Between the lines: What did the leaders keep silent about?
New Year’s addresses this year became the subject of heated debate. The President thanked everyone who carries the country on their shoulders, but analysts noted that in the 20-minute speech the word "victory" was not spoken even once. Sharp questions about mobilization, corruption and the institutional crisis were also left unaddressed.
By contrast, the head of the Bilohorod community delivered a more down-to-earth, "homey" message. His main point: Ukrainians are not frightened by hardship — they are irritated by inaction. The New Year should bring not a miracle, but concrete results in the form of peace, warmth in homes and calm in hearts.
Frontline 90 million and 1,000 "birds"
Support for the Armed Forces in the Bilohorod community knows no holiday pauses. In 2025 the community allocated more than 90 million hryvnias for the needs of the defenders. Ahead of the holidays a substantial aid package was handed over to the 114th Territorial Defense Brigade and the 72nd "Black Zaporozhets" Brigade:
- More than 1,000 FPV drones for destroying enemy equipment;
- 5 modern quad bikes for high mobility;
- Modern communications equipment, surveillance tools and power-supply systems.
"The guys are tired, but their fighting spirit is high. The best support for them today is not just money, but our attention and willingness to listen to their stories," said Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Zlepko, who recently returned from the front line.
Battle against the elements at -16°C and tips for energy independence
While the community celebrated, municipal services worked in an intensified mode. Specialists treated more than 244 km of roads and 167 km of sidewalks to ensure residents’ safety. Deputy Bohdan Hamidlin emphasizes: everyone can help the country’s energy system.
Important tip: switching to gas heating is a contribution to collective security. A gas boiler consumes about as much as four light bulbs (100–180 W), whereas electric heating can require up to 26 kW, which becomes a cause of prolonged power outages during severe frosts.
The global chessboard: Florida and "Oreshnik"
The world is closely watching the diplomatic marathon. On December 28 in Florida, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Donald Trump. The peace plan, according to the President, is 90% ready. The key issue is security guarantees that must become the foundation of any future agreement.
Meanwhile the enemy is trying to apply pressure: Russia moved the Oreshnik missile infrastructure, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, to Belarus. But Ukrainian intelligence responds not with threats, but with intellect.
Operation of the week: How the GUR "sold" the occupiers a death for $500,000
A brilliant case from Kyrylo Budanov: intelligence officers staged the death of RDK commander Denys Kapustin. Russian special services, convinced of the success of the "liquidation", paid the promised $500,000. The money is already being used to strengthen GUR special units, and the "deceased" Kapustin appeared in a video alongside Budanov, thanking Moscow for sponsoring the Ukrainian struggle.
Conclusion: We hold the line
We enter 2026 with an understanding of for whom and for what we are fighting. Every donation, every cleared meter of sidewalk and every preserved tradition is a brick in our common home. Remember: we cannot be broken as long as our will is steel.
