LIVE: Day 299 of Russian aggression against Ukraine

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said protecting Ukraine's borders was a "constant priority" and his country was ready for all possible scenarios with Russia and its ally Belarus. Zelenskyy also said power has been restored to three million more Ukrainians after the latest Russian attacks on infrastructure, bringing the total to nine million after two days.

22:45 CET

According to the conclusions of the AFU and foreign intelligence services, Russia has already recruited and is training soldiers who could be involved in such attacks.

Podolyak noted that "future arms supplies from Western countries should correspond to the upcoming threats"
2/2

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

22:23 CET

In temporarily occupied #Kerch, the main Christmas tree of the city was decorated in the colors of the #Ukrainian flag.

The same colors are also used in the city's Christmas illumination.

🇺🇦 #Crimea just wants to go home and is waiting for its return. pic.twitter.com/RX78565Eaj

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

21:44 CET

On Sofia Square in Kyiv, Ukraine's main Christmas tree was lit - Kyiv City Administration pic.twitter.com/FQOYBgkXBx

— The New Voice of Ukraine (@NewVoiceUkraine) December 19, 2022

21:18 CET

In St. Petersburg, a 17-year-old schoolgirl was detained for the inscription "Killers, you are bombed it. Judas" at the installation "Petersburg-Mariupol".

The inscription appeared less than a week after its installation. After that, the panels were removed from it. pic.twitter.com/BjvP9dZS72

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

20:45 CET

Occupiers repeat Kherson scenario in Melitopolhttps://t.co/j29cSvH8x8

— Ukrainska Pravda in English (@pravda_eng) December 19, 2022

20:09 CET

Vladimir Putin delayed Russia's planned invasion of Ukraine on three occasions after consulting with Russian General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, ccording to Vadym Skibitsky, a deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

19:32 CET

Advisor to the Mayor of #Mariupol has published horrific footage from the ruined city. pic.twitter.com/RO3FoUifMD

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

19:14 CET

The military also hit a Russian ammunition depot, two control points, as well as two concentrations of Russian troops, the report reads.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

18:08 CET

“This is the first time that Canada is using its new authorities that allow the government to pursue the seizure of assets belonging to sanctioned persons,” the statement reads.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

17:50 CET

🇲🇩 The head of the Information and Security Service of Moldova believes that the risk of Russian invasion on the territory of Moldova remains and may be realized as early as 2023, but this will depend on the course of war in Ukraine

— Ukrainska Pravda in English (@pravda_eng) December 19, 2022

17:37 CET

CSTO member states announce military exercise on western bordershttps://t.co/WaBN86wPtr

— Ukrainska Pravda in English (@pravda_eng) December 19, 2022

17:23 CET

The UN Secretary General António Guterres said he sees no prospects for peace talks between #Kyiv and #Moscow in the near future. pic.twitter.com/g4FUaLxTuE

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

16:54 CET

Last night an #Iranian kamikaze drone destroyed the home of an elderly couple in the #Kyiv region. pic.twitter.com/p9RkXZHbkj

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

16:30 CET

This is what Zmiinyi Island looks like now.

Photo: "Donbass.Realii" pic.twitter.com/XUq8Mz9Bj6

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

16:15 CET

⚡️UK to provide Ukraine with $304 million in military aid.

The U.K. will deliver “hundreds of thousands of rounds of artillery ammunition” to Ukraine in 2023 under a new contract, and “will ensure a constant flow of critical artillery ammunition to Ukraine."

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

15:39 CET

⚡️Estonia’s President: Peace between Ukraine, Russia possible ‘only after aggression is defeated.'

Estonian President Alar Karis said there was no need to talk about peace or ceasefire in Ukraine before Russia is defeated, the media outlet ERR reported.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

15:31 CET

Zelenskyy said that #Russia received another 250 "Shahed" kamikaze drones from #Iran. pic.twitter.com/y3R3nHb0jz

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 19, 2022

14:33 CET

⚡️UK Defense Ministry: Wagner Group militants take major role in war of attrition around Bakhmut.

The Kremlin-controlled paramilitary organization is using poorly trained convicts in a Russian attempt to sack Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

14:23 CET

1/2 Today is Defence Attorney’s Day in ����.In 20+ years of legal practice,I’ve formulated a credo:the attorney’s mission is to protect rights&interests of ppl. My mission hasn't changed since I became DefMin.And today all Ukrainians stood up to protect the values ​​of civilisation

— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) December 19, 2022

14:09 CET

Russia is unable to launch large-scale assault on Ukraine - Defense Intelligence of Ukraine

Ukraine's Army destroyed most of the Russian combat-ready forces, which makes Russia's new offensive impossible in the near future.
��https://t.co/Rtk9uWJsJwhttps://t.co/RPG2lvDP8j pic.twitter.com/3sSTZg66AC

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 19, 2022

13:57 CET

Belarus is not for sale. Our independence is not for sale. The dictator Lukashenka can't make agreements on behalf of our people - he only represents himself. And he won't save his own skin - he will be held responsible for his crimes against Belarusians & Ukrainians. pic.twitter.com/Y3O8Zw2g5u

— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) December 19, 2022

13:33 CET

Ukraine's atomic agency said on Monday that a Russian "kamikaze" drone had flown over a part of the South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant just after midnight. "This is an absolutely unacceptable violation of nuclear and radiation safety," Energoatom said on the Telegram messaging app.

13:16 CET

Ukraine's air defense downs 18 out of 23 kamikaze drones attacking Kyiv, according to the update of Kyiv State Military Administration

Last night Russia launched a massive drone attack on the ����capital Kyiv targeting critical civilian infrastructure.
��https://t.co/fiTwENFbmd pic.twitter.com/RjHcYkeelT

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 19, 2022

12:46 CET

⚡️Ukrenergo: Ukraine’s energy system ‘in difficult situation’ due to Russian attacks.

Emergency power outages have been introduced in 10 Ukrainian oblasts and the city of Kyiv, the state grid operator Ukrenergo said.

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

12:17 CET

This night, Russia attacked #Ukraine again with Shakhed drones. #Ukrainian Air Defence shut down 30 out of 35.

As a result of this attack, critical infrastructure was damaged.#RussiaIsATerroistState #ArmUkraineNow #CloseUAskyNOW pic.twitter.com/7uSmhZ1TD4

— MFA of Ukraine ���� (@MFA_Ukraine) December 19, 2022

11:50 CET

After Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the militarisation of life and the isolation of academics resulted in the growth of the propagandistic role of education in Russia.

Part XI of the #RuZZiaUnmasked exposes the disintegration of freedom of education in Russia. pic.twitter.com/74yh2Cjnjt

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs ���� (@PolandMFA) December 19, 2022

11:33 CET

These photos published by Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy head of the President's Office, show the Kherson Oblast State Administration building, which was again attacked by Russian forces on Dec. 19. The building is located in the center of liberated Kherson city. pic.twitter.com/nO3N7c7ax3

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

11:14 CET

This morning, russian terrorists attacked Ukraine with 35 Iran-made Shahed-136/131 drones.
30 of them were shot down.
It was one of the most massive drone attacks on our country since the beginning of the war.@KpsZSU

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 19, 2022

10:43 CET

Russia's drone attack caused "fairly serious" damage in Kyiv region on Monday and three areas in the region have been left without power supply, Governor Oleksiy Kuleba said.

Russia unleashed 35 "kamikaze" drones on Ukraine in the early hours of Monday as many people slept, hitting critical infrastructure in and around Kyiv in Moscow's third air attack on the Ukrainian capital in six days.

10:20 CET

These are the indicative estimates of Russia’s combat losses as of Dec. 19, according to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/PYT0CKzH9E

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

09:54 CET

Today is St. Nicholas Day in Ukraine.

Dear Saint Nicholas!
This year I wanted to ask you to bring me a bicycle, but I’m not at home anymore, so you probably won’t find me.
That’s why I’m asking you to bring some superpowers for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. (cont'd⬇️) pic.twitter.com/M11mrRv3eG

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 19, 2022

09:32 CET

Polish support for Ukraine amounts to as much as PLN 40 billion (EUR 8.5 billion), PLN 15.9 billion (EUR 3.4 billion) of which has come from the state, according to the newspaper Rzeczpospolita.

09:12 CET

Russia's kamikaze drones damage critical civilian infrastructure in Kyiv - Mayor of Kyiv Klitchko

Iranian-made kamikaze drones of Russian forces hit Solomiyanskyy and Shevchenkivskyy neighborhoods in Ukraine's capital Kyiv last night. No casualties, according to Klitchko.

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 19, 2022

08:37 CET

⚡️Russia attacks Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with drones, heavy artillery.

Russia attacked the oblast with Iranian-made drones, heavy artillery, and Grad multiple rocket launchers on Dec. 19, damaging several homes and power lines, Governor Reznichenko said.

�� Reznichenko/ Telegram pic.twitter.com/L9QGU1eKjL

— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) December 19, 2022

08:27 CET

Since February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine, more than 8.5 million people have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border into Poland, the Border Guard (SG) tweeted on Monday morning.

08:02 CET

Unbreakable Bakhmut.

The city keeps holding off for months, despite incessant Russian assaults, air strikes and artillery shelling. The battle for Bakhmut is one of the most tragic and painful pages of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
��Chris McGrath pic.twitter.com/Pw0YHqIOfB

— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) December 19, 2022

07:22 CET

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin flies to Belarus on Monday amid fear in Kyiv that he intends to pressure the former Soviet ally to join a new ground offensive against Ukraine and reopen a new front.

Putin, whose invading troops have been buffeted and forced into retreats in Ukraine's north, northeast and south, is taking a more public role in the war and visited his operation's HQ to sound out military commanders on Friday about their next steps.