Author’s articles
In Georgia, on the border with Azerbaijan, customs officers found 157 kg of heroin in marble slabs. The estimated value of the consignment is GEL 50 million, or about USD 18.5 million.
On 1 January 2026, Bulgaria officially switched to the euro and abandoned the lev. The country became the 21st member of the Eurozone after almost 19 years of preparation.
On New Year's Eve, Russia launched a massive attack with more than 200 drones in Ukraine. According to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 24 drones were hit at 15 locations. More than 100,000 subscribers in Volyn lost power, and fires and damage to homes occurred in Odesa.
Romania and Croatia have joined the PURL mechanism to purchase US weapons for Ukraine through NATO. Bucharest is allocating €50 million and Zagreb €15 million. The total amount of PURL contributions has already reached $4.3 billion.
In his New Year's address, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Russia's war against Ukraine is part of a broader plan against Europe and directly threatens Germany's freedom and security.
Lithuania is strengthening the defence of its eastern border. The authorities are preparing engineering solutions for blowing up bridges, creating anti-tank lines and accumulating barriers amid the threat from Russia and Belarus.
The NABU and the SAPO served suspicion notices to five MPs in the case of an organised group that systematically received bribes for the required votes in the Verkhovna Rada. The amount of the bribe was up to USD 20,000
Volodymyr Zelenskyy summed up the talks with Donald Trump and his partners. They talked about security guarantees for 30-50 years, a 20-point peace plan, the role of the United States and Europe, possible meetings with Russia, and the issue of reparations.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki said that more than 90% of aid to Ukraine passes through the country, so Warsaw's role in the peace deal will be key.
Zelenskyy and Trump will hold talks in Palm Beach on 28 December to agree on an American peace plan. The most difficult issue is the territory of Donbas and possible conditions for a ceasefire.
Kyiv police exposed a 31-year-old Kyiv resident who set up a laboratory in his apartment to grow psilocybin mushrooms and sell them under the guise of chocolate bars. The value of the seized goods exceeds UAH 1 million
Since March 2025, Ukrainians have generated more than 550,000 permits for registered weapons through Diia. Digital services of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are showing rapid growth in demand and efficiency.
