Putin seems to have ordered Slovakia's Fico to open second energy front against Ukraine- Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly condemned Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's recent threats to cut Ukraine’s emergency power supply during the winter, suggesting that Fico is acting under Russian President Vladimir Putin's influence. In a statement shared on his official Telegram channel on Dec. 28, Zelensky asserted that Fico’s remarks align with Putin's alleged strategy to "open a second energy front against Ukraine," prioritizing Russia’s interests over the well-being of Slovak citizens. This comes at a time when Ukraine is grappling with Russian attacks on its power infrastructure.

Zelensky emphasized that Slovakia, as part of the European energy market, is bound by pan-European rules, and any attempt to unilaterally cut electricity exports would harm Slovakia’s standing within the European community. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in, criticizing Fico’s threats as counterproductive and aligned with Putin’s agenda. They noted that Ukraine pays Slovakia for its electricity imports and receives no charity. Fico’s comments followed Kyiv's decision not to extend its agreement for Russian gas transit to Europe beyond Dec. 31, a move that has complicated relations between the two nations. Despite EU efforts to curb reliance on Russian energy, Slovakia remains heavily dependent on Russian gas, further straining its ties with Ukraine.

Ukraine plans to open over 150 underground schools by fall 2025

Ukraine is planning to establish over 150 underground educational facilities by September 2025, Deputy Education Minister Nadiia Kuzmychova announced during a briefing on Dec. 27. These facilities are part of the country’s response to ongoing Russian aerial assaults that frequently target civilian infrastructure, including schools.

Kuzmychova outlined that 139 underground schools and several vocational education institutions are currently planned, with 79 facilities already under construction, particularly in front-line regions heavily impacted by shelling. She expressed confidence that all facilities would be operational by the start of the 2025 school year. The initiative builds on Kharkiv’s success, where underground schools in metro stations provide safe in-person learning. The Ministry of Education highlighted the extensive damage caused by the war, with one in seven Ukrainian schools affected and over 400 destroyed entirely. The urgency of these efforts is underscored by the fact that just days into the current school year, Russian strikes damaged 12 educational institutions, causing casualties.

Russians shell Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast, eight people injured, two children among them

On Saturday, December 28, Russian artillery shelling struck the village of Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast, injuring eight people, including two children, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration. The first casualties were reported around 2:00 p.m. local time.

Among the injured were a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, both suffering from blast and traumatic brain injuries, as well as contusions. The boy also sustained a shrapnel wound to his forehead. Both children were transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Later updates confirmed that the total number of victims had risen to eight.