Fighting for Marinka and the downing of two fighter jets on Christmas Eve: highlights for December 25

Battles for Marinka

On December 25, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Russian leader Vladimir Putin about the alleged complete capture of the city of Marinka, in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces denied this: they say that the battle for the city continues.

“Currently, our military personnel are within the administrative boundaries of Marinka, but the city has been completely destroyed. However, it is incorrect to talk about the complete capture of Marinka,” said Oleksandr Shtupun, spokesperson for the Tavria Defense Forces.

Shooting down drones, missiles and aircraft of the invaders

In the evening and night of December 25, air defense forces destroyed 28 Shahed attack drones and two missiles used by the Russians over the territory of Ukraine. The Ukrainian military also destroyed a Su-34 in the Donetsk region (which was reported the night before) and one Su-30SM over the Black Sea.

“In total, five Su planes were shot down in the week before Christmas. And this is very impressive! Everyone who gives such results in our Air Force, all our anti-aircraft gunners, soldiers of mobile fire groups, air defense units of the Ground Forces are just great! Thank you! Every Russian pilot must make a clear choice for himself whether to continue to participate in this war,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Money to support the social sphere of Ukraine

Ukraine received $1.34 billion to support the social sector as part of the World Bank PEACE in Ukraine project.

The money will be used to partially compensate for expenses of the state budget of Ukraine not related to the sphere of security and defense. In particular, for pension payments and payments to employees of the State Emergency Service.

This is the sixth additional funding within the project.

New Commissioner of the Antimonopoly Committee

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appointed a new state commissioner of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU). It is Denys Kliushnikov.

Since November 2019, Kliushnikov has been deputy chairman of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. Before that, since 2018, he worked in the In January 2020, the institution was renamed the Office of the Prosecutor General of UkraineGeneral Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, holding the positions of investigator, senior investigator and prosecutor.

Expanding the category of citizens who can be mobilized

The Command of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at the request of hromadske, named three categories of citizens who are going to be used to expand the range of those who can be called up for military service during mobilization. Earlier, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, announced such intentions.

The command of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at the request of hromadske, named three categories of citizens, with the help of which they plan to expand the circle of those who can be called up for military service during mobilization. Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valery Zaluzhny announced such intentions.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine listed the following categories:

• citizens whose military registration was previously cancelled until 2015 and was not renewed in accordance with changes in the legislation of Ukraine;
• citizens whose deferment period from conscription for military service has expired during mobilization;
• citizens who have reached the age of 27, but are not registered as liable for military service due to evasion of military duty.

Imprisonment of a deputy of Cherkasy City Council

The court sentenced the deputy of the Cherkasy City Council from the now banned “Opposition Platform — For Life” Oleksandr Zamyrailo. He was jailed for 5 years for justifying Russian aggression.

Prosecutors proved in court that the city council deputy expressed pro-Russian views and Russian propaganda narratives in conversations with his relatives and acquaintances in June-July 2022. In particular, he praised the Russian army and desired victory over Ukraine, since he expected to occupy leadership positions in the event of the occupation of the Cherkasy region.

Other important news

• Entire groups of occupiers began to surrender, the commander of Tavria sector says.
• This year, Latvia transferred 271 cars confiscated from drunk drivers to Ukraine.
• The occupiers set up a Christmas tree near the destroyed Mariupol Drama Theatre.