London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 605 of the invasion

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 605 of the invasion

Overview of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on day 605 of the invasion:
  1. The White House has requested Congress to approve a $106 billion emergency aid package for Israel, Ukraine, and the southern US border. This includes $61.4 billion for Ukraine, with $44.4 billion designated for defense equipment. Israel is set to receive $14.3 billion, while $9.15 billion will go to the US State Department for humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza.

  2. A United Nations commission of inquiry has found additional evidence of Russian forces committing "indiscriminate attacks" and war crimes in Ukraine, including rape and the deportation of children to Russia.

  3. Ukrainian authorities have sent an indictment to the court against the former abbot of the Ukrainian Orthodox monastery Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Metropolitan Pavel. He is charged with violating the equality of citizens and justifying, recognizing, or denying Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine. This follows Ukraine's parliament voting to advance legislation seen as effectively banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its ties to Moscow.

  4. Ukraine has recovered 14 archaeological items allegedly stolen by a Russian man from Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. This recovery is a small victory amid widespread destruction and pillaging of historical sites and treasures during the Russian invasion.

  5. A UK defense ministry briefing suggests that a recent Ukrainian strike on Russian helicopters and air defense equipment may prompt Moscow to relocate its operating bases and command and control nodes further from the frontline.

  6. Russian-American journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty's Tatar-Bashkir service, has been detained in Russia on charges of violating its foreign agents law, reportedly due to her coverage of Russia's military mobilization for the invasion of Ukraine.

  7. European leaders express frustration over the meeting between Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orbán, Hungary's prime minister, in Beijing. They doubt that Putin's meetings with European leaders aim to achieve peace in Ukraine.

  8. Ukraine claims a small incremental gain of 400 meters to the southwest of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region, despite difficulties posed by Russian minefields and fortified defenses.

  9. NATO is increasing patrols in the Baltic Sea due to recent damage to undersea infrastructure. This includes additional surveillance and reconnaissance flights and dispatching a fleet of four NATO minehunters to the area.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Hong Kong Climbs to Second Globally in 2025 Tourism Rankings Behind Bangkok
From Sunniest Year on Record to Terror Plots and Sports Triumphs: The UK’s Defining Stories of 2025
Greta Thunberg Released on Bail After Arrest at London Pro-Palestinian Demonstration
Banksy Unveils New Winter Mural in London Amid Festive Season Excitement
UK Households Face Rising Financial Strain as Tax Increases Bite and Growth Loses Momentum
UK Government Approves Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedford Poised to Rival Disneyland Paris
UK Gambling Shares Slide as Traders Respond to Steep Tax Rises and Sector Uncertainty
Starmer and Trump Coordinate on Ukraine Peace Efforts in Latest Diplomatic Call
The Pilot Barricaded Himself in the Cockpit and Refused to Take Off: "We Are Not Leaving Until I Receive My Salary"
UK Fashion Label LK Bennett Pursues Accelerated Sale Amid Financial Struggles
U.S. Government Warns UK Over Free Speech in Pro-Life Campaigner Prosecution
Newly Released Files Shed Light on Jeffrey Epstein’s Extensive Links to the United Kingdom
Prince William and Prince George Volunteer Together at UK Homelessness Charity
UK Police Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’ as Authorities Recalibrate Free Speech Enforcement
Scambodia: The World Owes Thailand’s Military a Profound Debt of Gratitude
Women in Partial Nudity — and Bill Clinton in a Dress and Heels: The Images Revealed in the “Epstein Files”
US Envoy Witkoff to Convene Security Advisers from Ukraine, UK, France and Germany in Miami as Peace Efforts Intensify
UK Retailers Report Sharp Pre-Christmas Sales Decline and Weak Outlook, CBI Survey Shows
UK Government Rejects Use of Frozen Russian Assets to Fund Aid for Ukraine
UK Financial Conduct Authority Opens Formal Investigation into WH Smith After Accounting Errors
UK Issues Final Ultimatum to Roman Abramovich Over £2.5bn Chelsea Sale Funds for Ukraine
Rare Pink Fog Sweeps Across Parts of the UK as Met Office Warns of Poor Visibility
UK Police Pledge ‘More Assertive’ Enforcement to Tackle Antisemitism at Protests
UK Police Warn They Will Arrest Protesters Chanting ‘Globalise the Intifada’
Trump Files $10 Billion Defamation Lawsuit Against BBC as Broadcaster Pledges Legal Defence
UK Says U.S. Tech Deal Talks Still Active Despite Washington’s Suspension of Prosperity Pact
UK Mortgage Rules to Give Greater Flexibility to Borrowers With Irregular Incomes
UK Treasury Moves to Position Britain as Leading Global Hub for Crypto Firms
U.S. Freezes £31 Billion Tech Prosperity Deal With Britain Amid Trade Dispute
Prince Harry and Meghan’s Potential UK Return Gains New Momentum Amid Security Review and Royal Dialogue
Zelensky Opens High-Stakes Peace Talks in Berlin with Trump Envoy and European Leaders
Historical Reflections on Press Freedom Emerge Amid Debate Over Trump’s Media Policies
UK Boosts Protection for Jewish Communities After Sydney Hanukkah Attack
UK Government Declines to Comment After ICC Prosecutor Alleges Britain Threatened to Defund Court Over Israel Arrest Warrant
Apple Shutters All Retail Stores in the United Kingdom Under New National COVID-19 Lockdown
US–UK Technology Partnership Strains as Key Trade Disagreements Emerge
UK Police Confirm No Further Action Over Allegation That Andrew Asked Bodyguard to Investigate Virginia Giuffre
Giuffre Family Expresses Deep Disappointment as UK Police Decline New Inquiry Into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Claims
Transatlantic Trade Ambitions Hit a Snag as UK–US Deal Faces Emerging Challenges
Ex-ICC Prosecutor Alleges UK Threatened to Withdraw Funding Over Netanyahu Arrest Warrant Bid
UK Disciplinary Tribunal Clears Carter-Ruck Lawyer of Misconduct in OneCoin Case
‘Pink Ladies’ Emerge as Prominent Face of UK Anti-Immigration Protests
Nigel Farage Says Reform UK Has Become Britain’s Largest Party as Labour Membership Falls Sharply
Google DeepMind and UK Government Launch First Automated AI Lab to Accelerate Scientific Discovery
UK Economy Falters Ahead of Budget as Growth Contracts and Confidence Wanes
Australia Approves Increased Foreign Stake in Strategic Defence Shipbuilder
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson proclaims, “For Ukraine, surrendering their land would be a nightmare.”
Microsoft Challenges £2.1 Billion UK Cloud Licensing Lawsuit at Competition Tribunal
Fake Doctor in Uttar Pradesh Accused of Killing Woman After Performing YouTube-Based Surgery
Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Open-Source Tools and IDE Extensions
×