‘Thank those who are in the Defense Forces’, – president Zelensky
Source: president Volodymyr Zelensky on Facebook
On December 25, in an evening video address, president Volodymyr Zelensky once again wished everyone a Merry Christmas. He stressed that on this Christmas Eve, it is important to say about those who are ‘at any time of the day, night, holidays, are on duty, at combat posts, in battle, in defense of Ukraine’.
Zelensky reminded that on the Christmas Eve, Ukrainian air defense shot down almost 30 attack drones, several missiles, and two Russian combat jets.
‘Thank you! Every Russian pilot must make a clear choice for himself whether to participate further in this war. Our air defense will only become stronger. Especially when we get the additional systems already agreed upon and the F-16,’ the president said.
The head of state expressed his gratitude to each employee of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine. He especially noted the rescuers from Kherson, Donetsk, and Kharkiv regions.
He also thanked the energy engineers who, despite constant Russian strikes, provided Ukraine with a bright Christmas.
BEVZA unveils a new Christmas decoration full of meaning – a tribute to generational memory expressed through five spikes of wheat, a timeless symbol of the Ukrainian nation’s resilience.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.