Ukrainian forces liberate five villages in Dnipropetrovsk region, Zelenskyy meets US representative Witkoff - Thursday brief

Ukraine liberates five villages in Dnipropetrovsk region from Russian forces

Ukrainian defenders have recaptured five villages in the Dnipropetrovsk region over more than 100 days. The main part of the operation took place in the fall, according to the 225th Separate Assault Regiment.

"Five villages liberated in Dnipropetrovsk region. The operation to free these settlements lasted over 100 days in fall 2025, with the support of fighters from the 20th Army Corps," the regiment said.

Zelenskyy holds phone call with US special envoy Witkoff and Kushner

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with US special envoy Steve Witkoff and the US leader’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.

According to Zelenskyy, the call was very positive. The President thanked the US officials for their constructive approach, intensive work, kind words, and Christmas greetings to Ukrainians.

Ukrainian security service drones halt operations at major Russian gas plant, sources say

Long-range drones of the Alpha Special Operations Center of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) successfully struck two key oil and gas sector facilities in Russia at Temryuk port and in Orenburg, SBU sources said.

As a result of drone strikes, a gas fire also broke out at the Orenburg gas processing plant. This is the world's largest gas chemical complex, processing 37.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Ukraine strikes Russia's Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery with Storm Shadow missiles

On December 25, Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully struck the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in the Rostov region of Russia with Storm Shadow cruise missiles.

Numerous explosions were recorded in the area of the refinery, and the target was successfully hit. The extent of the damage to the Russians is being clarified.