Ukraine's strikes on Russian energy facilities hit a record high since the start of the large-scale war

Ukraine has sharply intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in December, hitting more targets and a wider range of sites than at any point since the full-scale invasion, according to Bloomberg. At least 24 strikes have targeted oil refineries, tankers, pipelines, ports, and offshore facilities, increasing pressure on Russia’s already sanction-hit energy exports.

The attacks are contributing to a decline in oil and gas revenues, which Moscow expects to fall to a record-low 23% of the federal budget. Ukraine has notably expanded strikes on offshore assets in the Caspian Sea and Russia’s “shadow fleet,” while Russia continues regular attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure.

Large-scale Russian attack on Odesa caused power and heat cuts, damaged apartment buildings, and injured three children

Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Odesa and Odesa Oblast overnight on December 30–31, striking civilian and energy infrastructure and leaving parts of the city without electricity, water, and heating. Residential buildings were hit in two districts, causing apartment fires, and warehouses belonging to a logistics company caught fire.

Six people were injured, including three children — a seven-month-old baby, a 14-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl — while a 42-year-old man is in critical condition. All the injured were hospitalized, and emergency repairs are ongoing.

Putin signed decrees on year-round conscription, deploying reservists to guard critical infrastructure

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed new decrees introducing year-round military conscription starting in 2026 and allowing reservists to be deployed to guard critical infrastructure, signaling deeper militarization of Russian society. Under the new rules, 261,000 Russians ages 18–30 will be drafted annually, following a 2025 law enabling draft boards to operate year-round.

A separate decree authorizes reservists to be called up for special training to protect key facilities such as energy and transport infrastructure, expanding their role beyond previous limits that applied only during wartime or full mobilization.

 It would be desirable for Trump to fly to Ukraine by plane - Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump to Ukraine would be both useful and symbolically powerful, especially if Trump were to travel directly to Ukraine rather than entering through Poland. Speaking to journalists on December 30, Zelenskyy said he had conveyed to Trump that Kyiv would welcome such a visit as part of ongoing efforts to promote a plan to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

According to Zelenskyy, a direct flight by the U.S. president into Ukraine would send a strong political and security signal, demonstrating confidence in the situation on the ground and reinforcing expectations of a potential ceasefire. He stressed that Ukraine is prepared to receive Trump at any time, provided that all necessary security arrangements are in place, and reiterated that Kyiv views Trump’s engagement as an important step toward advancing peace efforts.