Ukraine

A Ukrainian athlete was disqualified from the Winter Olympics upon IOC decision over his plans to wear a helmet honoring countrymen killed in the war with Russia

40% of Ukrainian respondents said they would support giving up the Donbas region in exchange for security, latest survey show, a key shift from the early stage of the war when 82% believed territory shouldn't be surrended to Russia under any circumstances

Another 26 motor vehicles seized from drunk drivers and other criminal offenders in Latvia will be received free of charge, destined to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, medical institutions, local municipalities and organizations supporting Ukrainian society

During the visit of Portugal PM Montenegro, the two countries have agreed on the joint production of underwater drones, planned to hold a joint ‘economic forum’ next year and called the meeting “a turning point” in economic relations

Deputy PM Taras Kachka visited Israel, the highest official since 2022; press reports he was satisfied with bilateral ties: with a change in Jerusalem’s stance on the war with Russia, Ukraine is looking to Israel as a model for navigating US pressure

Artist studios in Kyiv have been damaged by Russian drone strike for second time; Nahirna22, a 30-studio space led by Gen Z artists, had recently reopened following a similar attack in August

A standard-gauge railway connecting Ukraine with Poland has received EU funding; the project, due to be completed by the end of 2027, aims to improve cross-border transport and ease one of the main bottlenecks between the two countries

Newspaper The Kyiv Independent launched its 2025 Holiday Gift Guide with a selection of 90 meaningful gift ideas from more than 75 Ukrainian brands, curated entirely from staff recommendations across the newsroom

Emergency power cuts have been imposed in all but two regions of Ukraine following an increase in Russian strikes that have weakened the country's energy system

Authorities ordered the evacuation of children and their guardians from around the frontline city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, citing an increase in Russian drone attacks

48 Ukrainian children in Donetsk have reportedly been forced into psychiatric treatment for alleged “extremism,” echoing Soviet-era abuse of psychiatry to silence dissent

The Security Service of Ukraine tied the July arrest of an anti-corruption agent to a clandestine group of moles in senior Ukrainian government positions controlled spy cell known as “D-2” operating under Russia’s Federal Security Service