Category: World

Two folks have been injured after the Russian forces attacked the town of Zaporizhzhia with a drone on the night of 16 December.

Supply: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Army Administration on social media

Quote: "Two folks have been injured because of an enemy drone assault on Zaporizhzhia.

A 37-year-old man and a 76-year-old girl had been harm. Each are receiving medical help."

Particulars: Home windows and doorways had been blown out on the scene; the facade and roof of a home was additionally broken.

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DeepState, a Ukrainian group of army analysts, has reported that Russian forces have captured Serebrianka in Donetsk Oblast and superior close to 4 different settlements.

Supply: DeepState

Quote: "The enemy has captured Serebrianka and likewise superior close to Dronivka, Sviato-Pokrovske, Zvanivka and Pazeno, in addition to in Siversk and Pereizne."

Background: Sources advised Ukrainska Pravda on 13 December that Siversk had been virtually utterly misplaced and reserves can be required to regain management of the town.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that the Kremlin has not but obtained any alerts in regards to the consequence of talks in Europe on a settlement concerning Ukraine.

Supply: Russian newspaper Izvestia, citing Dmitry Peskov

Particulars: Peskov stated that earlier than a brand new spherical of talks between Russia and the USA can happen, Moscow must get an understanding of the outcomes of consultations held by Washington, Kyiv and European international locations.

"First we have to see what’s produced on account of these talks the Individuals are holding with the Ukrainians with the participation of the Europeans," Peskov stated, when requested when the subsequent spherical of Russia-US negotiations must be anticipated.

Background:

• After two days of talks in Europe with the US delegation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated he hopes to satisfy together with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
• He stated that after the Ukrainian paperwork are finalised, the US is anticipated to carry consultations with the Russians within the coming days.

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Talks on safety ensures have to this point left some key parts unresolved, together with how lengthy such ensures would final.

Supply: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy throughout a press convention in The Hague, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Zelenskyy famous that regardless of many rounds of detailed negotiations on doable safety ensures, some points stay open, particularly whether or not the ensures can be indefinite.

"I can not say for what number of years this could be, or whether or not sure ensures can be restricted by particular time frames. We’re not discussing this but," he mentioned, talking about talks with america.

On the similar time, Zelenskyy confused {that a} key and critically necessary requirement for Ukraine is that these ensures "have to be accredited by the US Congress".

Quote: "We consider that such ensures, ratified by the Congress, will work."

Extra particulars: Zelenskyy has reiterated that the safety ensures beneath dialogue are constructed on the precept of Article 5 of NATO's Washington Treaty, though he has not gone into element about what this could entail.

Zelenskyy mentioned that even when the ensures are agreed, Ukraine will nonetheless not have absolute certainty that aggression is not going to be repeated. For that reason, a separate aspect of the talks on safety ensures issues how companions would act if Russia have been to launch a brand new assault on Ukraine regardless of the ensures.

Quote: "We need to perceive how companions would reply to new aggression. Consider me, I ask companions some relatively uncomfortable questions. If there may be aggression, how will america reply? How will European companions act? How will the world react? Sanctions, weapons, responses at sea, on the battlefield and so forth."

Extra particulars: As well as, Zelenskyy has repeatedly confused on the press convention that, in Ukraine's view, an European Union membership is in itself a separate safety assure, "as a result of it’s a geopolitical determination".

Background:

• The Kremlin has responded to a name by Federal Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz for a Christmas ceasefire.
• Zelenskyy has mentioned earlier what he expects from companions if the Kremlin refuses to simply accept options labored out with america.

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Restoring operations on the Kherson Energy Plant is at the moment not possible resulting from fixed drone assaults by Russian forces.

Supply: Vhoru, an area information outlet

Quote from Mykhailo Lynetskyi, Deputy Head of Kherson Metropolis Navy Administration: "There’s an optimistic state of affairs for restoring the technological tools on the Kherson Energy Plant, beneath which repairs and the substitute of broken models and tools would take between seven and ten working days, and there’s additionally a pessimistic state of affairs. At current, nonetheless, it’s not possible to start this work."

Particulars: Lynetskyi famous that the scenario at different amenities varies relying on the district of the town and climate circumstances.

"In foggy, wet climate it’s considerably simpler to work, however even then it isn’t sufficient, and there’s additionally a scarcity of specialist workers with the required {qualifications}. Working open air is extraordinarily troublesome. Assist and escort from the defence forces, in addition to airspace monitoring, are wanted," Lynetskyi defined.

He additionally added that restoring all networks would require "eliminating the supply of the threats".

The Kherson Energy Plant ceased operations after sustaining harm from Russian assaults. Regardless of protecting measures, the plant's buildings and tools have suffered very critical destruction.

On 4 December 2025, Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Navy Administration, mentioned that in current days Russian forces had carried out a whole lot of strikes on the Kherson Energy Plant, attacking it with drones, artillery and different weapons.

Background:

• It was beforehand reported that after the Kherson Energy Plant halted operations resulting from Russian assaults, the authorities started offering residents with various heating options.
• Earlier experiences mentioned that it had suspended operations, leaving 470 buildings – greater than 40,500 shoppers – with out heating.
• As much as 10% of residents stay within the Korabelnyi district of Kherson and don’t want to evacuate. Offering for native residents requires extra personnel than at the moment stay there.
• Moreover, it has been reported that for the reason that begin of the full-scale invasion, greater than 35,600 homes and over 1,600 house blocks have been broken or destroyed in communities throughout Kherson Oblast.

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Ukraine's seaports are adapting to function below power restrictions and amid mixed assaults to be able to make sure the uninterrupted continuity of export operations. Backup energy provides are being launched, cogeneration models put in, and demanding infrastructure upgraded.

Supply: Oleksii Kuleba, Minister for Improvement of Communities and Territories

Particulars: The Ukrainian maritime hall is working below fixed navy menace. Because it started functioning, greater than 162 million tonnes of cargo have been dealt with, together with over 98 million tonnes of grain. Almost 7,000 vessels have handed via the hall, he stated.

"Work to strengthen the safety of seaports is ongoing day-after-day. The Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority, in shut cooperation with the navy, legislation enforcement companies and enterprise, is implementing further measures to guard infrastructure and make sure the protected passage of vessels," Kuleba famous.

Background:

• On the night time of 12-13 December, Russia carried out a large-scale mixed assault on Odesa utilizing strike drones and missiles. Authorities reported harm to civilian amenities in addition to power and industrial infrastructure.
• A fireplace broke out at grain storage amenities because of a Russian strike on the Odesa seaport.
• On the night of 12 December, Russia launched ballistic missiles and drones towards town of Odesa and Odesa Oblast. A civilian ship within the port of Chornomorsk belonging to a Turkish firm was broken and one individual was injured. Harm was additionally reported to civil and port infrastructure.
• Russia additionally attacked a civilian vessel transporting Ukrainian sunflower oil to Egypt.
• In November 2025, the variety of Russian air assaults on Ukrainian seaports virtually doubled in contrast with October.
• On the night time of 16-17 November, Russian forces attacked the port of Izmail with drones. The strike broken port infrastructure and several other civilian vessels moored on the berths.
• On the Izmail port, a tanker flying the Turkish flag that was unloading liquefied fuel was broken because of the Russian assault. Round 3,000 tonnes of cargo remained on board. A big-scale fireplace broke out, and the crew of 16 was safely evacuated.

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A gathering of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also called the Ramstein format) has been scheduled for Tuesday 16 December.

Supply: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: The thirty second assembly of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group will likely be held through video hyperlink.

As a part of the assembly, Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal will transient allies on the present state of affairs on the battlefield in addition to on Ukraine's key must strengthen its defence and convey lasting peace nearer.

It’s also anticipated that companions will announce new contributions to strengthening the capabilities of Ukraine's defence forces.

Background:

• The earlier Ramstein assembly passed off in individual on 15 October.
• This was the primary assembly since February, which US Secretary of Protection Pete Hegseth attended in individual.

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If Russia assaults Ukraine once more, america will reply militarily to the aggressor, stated Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who attended the Berlin summit on peace in Ukraine.

Supply: Polish on-line portal Onet Information

Quote from Tusk: "I heard this for the primary time from American negotiators, and Mr Steve Witkoff was unequivocal right here: America will likely be concerned in safety ensures for Ukraine in such a manner that the Russians could have no doubts that [in the event of a ceasefire violation] the US response will likely be navy."

Particulars: Tusk referred to as it a incontrovertible fact that "maybe for the primary time it was so clearly seen that the Individuals, Europeans and Ukraine are all on the identical aspect".

The Polish prime minister additionally emphasised that the one actual option to pressure Russia to enter critical talks to finish the struggle, or a minimum of to agree on a ceasefire, is for your complete West to behave collectively.

"We should act as allies alongside the Individuals and Ukrainians in order that the Russians and Putin see it's inconceivable to drive a wedge between these three events," Tusk famous.

Background:

• On 15 December, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with many European leaders in Berlin.
• Earlier on the identical day, talks occurred between the Ukrainian and US delegations concerning a "peace plan" in Berlin. AFP reported that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had pressed Ukrainian representatives to surrender the a part of Donbas nonetheless underneath Kyiv's management.
• Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine won’t recognise Donbas as Russian, both de facto or de jure.

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Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has mentioned following the most recent talks in Berlin that there’s a actual likelihood of attaining a ceasefire in Russia's warfare towards Ukraine.

Supply: Merz throughout a press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Merz mentioned that an actual likelihood of peace has emerged, probably for the primary time for the reason that begin of Russia's full-scale invasion. The chancellor used the phrase "Waffenstillstand", which might be translated as a ceasefire or truce.

Quote: "We'll stroll the trail to peace along with you, with Ukrainians, with our European neighbours, and in addition with america. I consider that we've taken an excellent step on this path immediately, and we'll take the following one."

Particulars: Merz mentioned Russia is taking part in for time and placing ahead maximalist calls for whereas persevering with its warfare of aggression.

"This received't deter us from our path. We’re pursuing 5 objectives that we – Ukrainians, Europeans and People – have agreed upon collectively," he added.

Initially, Merz mentioned, the goal is to attain a ceasefire that preserves Ukraine's sovereignty.

"Secondly, this ceasefire should be secured by authorized and materials safety ensures from america and the Europeans," he famous.

The chancellor mentioned that the truth that america has proposed authorized ensures deserves shut consideration: "That is actual progress, which I very a lot welcome."

"Thirdly, we're growing the ceasefire collectively – Ukrainians, Europeans and People. This was the case yesterday and that is our mutual understanding, that is our shared success," Merz continued.

He added that the ceasefire should not undermine the unity and energy of NATO and the European Union.

"And fifthly, the ceasefire should protect Ukraine's European prospects and contribute to Ukraine's restoration," Merz harassed.

Quote: "Yesterday and immediately we made essential progress in agreeing on a joint negotiating place. In confidential conversations, we defined our positions intimately and listened to 1 one other. I hope that this night we are going to make additional progress on closing ranks between Ukraine, america and Europe."

Background:

• An nameless US official advised Sky Information that "90% of points" between Ukraine and Russia had been resolved throughout the Ukraine-US talks in Berlin.
• Rustem Umierov, Secretary of Ukraine's Nationwide Safety and Defence Council, has mentioned he expects that Kyiv and Washington may have agreed on widespread positions by the tip of the day, bringing peace nearer.

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Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz has prompt that Russia think about a Christmas truce.

Supply: Merz throughout a press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 15 December, as reported by European Pravda

Particulars: Merz mentioned that the Europeans, Individuals and Ukrainians have drawn up quite a lot of proposals in latest days, and these might be conveyed to the Russian aspect.

Quote: "The ball is now in Russia's court docket. I don't know whether or not it is going to be doable to realize this by Christmas or whether or not they are going to make good use of the time.

We’ll do every thing we are able to to proceed to attraction to the Russians and the Russian authorities with a view to cease the preventing, not less than over the Christmas interval. As a result of in latest weeks and months, the struggle has primarily been killing civilians and destroying kindergartens and colleges. That is terror towards the civilian inhabitants in Ukraine.

And maybe the Russian authorities nonetheless has some remnants of humanity left and might go away folks in peace for a number of days, not less than over Christmas."

Particulars: Merz prompt that if such a truce had been to happen, it might be the start of constructive and pragmatic negotiations resulting in a long-lasting peace in Ukraine.

Background:

• In December 2024, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán claimed he had prompt a Christmas truce and a large-scale prisoner change to Ukraine, however that Zelenskyy had apparently rejected the concept.
• Hungarian Overseas Minister Péter Szijjártó mentioned that Kyiv had refused a telephone name between Orbán and Zelenskyy relating to the Hungarian "truce" proposal and mentioned he was outraged that just about nobody within the EU supported the "Christmas truce".
• In a speech at his annual end-of-year press convention, Russian ruler Vladimir Putin confirmed that Orbán had prompt a "Christmas truce" of a number of days and a prisoner swap. The Kremlin chief had replied that he "had to consider it".

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