard 2A8 major battle tanks, simulators, and long-term logistical help with prolonged warranties.

Along with the procurement of heavy floor techniques, the federal government has additionally accepted a separate reallocation of just below €14 million to the Ministry of Overseas and European Affairs.

These funds shall be used as Croatia's contribution to NATO's PURL mechanism, which is designed to coordinate the procurement and supply of army tools to Ukraine based mostly on operational wants.

Background:

• Earlier, it was reported that Romania had determined to affix the PURL initiative with a €50 million contribution.
• Portugal has additionally signalled its readiness to contribute €50 million to the initiative.

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Two days after claiming that Ukrainian UAVs had tried to assault one in all Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's residences, Russia's Defence Ministry has revealed a faux map exhibiting the alleged route of the Ukrainian drones. The Overseas Intelligence Service of Ukraine has outlined information indicating that the Russian claims are usually not credible.

Supply: Overseas Intelligence Service of Ukraine; map revealed by Russia's Defence Ministry

Particulars: The Russian map purports to point out the flight path of the Ukrainian drones that allegedly tried to assault Putin's residence.

The Russians declare that they destroyed 50 drones in Bryansk and Smolensk oblasts, whereas insisting that the UAVs have been heading in direction of Putin's residence.

The Russians additionally declare that one other 41 drones have been destroyed in Novgorod Oblast.

Putin's residence is in Russia's northwestern Novgorod Oblast, 20 km from the city of Valdai, close to the village of Dolgiye Borody.

Ukraine's Overseas Intelligence Service believes Russia is conducting an info operation geared toward derailing agreements between the presidents of Ukraine and the US.

The Ukrainian intelligence service has famous that various information point out that the story about an assault on Putin's residence is faux:

• native residents in Novgorod Oblast didn’t report a drone assault or any penalties of an assault at any time on 29 December;
• there isn’t any factual proof (wreckage, images, movies) of downed UAVs, and the Kremlin has been unable to current any for nearly a day since its info operation started;
• Russia's Defence Ministry has twice amended its studies to match the Kremlin's narratives, initially reporting 18 UAVs from Ukraine's defence forces and later rising the quantity to 23.

Beforehand:

• Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov has stated that Russia is not going to withdraw from the negotiation course of on ending the warfare in Ukraine, however will conduct talks primarily with the Individuals. He threatened that Russia would "toughen up" its "negotiating stance".
• Ukrainian Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha famous that Russia has failed to offer any credible proof of the alleged Ukrainian assault on Putin's residence over the previous 24 hours. Sybiha added that Moscow wouldn’t produce any such proof, as a result of no assault came about.
• Ukrainian Overseas Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi stated Russia's crude fabrication about an alleged drone assault on Putin's residence in Valdai is merely an excuse for Moscow to desert peace efforts.

Background:

• Earlier, Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that Ukraine had struck Putin's residence on the night time of 28-29 December, warning that Russia's "negotiating place" can be revised consequently.
• Lavrov claimed that in a single day, Ukraine attacked Putin's residence in Russia's Novgorod Oblast (most likely Valdai) utilizing 91 assault UAVs, and that Russian air defence techniques had destroyed all of the drones. Lavrov stated that "Russia's negotiating place shall be revised", however added that Russia doesn’t intend to withdraw from the negotiation course of with the US concerning Ukraine.
• Ukraine has formally denied these claims.
• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented: "One other lie by Russia. Clearly, yesterday we had the assembly with Trump, and clearly for the Russians, if there isn’t any quarrel between America and us, and we now have progress as an alternative, then that may be a failure for them. They don't wish to finish this warfare. They’re solely able to ending it below strain. And they also have been trying, I’m satisfied, for causes… and they’re going additional."

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Russian forces have as soon as once more attacked power infrastructure in Odesa Oblast, with two power amenities belonging to DTEK, Ukraine's largest personal power firm, coming below fireplace on the night time of 30-31 December.

Supply: DTEK press service

Particulars: The corporate mentioned the amenities have sustained vital harm, and bringing the gear again to working order will take time.

In December alone, the Russians have precipitated critical harm to 10 substations within the oblast, whereas over the whole 12 months of 2025 they’ve attacked 25 power amenities throughout the area.

Energy engineers are working across the clock to revive electrical energy provide to customers, the corporate added.

Background: On the night time of 30-31 December, Russian forces carried out a large-scale assault utilizing strike drones on Odesa and the encircling area, leaving components of the regional capital with out electrical energy, water and heating. Six individuals had been injured within the assault.

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Russian forces performed a large-scale drone assault on the town of Odesa and Odesa Oblast on the evening of 30-31 December. Components of Odesa have been left with out electrical energy, water and heating and 6 individuals have been injured within the strike.

Supply: Serhii Lysak, Head of Odesa Metropolis Army Administration; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Army Administration

Quote from Lysak: "Components of the town are with out electrical energy, water and heating as a result of enemy assault."

Particulars: Kiper reported that Russian forces had as soon as once more focused civilian and vitality infrastructure within the oblast.

The assault precipitated warehouses belonging to a logistics firm to catch fireplace in one of many settlements.

Lysak later reported that high-rise residential buildings had been hit in two districts of the town. Residences caught fireplace in a single constructing.

Up to date: Lysak reported on the morning of 31 December that the variety of individuals injured had risen to 6, together with three youngsters.

A seven-month-old child, a 14-year-old boy and an 8-year-old lady are in a average situation, whereas a 42-year-old man is in a important situation.

All these injured have been taken to hospital.

"A part of the town is with out electrical energy. Restore work is ongoing at a number of important infrastructure services, which implies some residents are quickly with out water and heating," Lysak added.

Background: Earlier, Ukraine's Air Drive warned of Russian assault drones shifting from the Black Sea in the direction of Odesa.

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Ukraine insists {that a} partner-led monitoring mission should start working concurrently with any ceasefire as a part of the negotiation course of.

Supply: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy whereas answering journalists' questions on-line on Tuesday

Particulars: In response to Zelenskyy, "our primary precedence is {that a} monitoring mission is already in place concurrently the ceasefire", working "below the management of our companions whom we belief".

Zelenskyy mentioned that such a mission would be capable of determine, amongst different issues, Russian "false-flag" operations. "They’ll do that technically. They’ve satellites. They’ve infrastructure. They’ve all the mandatory drone infrastructure for this," he mentioned.

The response to such incidents, the president added, is stipulated within the safety ensures. "As for the way to reply to this, that’s already the second a part of the safety ensures, the place level by level it’s specified how our companions will reply within the occasion of a ceasefire violation," Zelenskyy mentioned.

Background:

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced {that a} assembly of the Coalition of the Keen at adviser degree is scheduled to happen in Ukraine on 3 January, with a leaders' assembly in France deliberate for six January.
• Zelenskyy commented on remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting the USA may deploy troops to Ukraine as a part of safety ensures after a peace deal is reached.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes {that a} go to by US President Donald Trump to Ukraine can be helpful, particularly if the White Home chief have been to fly on to Ukraine.

Supply: Zelenskyy whereas answering journalists' questions on-line on Tuesday 30 December

Particulars: Zelenskyy was commenting on messages from the US president that he can be prepared to handle the Ukrainian parliament and to be in Ukraine.

"I believe this may be helpful – if President Trump is ready to come. He’s speaking about advocating a plan to finish the struggle. I advised him that we might be completely satisfied to welcome him," Zelenskyy stated.

He added that it could be "fascinating" for the US president to reach by aircraft not in Poland, however instantly in Ukraine.

"As a result of if President Trump, the President of america of America, flies to Ukraine – and ideally flies on to Ukraine slightly than to Poland after which travels by practice – this may sign that we will positively rely on a ceasefire," Zelenskyy stated.

He pressured that "we’re prepared for President Trump's go to at any second when he’s prepared, when all the required situations are in place, together with safety situations".

Background:

• As is thought, for the reason that begin of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine's airspace has been closed, and all international leaders who’ve visited Ukraine over the previous 4 years have arrived by land by way of Poland.
• US President Donald Trump stated on 28 December that he had no plans to go to Ukraine however didn’t rule it out if it could assist obtain a peace settlement.
• Zelenskyy additionally commented on a press release by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that america may deploy its troops in Ukraine as a part of safety ensures after a peace deal is reached.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that among the paperwork aimed toward settling the battle, developed in the course of the negotiation course of, can be able to sign up January.

Supply: Zelenskyy throughout an internet press convention on 30 December, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Zelenskyy spoke about diplomatic steps deliberate for subsequent month.

Quote: "We suggest this: advisers meet in January, leaders meet in January. We imagine January affords the likelihood for the leaders of Europe, the USA and Ukraine to satisfy all collectively. There are paperwork that can positively be prepared in January for signing."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy didn’t specify the paperwork.

He stated that it "now is dependent upon the flexibility and willingness of the events to signal".

He stated that he had conveyed to US President Donald Trump and European leaders his readiness for "any format of assembly with Putin".

Quote: "I’m not afraid of any format of our assembly. The primary factor is that the Russians aren’t afraid [to meet]."

Background:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting the USA might deploy troops to Ukraine as a part of safety ensures after a peace deal is reached.
• He additionally stated {that a} go to to Ukraine by US President Donald Trump can be helpful, particularly if the White Home chief had been to fly on to Ukraine.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mentioned that an financial restoration plan for Ukraine being mentioned with US President Donald Trump's staff consists of creating new jobs and sharply growing incomes, with Ukrainians anticipated to earn "triple" the present common wage.

Supply: Zelenskyy throughout a web-based press convention

Particulars: Zelenskyy mentioned that the plan entails a package deal of paperwork for rebuilding all of Ukraine quite than particular person oblasts.

He mentioned that Trump sees job creation in Ukraine as "activity primary" and that the US aspect "very a lot needs" wages to be thrice increased by way of American companies getting into Ukraine on particular phrases.

Related phrases are additionally deliberate for European enterprise, primarily based on agreements between the governments of Ukraine, the USA and European international locations.

Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine will want a big quantity of funding firstly of reconstruction so folks will return to new, better-paid jobs. He mentioned that he sees "nice prospects" for post-war improvement.

Background: In October, the typical month-to-month wage in Ukraine was UAH 26,913 (approx. US$634), up 1.1% from September.

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Russian forces have shelled Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast with tube artillery, killing a civilian who died of extreme accidents.

Supply: Serhii Horbunov, Head of Kostiantynivka Metropolis Navy Administration

Quote: "One other shelling at this time was carried out by the enemy utilizing tube artillery. Sadly, this assault took the lifetime of a civilian. The accidents had been deadly, and the particular person died on the scene."

Particulars: Horbunov stated that the state of affairs within the hromada stays extraordinarily tense and a full inspection of the websites is presently unattainable due to the quick risk of a repeated assault and the excessive exercise of enemy drones which are always flying over the realm. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

Quote: "The enemy doesn’t permit even to recuperate our bodies with dignity and security or to supply help to the injured, as soon as once more confirming its treacherous tactic of terror."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has mentioned US President Donald Trump has promised to assist Ukraine with air defence methods after being briefed on the scenario in Ukraine.

Supply: Zelenskyy throughout a web-based press convention on 30 December, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Zelenskyy mentioned that he and Trump mentioned strengthening Ukraine's air defences throughout their assembly.

Quote: "A separate second block that we had with President Trump was that I really want air defence. I really want NASAMS missiles. I really want PAC-3 missiles for Patriots. And I don't wish to say publicly what our scenario is correct now, however I confirmed and demonstrated it to the American facet."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy mentioned that "President Trump mentioned he would assist me".

Quote: "I’m grateful to him for that. I handed over the related papers with the portions we’d like and the way [we need it]. I additionally mentioned we’re prepared to purchase all of this by means of the PURL [Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List] programme. And right here I wish to thank the Europeans for funding this programme. We’ve a chance to purchase air defence. I requested the president solely, if attainable, to assist us. The quicker the higher."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy added that such assist is required regardless of diplomatic efforts to finish the warfare as a result of Russia has not stopped its strikes.

Background:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk suggesting the USA may deploy troops to Ukraine as a part of safety ensures after a peace deal is reached.
• He additionally mentioned {that a} go to to Ukraine by US President Donald Trump could be helpful, particularly if the White Home chief had been to fly on to Ukraine.

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