Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted at progress on a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, following a “really good conversation” with President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, on Christmas Day.
“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelensky said on Telegram on Thursday. “There are some new ideas on how to bring the real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”
The talks come a day after Mr Zelensky unveiled an updated 20-point peace plan. He said it offered the potential withdrawal of Ukraine troops from the east, with the creation of a demilitarised zone in the Donbas region.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the proposal had been brought to Moscow, and was now being analysed.
The peace discussions come as two people were killed after Russia launched more than 130 drones on Ukraine on Christmas night, Kyiv officials said.
Moscow’s latest aerial assault killed one man in Kharvkiv and another in Odesa, with around 35 others injured, Ukraine’s Air Force reported. Further attacks were launched overnight on Zaporizhzhia and Sumy.
Key Points
- Russia launches over 130 drones in overnight Christmas attacks killing two
- Zelensky hails 'constructive' peace talks with US envoy Witkoff and Kushner
- Fighting continues for Pokrovsk in major battle in Ukraine's east
- Ukraine's revised 20-point peace plan in full as proposal arrives in Moscow
- Russia says 'slow but steady' progress made in negotiations
- Polish jets intercept Russian plane over Baltic
Polish jets intercept Russian plane over the Baltic
02:00 , Maira ButtPolish jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea, which was flying close to its airspace, the NATO country's army said.
Countries on NATO's eastern flank have been on high alert for potential airspace incursions since September when three Russian military jets violated Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes just days after more than 20 Russian drones had entered Polish airspace.
“This morning, over the international waters of the Baltic Sea, Polish fighter jets intercepted, visually identified, and escorted from their area of responsibility a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near the borders of Polish airspace,” the army said.
It also said that at night, objects were observed entering Polish airspace from the direction of Belarus.
“After detailed analysis, it was determined that these were most likely smuggling balloons, moving in accordance with the wind direction and speed,” the army said.
It added that part of the airspace over northeast Poland's Podlaskie region, which borders Belarus, was temporarily closed to civilian traffic to ensure security.
ICYMI: Moscow wades into US-Venezuela crisis
01:00 , Maira ButtRussia's foreign ministry accused the United States of reviving piracy and banditry in the Caribbean Sea by blockading Venezuela.
“Today we are witnessing complete lawlessness in the Caribbean Sea, where long-forgotten theft of other people's property, namely piracy, and banditry, are being revived,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said of the situation.
“We consistently advocate for a de-escalation,” Zakharova said. “We hope that the pragmatism and rationality of US President Trump will allow solutions to be found that are mutually acceptable to the parties within the framework of international legal norms.”
“We confirm our support for the efforts of the government of Nicolas Maduro aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests, and maintaining the stable and secure development of his country,” she said.
Russian forces will 'struggle to maintain' multi-pronged offensives, says Institute for the Study of War
00:02 , Maira ButtRussia is unable to maintain its intensity of fighting due to demands on manpower and resources, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
“ISW recently assessed that Russian forces will likely continue to struggle to maintain the Kremlin’s desired multi-pronged offensives in different directions due to the long-term materiel and manpower costs of these simultaneous operations,” the ISW said in a statement on Thursday.
“Russian efforts to start the battle for the Fortress Belt will likely further stretch Russian resources, and Russia will likely need to deprioritise other frontline sectors in order to concentrate even more forces to the Fortress Belt area.
“The Kremlin is therefore making demands in negotiations that Ukraine cede the unoccupied parts of Donetsk Oblast, likely in order to save Russia the personnel and materiel resources and possibly to put Russia in a more advantageous position to re-invade in the future to pursue Putin’s longer-term strategic goal of controlling all of Ukraine.”
MORE: Kremlin-affiliated milbloggers are acknowledging significant Ukrainian successes in the Kupyansk direction and criticizing the Kremlin and the Russian military command for providing false battlefield reports. ⬇️
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) December 25, 2025
The widespread milblogger criticism of the Kremlin’s and the… https://t.co/aOCmwVymCj pic.twitter.com/0UQ1dSHeUW
Ukraine strikes Russia's Krasnodar Krai port, says Ukrainian military
23:00 , Maira ButtThe Ukrainian military attacked multiple Russian facilities overnight, hitting several strategic targets, military officials told the Kyiv Independent.
An oil refining facility, port and military airfield were struck according to the Ukrainian General Staff and a source from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), according to the publication.
The hit was orchestrated using drones of the Alpha Special Operations Centre of the SBU with the Temryuk Seaport in Krasnodar Krai and a gas processing plant in Orenburg Oblast targeted.
It is reported to have sparked fires in two oil storage tanks overnight.
Zelensky open to withdrawing troops for demilitarised zone in Ukraine in new peace plan
22:00 , Maira ButtUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he would be willing to withdraw troops from the country’s eastern industrial heartland in an updated plan to end the war with Russia – if Moscow also pulled back from the area, creating a demilitarised zone.
Unveiling the latest 20-point plan thrashed out but not yet fully agreed with the US, Mr Zelensky said the Donbas region could become a “free economic zone”, but it was unclear how the fought-over area would be governed or developed.
The peace plan, which Mr Zelensky said would need to be put before a referendum, could also involve a similar arrangement around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian control.
The plan, presented to reporters on Christmas Eve by the Ukrainian leader, marked the latest counter-proposal to an original 28-point document that was agreed by US envoy Steve Witkoff and the Russians.
Moscow has so far given no indication it will agree to withdrawal from land it has seized.
Ukraine's revised 20 point peace plan
21:00 , Maira ButtUkraine has unveiled the latest 20-point peace proposal brokered by the US to bring an end to the war with Russia.
Ukrainian and US delegations reached a consensus on several critical issues in the latest round of talks in Miami.
However, Volodymyr Zelensky said sensitive issues around territorial control in the country’s eastern industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), remain unresolved.
Click here to see the full 20 point proposal.
Ukraine unveils 20-point peace proposal under discussion with US
Watch: 'May he perish' says Zelensky in Christmas address
20:00 , Maira ButtAppearing to refer to Russian president Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said: “Today, we all share one dream.
“And we make one wish - for all of us. ‘May he perish’, each of us may think to ourselves. But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater, we ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it, we pray for it, we deserve it.”
In pictures: The aftermath of a Russian attack in Chernihiv
19:30 , Maira Butt
Chinese satellites aiding Russian attacks, says Zelensky
19:00 , Maira ButtUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has alleged that Chinese satellites could be supporting Russia in its attacks on Ukraine.
“There have been correlations between Chinese satellite imaging of Ukrainian territory and Russian strikes on the corresponding energy infrastructure facilities,” Zelensky said in a social media post on Wednesday following a meeting with Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service.
“We are recording increased ties between Russia and entities in China that may be providing space-based intelligence data.”
Ukraine and US discuss how to bring 'real peace closer', says Zelensky
18:30 , Maira ButtUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukrainian representatives and US negotiators have discussed ways to bring “real peace closer” during a conversation on Christmas Day.
“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelensky said on Telegram. “There are some new ideas on how to bring the real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”
Earlier, we reported that the Ukrainian leader had taken part in a conversation with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and businessman Jared Kushner.
Ukraine’s president Zelensky appears to wish death to Putin in Christmas message
18:00 , Maira ButtUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared to wish for the death of Vladimir Putin in a Christmas message after Russia continued to bombard the country with missiles and drones.
In a video posted to X on Christmas Eve, Zelensky said that “despite all the suffering that Russia has brought, it is not capable of occupying or bombing what matters most. That is our Ukrainian heart, our faith in one another, and our unity”.
Appearing to refer to Russian president Vladimir Putin, Zelensky added: “Today, we all share one dream.
“And we make one wish - for all of us. ‘May he perish’, each of us may think to ourselves. But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater. we ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it, we pray for it, we deserve it.”
Ukraine’s president Zelensky appears to wish death to Putin in Christmas message
In pictures: Ukrainians celebrate Christmas amid conflict with Russia
17:30 , Maira Butt
King Charles shows support for Kyiv with Ukrainian choir as he urges Brits to embrace values of World War 2 generation
17:01 , Maira ButtKing Charles urged Brits to embrace the values of their Second World War generation as he delivered his annual Christmas address on Thursday.
“The end of the second world war is now remembered by fewer and fewer of us, as the years pass,” he said.
“But the courage and sacrifice of our servicemen and women, and the way communities came together in the face of such great challenge, carry a timeless message for us all.”
While required to remain apolitical, the monarch showed clear support for Ukraine with the choice to include a performance by a Ukrainian choir, wearing traditional Ukrainian "vyshyvanka" embroidered shirts, and the London-based Royal Opera Chorus.
Zelensky hails 'constructive' talks with US envoy Witkoff
16:15 , Maira ButtUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner for a “constructive” conversation on a peace deal.
“Today we had a very good conversation with President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner,” he wrote in a post on X/Twitter on Thursday.
“I thank them for the constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words and Christmas greetings to the Ukrainian people. We are truly working 24/7 to bring closer the end of this brutal Russian war against Ukraine and to ensure that all documents and steps are realistic, effective, and reliable.”
He added that the group had discussed “certain substantive details of the ongoing work”. Zelensky said he was joined by Ukraine’s representative Rustem Umerov, Andrii Hnatov, Andrii Sybiha, Sergiy Kyslytsya, Ihor Brusylo, and Oleksandr Bevz.
“Our entire diplomatic team is doing their utmost. We agreed that Rustem will speak again today with Steve and Jared,” he continued.
“We believe this is the right approach – not to lose a single day or a single opportunity that can bring the result closer. May today’s conversation become another step toward peace.”
Today we had a very good conversation with President Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff @SEPeaceMissions and @jaredkushner. I thank them for the constructive approach, the intensive work, and the kind words and Christmas greetings to the Ukrainian people. We are truly working… pic.twitter.com/gsgIn4AHW5
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 25, 2025
Russia seeing 'slow but steady' progress in peace talks
16:00 , Maira ButtRussia’s foreign ministry has provided an indication that lengthy peace talks are headed in the right direction in an update on Thursday.
“In the negotiation process on a settlement of the Ukraine conflict, I mean in the negotiation process with the United States, there is slow but steady progress,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
But, she hit out at Western European powers for attempts to torpedo progress, praising the US for countering the moves.
Pope Leo XIV calls for 'respectful' dialogue between Russia and Ukraine in first Christmas sermon
15:30 , Maira ButtPope Leo XIV dedicated a portion of his Christmas sermon to calls for peace between warring nations across the world, including Russia and Ukraine.
The head of the Catholic Church said that the people of Ukraine were being “tormented” by violence.
“May the clamour of weapons cease, and may the parties involved, with the support and commitment of the international community, find the courage to engage in sincere, direct and respectful dialogue,” he said on Christmas Day.
Elsewhere, the pope expressed concern for Palestinians in Gaza, drawing parallels to Jesus pitching a “fragile tent”.
“How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?” he asked.
Ukraine's revised 20 point peace plan
14:00 , Sam RkainaUkraine has unveiled the latest 20-point peace proposal brokered by the US to bring an end to the war with Russia.
Ukrainian and US delegations reached a consensus on several critical issues in the latest round of talks in Miami.
However, Volodymyr Zelensky said sensitive issues around territorial control in the country’s eastern industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), remain unresolved.
Click here to see the full 20 point proposal.
Ukraine hits Russian refinery with Storm Shadows
13:30 , Sam RkainaThe Ukrainian military hit Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia's Rostov region with Storm Shadow missiles, causing multiple explosions, the General Staff said.
The General Staff said in a statement on the Telegram app that the Novoshakhtinsk refinery was one of the largest oil products suppliers in southern Russia and is involved in supplying Russian troops.
Moscow wades into US-Venezuela crisis
13:00 , Sam RkainaRussia's foreign ministry accused the United States of reviving piracy and banditry in the Caribbean Sea by blockading Venezuela.
“Today we are witnessing complete lawlessness in the Caribbean Sea, where long-forgotten theft of other people's property, namely piracy, and banditry, are being revived,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said of the situation.
“We consistently advocate for a de-escalation,” Zakharova said. “We hope that the pragmatism and rationality of US President Trump will allow solutions to be found that are mutually acceptable to the parties within the framework of international legal norms.”
“We confirm our support for the efforts of the government of Nicolas Maduro aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests, and maintaining the stable and secure development of his country,” she said.
Russia says it reached out to France over jailed 'foreign agent'
12:31 , Sam RkainaRussia had made a proposal to France regarding Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher jailed for violating Russia's foreign agent laws, and the ball is now in Paris's court, the Kremlin has said.
Vinatier was sentenced in 2024 to three years in jail for failing to comply with laws requiring individuals deemed ‘foreign agents’ to register and meet a number of stipulations.
He is now facing additional espionage charges.
France has said Vinatier was arbitrarily detained and has called for his release.
President Emmanuel Macron has denied that Vinatier worked for the French state and has described his arrest as part of a misinformation campaign by Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there had been contacts with France on the issue.
Kremlin looking at latest peace plans
11:59 , Sam RkainaThe Kremlin has said it is analysing the latest US proposals on ending the war in Ukraine.
The documents were brought to Moscow by special envoy Kirill Dmitriev from the United States, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Zelensky unveiled a revised 20 point peace plan aimed at ending the war following talks with European allies and the Americans.
Polish jets intercept Russian plane over the Baltic
11:30 , Sam RkainaPolish jets intercepted a Russian reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea, which was flying close to its airspace, the NATO country's army said.
Countries on NATO's eastern flank have been on high alert for potential airspace incursions since September when three Russian military jets violated Estonia's airspace for 12 minutes just days after more than 20 Russian drones had entered Polish airspace.
“This morning, over the international waters of the Baltic Sea, Polish fighter jets intercepted, visually identified, and escorted from their area of responsibility a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near the borders of Polish airspace,” the army said.
It also said that at night, objects were observed entering Polish airspace from the direction of Belarus.
“After detailed analysis, it was determined that these were most likely smuggling balloons, moving in accordance with the wind direction and speed,” the army said.
It added that part of the airspace over northeast Poland's Podlaskie region, which borders Belarus, was temporarily closed to civilian traffic to ensure security.
Putin wishes Trump a merry Christmas
11:03 , Sam RkainaVladimir Putin has wished Donald Trump a merry Christmas and sent him a congratulatory message, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.
Putin is not expected to speak with Trump on Thursday, no such call is scheduled, he added.
Ukraine’s president Zelensky appears to wish death to Putin in Christmas message
10:35 , Sam RkainaUkraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has appeared to wish for the death of Vladimir Putin in a Christmas message after Russia continued to bombard the country with missiles and drones.
In a video posted to X on Christmas Eve, Zelensky said that “despite all the suffering that Russia has brought, it is not capable of occupying or bombing what matters most. That is our Ukrainian heart, our faith in one another, and our unity”.
Appearing to refer to Russian president Vladimir Putin, Zelensky added: “Today, we all share one dream.
“And we make one wish - for all of us. ‘May he perish’, each of us may think to ourselves. But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater. we ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it, we pray for it, we deserve it.”
Russia drone strikes on Christmas night kill two
10:04 , Sam RkainaTwo people have been killed and around 35 more injured in overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine.
More than 130 drones were launched in the latest salvo, Ukraine officials said.
One man was killed in Odesa and another in Kharkiv in the Christmas night assault.
Ukraine’s military said it managed to shoot down 106 of the drones but 22 made it through, hitting 15 locations.
Ukraine unveils 20-point peace proposal under discussion with US
09:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkraine has unveiled the latest 20-point peace proposal brokered by the US to bring an end to the war with Russia.
Ukrainian and US delegations reached a consensus on several critical issues in the latest round of talks in Miami.
However, Volodymyr Zelensky said sensitive issues around territorial control in the country’s eastern industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), remain unresolved.
Read more here:
Ukraine unveils 20-point peace proposal under discussion with US
Russian bombers conduct flight over Barents and Norwegian seas, defence ministry says
08:36 , Maroosha MuzaffarRussia said its nuclear-capable Tu-95 bombers carried out a routine flight over the Norwegian and Barents Seas, during which they were monitored by foreign fighter jets.
Moscow stressed the mission was planned and in line with international law, without specifying the date or the countries involved.
The statement comes amid wider regional tensions, following recent criticism from Japan and South Korea over Russian and Chinese military flights near their airspace.
“Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and missile carriers carried out a scheduled flight over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian Seas, Russia’s defence ministry said.
“At certain stages of the route, long-range bombers were escorted by fighter jets of foreign countries.”
Zelensky calls for peace for Ukraine in Christmas Eve address
08:15 , Maroosha MuzaffarVolodymyr Zelensky used a Christmas Eve address to call for peace in Ukraine, invoking a tradition of making a single wish on the night “the heavens open”.
He urged Ukrainians to seek something greater than revenge.
He said: “‘May he perish,’ each of us may think to ourselves,” referring to Russian president Vladimir Putin, “But when we turn to God, of course, we ask for something greater.”
“We ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it. And we pray for it. And we deserve it,” Zelensky said.
“That every Ukrainian family may live in harmony. That every Ukrainian child may rejoice in a gift, smile and preserve that so very important childlike faith in goodness and in miracles.”
Zelensky said: “That there may be a victory of peace. That there may be us. And that there may be Ukraine.”
Russia launches hundreds of drones in major attack on Ukraine as hopes for Christmas ceasefire deal fade
07:30 , Maroosha MuzaffarThree people were killed including a four-year-old child, Ukraine officials said, in a large-scale Russian drone attack on the country just two days before Christmas.
The latest barrage, involving more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles, comes as hopes of securing a US-brokered ceasefire before 25 December fade.
The Russian assault struck homes and the power grid in 13 regions of Ukraine, causing widespread outages in bitterly cold sub-zero temperatures.
Read more:
Russia launches 650 drones in major Ukraine attack as hopes for Christmas deal fade
Odesa father who lost family in drone strike survives second Russian attack
06:45 , Maroosha MuzaffarAn Odesa father who lost his wife and infant son in a Russian drone strike in March last year has survived a second attack on his home, Kyiv Independent reported.
While his house can be rebuilt, Serhii Haidarzhy said the true loss is irreversible: “But life — you can never bring it back. Never. So the difference between then and now is enormous,” he said.
His young daughter, having endured two strikes, now understands the war, he says.
Haidarzhy says he draws strength from faith rather than vengeance: “I don’t have a burning desire for revenge. God will avenge us. And you know, God’s justice is not like human justice. It is much harsher.”
Ukraine unveils 20-point peace proposal under discussion with US
06:00 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkraine has unveiled the latest 20-point peace proposal brokered by the US to bring an end to the war with Russia.
Ukrainian and US delegations reached a consensus on several critical issues in the latest round of talks in Miami.
However, Volodymyr Zelensky said sensitive issues around territorial control in the country’s eastern industrial heartland, along with the management of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), remain unresolved.
“This is a document referred to as a framework, a foundational document on ending the war, a political document between us, America, Europe, and the Russians,” Mr Zelensky said.
“We are ready for a meeting with the United States at the leaders’ level to address sensitive issues. Matters such as territorial questions must be discussed at the leaders’ level.”
The recent proposal comes after weeks of modifying an earlier 28-point plan, which was heavily criticised by Ukraine and Nato leaders.
Zelensky open to withdrawing troops for demilitarised zone in Ukraine in new peace plan
05:15 , Maroosha MuzaffarUkrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky says he would be willing to withdraw troops from the country’s eastern industrial heartland in an updated plan to end the war with Russia – if Moscow also pulled back from the area, creating a demilitarised zone.
Unveiling the latest 20-point plan thrashed out but not yet fully agreed with the US, Mr Zelensky said the Donbas region could become a “free economic zone”, but it was unclear how the fought-over area would be governed or developed.
The peace plan, which Mr Zelensky said would need to be put before a referendum, could also involve a similar arrangement around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian control.
The plan, presented to reporters on Christmas Eve by the Ukrainian leader, marked the latest counter-proposal to an original 28-point document that was agreed by US envoy Steve Witkoff and the Russians.
Moscow has so far given no indication it will agree to withdrawal from land it has seized.
Read more here:
Zelensky open to withdrawing troops for demilitarised zone in new peace plan
Moscow claims dozens of Ukrainian drones downed as Kyiv hits Russian military supply plant
04:32 , Maroosha MuzaffarMoscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 16 drones flying towards the Russian capital were shot down on Wednesday, with emergency services responding where debris fell, though the claims could not be independently verified, Kyiv Independent reported.
Russia’s defence ministry separately said air defences intercepted 132 Ukrainian drones across several regions the same day.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported striking a synthetic rubber factory in Tula Oblast overnight, calling it a strategically important facility that supplies materials used in military vehicles and weapons systems.
Zelensky floats updated peace plan proposing demilitarised zones
03:39 , Maroosha MuzaffarVolodymyr Zelensky has outlined an updated peace plan that could see Ukrainian troops withdraw from eastern areas, which would then be declared demilitarised zones. Russia is expected to respond after talks with the US.
Zelensky described the 20-point proposal agreed with US envoys as “the main framework for ending the war”.
It also includes security guarantees from the US, Nato and Europe to deter any future Russian invasion.
On eastern Donbas, Zelensky said creating a “free economic zone” was among the options under discussion.
War heroes star in Ukraine's own 'Dancing with the Stars'
02:00 , Jane Dalton
Ukraine's own 'Dancing with the Stars' is back on for a special episode with wartime heroes
Fighting continues for Pokrovsk in major battle in Ukraine's east
01:00 , Jane DaltonUkraine's military said its forces were keeping up pressure on Pokrovsk and would continue trying to sever logistics for Russian troops inside.
Fighting is still raging around the former eastern logistics hub, where Ukrainian forces said this month they had fended off an unusually large Russian mechanised attack.
The Ukrainian military's Operation Task Force East unit, which reports regularly on its defence of Pokrovsk, said Ukrainian forces remained in control of the northern part of the largely destroyed city.
Russian strikes blamed for oil disaster for birds
Wednesday 24 December 2025 23:50 , Jane DaltonDozens of birds in Odesa, on the Ukraine coast, fell victim to an oil spill which the regional governor Oleh Kiper said was caused by Russian strikes last week that damaged sunflower oil storage tanks in Pivdennyi port.
The birds squawk indignantly as volunteers scrub them clean of oil from bill to toe.
Experts say the worst affected are two elegant species - the great crested grebe and the horned grebe.
"The great crested grebe are waterfowl that are especially vulnerable to this kind of contamination, such as oil," said zoo director Ihor Biliakov said outside a rescue point.
Emergency crews installed floating barriers and deployed specialised vessels to contain the spill, while the port’s channel was temporarily closed, its administration said.
Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on French postal service
Wednesday 24 December 2025 22:35 , Jane Dalton
Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on French postal service
Russia claims to down 16 Ukrainian drones
Wednesday 24 December 2025 21:30 , Jane DaltonRussian air defence units downed 16 Moscow-bound Ukrainian drones throughout the day on Wednesday, Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin says.
Sobyanin, in a series of posts on Telegram, said the drones were repelled over about 17 hours.
Emergency crews were “examining fragments where they hit the ground” but no damage was reported.
Two of the four major airports servicing the capital limited flights for a time, Russia's civil aviation authority said.
Zelensky open to withdrawing troops for demilitarised zone – full report
Wednesday 24 December 2025 20:31 , Jane DaltonZelensky open to withdrawing troops for a demilitarised zone in new peace plan
Zelensky makes counter-proposal on nuclear plant
Wednesday 24 December 2025 19:30 , Jane DaltonUkraine’s President Zelensky has put counter-proposals on the future of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant to American officials after negotiators from Ukraine and the US hammered out a 20-point plan in Florida to try to end the war.
The US has proposed creating a consortium with Ukraine and Russia on the plant in which each party would have an equal stake.
Mr Zelensky countered with a proposal for a joint venture between the US and Ukraine, in which the Americans would be able to decide how to distribute their share, including giving some of it to Russia.
He acknowledged that the US had not yet accepted Ukraine's counter-proposals.
"But we have significantly brought most of the positions closer together," Mr Zelensky said. "In principle, all other consensus in this agreement has been found between us and them."
Recap: Zelensky prepared to withdraw Donbas troops under 20-point plan
Wednesday 24 December 2025 18:30 , Jane DaltonUkraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says he would be willing to withdraw troops from the country's eastern industrial heartland if Russia also pulled back and the area became a demilitarised, free economic zone monitored by international forces.
The proposal, which would address one of the major obstacles to ending Russia's war, must also be put a referendum.
A similar arrangement could be possible for the area around the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control, President Zelensky said.
He described a 20-point overarching plan that negotiators from Ukraine and the US hammered out in Florida in recent days, although he said that many details were still being worked out.
Ukraine official claims military agency behind Moscow explosion
Wednesday 24 December 2025 17:40 , Jane DaltonAn official from Ukraine's military intelligence, known as GUR, has told the Associated Press that the attack in which two Moscow police officers were killed had been carried out as part of an agency operation.
Another agency official said the officers had taken part in Russia's war in Ukraine, without providing details.
