Russian forces attempted to use a gas pipeline as a covert route for an assault in Ukraine's Kupiansk sector, but the operation was detected and thwarted by Ukrainian troops, resulting in at least 40 Russian soldiers killed and no strategic gains. Despite setbacks, Russian infiltration efforts continue, with Ukraine maintaining control of the area.
Russia's economy is expected to stagnate in 2026 due to ongoing war expenses, falling oil revenues, and Western sanctions, leading to slower growth around 1%, higher taxes, and sustained military spending despite economic pressures.
As 2025 concludes, Washington Post photographers reflect on their coverage of key stories like the Ukraine war and immigration raids across the US, capturing defining moments of the year.
The article reports a surge in teenage crimes in Russia, linked to the country's ongoing war in Ukraine and the Kremlin's glorification of military service, with critics warning that Putin's policies of pardoning criminals and promoting militarization are fueling violence and moral decline among youth.
The Ukrainian Security Service revealed that the destruction of a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk was facilitated by the elimination of a Russian Il-38N anti-submarine aircraft, which posed a threat to Ukraine's naval operations. The aircraft was targeted at Yeysk airbase, enabling Ukraine's naval drone to successfully attack the submarine undetected, highlighting vulnerabilities in Russian military infrastructure.
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces reportedly conducted a successful drone attack on a Russian FSB Coast Guard patrol vessel of the Project 22460 class in the Black Sea, with limited details released about the incident.
Three years after Russian occupation, Kherson remains under threat with ongoing shelling and drone attacks, yet residents demonstrate resilience through underground activities and protective measures, highlighting their hope and determination to survive amidst ongoing conflict.
A Western trainer states that the concept of the 'golden hour' for medical treatment is already unrealistic in Ukraine due to ongoing conflict conditions, with Ukrainian soldiers likely to find the idea laughable, highlighting the brutal realities of war where timely evacuation and care are severely compromised.
Ukraine confirmed a long-range drone strike on the Saransk Mechanical Plant in Mordovia, Russia, damaging a key military manufacturing facility over 700 km inside Russia, with no reported civilian casualties.
Ukrainian forces disabled and flooded a Russian-used underground pipeline near Kupiansk, disrupting Russian supply routes and forcing them to switch to more vulnerable river crossings, with ongoing efforts to monitor and counteract any attempts to repair it.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns that Russia's recent three offensives have failed, and Russia is planning two more large-scale campaigns, emphasizing the need for international support to help Ukraine withstand these threats.
Artyom Vovchenko, a Russian who fled military conscription and opposition to the Ukraine war, was deported from the U.S. to Russia via Cairo, highlighting concerns over the treatment of antiwar Russians amid U.S. immigration policies under President Trump.
Russia maintains maximalist demands in Ukraine conflict, aiming to leverage a planned summit with Trump in Alaska to secure territorial and political concessions, while Ukraine and its allies insist on sovereignty and territorial integrity, making a peaceful resolution uncertain.
Ukraine has dismissed Oleksandr Lutsenko, the commander overseeing operations in the eastern Donetsk region, as Russian forces advance towards a key logistics hub. Brigadier General Oleksandr Tarnavskyi will replace him. The Ukrainian military faces significant challenges, including being outnumbered and a manpower shortage, as Russian troops push towards Pokrovsk and other strategic locations. Ukraine's largest steelmaker, Metinvest, has suspended operations at a critical coal mine due to the proximity of Russian forces. The US has suggested lowering the military recruitment age to address manpower issues, but President Zelenskyy has resisted this advice.
Ukraine has launched British-made Storm Shadow missiles at Russian military targets for the first time, following its recent use of US Atacms missiles. This move comes amid ongoing discussions among Western allies about supporting Ukraine with long-range weapons, as Kyiv faces challenges in holding territory. The deployment of these missiles, alongside other arms, is seen as critical but not a standalone game-changer. The situation has raised concerns about potential escalation, with Russia adjusting its military doctrine and the US providing additional military support to Ukraine.