Slovakia will block the EU's decision on a reparations loan for Ukraine

Slovak Prime Minister Fico said he had sent a letter to the President of the European Council informing him of Slovakia's decision to block the European Union's decision to grant Ukraine a reparations loan. Fico explained that such an EU policy “does not correspond to his vision of the world,” as he believes that the war between Russia and Ukraine has no military solution.

As a reminder, the reparations loan provides for the allocation of €140 billion to Ukraine from frozen Russian assets. In addition to Slovakia and Hungary, Belgium is also opposed to the loan, as a large part of Russia's frozen assets are held in the accounts of its depository, Euroclear. The final decision on the reparations loan is expected from EU member states on December 18.

Russia attacked Odesa with ballistic missiles, setting a Turkish cargo ship on fire

Russian forces launched a combined ballistic missile and drone attack on Odesa and the surrounding region, setting an allegedly Turkish cargo container ship ablaze in the port city, local officials reported.

According to the Odesa-based outlet Dumska and Ukraine’s Air Force, air defense units began operating after targets were detected over the Black Sea. The Air Force issued a warning of a ballistic threat from the south and later reported tracking “high-speed targets” moving toward Odesa and Chornomorsk, along with drones heading toward Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Pivdenne.

Russian drones struck a a sports school in Sumy Oblast during children's training

Russian attack drones struck a sports school in the city of Shostka, Sumy Oblast, while children were in training, according to local authorities.

Officials said the strike appeared to be deliberately aimed at a site where children were present. Two drones were used in the attack.

Coaches quickly evacuated all children to safety, and early reports indicate there were no casualties.

Authorities also reported that Russian forces shelled the Seredyna-Buda community with mortars. A 76-year-old woman was wounded in the attack and taken to a hospital.

Moscow is escalating its cognitive warfare efforts to demonstrate that its military and economy as capable of inevitably winning a war of attrition against Ukraine

High-ranking Kremlin officials, including Vladimir Putin, have intensified efforts to promote an inflated narrative of Russian military successes and the supposed strength and resilience of Russia’s economy. This information campaign is aimed at pressuring Ukraine and Western governments to make concessions during ongoing negotiations, framing the alternative as a future of even more protracted and intensified Russian military operations.

While the situation on parts of the front — particularly in the Pokrovsk and Hulyaipole areas — remains serious for Ukraine, many of Putin’s claims about sweeping Russian victories do not reflect the actual battlefield situation. Current fighting does not indicate that Ukraine’s defensive lines are on the verge of collapse.

Putin’s economic boasts also sidestep growing warning signs. The Kremlin’s recent economic decisions reveal mounting pressures caused by Western sanctions, tightening monetary conditions, and the escalating financial burden of sustaining the war.