Travel, property, and local info for Ukraine

15+ min ago (225+ words) On Saturday, Ukraine and Belarus carried out a transfer of civilian persons: 114 civilians were handed over to Ukraine, including Ukrainians who had been held on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported. "The youngest Ukrainian released is 25 years old. His wife was returned during a previous release. He and the other Ukrainians are civilian citizens who were detained in Belarus and accused of working for Ukrainian special services," the Coordination Headquarters said on its Telegram channel. Belarusian citizens who had been imprisoned on political grounds and were serving lengthy prison sentences were also handed over to Ukraine. Among them are well-known Belarusian public and political figures, including Maria Aleksandrova, Viktor Babariko, journalist Marina Zolotova, and others. "The released Belarusian citizens, after receiving the necessary medical care and at their…...

23+ min ago (399+ words) I write as an American lawyer, a US citizen born in New York of Ukrainian origin. The United States is a mess and will need to clean house. Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced the "Not a Trusted Organization Act," or "NATO Act" in the Senate earlier this year. Representative Massie is now fielding companion legislation in the House. What more can the Trump administration do to manifest clearly before the world that America under President Donald Trump has gone rogue? European leaders have recognized that today America is very ill, and so at least for the time being Europe has to deal with its own existential issues. Having America behind you at all times was very comforting, but the fact of the matter is that NATO without America must become a viable concept, at least in the near…...

39+ min ago (193+ words) Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers of will begin paying compensation in cases where journalists are killed or injured while performing their professional duties. The relevant decision provides for one-time assistance through the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported. Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers of will begin paying compensation in cases where journalists are killed or injured while performing their professional duties. The relevant decision provides for one-time assistance through the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko reported. "We are making the first payment to the father of journalist Viktoria Roschyna, who died in Russian captivity. This program is provided for in the state budget for 2026. For the Ukrainian state, this is a matter of justice toward those who selflessly sought the truth, documented the facts of Russian crimes, and lost their…...

39+ min ago (516+ words) Any peace deal to end Russia's war in Ukraine will only last if Moscow makes real concessions, including limiting the size of its armed forces and curbing its growing military budget, the EU's top diplomat has said. In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera published on Friday, Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, warned that without meaningful concessions from Moscow, Europe risks facing new conflicts elsewhere." "The problem for peace is Russia," Kallas said, adding: "Even if Ukraine received security guarantees, without concessions from the Russian side, we would have other wars, perhaps not in Ukraine but elsewhere." Her remarks come as U.S. officials continue shaping a peace proposal aimed at ending Europe's bloodiest conflict since World War II " one that has to be acceptable to both Kyiv and Moscow." Russia lacks "genuine will for peace" Kallas…...

42+ min ago (539+ words) By defunding a major database monitoring Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children and other war crimes, then pushing for amnesty, Trump's policies offer impunity to the Putin regime. It is an overall picture that emerges from countless fragments of information, from reports, from details that pop up here and there. The picture becomes more detailed over time, yet threatens to quickly blur when windows close. This much is certain: Russia has abducted tens of thousands of children from Ukraine; 20,000 victims of these abductions have been identified by name and documented. It is assumed that there are at least 35,000 cases. Trump's attacks had been targeting Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab since the change of government in Washington. Back in February 2025, the US government had already cut off funding for the project amid widespread protests. This was followed by bridge financing under pressure…...

46+ min ago (691+ words) KYIV, Dec 13 " Ukraine would join the European Union as early as January 2027 under the latest US plan to end the war with Russia, a senior source familiar with the matter told AFP yesterday." The complicated EU accession process usually takes years and requires a unanimous vote from all 27 members of the bloc, and some countries, most notably Hungary, have consistently voiced opposition to Ukraine joining. The idea of a speedy accession is included in the latest version of a US-led plan to end the war, which would also see Ukraine cede land to Russia, and has triggered a diplomatic frenzy across Europe in recent weeks. "It's stated there but it's a matter for negotiation, and the Americans support it," the senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, referring to the US plan. Meanwhile, Europeans and Ukrainians are asking the…...

1+ hour, 6+ min ago (299+ words) About a hundred people, including five Ukrainians, are being released from Belarus, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. "Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, presented details regarding the preparation of a special mission to free civilians held in Belarus. Thanks to the active role of the United States and the cooperation of our intelligence agencies, around one hundred people are regaining their freedom now, including five Ukrainians," he wrote on Telegram on Saturday. "We are helping our American partners so that the relevant support is provided to Ukraine. As needed, the special services of our European neighbors are also involved," the president said. In addition, Zelenskyy instructed the Defense Intelligence and all services represented in the Coordination Headquarters to maximize efforts on the Russian direction so that the release of Ukrainian POWs can take place before the New…...

1+ hour, 45+ min ago (234+ words) Finnish President Alexander Stubb will take part in peace talks on Ukraine in Berlin on Monday, according to Yle, citing the Office of the President of the Republic. Stubb to take part in Ukraine peace talks in Berlin on Dec 15 " media Finnish President Alexander Stubb will take part in peace talks on Ukraine in Berlin on Monday, according to Yle, citing the Office of the President of the Republic. "Stubb was initially scheduled to travel to Texas, the United States, next week, but a decision was made to cancel the trip due to the critical situation in Ukraine," the outlet reported. Several European heads of state, along with senior EU and NATO officials, will take part in the Ukraine peace talks in Berlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also arrive in Berlin. Zelenskyy coordinates diplomatic efforts with President of Finland…...

1+ hour, 53+ min ago (143+ words) Russian occupiers shelled populated areas of Donetsk region 17 times over the past day, December 12, said Vadym Filashkin, head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. "On December 12, Russians killed three residents of Donetsk region: two in Kostiantynivka and one in Oleksievo-Druzhkivka. Another seven people in the region were injured over the course of the day," Filashkin wrote on Telegram. In Oleksievo-Druzhkivka, one person was killed, two houses and a garage were damaged. In Druzhkivka, six people were injured and three vehicles were damaged. In Kostiantynivka, two people were killed and one was injured. In Novoiverske of the Novodonetska community, an administrative building and infrastructure were damaged. Numerous houses were damaged in the Shakhove community, while three houses were damaged in Siversk. A total of 376 people were evacuated from the front line over the past day, including 31 children....

1+ hour, 59+ min ago (274+ words) Germany has said it will send a group of soldiers to Poland to help with a project to fortify the country's eastern border as worries mount about the threat from Russia. Poland, a strong supporter of'Ukraine'in its fight against Moscow, announced plans in May last year to bolster a long stretch of its border that includes Belarus and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad. The main task of the German soldiers in Poland will be "engineering activities," a spokesman for the defence ministry in Berlin said late Friday. This could include "constructing fortifications, digging trenches, laying barbed wire, or erecting tank barriers," he said.' "The support provided by German soldiers as part of (the operation) is limited to these engineering activities." The spokesman did not specify the exact number of troops involved, saying only it would be a "mid-range two-digit number…...