The United Kingdom has initiated formal discussions and a public consultation process to consider a complete ban on social media use for individuals under sixteen. The move, announced by Technology Minister Liz Kendall in the House of Commons, aims to safeguard children’s mental health and online safety. The consultation will run for three months, gathering opinions from parents, youth, and civil society representatives.

As part of the initiative, several measures are under consideration. These include making British schools ‘phone-free’ by default, empowering the education inspection body Ofsted to monitor compliance with phone-use policies, and requiring technology companies to remove addictive features or algorithms from their platforms. The proposal has gained attention following advocacy by Esther Gher, mother of teenager Briana Gher, who recently died by suicide.

The report notes that Australia became the first country to implement a similar ban in December 2025, providing a precedent for the UK’s current deliberations.

At least two people were killed and several others injured in overnight Russian drone attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, according to local authorities. The strikes, which targeted power plants, have severely damaged the country’s energy infrastructure. In response, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered emergency electricity imports to stabilize the situation as Moscow launched another large-scale assault.

Zelensky stated on social media that more than 200 drones were used to attack the regions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, and Odesa. He accused Russia of deliberately targeting Ukraine’s power generation and supply systems to pressure the country during harsh winter conditions. On Saturday, additional strikes in Kharkiv and Sumy damaged critical infrastructure, raising concerns about disruptions to electricity and heating services.

Ukrainian officials warned that the ongoing attacks are worsening living conditions for civilians during the winter. Citing CNN, the report noted that Russia’s continued focus on energy infrastructure is adding a new dimension to the conflict.

Ukraine’s new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov told parliament that nearly 200,000 soldiers have left their posts without authorization, describing the situation as a severe manpower crisis. Speaking before his confirmation vote on Wednesday, Fedorov said around two million Ukrainians are currently wanted for evading military duties. He noted that the army has been under immense pressure for years while defending the country against a much stronger enemy.

According to Fedorov, the front-line situation remains dire, with Ukrainian forces struggling to hold key positions despite shortages of personnel and weapons. CNN reported that rumors of low morale and desertions had circulated for some time, but Fedorov’s remarks marked the first official acknowledgment of the scale of the problem. Ukrainian law requires all men aged 18 to 60 to register for military service, while those aged 25 to 60 are subject to mandatory mobilization.

After meeting Fedorov, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s mobilization process needs major reform. Fedorov, 34, emphasized that technological advancement, including drones and robotics, is now vital to offset manpower shortages.

Twenty-three members of the British Parliament from multiple political parties have called for the United States to be expelled from the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to a BBC report cited in the source, the MPs argue that Washington’s recent military operations violate international law and undermine the sovereignty of other nations. The demand follows a U.S. raid in Caracas that reportedly led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as well as subsequent threats by President Donald Trump toward several countries.

The MPs, representing the Labour, Liberal Democrat, Green Party, and Plaid Cymru, signed a joint proposal urging FIFA and other global sports bodies to bar the U.S. from major tournaments. They stated that events like the World Cup or Olympics should not become tools for powerful states to disregard international law. The controversy comes shortly after Trump received a “Peace Award” from FIFA for his role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.

The call adds political tension ahead of the 2026 World Cup, for which the United States is one of the host nations alongside Mexico and Canada.

Russia carried out airstrikes on Kyiv and its outskirts on Friday, killing at least three people and injuring thirteen, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Residential buildings were damaged, and a doctor was killed in a second drone strike on one of the buildings. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the doctor is included in the official casualty list.

Regional Governor Mykola Kalashnyk urged residents to remain in shelters until air raid sirens stop. Ukraine’s Air Force warned that the presence of Russian bombers in the sky means the entire country remains under missile threat. In the western city of Lviv, a ballistic missile struck infrastructure sites just before midnight. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the military is determining whether a nuclear-capable missile was used, though radiation levels remain within normal limits.

The attack followed a warning from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv on Thursday, which had cautioned of possible severe airstrikes in the coming days.

Britain and France have agreed to send troops to Ukraine following a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow, as part of a 20-point peace plan mediated by U.S. President Donald Trump. The announcement came after the 'Coalition of the Willing' summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where leaders from 27 nations gathered to strengthen post-war security guarantees for Ukraine. The declaration was signed by Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Starmer stated that Britain and France would establish military bases across Ukraine after the ceasefire, though their forces are unlikely to engage directly with Russian troops if hostilities resume. Macron said the plan includes a multinational European force led by the United States and a ceasefire monitoring mechanism involving European participation. Italy and Poland declined to send troops, while Germany indicated possible contributions to a joint force.

The initiative marks a significant step in post-war planning for Ukraine, though Moscow’s acceptance of the arrangement remains uncertain.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has decided to appoint Kyrylo Budanov, head of the military intelligence agency, as the new chief of the presidential office. The move follows the resignation of Zelensky’s previous top aide in November after a corruption scandal. According to AFP from Kyiv, Zelensky announced on social media that he met Budanov and offered him the position, with the formal appointment process now underway, confirmed by presidential adviser Dmytro Litvin.

Budanov, 39, is a well-known and influential figure in Ukraine, credited with leading several daring operations against Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. His nomination comes at a critical stage of the nearly four-year-long war. Zelensky recently stated that a U.S.-mediated peace proposal is about 90 percent ready and emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine’s defense and security capabilities while advancing diplomatic talks.

If confirmed, Budanov will replace Andriy Yermak, who resigned after his home was raided as part of a corruption investigation. Yermak, once a close ally of Zelensky, had faced criticism in Kyiv for allegedly consolidating excessive power and controlling access to the president.

At least 24 people were killed and 50 injured in a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia-controlled Kherson region, according to Moscow. The strike occurred on Thursday during New Year celebrations at a hotel and café in the coastal area, as reported by the Anadolu news agency. Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-appointed governor of Kherson, said on Telegram that the attack deliberately targeted civilians celebrating the holiday and described it as a war crime.

Saldo stated that three drones struck the hotel and café, causing heavy casualties. He also accused British intelligence of involvement in the incident and announced that Kherson would observe days of mourning on January 2 and 3. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed that Ukraine’s Western supporters ultimately bore responsibility for the attack.

Kherson is one of four Ukrainian regions that Russia declared as its own territory in 2022, a move rejected by Kyiv and most Western countries as an illegal occupation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a New Year’s Eve address, declared his belief that Russia will win the war in Ukraine. He urged support for the soldiers fighting in Ukraine, calling them heroes, and stated that the outcome of the conflict remains undecided amid ongoing peace talks and intense fighting. Putin’s remarks came as Europe voiced concern that the war could expand beyond Ukraine’s borders if it continues.

In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv seeks peace but will not sign any “weak” agreement. He emphasized that Ukraine wants the war to end but not at the cost of its sovereignty. Zelensky acknowledged the exhaustion of his nation but affirmed that surrender is not an option.

Zelensky also revealed that a peace agreement mediated by the United States was about 90 percent complete, though unresolved issues remain. He said the remaining 10 percent would determine the fate of peace and significantly affect the future of Ukraine, Europe, and people’s daily lives.

U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a 20-point peace plan aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv and Moscow are expected to sign the agreement in January. Following a meeting with Trump in Florida, Zelensky said he hopes Ukraine, the United States, Russia, and Europe will reach consensus on the document soon.

According to details, Zelensky sought U.S. security guarantees in exchange for a ceasefire with Russia, a condition accepted by Washington. The fifth point of Trump’s plan includes a 15-year U.S. security guarantee for Ukraine, though Zelensky is negotiating to extend it to 50 years. He stated that only U.S. troops would remain in Ukraine after the ceasefire, and the Trump administration would provide Patriot air defense systems for national security.

Zelensky also highlighted postwar reconstruction efforts, noting that Trump emphasized rebuilding war-torn Ukraine. He said U.S. and European companies would invest in reconstruction and other sectors, aiming to raise citizens’ average income after the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to consider providing Ukraine with a 30 to 50-year security guarantee. Zelensky stated that Trump responded he would “think about” the proposal. He confirmed that under the current agreement, Ukraine is already assured of a 15-year security guarantee from the United States.

Zelensky added that the next round of discussions will take place in Kyiv in January. He said that the head of Ukraine’s National Defense and Security Council, Rustem Umerov, is coordinating the process with partners. Following that, Ukraine will hold talks with European leaders to align the main documents and prepare communications between Trump and European leaders.

Zelensky also mentioned that Trump has discussed his 20-point peace plan with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he said is ready for peace. He noted that lifting martial law would only be possible once security guarantees are in place, including the deployment of foreign troops.

A large-scale power outage hit Ukraine’s capital Kyiv and surrounding areas after Russian missile strikes on December 27. According to a statement from Ukrainian energy company DTEK, more than one million homes were left without electricity following the attacks. The information was reported from Kyiv by AFP on Saturday.

DTEK stated that electricity supply across Kyiv was severely disrupted as a result of the widespread missile assault. Despite ongoing air raid alerts, power workers were continuing efforts to restore electricity and stabilize the situation as quickly as possible.

The company’s statement highlighted the risks faced by repair crews working under threat of further attacks, underscoring the scale of the damage to Kyiv’s energy infrastructure.

Russia has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his European supporters of attempting to derail the ongoing peace process. The allegation came as Zelensky prepared to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday to discuss a proposal aimed at ending the war. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that reaching an agreement depends on the political will of the other side, adding that the latest plan differs entirely from previous proposals discussed between Washington and Moscow.

Zelensky is expected to present a revised 20-point peace proposal that includes a suspension of direct combat, security guarantees, and economic measures. He has also indicated readiness to submit a final plan for a referendum if difficult territorial decisions are required, noting that at least a 60-day ceasefire would be necessary to hold such a vote safely.

Russia continues to demand that Ukraine withdraw its forces from the eastern regions and abandon its efforts to join NATO, conditions that Kyiv has repeatedly rejected.

Ukraine has carried out a missile strike on a Russian oil refinery using British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles, according to the country’s armed forces. The attack targeted the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Russia’s southern Rostov region, where multiple explosions were reported. Ukraine’s General Staff said its air force units successfully hit the target with air-launched missiles.

The military described the Novoshakhtinsk refinery as a key energy facility supplying diesel and aviation fuel to Russian forces. Ukrainian authorities stated that the strike was part of an intensified campaign against energy and infrastructure sites inside Russia, in response to ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.

The report noted that Ukraine has previously used Storm Shadow missiles against targets within Russia, signaling a continued escalation in cross-border strikes amid the conflict.

Russia has asserted that its forces seized more than 5,100 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory in 2025, with President Vladimir Putin citing the capture of Siversk in Donetsk and Vovchansk in Kharkiv. He also claimed partial control of several other front-line towns. However, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) disputed these claims, saying satellite and open-source data show far smaller Russian advances. ISW estimated Russia controls less than 5,000 square kilometres and only 196 settlements, contradicting Moscow’s higher figures.

The claims came as the United States and Ukraine concluded three days of peace talks in Florida. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said cooperation with Washington was strong but confirmed that no agreement had been reached on territorial issues. Russia continues to demand full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson, and Crimea, while Ukraine refuses. The US has agreed to NATO-level security guarantees for Ukraine, and the European Union has pledged future membership and a €90 billion loan package.

The ongoing conflict also saw intensified drone and missile exchanges, with Ukraine striking Russian military and energy targets and Russia launching over a thousand drones at Ukraine during the same week.