unian--2020-12-17--Donbas war update: Ukraine reports three ceasefire violations on Dec 16

No casualties were reported in the past day .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported three violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Wednesday , December 16 .
`` In the past day , December 16 , the Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire three times , '' the press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:30 Kyiv time on December 17 , 2020 .
Read alsoRada extends law on Donbas special status for another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man-portable antitank guns and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers twice near the village of Vodiane .
Also , they used the same types of weapons once near the village of Shumy .
No casualties were reported in the past day .
Since Thursday midnight , one ceasefire violation by the Russian occupation forces was recorded near Vodiane where they fired an 82mm mortar , an under-barrel grenade launcher , as well as a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher .
The shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ JFO HQ said .
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the peace settlement in Donbas on July 22 agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine has reported more such violations @ @ @ @ @

No casualties were reported in the past day.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported three violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Wednesday, December 16.
"In the past day, December 16, the Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire three times," the press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:30 Kyiv time on December 17, 2020.
Read alsoRada extends law on Donbas special status for another yearIn particular, enemy troops fired tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers twice near the village of Vodiane. Also, they used the same types of weapons once near the village of Shumy.
Видео дня
No casualties were reported in the past day.
Since Thursday midnight, one ceasefire violation by the Russian occupation forces was recorded near Vodiane where they fired an 82mm mortar, an under-barrel grenade launcher, as well as a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher.
The shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire, the JFO HQ said.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background


unian--2020-12-17--Over 12,000 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Ukraine as of Dec 17

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 931,751 .
Ukraine said 12,047 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 17 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 931,751 as of December 17 , 2020 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
Read alsoOver 2,000 Ukrainians face COVID-19 reinfection ( Video ) As many as 548,356 patients , including 12,939 in the past day , have recovered , which exceeded the number of confirmed new daily cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The death toll has hit 15,996 with 252 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
The government reported 367,399 active cases as of December 17 .
In total , there have been 1,026,116 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 12,047 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 594 children and 353 healthcare workers .
Some 2,997 new patients were hospitalized , '' Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Thursday .
In total , 65,561 tests were conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In particular , there were 41,733 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests run , as well as 23,828 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 1,512 ) , Odesa region ( 1,064 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 858 ) , Kyiv region ( 626 ) , and Chernihiv region ( 587 ) .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available .
• Razumkov announces creation of fund for COVID-19 vaccination , support of doctors • Ukraine may receive first batch of COVID-19 vaccines in Feb 2021 – health minister

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 931,751.
Ukraine said 12,047 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 17, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 931,751 as of December 17, 2020, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
Read alsoOver 2,000 Ukrainians face COVID-19 reinfection (Video)As many as 548,356 patients, including 12,939 in the past day, have recovered, which exceeded the number of confirmed new daily cases for the third day in a row.
Видео дня
The death toll has hit 15,996 with 252 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
The government reported 367,399 active cases as of December 17. In total, there have been 1,026,116 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 12,047 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 594 children and 353 healthcare workers. Some 2,997 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Thursday.
In total, 65,561 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 41,733 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 23,828 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (1,512), Odesa region (1,064), Zaporizhia region (858), Kyiv region (626), and Chernihiv region (587).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.
More news reports


unian--2020-12-17--Reuters: Oil prices hit nine-month high after U.S. crude stock draw

Both benchmarks hit their highest since early March .
Oil hit a nine-month high on Thursday after government data showed a fall in U.S. crude stockpiles last week , while progress towards a U.S. fiscal stimulus deal and strong Asian demand also buoyed prices .
Brent crude futures rose 45 cents , or 0.9 % , to $ 51.53 a barrel at 0436 GMT , while U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude futures rose by 46 cents , or nearly 1 % , to $ 48.28 a barrel .
Both benchmarks hit their highest since early March , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Budget 2021 : Finance minister speaks of record spending targetU.S .
crude inventories fell by 3.1 million barrels in the week to December 11 , the Energy Information Administration said , more than analysts ' expectations of a 1.9-million-barrel drop .
Also boosting oil prices , U.S. lawmakers edged closer to agreement on a $ 900 billion virus-relief spending package on Wednesday with top Democrats and Republicans sounding more positive than they have in months about getting something done .
• Reuters : Oil prices ease on surprise build in U.S. inventory , @ @

Both benchmarks hit their highest since early March.
Oil hit a nine-month high on Thursday after government data showed a fall in U.S. crude stockpiles last week, while progress towards a U.S. fiscal stimulus deal and strong Asian demand also buoyed prices.
Brent crude futures rose 45 cents, or 0.9%, to $51.53 a barrel at 0436 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose by 46 cents, or nearly 1%, to $48.28 a barrel. Both benchmarks hit their highest since early March, as reported by Reuters.
Read alsoDefense Budget 2021: Finance minister speaks of record spending targetU.S. crude inventories fell by 3.1 million barrels in the week to December 11, the Energy Information Administration said, more than analysts' expectations of a 1.9-million-barrel drop.
Видео дня
Also boosting oil prices, U.S. lawmakers edged closer to agreement on a $900 billion virus-relief spending package on Wednesday with top Democrats and Republicans sounding more positive than they have in months about getting something done.
More news reports


unian--2020-12-17--Enemy sniper wounds Ukrainian soldier in Donbas

The soldier is in a stable condition , undergoing treatment in hospital .
An enemy sniper has wounded a Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ Avdiyivka in eastern Ukraine 's Donbas warzone .
That 's according to the Ukrainian delegation @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Today , December 17 , at about 17:40 , as a result of @ @ @ @ @ of one of our mechanized brigades was wounded in the Avdiyivka area .
The Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ Joint Ceasefire Control and Coordination Center ] immediately activated the ceasefire coordination protocol and sent @ @ @ @ @ OSCE SMM , '' said the statement , released via Telegram .
Read alsoNSDC Secretary @ @ @ @ @ with Russia aloneIt is noted that the condition of the serviceman is stable , he @ @ @ @ @ a medical institution .
• Czech man on trial for siding with terrorists in Donbas @ @ @ @ @ `` build up support '' for occupied Donbas

The soldier is in a stable condition, undergoing treatment in hospital.
An enemy sniper has wounded a Ukrainian soldier in the area of Avdiyivka in eastern Ukraine's Donbas warzone.
That's according to the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group.
"Today, December 17, at about 17:40, as a result of sniper hit, a soldier of one of our mechanized brigades was wounded in the Avdiyivka area. The Ukrainian delegates to the JCCC [Joint Ceasefire Control and Coordination Center] immediately activated the ceasefire coordination protocol and sent a special note to the OSCE SMM," said the statement, released via Telegram.
Видео дня
Read alsoNSDC Secretary says Ukraine should negotiate Donbas with Russia aloneIt is noted that the condition of the serviceman is stable, he is conscious and is in a medical institution.
Donbas: Other reports


unian--2020-12-17--Rada snubs Vitrenko's nomination for energy minister

His candidacy saw support of 186 MPs with a required minimum of 226 votes .
Yuriy Vitrenko , a former top manager with Naftogaz of Ukraine , has not been approved in Parliament to take the helm of the country 's energy ministry .
Upon learning the result of the vote , Vitrenko took to Facebook to wish lawmakers to find and endorse `` the best candidate '' for the post .
`` Thanks to all who supported me !
This is a very useful experience .
Now I can tell my kids that I did n't refuse to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it 's not me who does n't need this .
I sincerely wish the MPs to find the best candidate who can make our country stronger ! ''
wrote Vitrenko .
Read alsoRada appoints Minister for Agrarian PolicyOn December 17 , the Verkhovna Rada did not support the appointment of the former top manager of Naftogaz Ukrainy , Yuriy Vitrenko , as first vice prime minister , minister of energy .
A total of 186 People 's Deputies backed his nomination , with the required minimum of 226 votes .
Chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Arakhamia believes that the Parliament 's move was due to insufficient communication with lawmakers .

Rada snubs Vitrenko's nomination for energy minister
23:15, 17.12.20 924
His candidacy saw support of 186 MPs with a required minimum of 226 votes.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-17--Ukraine beats Europe in open data ranking – Ministry

The maturity of the open data sphere in Ukraine is 6 p.p .
higher than the average level across the EU countries .
Ukraine has ranked 17th in state-of-play on open data 2020 , place in the report titled European Open Data in Europe 2020 , compiled by the European Data Portal ( EDP ) .
The country has gained 2,180 points of 2,600 possible , according to the press service of the Ministry of Digital Transformation , referring to ranking results .
Ukraine gathered 554 points , or 85 % , in the category Policy ( the EU average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Portal category ( 88 % , with the EU average of 79 % ) ; in terms of Quality of data published on the portal , their compliance with the international DCAT-AP standard Ukraine gained 492 points , or 78 % ( EU average 76 % ) ; and in the Impact category the country received 550 points , or 85 % ( EU average 72 % ) .
Read alsoUkraine ranks 83rd in mobile internet speed – Speedtest Global IndexIt is noted that this year , in addition to the European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trade Association , and the United Kingdom , for the first time the countries of the Eastern Partnership , including Ukraine , were accounted for in the study .
Denmark ranked first , a runner-up is France , while Spain came third .
In November , the Ministry of Digital Transformation , together with the TAPAS Project / Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration , launched a free comprehensive training program on open data for various target audiences .
According to Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov , the Ministry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into top 3 globally n terms of data transparency .
The European Data Portal harvests the metadata of Public Sector Information available on public data portals across European countries .
Information regarding the provision of data and the benefits of re-using data is also included .

Ukraine beats Europe in open data ranking – Ministry
22:30, 17.12.20 668
The maturity of the open data sphere in Ukraine is 6 p.p. higher than the average level across the EU countries.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-17--Sheremet murder trial: Court leaves Antonenko behind bars

The jury dismissed the lawyer 's motion to release his client from custody pending trial .
Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv has left in custody ruled to further hold in custody former Donbas war volunteer and musician AKA `` Riffmaster '' Andrii Antonenko , a suspect in the murder case of journalist Pavel Sheremet .
Today , December 17 , the jury considered the motion by Antonenko 's lawyer Dmytro Kruhovyi to ease the measure of restraint for his client , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
At the start of today 's hearing , the court did not allow guarantors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrii Antonenko , including his mother and brother , into the courtroom , while allowing reporters from several media outlets to attend .
Having heard the arguments of both parties , the court ruled to overrule the motion despite a doctor 's testimony on Antonenko 's health condition , including issues with blood vessels , and on the health risks associated with his further custody remand , as well as the lawyers ' claim that Antonenko could have contracted COVID-19 while in custody as other cases of coronavirus have already been recorded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Ankle monitor removed from suspect KuzmenkoAt the same time , the court ordered that the chief of the relevant pre-trial detention facility ensure Antonenko 's right to proper medical care .
The next hearing has been scheduled for January 12 , 2021 .
The journalist was assassinated in a car blast in the center of Kyiv on the morning of July 20 , 2016 .
On December 12 , 2019 , police said they suspected five persons of complicity in the crime : former Donbas war volunteer and musician Andrii Antonenko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( nom de guerre `` Lysa , '' or `` Fox '' ) , nurse with a paratrooper unit Yana Duhar , and a family couple of army volunteers Inna Hryshchenko ( `` Puma '' ) , and Vladyslav Hryshchenko ( `` Bucha '' ) .
Law enforcers claim that the goal of Sheremet 's assassination was to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine .
Antonenko , Kuzmenko , and Duhar were notified of suspicion on December 12 , 2019 .
Ukrainian investigative journalists with the Slidstvo.info project said they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the probe into the murder of Sheremet far from being unambiguous , while evidence presented by the police was not convincing .
What is more , many Ukrainian activists consider the proof collected by the investigators to be insufficient .
On August 25 , all three defendants demanded in court that their case be heard by the jury .
Holub , the chair of the panel of judges , said that since they all were facing life imprisonment , the Criminal Code allows such cases to be heard by a jury , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the jury .
On September 28 , the prosecutor in the Sheremet case read out the indictment to Antonenko , Kuzmenko and Duhar in Kyiv 's Shevchenkivsky district court .

The jury dismissed the lawyer's motion to release his client from custody pending trial.
Shevchenkivskyi District Court of Kyiv has left in custody ruled to further hold in custody former Donbas war volunteer and musician AKA "Riffmaster" Andrii Antonenko, a suspect in the murder case of journalist Pavel Sheremet.
Today, December 17, the jury considered the motion by Antonenko's lawyer Dmytro Kruhovyi to ease the measure of restraint for his client, an UNIAN correspondent reports.
At the start of today's hearing, the court did not allow guarantors, MPs, friends and family of Andrii Antonenko, including his mother and brother, into the courtroom, while allowing reporters from several media outlets to attend.
Видео дня
Having heard the arguments of both parties, the court ruled to overrule the motion despite a doctor's testimony on Antonenko's health condition, including issues with blood vessels, and on the health risks associated with his further custody remand, as well as the lawyers' claim that Antonenko could have contracted COVID-19 while in custody as other cases of coronavirus have already been recorded in the detention center.
Read alsoSheremet case: Ankle monitor removed from suspect KuzmenkoAt the same time, the court ordered that the chief of the relevant pre-trial detention facility ensure Antonenko's right to proper medical care.
The next hearing has been scheduled for January 12, 2021.
Sheremet murder case: Details
The journalist was assassinated in a car blast in the center of Kyiv on the morning of July 20, 2016.
On December 12, 2019, police said they suspected five persons of complicity in the crime: former Donbas war volunteer and musician Andrii Antonenko, army volunteer and pediatric surgeon Yulia Kuzmenko (nom de guerre "Lysa," or "Fox"), nurse with a paratrooper unit Yana Duhar, and a family couple of army volunteers Inna Hryshchenko ("Puma"), and Vladyslav Hryshchenko ("Bucha"). Law enforcers claim that the goal of Sheremet's assassination was to destabilize the social and political situation in Ukraine. Antonenko, Kuzmenko, and Duhar were notified of suspicion on December 12, 2019.
Ukrainian investigative journalists with the Slidstvo.info project said they had found the forensic analysis report used in the probe into the murder of Sheremet far from being unambiguous, while evidence presented by the police was not convincing. What is more, many Ukrainian activists consider the proof collected by the investigators to be insufficient.
On August 25, all three defendants demanded in court that their case be heard by the jury. Holub, the chair of the panel of judges, said that since they all were facing life imprisonment, the Criminal Code allows such cases to be heard by a jury, which consists of two professional judges and three members of the jury.
On September 28, the prosecutor in the Sheremet case read out the indictment to Antonenko, Kuzmenko and Duhar in Kyiv's Shevchenkivsky district court.


unian--2020-12-17--MFA Ukraine protests Russia's "humanitarian" convoy to Donbas

Ukraine calls on Russia to adhere to international obligations , including bilateral treaties , and previously agreed modalities for the delivery of humanitarian cargo .
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has issued a protest over the sending of yet another `` humanitarian convoy '' from Russia to the occupied Donbas in violation of law .
`` On December 17 , 2020 , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed a strong protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in connection with the Russian side committing yet another internationally wrongful act against the sovereignty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a statement .
Read alsoKravchuk invited to Rada Committee hearing to elaborate on Donbas action planAs noted , `` ignoring the previously expressed repeated warnings of the Ukrainian side , without its official consent , in violation of Ukrainian legislation , the conditions and modalities for the delivery of humanitarian aid , which had been previously agreed between Ukraine , the Russian Federation , and the International Committee of the Red Cross , the Russian side has once again illegally transported the so-called 'humanitarian cargo ' to the territories temporarily occupied by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regions of Ukraine . ''
Cargoes were transported through the Russian border checkpoints Donetsk and Matveyev Kurgan and the respective checkpoints Izvarino and Uspenka which Ukrainian government had long shut down .
Read alsoPutin : Russia to `` build up support '' for occupied DonbasA note of protest was sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry demanding unswerving compliance with international obligations , including bilateral agreements , and previously agreed modalities for the delivery of humanitarian supplies .
The Ukrainian side also requires that humanitarian cargoes be sent in accordance with Ukraine 's legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addition , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine once again emphasizes that an appropriate response will follow to all subsequent illegal action on the part of the aggressor power .

Ukraine calls on Russia to adhere to international obligations, including bilateral treaties, and previously agreed modalities for the delivery of humanitarian cargo.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has issued a protest over the sending of yet another "humanitarian convoy" from Russia to the occupied Donbas in violation of law.
"On December 17, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed a strong protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in connection with the Russian side committing yet another internationally wrongful act against the sovereignty of Ukraine," the MFA said in a statement.
Read alsoKravchuk invited to Rada Committee hearing to elaborate on Donbas action planAs noted, "ignoring the previously expressed repeated warnings of the Ukrainian side, without its official consent, in violation of Ukrainian legislation, the conditions and modalities for the delivery of humanitarian aid, which had been previously agreed between Ukraine, the Russian Federation, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Russian side has once again illegally transported the so-called 'humanitarian cargo' to the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine."
Видео дня
Cargoes were transported through the Russian border checkpoints Donetsk and Matveyev Kurgan and the respective checkpoints Izvarino and Uspenka which Ukrainian government had long shut down.
"The Russian side made it impossible for Ukrainian border guards and customs officers to carry out mandatory inspection procedures stipulated by Ukrainian legislation and international law, including bilateral international treaties," MFA stressed.
Read alsoPutin: Russia to "build up support" for occupied DonbasA note of protest was sent to the Russian Foreign Ministry demanding unswerving compliance with international obligations, including bilateral agreements, and previously agreed modalities for the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
The Ukrainian side also requires that humanitarian cargoes be sent in accordance with Ukraine's legislation and through government-controlled border checkpoints.
In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine once again emphasizes that an appropriate response will follow to all subsequent illegal action on the part of the aggressor power.


unian--2020-12-17--Zelensky voices demands to Ukrainian ambassadors

It 's important for Ukraine to be integrated into global economy , the president believes .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he intends to dismiss ambassadors if they fail to deliver results in the economic area while being on post .
He made the comment during the plenary session Strategic Priorities of Ukraine 's Foreign Policy within a video conference of heads of foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine , which was broadcast on the Facebook page of the President 's Office , as reported by an UNIAN correspondent on December 17 .
`` It is important for Ukraine to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that the direction of economic diplomacy has received some renewal in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs , but so far we do n't see the end result .
The tasks of each ambassador in this area are as follows : attracting foreign direct investment to Ukraine , promoting Ukrainian exports , defending the interests of Ukrainian business abroad , '' he said .
The president noted that for obvious reasons , in particular due to the coronavirus pandemic , trade turnover between the countries has fallen worldwide this year .
But today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state must look for all opportunities to restore and increase trade .
`` Please put forward your new ideas , make proposals for initiating new negotiations on free trade areas not only for goods , but also for services , study the markets of your host countries , get acquainted with the main importers and retailers , '' he stressed .
Zelensky believes that in the current conditions , the ambassador should become the best Ukrainian economist in his host country .
The president noted that this year , in the framework of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 67 phone conversations with heads of state and government , and the lion 's share of these talks was devoted to the economy .
`` I want to emphasize once again that economic achievements in bilateral cooperation are one of the main criteria by which I evaluate and appreciate the work of the ambassador .
And I 'll tell the newly appointed ambassadors : you have to show the first results of your work in the economic field six months after your appointment .
No result – no position of the ambassador , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state commissioned Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to develop and submit to the Office of the President a model of key criteria for assessing the effectiveness of ambassadors in the economic field .
At a meeting on November 26 , the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft national budget for 2021 .
The document provides for revenue at UAH 1.92 trillion ( US $ 69.2 billion ) , while spending is set at UAH 1.328 trillion ( US $ 47.9 billion ) .
The deficit is expected to be 5.5 % of GDP next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Finance Ministry announced it had successfully finalized discussions with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) on benchmarks of the national budget draft for 2021 , which was one of major prerequisites for starting the first review of the IMF Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine .
On December 15 , 2020 , the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , passed a draft law on the 2021 national budget .
On the same day , the parliament backed the resolution on the Verkhovna Rada 's estimate for 2021 .
Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 26 % and 30 % increases in salaries of educators and healthcare workers , respectively .

Zelensky voices demands to Ukrainian ambassadors
20:15, 17.12.20 814
It's important for Ukraine to be integrated into global economy, the president believes.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-17--Rada appoints  Minister for Agrarian Policy

A total of 242 MPs have backed the relevant resolution .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has supported the appointment of the incumbent head of to the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy , Cartography and Cadastre , Roman Leshchenko , as Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine .
A total of 242 Members of Parliament have backed the relevant resolution , an UNIAN correspondent reported on December 17 .
Read alsoRada to pass new tax initiatives in 2021Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal proposed Leshchenko 's candidacy for the post .
• Roman Leshchenko , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of farmers in the village of Nahirna ( Cherkasy region 's Zhashkiv district ) in 1988 .
• Leshchenko , a PhD in Law , graduated from Law Faculty at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv .
• Since 2007 , Leshchenko has was employed by OSG Group as chief legal consultant .
In 2013 , he took up agricultural consulting , having founded the Ukrainian Agrarian Center .
• Since 2013 , he had been teaching at the university .
• Leshchenko served as Presidential Commissioner for Land Affairs from October 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 10 , 2020 , he was appointed Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine for Geodesy , Cartography and Cadastre .

Rada appoints Minister for Agrarian Policy
19:30, 17.12.20 1223
A total of 242 MPs have backed the relevant resolution.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-17--Parliament to pass new tax initiatives in 2021

They refer to taxation in the agricultural sector , a major part of which now remains in the shadow .
Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance , Tax and Customs Policy Danylo Getmantsev says the parliament will adopt a number of new initiatives on taxes in 2021 .
`` We 'll be definitely fighting against the 'shadow ' [ economy ] in all its manifestations in all spheres , so our new legislative initiatives will be aimed at this , '' the Segodnya newspaper quoted Getmantsev as saying on December 14 .
In particular , Getmantsev mentioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This refers to the taxation in the agriculture sector , a major part of which now remains in the shadow .
The relevant bill has already been submitted to Parliament , pending consideration .
Read alsoUkraine , Austria resolve double taxation issueGetmantsev also made a comment regarding the so-called tax on Google .
`` We 're simply adjusting the existing tax collection system to force multinational corporations to pay taxes in Ukraine .
Now , for some reason , advertising on the Internet remains untaxed , while taxes are collected for outdoor billboards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 1 , Ukraine 's State Tax Service ( STS ) said the growth rate of total tax revenue collected by the Service for 11 months of 2020 , according to rough estimates , stood at 10.7 % .
Thus , the STS collects taxes more actively .

Parliament to pass new tax initiatives in 2021
18:45, 17.12.20 17072
They refer to taxation in the agricultural sector, a major part of which now remains in the shadow.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-17--Court of Arbitration for Sport bars Russia from int'l competitions over doping

The ban shall be effective for two years .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday ruled to uphold a ban on Russian athletes competing in international events over accusations of a government-sponsored doping program .
The Court sided with WADA , the World Anti-Doping Agency , ruling that Russia 's anti-doping agency is in breach of the World Anti-Doping Code , The Telegraph reports .
At the same time , CAS cut the ban term from four years , introduced by WADA , to two years .
The ban will expire on December 16 , 2022 .
Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in international events under a neutral flag only .
Read alsoWADA imposes four-year Olympic ban on Russia – mediaWADA issued its four-year ban last year , barring Russia from competing at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics , the 2022 Winter Olympics in China , the 2022 World Cup football tournament and other events , VOA recalled .
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is the highest court in sports .
At the center of the case was a WADA demand that Russia turn over data from a Moscow laboratory as part of conditions the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reinstated .
But WADA said Russia deleted and altered the data , prompting the agency to issue its ban .

The ban shall be effective for two years.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thursday ruled to uphold a ban on Russian athletes competing in international events over accusations of a government-sponsored doping program.
The Court sided with WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, ruling that Russia's anti-doping agency is in breach of the World Anti-Doping Code, The Telegraph reports.
At the same time, CAS cut the ban term from four years, introduced by WADA, to two years. The ban will expire on December 16, 2022.
Видео дня
Russian athletes will be able to selectively compete in international events under a neutral flag only.
Read alsoWADA imposes four-year Olympic ban on Russia – mediaWADA issued its four-year ban last year, barring Russia from competing at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 Winter Olympics in China, the 2022 World Cup football tournament and other events, VOA recalled.
Russia dismissed the ban, calling the action politically motivated.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport is the highest court in sports.
At the center of the case was a WADA demand that Russia turn over data from a Moscow laboratory as part of conditions the agency set for the country to be reinstated.
But WADA said Russia deleted and altered the data, prompting the agency to issue its ban.


unian--2020-12-17--A mere 2% of Ukrainians trust in High Anti-Corruption Court – poll

A study conducted by the Razumkov Center from December 4 to December 9 , 2020 , has shown that 70 % of the respondents do not trust the High Anti-Corruption Court ( HACC ) , and a mere 2 % of the pollees fully trust .
The research was conducted by the Razumkov Center as part of the research project `` Ukraine 2020-2021 : Unjustified expectations , unexpected challenges , '' the media outlet Podrobnosti reported .
According to the findings , 70 % of Ukrainians do not trust the High Anti-Corruption Court , whose work began only on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 41.1 % of the respondents do not trust the HACC at all , while 29.2 % rather do not trust .
At the same time , a mere 2 % of respondents fully trust the HACC .
The study was conducted as part of a research project of the Razumkov Center `` Ukraine 2020-2021 : Unjustified expectations , unexpected challenges . ''
The research employed the method of face-to-face interviews at the place of residence of the respondents .
As many as 2,018 respondents aged 18 and older were interviewed in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine , namely Crimea and certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
The pollees represent the adult population in terms of basic social and demographic indicators .
It must be noted that on October 26 , the HACC refused to satisfy a motion filed by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor 's Office to choose a measure of restraint for the fourth President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych , who has been hiding from the investigation since 2014 .

A research center studied Ukrainians' trust in the anti-corruption court.
A study conducted by the Razumkov Center from December 4 to December 9, 2020, has shown that 70% of the respondents do not trust the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC), and a mere 2% of the pollees fully trust.
The research was conducted by the Razumkov Center as part of the research project "Ukraine 2020-2021: Unjustified expectations, unexpected challenges," the media outlet Podrobnosti reported.
According to the findings, 70% of Ukrainians do not trust the High Anti-Corruption Court, whose work began only on September 5, 2019.
Видео дня
What is more, 41.1% of the respondents do not trust the HACC at all, while 29.2% rather do not trust. At the same time, a mere 2% of respondents fully trust the HACC.
The study was conducted as part of a research project of the Razumkov Center "Ukraine 2020-2021: Unjustified expectations, unexpected challenges." The research employed the method of face-to-face interviews at the place of residence of the respondents. As many as 2,018 respondents aged 18 and older were interviewed in all regions of Ukraine, except Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine, namely Crimea and certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The pollees represent the adult population in terms of basic social and demographic indicators.
It must be noted that on October 26, the HACC refused to satisfy a motion filed by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office to choose a measure of restraint for the fourth President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, who has been hiding from the investigation since 2014.


unian--2020-12-18--Energoatom hires law firm to seek compensation from Russia for assets lost in Crimea

Energoatom 's interests will be represented by a well-known international law firm .
Ukraine 's nuclear power giant , State @ @ @ @ @ it has concluded an agreement with Shearman & Sterling on services to draft and send @ @ @ @ @ of a dispute on behalf of Energoatom , which is seeking compensation of its assets @ @ @ @ @ Read alsoSpent nuclear fuel storage to be built near Chornobyl by year-end : EnergoatomThat is @ @ @ @ @ statement published on its website on December 18 .
The agreement was concluded on December @ @ @ @ @ Energoatom 's interests will be represented by a well-known international law firm , which has @ @ @ @ @ Russia .
Shearman & Sterling has significant experience and unconditional leadership in resolving complex investment @ @ @ @ @ , it has unique experience in investment arbitration cases against the Russian Federation .

Energoatom hires law firm to seek compensation from Russia for assets lost in Crimea
16:57, 18.12.20 727
Energoatom's interests will be represented by a well-known international law firm.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Ukraine's Defense Minister warns of Russia's preparations for nuclear arms deployment in Crimea

Establishing Russia 's dominance in the Black Sea basin threatens the economies of Ukraine , Turkey and other European countries .
Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran says the Russian Federation is currently preparing to deploy nuclear weapons on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula .
He announced this in an interview for Turkey 's Anadolu and Demirören pending a meeting of the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Turkey in Kyiv , the Ukrainian Defense Ministry 's press service said .
Read alsoUkraine 's FM Kuleba : Tikhanovskaya must decide on her position on Crimea '' An attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Black Sea basin is a big threat to the economies of Ukraine , Turkey and other European countries , '' he added .
The minister also says the fact that Russia tries to block free navigation along the Kerch Strait is dangerous .
According to him , Russia 's attempts to jam signals by means of electronic warfare impede air navigation and shipping in the Black Sea .
This concern is also shared by other countries in the region , in particular Romania .
• Russia annexed Ukraine 's Crimea in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peninsula .
An illegal referendum was held for Crimeans to decide on accession to Russia .
De-facto Crimean authorities reported that allegedly 96.77 % of the Crimean population had voted for joining Russia .
• On March 18 , 2014 , the so-called agreement on the accession of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to Russia was signed in the Kremlin .
• The West did not recognize the annexation in response to which sanctions against Russia were introduced .
• Ukraine 's parliament voted to designate February 20 , 2014 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occupation of Crimea began .

Establishing Russia's dominance in the Black Sea basin threatens the economies of Ukraine, Turkey and other European countries.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran says the Russian Federation is currently preparing to deploy nuclear weapons on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula.
He announced this in an interview for Turkey's Anadolu and Demirören pending a meeting of the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Turkey in Kyiv, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's press service said.
Read alsoUkraine's FM Kuleba: Tikhanovskaya must decide on her position on Crimea
Видео дня
"Russia's preparations for the deployment of nuclear weapons in Crimea pose a serious threat to entire Europe and the civilized world," he said.
"An attempt by the Russian Federation to establish dominance in the Black Sea basin is a big threat to the economies of Ukraine, Turkey and other European countries," he added.
The minister also says the fact that Russia tries to block free navigation along the Kerch Strait is dangerous.
According to him, Russia's attempts to jam signals by means of electronic warfare impede air navigation and shipping in the Black Sea. This concern is also shared by other countries in the region, in particular Romania.
Russian occupation of Crimea


unian--2020-12-18--Ukraine sees agriculture output decline in Jan-Nov

Agricultural enterprises reduced production by 15.3 % in the 11 months .
In particular , agricultural enterprises reduced production by 15.3 % over the period under review , while private farmers saw their output shrink by 6.7 % , according to the Ukrainian State Statistics Service .
Read alsoUSDA revises downward corn yield , exports forecast for Ukraine in DecOverall crop production fell by 14.8 % ( by 17.9 % at agricultural enterprises and by 7.6 % at private farms ) .
In total , livestock production decreased by 2.5 % compared to January-November 2019 ( by 0.6 % at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private farms ) .
The State Statistics Service noted that the data provided does not take into account information from Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine , namely the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol and certain districts in Donetsk and Luhansk regions .
• The State Statistics Service reported the growth of agricultural production in Ukraine in 2019 at 1.1 % compared to the previous year .
In particular , agricultural enterprises boosted production by 3.3 % , while private farmers cut their output by 2 % .
• Milk production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % and fell below 10 million tonnes , to 9.68 million tonnes , for the first time in the history of independent Ukraine , the State Statistics Service said .
• At the same time , meat production in 2019 increased by 4.8 % , to 3.47 million tonnes ( live weight ) , while that of eggs rose by 3.4 % , to 16.6 billion .
• Milk production in Ukraine in January-November 2020 stood at 8.67 million tonnes , which was 4.2 % below the figure recorded y-o-y .

Ukraine sees agriculture output decline in Jan-Nov
16:40, 18.12.20 1203
Agricultural enterprises reduced production by 15.3% in the 11 months.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Ukraine negotiating with all vaccine producers, except Russia – PM Shmyhal

Negotiations are underway with all international producers with licensed vaccines .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Ukraine is negotiating with all vaccine producers , except Russia .
`` Regarding the sources of vaccines , there are two levels : we are negotiating at the level of heads of state , as well as negotiating with all vaccine producers , except Russia , '' he said during a Q & A session at the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on December 18 , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
`` Of course , today with all international producers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three levels of certification and have the appropriate permits and licenses – the health minister is negotiating with all those producers at the level of the companies ' top management , '' Shmyhal said .
• On November 18 , the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility ( COVAX ) confirmed the reports on plans to provide Ukraine with a free vaccine against the coronavirus disease .
In particular , about 4 million Ukrainian nationals will be able to get vaccinated in the first half of 2021 .
Later it became known that proper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of US $ 7 each .
• On December 4 , the Verkhovna Rada allowed a fast-track procedure for the approval of clinical trials and state registration for vaccines or other immunobiological medications to be used to prevent the coronavirus .
• On December 6 , Chairman of the Commission on Biosafety and Biological Protection under the Council of National Security and Defense , Academician Serhiy Komisarenko said mass vaccination could be launched in Ukraine no earlier than the middle of 2021 .
• On December 12 , Ukrainian Deputy Health Minister , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had officially approved over 8 million doses of free COVID-19 vaccine for Ukraine .
• On December 17 , Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said Ukraine expects to get the first doses of vaccines in March 2021 .

Negotiations are underway with all international producers with licensed vaccines.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Ukraine is negotiating with all vaccine producers, except Russia.
"Regarding the sources of vaccines, there are two levels: we are negotiating at the level of heads of state, as well as negotiating with all vaccine producers, except Russia," he said during a Q&A session at the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on December 18, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
"Of course, today with all international producers with licensed vaccines that have already passed three levels of certification and have the appropriate permits and licenses – the health minister is negotiating with all those producers at the level of the companies' top management," Shmyhal said.
Read also Razumkov doubts effectiveness of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine (Video) Vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine


unian--2020-12-18--An-26 crash: Several commanders served with charge papers

On September 26 , an An-26 military plane crashed by the highway while approaching the Chuhuiv military airfield .
Head of the Second Department of the State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI ) of Ukraine Vadym Pryimachok has said several commanders were served with charge papers in the case on an An-26 plane crash in Chuhuiv , Kharkiv region , on September 25 .
`` To date , we have handed a written notice of suspicion over to an aircraft controller of the A4104 military unit who was in charge of flights on that day , a commander of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight schedules with violations , as well as an Air Force commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who committed negligence that led to the tragedy , '' he said during an online briefing on Friday , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Read alsoAn-26 crash : Special commission points to violations in preparations , flight performanceIt is known Serhiy Drozdov serves as Air Force Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine .
• On September 26 , an An-26 military plane crashed by the highway while approaching the Chuhuiv military airfield .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cadets were on board – a total of 27 people .
Twenty-five were killed at the crash site and one of the two survivors later died in hospital .
Thus , only one person survived in the crash .
• According to the SBU Security Service , the plane 's captain reported left engine failure to the tower and requested an approach to land shortly before the crash .
• Ukraine 's Defense Minister Andriy Taran , citing aviation experts , said one of the sensors in the engine of the An-26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of which the plane 's wing caught on the ground as it was approaching the airfield near Chuhuiv before plunging and setting ablaze .
• On October 28 , a government commission named the causes behind the incident .
The main ones are the lack of effective control over the organization and performance of flights by Kharkiv university officials and systemic violations of the flight rules .
• The An-26 that crashed on September 25 was manufactured in 1977 .
It had been operated as a training aircraft for the Air Force @

On September 26, an An-26 military plane crashed by the highway while approaching the Chuhuiv military airfield.
Head of the Second Department of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) of Ukraine Vadym Pryimachok has said several commanders were served with charge papers in the case on an An-26 plane crash in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, on September 25.
"To date, we have handed a written notice of suspicion over to an aircraft controller of the A4104 military unit who was in charge of flights on that day, a commander of the said military unit who approved the planned flight schedules with violations, as well as an Air Force commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who committed negligence that led to the tragedy," he said during an online briefing on Friday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoAn-26 crash: Special commission points to violations in preparations, flight performanceIt is known Serhiy Drozdov serves as Air Force Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Видео дня
An-26 crash: Background


unian--2020-12-18--PM Shmyhal forecasts GDP drop by no more than 5% by year-end

The prime minister projects 4.6 % economic growth and moderate inflation in 2021 .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says the domestic economy this year may decline by no more than 5 % of gross domestic product ( GDP ) .
Read alsoDefense Budget 2021 : Finance minister speaks of record spending targetHe made the comment during the event , titled `` Ukraine and the World in 2021 , '' organized by the Ukrainian weekly Novoye Vremya , as reported by an UNAN correspondent on December 18 .
`` Today we clearly understand that we 'll lose no more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis .
We realize how we 'll be living next year .
We forecast 4.6 % economic growth and moderate inflation in 2021 .
The National Bank projects it at 5 % + 1 % , while the Economy Ministry believes that [ the inflation ] within the range of 7 % -7.3 % will be acceptable for economic recovery , '' he said .
The decline in Ukraine 's GDP in the 10 months of 2020 slowed to 5.2 % , from 5.5 % reported in January-September 2020 .
• At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft national budget for 2021 .
The document provides for revenue at UAH 1.092 trillion ( US $ 39.3 billion ) , while spending is set at UAH 1.328 trillion ( US $ 47.7 billion ) .
• At the same time , the Finance Ministry announced it had successfully finalized discussions with the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) on benchmarks of the national budget draft for 2021 , which was one of major prerequisites for starting the first review of the IMF Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , passed a draft law on the 2021 national budget .
• On the same day , the parliament backed a resolution on the Verkhovna Rada 's budget for 2021 .

PM Shmyhal forecasts GDP drop by no more than 5% by year-end
15:15, 18.12.20 4182
The prime minister projects 4.6% economic growth and moderate inflation in 2021.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Ukravtodor presents road map for mega projects until 2025

For the first time in the county 's history , Ukravtodor can afford to plan its work for years to @ @

Ukravtodor presents road map for mega projects until 2025
14:50, 18.12.20 2195
For the first time in the county's history, Ukravtodor can afford to plan its work for years to come.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Female combat general Laputina appointed Minister for Veterans Affairs

The decision was backed by 248 lawmakers .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , has appointed Yulia Laputina as Minister of Veterans Affairs .
The decision was backed by 248 MPs out of the 342 registered in the session hall , an UNIAN correspondent reported .
After the vote , she took the oath as a member of Ukraine 's Cabinet of Ministers , standing at the parliament 's rostrum .
Introducing Laputina 's candidacy prior to the vote , Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said she has significant professional experience in the field of security and national defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of veterans ' challenges not on paper but in real life , '' he added .
Read alsoUkraine 's Rada accepts Veterans Affairs Minister 's resignationIn her speech before the vote , Laputina said the state should work systematically to resolve the issues of veterans , where the efforts of the parliament , government , public sector and veteran organizations should be combined .
In particular , she believes the Verkhovna Rada 's committees must cooperate to develop draft laws .
Speaking about the support of veterans , she emphasized : `` When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the front , we all take it as a tragedy .
However , when there is information that another veteran lost control due to post-traumatic stress syndrome and committed suicide – is n't it the same tragedy ?
Exactly the same .
Since these are all losses caused by the war .
The consequences of this war prevent a person from returning to work , to a peaceful life in the normal way . ''
Servant of the People faction 's stance on Laputina On December 15 , First Deputy Chairman of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oleksandr Kornienko after a faction meeting , which considered personnel issues , said he had the fewest number of questions to ask Laputina as a candidate running for the ministerial post .
`` One of the lawmakers said if to look at the biography , there are no questions .
[ She is ] the first female [ major ] general of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine , a combat general , '' Kornienko said .
Yulia Laputina is a member of Ukraine 's armed forces , a counterintelligence officer , special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and major general of the Security Service of Ukraine ( 2020 ) .
Since 2014 , she has served as SBU 's Deputy Head of the Department of Counterintelligence Protection of State Interests in the Field of Information Security .

The decision was backed by 248 lawmakers.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, has appointed Yulia Laputina as Minister of Veterans Affairs.
The decision was backed by 248 MPs out of the 342 registered in the session hall, an UNIAN correspondent reported.
After the vote, she took the oath as a member of Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers, standing at the parliament's rostrum.
Видео дня
Introducing Laputina's candidacy prior to the vote, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said she has significant professional experience in the field of security and national defense of Ukraine.
"She is aware of veterans' challenges not on paper but in real life," he added.
Read alsoUkraine's Rada accepts Veterans Affairs Minister's resignationIn her speech before the vote, Laputina said the state should work systematically to resolve the issues of veterans, where the efforts of the parliament, government, public sector and veteran organizations should be combined. In particular, she believes the Verkhovna Rada's committees must cooperate to develop draft laws.
Speaking about the support of veterans, she emphasized: "When there is a news report on casualties at the front, we all take it as a tragedy. However, when there is information that another veteran lost control due to post-traumatic stress syndrome and committed suicide – isn't it the same tragedy? Exactly the same. Since these are all losses caused by the war. The consequences of this war prevent a person from returning to work, to a peaceful life in the normal way."
Servant of the People faction's stance on Laputina
On December 15, First Deputy Chairman of the Servant of the People parliamentary faction Oleksandr Kornienko after a faction meeting, which considered personnel issues, said he had the fewest number of questions to ask Laputina as a candidate running for the ministerial post. "One of the lawmakers said if to look at the biography, there are no questions. [She is] the first female [major] general of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine, a combat general," Kornienko said.
Yulia Laputina: Known facts
Yulia Laputina is a member of Ukraine's armed forces, a counterintelligence officer, special forces soldier, candidate of psychological sciences, and major general of the Security Service of Ukraine (2020). Since 2014, she has served as SBU's Deputy Head of the Department of Counterintelligence Protection of State Interests in the Field of Information Security.


unian--2020-12-18--Kyiv mayor reports over 1,600 new COVID-19 cases as of Dec 18

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 98,330 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 1,658 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 18 , 2020 .
`` In the past day , another 1,658 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus , including 66 healthcare workers .
There were 17 fatalities , '' Klitschko reported via Telegram on Friday .
According to the city mayor , 895 women aged 18 to 92 and 657 men aged 18 to 100 are among those infected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ flatten COVID-19 curveThe new cases include 53 girls aged four months to 17 years and 53 boys aged five months to 17 years .
Klitschko said 113 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
He added that 442 people had recovered in the past day .
In total , 31,215 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease .
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 453 ) , Dniprovsky district ( 275 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
The death toll in the city stands at 1,679 .
• Ukraine said 12,630 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 18 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 944,381 .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 98,330.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 1,658 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 18, 2020.
"In the past day, another 1,658 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus, including 66 healthcare workers. There were 17 fatalities," Klitschko reported via Telegram on Friday.
"As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 98,330."
According to the city mayor, 895 women aged 18 to 92 and 657 men aged 18 to 100 are among those infected.
Read alsoPM Shmyhal: Ukraine manages to flatten COVID-19 curveThe new cases include 53 girls aged four months to 17 years and 53 boys aged five months to 17 years.
Klitschko said 113 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
He added that 442 people had recovered in the past day.
In total, 31,215 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (453), Dniprovsky district (275), and Desniansky district (196).
The death toll in the city stands at 1,679.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-18--Ukraine reports 172 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 18

Some 323 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 172 as of the morning of December 18 .
`` As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 18 , some 3,178 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus .
In total , 9,523 people have recovered and 35 have died during the pandemic , '' the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were registered in the past 24 hours . ''
Read alsoPM Shmyhal : Quarantine in Ukraine may last until late FebOf those newly-infected , 21 people have been hospitalized , while the rest are self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under doctors ' supervision .
Currently , their state of health is satisfactory .
Some 323 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 89 people .
• Ukraine said 12,630 new active COVID-19 cases had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours as of December 18 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 944,381 .

Some 323 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 172 as of the morning of December 18.
"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 18, some 3,178 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 9,523 people have recovered and 35 have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Friday. "Some 172 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."
Read alsoPM Shmyhal: Quarantine in Ukraine may last until late FebOf those newly-infected, 21 people have been hospitalized, while the rest are self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under doctors' supervision. Currently, their state of health is satisfactory.
Видео дня
Some 323 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 89 people.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-18--Crimea blogger posts photos of previously deepest water reservoir on peninsula

By mid-December 2020 , its storage capacity accounted for just over 20 % .
Blogger RoksolanaToday & KrymUA ( @ KrimRT ) has posted photos of the previously deepest water reservoir on the peninsula .
Read alsoWater shortage in occupied Crimea : Yalta `` authorities '' to pump surface water '' A water reservoir in the village of Korbek ( or the village of Izobilne , Greater Alushta ) has rapidly been shrinking in size .
By mid-December 2020 , its storage capacity accounted for just over 20 % ( the storage capacity is 13.25 million cubic meters ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
According to the blogger , the town of Alushta is to switch to an hourly water supply schedule after Christmas .
The Izobilnytske water reservoir is located on the Ulu-Uzen river .
This is the deepest water reservoir in Crimea .
Its maximum depth is 70 meters .
Lack of fresh water in Crimea : What is known • As of August 24 , restrictions on the water supply are in effect in the city of Simferopol and 39 other settlements of the Simferopol and Bakhchisarai districts due to drought and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplied to residents by the hour , namely in the morning and in the evening .
On September 23 , restrictive measures for the water supply were introduced in the towns of Alushta , Partenit , and Maly Mayak .
Also , water is delivered in water tanks to 29 villages in northern Crimea over dried wells .
• The occupying authorities of Crimea announced they were preparing for a `` worst-case scenario '' with the water supply onto the peninsula .
• Prior to the occupation of Crimea by Russia , Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the peninsula 's needs for freshwater through the North Crimean Canal .
• After the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 , Ukraine severed water supplies to the occupied peninsula .
• The Ukrainian authorities claim the resumption of water supplies to Crimea would be possible only in the context of the end of the Russian occupation .

By mid-December 2020, its storage capacity accounted for just over 20%.
Blogger RoksolanaToday&KrymUA (@KrimRT) has posted photos of the previously deepest water reservoir on the peninsula.
Read alsoWater shortage in occupied Crimea: Yalta "authorities" to pump surface water"A water reservoir in the village of Korbek (or the village of Izobilne, Greater Alushta) has rapidly been shrinking in size. By mid-December 2020, its storage capacity accounted for just over 20% (the storage capacity is 13.25 million cubic meters)," she wrote on Twitter on December 17.
According to the blogger, the town of Alushta is to switch to an hourly water supply schedule after Christmas.
Видео дня
The Izobilnytske water reservoir is located on the Ulu-Uzen river. This is the deepest water reservoir in Crimea. Its maximum depth is 70 meters.
Lack of fresh water in Crimea: What is known


unian--2020-12-18--Ukrainian courts rule to seize over 100 planes, 50 ships illegally entering Russia-occupied Crimea

The next step will be to ask international partners to introduce relevant measures against violators in line with international law @

Ukrainian courts rule to seize over 100 planes, 50 ships illegally entering Russia-occupied Crimea (Video)
12:45, 18.12.20 1161
The next step will be to ask international partners to introduce relevant measures against violators in line with international law.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Razumkov doubts effectiveness of Russia's COVID-19 vaccine

He says the quality of the vaccine is important .
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov has expressed doubts whether the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus is effective .
Read also '' DPR '' terrorists want to get Russia 's COVID-19 vaccine '' The question is not what to buy , but whether it will really work .
You 've just mentioned the UK : it is not Sputnik they have used for vaccination , they have a different vaccine .
They proceed from the fact that they protect the interests and health of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regard we must follow the path of developed states , '' he said at the Pravo Na Vladu ( `` Right to Power '' ) TV panel show on 1+1 TV Channel on December 17 .
The quality of the vaccine is important , he said .
Russian vaccine against coronavirus : What is known • In August , Russia announced the registration of the `` world 's first '' vaccine against COVID-19 , it was allegedly tested by one of Putin 's daughter .
• Moscow has not provided the international scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would confirm that it is safe and effective against COVID-19 .
The third stage of clinical trials of the vaccine has not been conducted prior to registration .
• At the same time , an international team of researchers expressed concern about possible inaccuracies in the report on the Russian vaccine trials .
Some graphs contain suspicious repetitions , and there is not enough data to verify the results .
• However , Russians rated their controversial coronavirus vaccine as effective as 92 % .
• In early December , Putin announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinate healthcare workers and teachers against the coronavirus .

He says the quality of the vaccine is important.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Dmytro Razumkov has expressed doubts whether the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus is effective.
Read also"DPR" terrorists want to get Russia's COVID-19 vaccine"The question is not what to buy, but whether it will really work. You've just mentioned the UK: it is not Sputnik they have used for vaccination, they have a different vaccine. They proceed from the fact that they protect the interests and health of their citizens. I am sure in this regard we must follow the path of developed states," he said at the Pravo Na Vladu ("Right to Power") TV panel show on 1+1 TV Channel on December 17.
The quality of the vaccine is important, he said.
Видео дня
Russian vaccine against coronavirus: What is known


unian--2020-12-18--Ukraine's FM Kuleba: Tikhanovskaya must decide on her position on Crimea

Earlier , she claimed `` Crimea is de jure part of Ukraine , but de facto it is part of Russia . ''
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya must decide on her position on Crimea .
`` Our people were in touch – I was ready to have a phone call with her .
But I told [ them ] it is very important that Mrs. Tikhanovskaya has a clear position on Russian aggression against Ukraine .
This is in her own interests , because , relatively speaking , if she comes to Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first question will be : 'Who does Crimea belong to ? '
And any unclear answer will play against Mrs. Tikhanovskaya .
Therefore , here I care even more about her than about myself , '' he told Radio NV while commenting on Tikhanovskaya 's possible visit to Kyiv , as reported by RFE/RL 's Krym.Realii media project .
Read alsoU.S .
to never accept Russia 's annexation of Crimea – EmbassyTikhanovskaya 's position on Crimea remains unclearly articulated , she seems not very eager to discuss this topic with the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview for Euroradio that `` Crimea is de jure part of Ukraine , but de facto it is part of Russia , '' urging journalists `` not to torture her anymore . ''
• Kuleba : Donbas , Crimea to be among priorities of Sweden 's OSCE chairmanship in 2021 • FM Kuleba comments on Belarus ' readiness to impose sanctions against Ukrainian officials

Earlier, she claimed "Crimea is de jure part of Ukraine, but de facto it is part of Russia."
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya must decide on her position on Crimea.
"Our people were in touch – I was ready to have a phone call with her. But I told [them] it is very important that Mrs. Tikhanovskaya has a clear position on Russian aggression against Ukraine. This is in her own interests, because, relatively speaking, if she comes to Ukraine and starts communicating with the media, the first question will be: 'Who does Crimea belong to?' And any unclear answer will play against Mrs. Tikhanovskaya. Therefore, here I care even more about her than about myself," he told Radio NV while commenting on Tikhanovskaya's possible visit to Kyiv, as reported by RFE/RL's Krym.Realii media project.
Read alsoU.S. to never accept Russia's annexation of Crimea – EmbassyTikhanovskaya's position on Crimea remains unclearly articulated, she seems not very eager to discuss this topic with the media.
Видео дня
In July, she said in an interview for Euroradio that "Crimea is de jure part of Ukraine, but de facto it is part of Russia," urging journalists "not to torture her anymore."
More news reports


unian--2020-12-18--PM Shmyhal: Ukraine manages to flatten COVID-19 curve

He says the lockdown scheduled for January 8-24 will not be as strict as the one this spring .
Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ the country has managed to flatten the COVID-19 curve .
`` I think we have @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 ] as of today , we have flattened the curve .
This allows us @ @ @ @ @ without toughening quarantine-related measures ] , '' he said during an online event , Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ , hosted by the Novoe Vremya media outlet .
Read alsoPM Shmyhal : Quarantine in @ @ @ @ @ FebShmyhal reiterated a lockdown would be introduced in Ukraine from January 8 to January 24 @ @ @ @ @ not be as tough as in spring .
• Ukraine said 12,630 new active COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ the country in the past 24 hours as of December 18 , 2020 .
• @ @ @ @ @ cases grew to 944,381 .
If you see a spelling error on our site , @ @ @ @ @

He says the lockdown scheduled for January 8-24 will not be as strict as the one this spring.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says the country has managed to flatten the COVID-19 curve.
"I think we have been coping with it [COVID-19] as of today, we have flattened the curve. This allows us to end the year [without toughening quarantine-related measures]," he said during an online event, Ukraine and the World in 2021, hosted by the Novoe Vremya media outlet.
Read alsoPM Shmyhal: Quarantine in Ukraine may last until late FebShmyhal reiterated a lockdown would be introduced in Ukraine from January 8 to January 24, but the curbs would not be as tough as in spring.
Видео дня
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-18--PM Shmyhal: Quarantine in Ukraine may last until late Feb

The prime minister does not expect the coronavirus epidemic to end in summer .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says the COVID-19 quarantine in Ukraine may last at least until late February .
`` We 'll see the dynamics in spring .
We all have seen scenarios of developments in different countries , '' he said , as reported by the Novoe Vremya weekly .
Shmyhal claims a lockdown was the only tool that worked , and no country might predict when the quarantine could end .
Read alsoMost Ukrainians back lockdown from Jan 8 – pollAlso , the prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to end in summer .
`` According to forecasts , we will live with the coronavirus the next two years .
The question is what format of our coexistence will be , but it remains unknown so far , '' Shmyhal added .
From December 19 , new quarantine restrictions will apply throughout Ukraine .
• Events in educational facilities ( performances , celebrations , concerts ) with participating children from more than one group/class and audience ; • Museums , exhibitions , galleries , etc.
, if there is more than one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Catering establishments – from 23:00 to 7:00 ( except for delivery and take-out ) .
Settlement transactions shall be terminated at 22:00 .
On New Year 's night restaurants and cafes will be allowed to remain open until 01:00 ; and • Religious events in indoor settings with more than one person per 5 square meters ; and in outdoor settings if the 1.5-meter social distancing rule is not observed .

The prime minister does not expect the coronavirus epidemic to end in summer.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says the COVID-19 quarantine in Ukraine may last at least until late February.
"We'll see the dynamics in spring. We all have seen scenarios of developments in different countries," he said, as reported by the Novoe Vremya weekly.
Shmyhal claims a lockdown was the only tool that worked, and no country might predict when the quarantine could end.
Видео дня
Read alsoMost Ukrainians back lockdown from Jan 8 – pollAlso, the prime minister does not expect the coronavirus epidemic to end in summer.
"According to forecasts, we will live with the coronavirus the next two years. The question is what format of our coexistence will be, but it remains unknown so far," Shmyhal added.
Quarantine in Ukraine
From December 19, new quarantine restrictions will apply throughout Ukraine.
The newly adopted bans apply to:


unian--2020-12-18--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 74.9 mln

The overall death toll is 1,662,679 people , while 42,371,789 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 74.9 million patients as of December 18 .
Read alsoFrench President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for COVID-19 – mediaAs many as 74,983,475 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:27 on December 18 , according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering ( CSSE ) at Johns Hopkins University .
The overall death toll is 1,662,679 people , while 42,371,789 coronavirus patients have already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded in the United States ( 310,782 people ) , Brazil ( 184,827 ) , India ( 144,789 ) , Mexico ( 116,487 ) , Italy ( 67,220 ) , the United Kingdom ( 66,150 ) , and France ( 59,733 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 17,212,496 confirmed cases ) , India ( 9,979,447 ) , Brazil ( 7,110,434 ) , Russia ( 2,764,843 ) , France ( 2,483,524 ) , Turkey ( 1,955,680 ) , and the United Kingdom ( 1,954,268 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been affected by the virus .

The overall death toll is 1,662,679 people, while 42,371,789 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 74.9 million patients as of December 18.
Read alsoFrench President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for COVID-19 – mediaAs many as 74,983,475 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 09:27 on December 18, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University.
The overall death toll is 1,662,679 people, while 42,371,789 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
Видео дня
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (310,782 people), Brazil (184,827), India (144,789), Mexico (116,487), Italy (67,220), the United Kingdom (66,150), and France (59,733).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (17,212,496 confirmed cases), India (9,979,447), Brazil (7,110,434), Russia (2,764,843), France (2,483,524), Turkey (1,955,680), and the United Kingdom (1,954,268).
As many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-12-18--Hryvnia weakens to U.S. dollar on Dec 18

Get a complete information picture of the day by subscribing to UNIAN ’ s news feeds .
For more information @ @ @ @

Hryvnia weakens to U.S. dollar on Dec 18
10:15, 18.12.20 7744
The rate against the euro is fixed at UAH 34.08 per euro.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Donbas warzone update: One WIA amid eight truce violations on Dec 17

The Joint Forces were forced to return fire .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported one wounded in action ( WIA ) amid eight violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Thursday , December 17 .
`` In the past day , December 17 , the Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire eight times , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 18 , 2020 .
In particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems , and 120mm and 82mm mortars four times outside the village of Vodiane , as well as grenade launchers of various systems and automatic rifles directly at the said settlement .
Read alsoPutin : Russia to `` build up support '' for occupied DonbasIn the evening , the enemy fired small arms near the villages of Verkhniotoretske and Shyrokyne , and also automatic grenade launchers near the latter one .
What is more , the occupiers fired grenade launchers of various systems and rifles twice near the town of Avdiyivka .
Sniper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` One serviceman of the Joint Forces was wounded as a result of the shelling .
The soldier was rushed to the hospital .
His condition is satisfactory , '' the report says .
The Joint Forces returned fire , using grenade launchers of various systems , the JFO HQ said .
Since midnight , enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops .
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military .
• Participants in the Trilateral Contact Group ( Ukraine , Russia , and the OSCE ) on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed on a full and comprehensive ceasefire along the contact line from 00:01 on Monday , July 27 .
• On the very first day of the newly-agreed truce , Russia 's hybrid military forces mounted three attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine .
Ukraine has reported more such violations over the latest period .

The Joint Forces were forced to return fire.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported one wounded in action (WIA) amid eight violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Thursday, December 17.
"In the past day, December 17, the Russian occupation forces violated the ceasefire eight times," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 18, 2020.
In particular, enemy troops fired proscribed 122mm artillery systems, and 120mm and 82mm mortars four times outside the village of Vodiane, as well as grenade launchers of various systems and automatic rifles directly at the said settlement.
Видео дня
Read alsoPutin: Russia to "build up support" for occupied DonbasIn the evening, the enemy fired small arms near the villages of Verkhniotoretske and Shyrokyne, and also automatic grenade launchers near the latter one.
What is more, the occupiers fired grenade launchers of various systems and rifles twice near the town of Avdiyivka. Sniper fire was also reported in that area.
"One serviceman of the Joint Forces was wounded as a result of the shelling. The soldier was rushed to the hospital. His condition is satisfactory," the report says.
The Joint Forces returned fire, using grenade launchers of various systems, the JFO HQ said.
Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background


unian--2020-12-18--COVID-19: Over 12,600 new active cases reported as of Dec 18

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 944,381 .
Ukraine said 12,630 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 18 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 944,381 as of December 18 , 2020 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
Read alsoMost Ukrainians back lockdown from Jan 8 – pollAs many as 561,222 patients , including 12,866 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll has hit 16,256 with 260 fatalities recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government reported 366,903 active cases as of December 18 .
In total , there have been 1,040,904 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 12,630 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 620 children and 552 healthcare workers .
Some 2,904 new patients were hospitalized , '' Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Friday .
In total , 68,759 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 42,340 PCR ( polymerase chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 26,419 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 1,658 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 1,022 ) , Odesa region ( 925 ) , Kyiv region ( 922 ) , and Cherkasy region ( 583 ) .
The overall incidence per region is as follows : • 98,330 cases in the city of Kyiv ; Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available .
• Health Ministry expects first vaccines from COVAX in March 2021 • WHO to check Ukrainian jails to assess fight against diseases – health official

The total number of confirmed cases has reached 944,381.
Ukraine said 12,630 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 18, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 944,381 as of December 18, 2020, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
Read alsoMost Ukrainians back lockdown from Jan 8 – pollAs many as 561,222 patients, including 12,866 in the past day, have recovered.
Видео дня
The death toll has hit 16,256 with 260 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
The government reported 366,903 active cases as of December 18. In total, there have been 1,040,904 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 12,630 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 620 children and 552 healthcare workers. Some 2,904 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Friday.
In total, 68,759 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 42,340 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 26,419 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (1,658), Zaporizhia region (1,022), Odesa region (925), Kyiv region (922), and Cherkasy region (583).
The overall incidence per region is as follows:
98,330 cases in the city of Kyiv;
64,237 in Kharkiv region;
61,963 in Odesa region;
55,860 in Lviv region;
51,588 in Kyiv region;
51,401 in Dnipropetrovsk region;
45,715 in Zaporizhia region;
41,644 in Ivano-Frankivsk region;
37,840 in Rivne region;
37,695 in Chernivtsi region;
37,157 in Sumy region;
36,027 in Khmelnytsky region;
35,662 in Zhytomyr region;
33,837 in Cherkasy region;
32,089 in Ternopil region;
31,449 in Donetsk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts);
31,097 in Poltava region;
29,817 in Volyn region;
26,855 in Zakarpattia region;
26,409 in Chernihiv region;
25,826 in Mykolaiv region;
20,578 in Vinnytsia region;
15,151 in Kherson region;
8,533 in Luhansk region (Ukrainian-controlled districts); and
7,621 in Kirovohrad region.
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.


unian--2020-12-18--Reuters: Oil retreats from 9-month high as COVID-19 surge stokes demand fears

U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude futures slipped 17 cents or 0.4 % , to $ 48.19 a barrel at 0513 GMT , while Brent crude futures fell 26 cents , or 0.5 % , to $ 51.24 a barrel .
Oil prices eased on Friday but stayed within touching distance of nine-month highs hit in the previous session as soaring COVID-19 cases weigh on fuel demand and U.S. lawmakers battle over a $ 900 billion economic stimulus package .
U.S. West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) crude futures slipped 17 cents or 0.4 % , to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while Brent crude futures fell 26 cents , or 0.5 % , to $ 51.24 a barrel , as reported by Reuters .
More than 73.65 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,654,920 have died , according to a Reuters tally on Friday .
Read alsoRussia 's Nord Stream 2 never be launched with new U.S. sanctions – U. S. SenatorThe spike in cases is leading to tough restrictions on travel , weighing on near-term fuel demand and market sentiment , analysts said .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optimism around progress on a COVID-19 relief bill , strong Asian refining demand and a slide in the U.S. dollar to a two-and-a-half year low .
With oil priced in dollars , a weaker greenback makes oil cheaper in other currencies .
OPEC+ plans to add 500,000 barrels per day of supply to the market in January , in the first step toward returning 2 million bpd to the market .

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 17 cents or 0.4%, to $48.19 a barrel at 0513 GMT, while Brent crude futures fell 26 cents, or 0.5%, to $51.24 a barrel.
Oil prices eased on Friday but stayed within touching distance of nine-month highs hit in the previous session as soaring COVID-19 cases weigh on fuel demand and U.S. lawmakers battle over a $900 billion economic stimulus package.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures slipped 17 cents or 0.4%, to $48.19 a barrel at 0513 GMT, while Brent crude futures fell 26 cents, or 0.5%, to $51.24 a barrel, as reported by Reuters.
More than 73.65 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,654,920 have died, according to a Reuters tally on Friday.
Видео дня
Read alsoRussia's Nord Stream 2 never be launched with new U.S. sanctions – U. S. SenatorThe spike in cases is leading to tough restrictions on travel, weighing on near-term fuel demand and market sentiment, analysts said.
Both contracts had climbed on Thursday, on optimism around progress on a COVID-19 relief bill, strong Asian refining demand and a slide in the U.S. dollar to a two-and-a-half year low. With oil priced in dollars, a weaker greenback makes oil cheaper in other currencies.
OPEC+ plans to add 500,000 barrels per day of supply to the market in January, in the first step toward returning 2 million bpd to the market.
More news reports


unian--2020-12-18--Spy wars: Bulgaria expels Russian diplomat, third time this year

The Russian is believed to have been engaged in miitary intelligence gathering , including on the U.S. troops deployed in the country during exercises .
Bulgaria 's foreign ministry has declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata , giving him 72 hours to leave country over what 's reported as actions incompatible with his diplomatic status .
That 's according to European Pravda citing a Bulgarian state news agency BGNES .
The ministry has handed the relevant note to the deputy head of the diplomatic mission , who had been summoned earlier .
The ministry 's statement comes after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday about the evidence gathered in the espionage case targeting the Russian diplomat .
The diplomatic position of the Russian citizen in question has not been specified , while Russian media claim the expelled diplomat was in fact the embassy 's military attaché .
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva received a letter from Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev who elaborated on pre-trial proceedings .
Among other things , it was established how the diplomat had been collecting information constituting a state secret .
Due to the fact that the suspect enjoys immunity under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-trial proceedings were terminated .
The prosecutor 's office clarified that the Russian diplomat had been gathering military intelligence , including on the U.S. troops deployed in Bulgaria during exercises .
Read alsoDutch expel two Russian diplomats on suspicions of espionage in hi-tech sectorThe diplomat had been in contact with an identified Bulgarian national with access to the relevant classified information , and promised the latter a financial reward for handing over such info .
• In September 2020 , pre-trial proceedings began in Bulgaria on espionage charges against two Russian diplomats .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russians have been gathering sensitive information for Russian military intelligence onBulgarian army modernization plans and technical state of military equipment .
• In January 2020 , two Russian diplomats suspected of espionage were expelled from Bulgaria : first secretary of the consular department and an employee with the Russian trade mission .
According to the Bulgarian authorities , the Russians had been gathering intelligence on the mechanisms of the electoral process , as well as data on the energy sector .
• In October 2019 , Bulgaria expelled another first secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Russian is believed to have been engaged in miitary intelligence gathering, including on the U.S. troops deployed in the country during exercises.
Bulgaria's foreign ministry has declared a Russian diplomat persona non grata, giving him 72 hours to leave country over what's reported as actions incompatible with his diplomatic status.
That's according to European Pravda citing a Bulgarian state news agency BGNES.
The ministry has handed the relevant note to the deputy head of the diplomatic mission, who had been summoned earlier.
Видео дня
The ministry's statement comes after the chief prosecutor told the interior minister on Thursday about the evidence gathered in the espionage case targeting the Russian diplomat.
The diplomatic position of the Russian citizen in question has not been specified, while Russian media claim the expelled diplomat was in fact the embassy's military attaché.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva received a letter from Chief Prosecutor Ivan Geshev who elaborated on pre-trial proceedings. Among other things, it was established how the diplomat had been collecting information constituting a state secret.
Due to the fact that the suspect enjoys immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the pre-trial proceedings were terminated.
The prosecutor's office clarified that the Russian diplomat had been gathering military intelligence, including on the U.S. troops deployed in Bulgaria during exercises.
Read alsoDutch expel two Russian diplomats on suspicions of espionage in hi-tech sectorThe diplomat had been in contact with an identified Bulgarian national with access to the relevant classified information, and promised the latter a financial reward for handing over such info.
Diplomatic wars: Bulgaria vs Russia


unian--2020-12-18--NBU buys almost $300 mln on interbank market

This week the NBU did not intervene to sell foreign currency .
The National Bank of Ukraine this week , @ @ @ @ @ 299.6 million on the interbank foreign exchange market .
That 's according to the regulator @ @ @ @ @ the NBU did not intervene to sell foreign currency , the report says .
Read @ @ @ @ @ interventions by NBU in past monthFrom year-start , the volume of purchases of foreign currency @ @ @ @ @ that of its sale by $ 1.13 billion .
The National Bank of Ukraine on @ @ @ @ @ set the hryvnia 's official exchange rate to the U.S. dollar at UAH 27.83 .
@ @ @ @ @ has weakened by 1 kopiyka against the previous indicator .

NBU buys almost $300 mln on interbank market
23:15, 18.12.20 958
This week the NBU did not intervene to sell foreign currency.
Помогите проекту
Support us


unian--2020-12-18--Turkish Foreign Minister confirms support for setting up Crimean Platform

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has confirmed his country 's support for the creation of the Crimean Platform to end Russia 's occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula .
`` We discussed and considered the issue of how we , together , can help Crimean Tatars .
We expressed our support for the Crimean Platform initiative .
Turkey does not recognize the annexation of Crimea , supports territorial integrity of Ukraine , including in Crimea , and declares this on all international platforms , in including the UN , '' Çavuşoğlu told reporters in Kyiv following the first bilateral political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new `` Quadriga '' format , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
He also said that Turkey advocates that the issue of Donbas be resolved within the framework of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and international law .
He added that Turkey supports the ceasefire reached in eastern Ukraine , at the same time noting violations .
Read alsoU.S .
to never accept Russia 's annexation of Crimea – EmbassyÇavuşoğlu added that Turkey will continue to support the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission , which `` has been working in difficult conditions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian occupation of the peninsula At the end of July , Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the finalization of the concept of the international platform , `` Crimea is Ukraine . ''
At the beginning , it is expected to be a consultative and advisory format , which will grow into a negotiation format .
On August 24 , Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced that Ukraine would propose that Germany could join the future international platform for the end of the occupation of Crimea .
On September 23 , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly , called on partners to join the international platform for the end of the Russian occupation of Crimea .
On October 6 , the president announced that the European Union is ready to join the platform .
The summit on the launch of the Crimean platform may be held as early as May 2021 .
The Platform will operate at several levels .
The first , the highest one , is political level , which will involve heads of states and governments .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and defense chiefs , the third is inter-parliamentary level , and the fourth will involve non-governmental experts .
An expert network will be created to enhance the effectiveness of government action , as well as to attract additional intellectual resources to the platform 's work .

Çavuşoğlu reiterated Turkey's non-recognition of Russia's illegal annexation attempt targeting Crimea.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has confirmed his country's support for the creation of the Crimean Platform to end Russia's occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula.
"We discussed and considered the issue of how we, together, can help Crimean Tatars. We expressed our support for the Crimean Platform initiative. Turkey does not recognize the annexation of Crimea, supports territorial integrity of Ukraine, including in Crimea, and declares this on all international platforms, in including the UN," Çavuşoğlu told reporters in Kyiv following the first bilateral political and security consultations between Ukraine and Turkey in a new "Quadriga" format, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
He also said that Turkey advocates that the issue of Donbas be resolved within the framework of the territorial integrity of Ukraine and international law. He added that Turkey supports the ceasefire reached in eastern Ukraine, at the same time noting violations.
Видео дня
Read alsoU.S. to never accept Russia's annexation of Crimea – EmbassyÇavuşoğlu added that Turkey will continue to support the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, which "has been working in difficult conditions in Donbas."
Crimean Platform to end Russian occupation of the peninsula
At the end of July, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced the finalization of the concept of the international platform, "Crimea is Ukraine." At the beginning, it is expected to be a consultative and advisory format, which will grow into a negotiation format.
On August 24, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced that Ukraine would propose that Germany could join the future international platform for the end of the occupation of Crimea.
On September 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who participated in the general debate of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, called on partners to join the international platform for the end of the Russian occupation of Crimea.
On October 6, the president announced that the European Union is ready to join the platform.
The summit on the launch of the Crimean platform may be held as early as May 2021.
The Platform will operate at several levels. The first, the highest one, is political level, which will involve heads of states and governments. The second level is that of top diplomats and defense chiefs, the third is inter-parliamentary level, and the fourth will involve non-governmental experts. An expert network will be created to enhance the effectiveness of government action, as well as to attract additional intellectual resources to the platform's work.