Air defense downed 14 Russian drones overnight

Ukraine's air defense forces downed 14 Russian drones overnight on December 15, according to a statement by the Air Force on Telegram. The drones were launched from Primorsko-Akhtarsk in southern Krasnodar Krai, Russia, and were intercepted over several Ukrainian regions, including Mykolaiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, and Poltava oblasts. Ukrainian authorities have been warning of an escalation in Russian drone attacks during the winter, with a focus on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and other civilian sites. On December 14, Ukraine's air defense units shot down 41 out of 42 Russian drones launched the previous evening.

Slovak truckers say they have ended Ukraine border blockade

The blockade by Slovak truckers at the Ukrainian border has ended, as announced by the Slovak Truckers Union on December 15. Ukraine's State Border Guard Service also confirmed the lifting of the border blockade for an "indefinite period." The Slovak truckers' union UNAS initiated the blockade on December 5, citing concerns about the EU's liberalization of the permit system for Ukrainian truckers. The border crossing at Uzhhorod-Vysne Nemecke had been partially unblocked on December 14, and the complete lifting of the blockade followed the successful meeting of the union's objectives, according to UNAS. The border guard reported that the blockade officially ended at 9:00 a.m. local time on December 15, with trucks starting to clear the border.

Russian shelling of Kherson injures 2

On December 15, a Russian artillery attack targeted the Dniprovsky municipal district of Kherson, resulting in injuries to two women in their homes, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. The victims, aged 78 and 63, suffered explosive injuries, contusions, fractures, and bruises. Both women were transported to the hospital and are in moderate condition. The attack occurred around 12:50 p.m. local time, causing significant damage to residential buildings. Despite the liberation of Kherson and other regional settlements in November 2022, Russian forces on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River continue to target liberated territories, leading to civilian casualties.