Prague today

President Zelensky and Portuguese PM Luís Montenegro honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers by laying flowers at the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv. Montenegro’s visit to Ukraine began on December 20 with this gesture.

Another Russian UAV has crashed in Turkey, this time, debris from a Merlin recon drone was found in a field in western Turkey. This follows the recent discovery of an Orlan-10 in Turkish territory.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi met with UK Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, to discuss frontline developments and Ukraine’s countermeasures against Russia’s autumn-winter push.

Talks focused on boosting Ukraine’s strike capabilities across all domains.

Hungarian PM Orbán claims he prevented a “declaration of war on Russia” by blocking the use of frozen assets and refusing to back the EU’s €90B loan for Ukraine. Poland’s FM Sikorski responded with sarcasm, posting an image of the Soviet Union’s Order of Lenin medal.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal says fortification efforts are ongoing across all frontline regions. Over 2,100 platoon strongpoints, 3,000 km of anti-tank ditches, 1,000 km of concrete barriers, 16,000 km of Egoza razor wire and 4,300 km of low-profile obstacles have been built.

The UK has ruled out using £8bn in frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine after the EU failed to reach consensus on a similar plan. Britain had intended to act only in coordination with the EU, Canada, and Australia. Still, it remains committed to £3bn in annual military aid and will fast-track $2bn.

A Russian Shahed was taken down by a Ukrainian soldier using an Igla MANPADS.

Ukrainian drone operators from the 427th Regiment “RAROG” stopped a Russian assault in the Donetsk direction, destroying tanks, armored vehicles and an MTU-20 bridge-layer that was meant to enable the advance. By cutting off armored support, the attack left Russian infantry exposed.

In another deep strike on occupied Crimea, SBU Alpha’s long-range drones destroyed two Su-27 fighters at Belbek airbase, including one armed and ready for takeoff. The hit also damaged the control tower. This follows a major strike on Dec 18 that wiped out radar systems, a Pantsir, and a MiG-31.

US intelligence believes Putin’s goal remains unchanged: full conquest of Ukraine and reclaiming parts of Europe once under Soviet control. Despite claims from Trump’s peace team that the war could soon end, intel paints a total different picture aligned with European assessments.

Russia is preparing for occupation and direct aggression against the Baltic states in 2027 according to Ukraine’s military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.

Death toll rises to 8 after Russian ballistic missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa region. On Friday evening, the Russian army carried out a massive ballistic missile attack against port infrastructure in Odesa district. 8 people have now been confirmed dead and 27 injured.

Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev is travelling to Miami to meet with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as part of ongoing efforts to push negotiations, according to a Russian source. The meeting follows talks in Berlin with Ukrainian and European officials earlier this week.

Ukraine struck a Russian patrol ship (Project 22460 “Okhotnik”) in the Caspian Sea, multiple drones hit near an offshore platform. A Lukoil oil rig used by the Russian military was also hit, plus an RSP-6M2 radar in occupied Crimea.

Destruction of a Russian assault column by join efforts of the 92nd Assault Brigade and 110th Mechanized Brigade.

💥🔥 Ammunition is detonating in Russia’s Bryansk region following a Ukrainian strike. According to Russian sources, the explosion triggered ongoing secondary blasts at the site.

Russian losses per 20/12/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff

+1090 men
+1 ACV
+37 artillery
+1 MLRS
+346 UAVs

Ukraine’s talks with U.S. and European partners have concluded, Secretary of Ukraine’s NSDC Rustem Umerov said. He briefed Zelensky on the outcomes, and the sides agreed on next steps and continued cooperation in the coming days.

🇨🇿 New Czech Defence Minister suggests the artillery “shell initiative” will continue

The newly appointed Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zuna signalled that Prague expects to extend its initiative to supply artillery shells to Ukraine, according to ČTK. Zuna plans an official visit to Ukraine soon.

🇺🇦 PM Yuliia Svyrydenko says the government is urgently addressing the aftermath of Russia’s strike on the key bridge linking Odesa and Izmail. Authorities are ensuring alternate routes, stabilizing transport, and maintaining fuel and banking operations.

The 19/12/25 SitRep on Ukraine is out: threadreaderapp.com/thread/20021...

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Preliminary information indicates that Russian forces have launched attacks on energy infrastructure in the southern regions, causing disruptions to the electricity supply in Kherson.

7 killed and 15 injured after Russia struck port infrastructure in Odesa district with ballistic missiles, the regional military administration reports. Damage includes critical facilities in and around the port area. Emergency services and responders are working on the ground.

Zelensky said Russia must be held accountable for the war and pay reparations. He welcomed the new EU loan as a tool giving Ukraine added leverage. Addressing domestic concerns, he emphasized he doesn’t cling to power and supports wartime elections, if voter safety can be guaranteed.

🇳🇴🇺🇦 Norwegian instructors bid farewell to Ukrainian soldiers, heading into battle tomorrow.

Reports indicate that a Russian Project 22460 patrol ship “Myslyvets” was struck.

Ukraine's SSO hinting on yet another big hit. They share an image what looks to resemble a Russian warship caught in the lens of a Ukrainian UAV.

In the last few hours there was an attack ongoing on occupied Crimea.... 😁

🇺🇸 Secretary of State Marco Rubio: The U.S. will not impose any peace deal on Ukraine and Russia.

He emphasized that only the parties to the conflict can make the final decision to end the war, and Washington does not intend to pressure or dictate specific terms during negotiations.

Sources cited by RBC‑Ukraine deny claims that Turkish and Qatari officials are participating in the current peace talks. According to the outlet’s interlocutor, only representatives from France, the UK, and Germany will take part in the negotiations.