Presidential Office greeted Ukrainians with Christmas and Ukrainian air defense shot down another Su-34: Weekend brief

Russia's war against Ukraine

News for December 23:

• National Guardsmen destroyed occupiers' checkpoints in Kherson region: Video;
• Spokesperson for Ukrainian Air Force revealed details of the downing 3 Russian Su-34;
• Evening Shahed attack: Air Force reports shooting down all Russian drones.

News for December 24:

• Ukrainian partisans infiltrate military commissariat in Russia;

• Russians' drone attack at night: How many Shaheds downed;
• Anti-aircraft gunners down rare enemy drone SuperCam: Video;

Ukrainian air defense shot down Russian Su-34s fighter-bomber

Ukrainian air defense forces have shot down another Russian Su-34 bomber. This was announced by the commander of the Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk.

"Confirmation of a hit by our anti-aircraft missile system on a Su-34 fighter bomber in the Mariupol direction," he announced. He noted that the aircraft did not return to the airfield.

Oleshchuk added that there was combat work on the Russian Su-30 in the Black Sea in the Odesa direction.

Japan approved record defense budget for the year 2024

Japan has significantly increased its military budget for the year 2024 in response to a growing threat from China and Russia, according to Kyodo News.

In 2024, Japan will allocate a record-breaking $56 billion for defense, marking a 16.5% increase compared to 2023. The decision was made as part of a five-year plan to modernize the country's defense posture. Japan expresses concerns that China and Russia are enhancing their military capabilities, posing a threat to its security.

The budget for 2024 includes funds for the development of new capabilities to strike targets within enemy territory. This reflects Japan's commitment to improving its military capabilities and defense technology.

EU Council extendes regulations for emergency situations in energy

The Council of the European Union has approved the extension of the application period for three special regulations designed for emergencies in the energy sector. These measures were adopted last year following the start of Russia's large-scale military aggression against Ukraine, according to the press service of the EU Council.

The measures aim to enhance solidarity among EU member states, expedite the deployment of renewable energy sources, and protect citizens of the bloc from excessively high energy prices.

'Evil will lose': Zelenskyy, Zaluzhnyi, and Shmyhal greet Ukrainians with Christmas

Today, on December 24, Ukraine celebrates Christmas Eve on the eve of Christmas. This is the second Christmas that Ukrainians will celebrate in the conditions of a full-scale war with Russia.

RBC-Ukraine tells how Ukrainians were greeted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

In his video greeting, Zelenskyy called for prayers for the end of the war and victory. He also reminded how Ukrainians' gifts, values, and traditions have changed.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine congratulated Ukrainian servicemen defending Ukraine on Christmas and called on Ukrainians to honor their heroism.

In his address, Prime Minister Shmyhal reminded that it is thanks to the soldiers that Ukrainians celebrate Christmas in a free, independent, and unbroken Ukraine.

Christmas in Ukraine began to be celebrated on December 25 only in 2023. This change occurred due to the transition to the New Julian calendar. Most countries around the world also celebrate Christmas on this date.

Estonia not to compel Ukrainians to return to their homeland for mobilization

Estonia has no grounds to compel Ukrainian refugees to leave the country and return to their homeland to join the Armed Forces. To date, Kyiv has not made such a request to Tallinn, states Jannek Mägi, the head of the Department of Border and Migration Policy at the Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The Estonian Ministry of Internal Affairs representative emphasized that the issue had been discussed with the Ukrainian ambassador.

"Ukraine has not asked us about this. There are no legal grounds in Ukraine to request the extradition of these individuals, just as we have no grounds to extradite them," he explained.

Night shelling in Kherson: Increasing number of casualties and deaths, investigation launched

On the night of December 24, Russian terrorists heavily shelled Kherson. Nine people were injured as a result of the strikes, and there are also casualties, reports the press service of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office.

As a result of a projectile hitting a residential building, an elderly couple lost their lives. Additionally, firefighters rescued the body of another man from a different structure.

The body of another victim was extricated after an enemy projectile hit a multi-story building.

"At present, it is known that nine residents were injured, including a 15-year-old child," the prosecutor's office writes.

During the shelling, the following were damaged:

• Private and multi-apartment houses;
• Educational and medical institutions;
• Critical infrastructure objects;
• Motor vehicles.