Newsletter 12/12/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Office of President refutes media claims that Ukraine agreed to buffer zone in Donetsk region
Journalists from Le Monde misinterpreted the remarks of Mykhailo Podolyak, Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President, suggesting that Ukraine is allegedly ready to agree to the creation of a demilitarized zone in the Donetsk region.
German MFA summons Russian ambassador over national security threat
The Russian ambassador to Germany was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry over a large-scale cyberattack and a disinformation campaign during the federal election campaign, which German authorities say were carried out by Russian intelligence services.
According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Martin Giese, an analysis by German intelligence allowed them to prove Moscow’s responsibility for specific instances of espionage and cyberattacks, including attempted sabotage.
He said that two methods of national attribution made it possible to trace responsibility. The German side could now clearly attribute the cyberattack on the German air traffic control service in August 2024 to the hacker collective APT 28, also known as Fancy Bear, and intelligence data showed that Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, was responsible for this attack. He also stated that Russia, through the Storm 15 campaign, had attempted to influence and destabilize Germany’s internal affairs, particularly the recent federal elections.
Russian strike hits Odesa ports: injuries, damage reported
The Russian military launched a strike with Shahed drones and ballistic missiles on two ports in Odesa region, injuring one person and damaging port infrastructure.
“Russia carried out a missile strike on civilian port infrastructure in Odesa region… In Odesa port, an employee of a private company was injured and is receiving medical care. A container crane was also damaged. In Chornomorsk port, a ferry flying the Turkish flag was damaged, but preliminary reports indicate no injuries,” reported by Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery and Minister for Communities and Territories Development, on Telegram.
Ukrainian Marines capture several groups of Russian troops near approaches to Myrnohrad
Ukrainian Navy Marines from the 38th Separate Marine Brigade named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachnyi captured several groups of Russian soldiers during an attempted breakthrough toward Myrnohrad in Donetsk region.
DIU special forces destroy Russian An-26 aircraft and three radar stations in Crimea
Soldiers from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate’s special forces unit “Prymary” destroyed a Russian An-26 transport aircraft, two 55Zh6M “Nebo-M” radar systems, and a 64N6E radar system in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
SOF and partisans strike two Russian vessels transporting weapons in Caspian Sea
A unit of the Special Operations Forces, operating jointly with the Black Spark resistance movement, carried out a special operation in which two Russian vessels transporting weapons and military equipment were struck near the shores of the Republic of Kalmykia in the Caspian Sea.
War
Ukrainian Ground Forces mark their day amid ongoing war
On December 12, Ukraine marks Ground Forces Day. Established by a presidential decree on October 18, 1997, the holiday honors the contributions of the Ground Forces – the largest branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – in ensuring the country’s defense capabilities.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi emphasized on the occasion that the Ground Forces hold the frontline of Ukraine’s defense. He shared his remarks on Facebook, as reported by Ukrinform.
“The Ground Forces are a power that unites mechanized and tank units, artillery and missiles, army aviation and air defense, unmanned and robotic systems, special forces, and support units. Today, this is a modern army that has stood firm and continues to fight for Ukraine,” Syrskyi said.
He noted that at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, ground units became the first shield against the aggressor’s army.
“Ukrainian infantry defended Kyiv, drove back the invaders in the Slobozhanshchyna offensive, liberated the right-bank Kherson region, destroyed Wagner forces in Bakhmut, and fought the enemy in Kursk region. Ground Forces hold the frontline of Ukraine’s defense. Fortifications are important, but they mean nothing without Ukrainian infantry inside them,” Syrskyi stressed.
He also highlighted that the Ground Forces are undergoing an unprecedented transformation directly on the battlefield.
“Unmanned aerial systems, ground drones, combat modules, modern electronic warfare tools, mobile assault groups – this is the new daily reality of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. I am proud to have had the honor of commanding the Ground Forces and today to lead the strongest ground army in Europe,” Syrskyi said.
Zelensky visits 14th Mechanized Brigade command post in Kupiansk
President Volodymyr Zelensky, together with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi, visited the forward command post of the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after Prince Roman the Great in Kupiansk.
Zelensky briefed on defense of Kupiansk, ongoing clearing operations
President Volodymyr Zelensky, during a visit to Kharkiv region, received reports on the situation in the part of Kupiansk where Ukrainian forces are currently conducting clearing operations against remaining Russian troops.
Defense Forces liberate Kindrashivka and Radkivka in Kupiansk sector
Units of the Khartia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine have liberated Kindrashivka, Radkivka, and several blocks in northern Kupiansk, which has enabled them to cut off Russian supply routes and markedly stabilize the situation in the Kupiansk sector.
Ukrainian border guards destroy two Russian Grad MLRS on Pokrovsk front
On the Pokrovsk axis, pilots from the Phoenix border guard unit destroyed two Russian BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket systems.
Ukrainian border guards smash Russian defenses on Southern Slobozhanshchyna front
Russian troops attack Nova Vodolaha community in Kharkiv region with drones, several people injured
Enemies attack one of state-owned mines, fire breaks out, workers wounded
Overnight Russian attacks on Pavlohrad leave one person killed, four injured
War update: 93 clashes on front line, most on Pokrovsk, Lyman directions
Journalists identify names of more than 155,000 Russian soldiers killed in war against Ukraine
Defense forces clear Yuvileiny microdistrict in Kupiansk of Russian forcesv
Russian forces increase assault operations, airstrikes on southern axes – military spox
Enemy intensifies infiltration attempts in Huliaypole - military reports
AFU: Russians in south begin using column breakthrough tactics
Fact Checks
CCD: Russia spreads false claims about Ukraine allegedly preparing to detonate “dirty nuclear bomb”
Russian media are spreading statements by the Russian Ministry of Defense with fabricated accusations against Ukraine about alleged preparations to use weapons of mass destruction.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported on Telegram by the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
“Russian media are spreading statements by the Russian Ministry of Defense with fabricated accusations against Ukraine of preparing to use weapons of mass destruction. In particular, Russia claims that the Security Service of Ukraine ”simulated the explosion of a dirty nuclear bomb in a crowded place“ and may use it ”under a foreign flag.” In addition, accusations are being circulated about the use of chemical weapons, attempts to provoke a man-made disaster, testing of pharmacological drugs on its own population, etc.,” the statement said.
Geopolotics
Russia’s Central Bank sues Euroclear over frozen assets
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has announced that it has filed a lawsuit against the Belgian clearing and settlement institution Euroclear over frozen Russian assets.
EU backs indefinite freeze of Russian assets
EU ambassadors have agreed to indefinitely freeze Russia’s sovereign assets, removing the main obstacle to providing Ukraine with a “reparations loan” worth €210 billion.
Japan applies to join SAFE
Japan has submitted an official application to participate in SAFE (Security Action for Europe), following earlier applications by Turkey and South Korea.
Economy
Ukraine, U.S. set up joint task force to draft rapid economic action plan
Ukraine and the United States have established a joint working group to develop a rapid economic action plan as part of the process to ensure a sustainable and fair peace for Ukraine.
Cost of restoring depot and trains in Fastiv estimated at around UAH 400M
The total cost of restoring the passenger depot and 27 destroyed electric train carriages in Fastiv, Kyiv region, following Russia’s large-scale attack is estimated at about UAH 400 million.
Society
Photos of captured Ukrainian journalists displayed at “Imprisoned Freedom” exhibition in Paris
The Concord Theater in Paris hosted an exhibition entitled “Imprisoned Freedom,” which featured 26 portraits of Ukrainian journalists who were illegally detained and imprisoned by the Russian Federation.
“This exhibition is painful, but necessary. You see twenty-six faces here. We want to show the people for whom we must all continue to fight. We must not allow people around the world to forget the victims of Putin’s regime, who continue to be tortured in Russian concentration camps and prisons. If we had also brought photos of those killed by the Russians, including European journalists, unfortunately, this wall would not be enough,” the head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, Mykyta Poturayev.