- As a result of an attack by the Ukrainian armed forces on the port of Rostov-on-Don, a tanker caught fire, and there are casualties. Additionally, a partially constructed high-rise building in the city was damaged.
- In Bataisk, Rostov region, two private houses were burned due to a drone attack, and four people were injured.
- The Sumy community was attacked by two strike drones, as reported by the head of the regional administration, Oleg Grigorov. Damage affected civilian infrastructure in the Kovpakivskyi district, with windows shattered in residential and non-residential buildings. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties, although one person was injured.
- The city of Kryvyi Rih also came under drone attack, with hits in residential areas.
- According to information from Politico, a meeting between representatives of the U.S. and Russia is expected in Miami over the weekend to discuss the resolution of the war in Ukraine. The U.S. side will be represented by presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, while Russia will be represented by the head of the Direct Investment Fund, Kirill Dmitriev.
- The body of British paratrooper George Hooly, who died in Ukraine, has been returned to Britain. The reasons for his death are not disclosed, only that he died while observing defense system tests.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has planned a trip to Brussels on Thursday to participate in a European Union summit, where the use of frozen Russian assets to support Kyiv will be discussed, Reuters reports.
- The European Parliament has approved a proposal to completely halt gas purchases from Russia starting November 1, 2027.
- The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Ukrainian troops control about 90% of the strategically important city of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. However, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin that Kupiansk is under the control of Russian troops.
- According to Ukrainian police, on December 17, Zaporizhzhia was struck by four Russian guided aerial bombs, two of which hit apartment buildings.
- The head of the Odesa regional administration, Oleg Kiper, reported the introduction of a state-level emergency in the region following massive attacks on energy facilities on December 13, which caused a complete blackout and lack of water supply in Odesa.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the formal approval of a transfer of £2.5 billion to Ukraine, proceeds from the sale of the Chelsea football club by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. To complete the transfer of funds, Abramovich's consent is necessary; otherwise, British authorities intend to sue him.
