unian--2020-12-24--COVID-19: Ukraine case count breaks 1 mln mark

Ukraine said 11,490 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 24 , 2020 , while a total number of confirmed cases had reached 1,001,132 .
As many as 631,435 patients , including 15,775 in the past day , have recovered , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
The death toll has hit 17,395 with 223 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
Read alsoUkraine in world 's top 20 in terms of coronavirus deathsThe government reported 352,302 active cases as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been 1,098,871 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 11,490 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 488 children and 445 healthcare workers .
Some 2,721 new patients were hospitalized , '' Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Thursday .
In total , 66,358 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 41,132 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests run , as well as 24,226 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 1,377 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 774 ) , Odesa region ( 676 ) , Kyiv region ( 666 ) , and Donetsk region ( 636 ) .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available .

The death toll has hit 17,395.
Ukraine said 11,490 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 24, 2020, while a total number of confirmed cases had reached 1,001,132.
As many as 631,435 patients, including 15,775 in the past day, have recovered, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
The death toll has hit 17,395 with 223 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
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Read alsoUkraine in world's top 20 in terms of coronavirus deathsThe government reported 352,302 active cases as of December 24. In total, there have been 1,098,871 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 11,490 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 488 children and 445 healthcare workers. Some 2,721 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Thursday.
In total, 66,358 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 41,132 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 24,226 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (1,377), Zaporizhia region (774), Odesa region (676), Kyiv region (666), and Donetsk region (636).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.


unian--2020-12-24--Donbas war update: Ukraine records three ceasefire violations on Dec 23

No casualties have been reported .
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 23 .
`` In the past day , December 23 , three ceasefire violations were recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) , '' the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 24 , 2020 .
In particular , enemy troops fired automatic and under-barrel grenade launchers near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the invaders employed anti-tank grenade launchers , heavy machine guns and automatic rifles near the village of Talakivka , as well as a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the town of Avdiyivka .
Read alsoSoldier earlier captured by enemy returned to Ukraine – Delegation to TCGThe shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire , the JFO HQ said .
No casualties were reported in the past day .
Since midnight , enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops .
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 over the latest period .

No casualties have been reported.
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 23.
"In the past day, December 23, three ceasefire violations were recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation (JFO)," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 24, 2020.
In particular, enemy troops fired automatic and under-barrel grenade launchers near the village of Vodiane. Also, the invaders employed anti-tank grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and automatic rifles near the village of Talakivka, as well as a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher near the town of Avdiyivka.
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Read alsoSoldier earlier captured by enemy returned to Ukraine – Delegation to TCGThe shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire, the JFO HQ said.
No casualties were reported in the past day.
Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background
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 over the latest period.


unian--2020-12-24--"Elves" fighting pro-Kremlin trolls now in Ukraine – media

The first elves appeared in Lithuania in 2014 , when local activists decided to unite to give an organized rebuff to Russian information attacks against Lithuania , Ukraine , and other democracies .
A civic network that will fight pro-Kremlin disinformation has been formed in Ukraine , according to the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center .
Similar networks already operate in other European countries , where they coordinate efforts to push back against Russian disinformation and influence operations , Euromaidan Press reports .
The network of activists , who have chosen a fantasy name to oppose Russian trolls , has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Czech Republic , and Slovakia .
Since this year 's fall , they have been operating in Ukraine as well , reads the original report by Ukraine Crisis Media Center .
`` Elven '' trainings gathered people from many regions of Ukraine , while lecturers are experts in countering propaganda , misinformation , as well as the military , journalists , volunteers – those who have been actively fighting against Russian aggression over the past six years .
The first elves appeared in Lithuania in 2014 , when local activists decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Russian information attacks against Lithuania , Ukraine , and other democracies .
The movement has grown to include about 40,000 Lithuanians , and then residents of other countries , who volunteer to invest time and effort in the struggle for the integrity of the information space .
Ukrainians , who are well aware that information manipulation and propaganda pose a direct threat to state security and public well-being , have borrowed the Lithuanian experience and created own network of activists , which so far covers eight regions from Kyiv to Donetsk regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ channel over 'LPR ' member 's participation in show

The first elves appeared in Lithuania in 2014, when local activists decided to unite to give an organized rebuff to Russian information attacks against Lithuania, Ukraine, and other democracies.
A civic network that will fight pro-Kremlin disinformation has been formed in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center.
Similar networks already operate in other European countries, where they coordinate efforts to push back against Russian disinformation and influence operations, Euromaidan Press reports.
The network of activists, who have chosen a fantasy name to oppose Russian trolls, has long existed in the Baltic countries, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
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Since this year's fall, they have been operating in Ukraine as well, reads the original report by Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
"Elven" trainings gathered people from many regions of Ukraine, while lecturers are experts in countering propaganda, misinformation, as well as the military, journalists, volunteers – those who have been actively fighting against Russian aggression over the past six years.
The first elves appeared in Lithuania in 2014, when local activists decided to unite to give an organized rebuff to Russian information attacks against Lithuania, Ukraine, and other democracies.
The movement has grown to include about 40,000 Lithuanians, and then residents of other countries, who volunteer to invest time and effort in the struggle for the integrity of the information space.
Ukrainians, who are well aware that information manipulation and propaganda pose a direct threat to state security and public well-being, have borrowed the Lithuanian experience and created own network of activists, which so far covers eight regions from Kyiv to Donetsk regions.
Countering propaganda: Related coverage


unian--2020-12-24--Minister Kuleba says China ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine

Negotiations with China are under way .
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says China is ready to supply a COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine .
The minister announced this on TV Channel Ukraina 24 , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Read alsoUkraine could additionally get 8 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine for free – health official '' They are ready to supply it , '' Kuleba said .
According to him , Ukraine is currently in talks with China on the supply of the vaccine .
He specified that his ministry was helping the Ukrainian Health Ministry with establishing contacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases of the Chinese vaccine will not affect Ukraine 's ability to buy vaccines in other countries , and in particular in the United States , he said .
According to the minister , the Ukrainian authorities , the president , ambassadors based abroad help the Health Ministry with ensuring the supply of vaccines from around the world .
`` It is the main focus of the president 's attention .
It is achievable the following way .
Firstly , we can use political leverage to increase the number of vaccines that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facility ... Secondly , some countries have already reserved or purchased such a number of vaccines that allows them to vaccinate their population from three to four times .
We ask such countries to sell or hand excess doses of vaccines over to us , '' Kuleba said .
The minister also named the third aspect in the issue of vaccine supplies – this is political influence .
`` That is , you approach a manufacturing company and the vaccine manufacturer says : 'We are ready , but we need [ to know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country where our business , our production is located . '
And then you go to the government of that country to negotiate with them , '' he added .
• In March , the first batch with 8 million doses of a vaccine is expected to be shipped to Ukraine under the COVAX Facility .
These doses are enough to vaccinate 4 million people , because one person needs two shots of the vaccine .
Doctors , senior citizens , and seriously ill patients will get vaccinated first .
• On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that his ministry was working out a plan to increase the vaccine quota as part of the COVAX global initiative from 8 million to 16 million doses .
• On the same day , Stepanov signed a roadmap for mass vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine in 2021-2022 .

Negotiations with China are under way.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says China is ready to supply a COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine.
The minister announced this on TV Channel Ukraina 24, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
Read alsoUkraine could additionally get 8 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine for free – health official"They are ready to supply it," Kuleba said.
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According to him, Ukraine is currently in talks with China on the supply of the vaccine.
He specified that his ministry was helping the Ukrainian Health Ministry with establishing contacts with a Chinese vaccine producer.
Possible purchases of the Chinese vaccine will not affect Ukraine's ability to buy vaccines in other countries, and in particular in the United States, he said.
According to the minister, the Ukrainian authorities, the president, ambassadors based abroad help the Health Ministry with ensuring the supply of vaccines from around the world.
"It is the main focus of the president's attention. It is achievable the following way. Firstly, we can use political leverage to increase the number of vaccines that will be delivered to us through the COVAX Facility... Secondly, some countries have already reserved or purchased such a number of vaccines that allows them to vaccinate their population from three to four times. We ask such countries to sell or hand excess doses of vaccines over to us," Kuleba said.
The minister also named the third aspect in the issue of vaccine supplies – this is political influence. "That is, you approach a manufacturing company and the vaccine manufacturer says: 'We are ready, but we need [to know] the position of the government of the country where our business, our production is located.' And then you go to the government of that country to negotiate with them," he added.
Vaccine against coronavirus in Ukraine


unian--2020-12-24--Kremlin prisoner Shumkov returns to Ukraine – Ombudsperson

He was abducted by Russian special services in Kherson region on the administrative border with Russia-occupied Crimea in 2017 .
Ukrainian citizen Oleksandr Shumkov , who has been in illegal detention in Russia since August 2017 , has returned to Ukraine .
Ukraine 's Verkhovna Rada Ombudsperson Liudmyla Denisova announced this on Telegram on December 24 .
Read alsoThree citizens freed from prison in Laos eventually return to Ukraine – Ombudsperson '' Ukrainian political prisoner and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Shumkov is now free !
For more than three years , he has been in illegal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town of Torzhok , Tver region [ in Russia ] .
Almost during the entire term of his imprisonment , he was kept in a punishment cell and a detachment of strict conditions of detention , '' she said .
According to Denisova , Shumkov was released from the colony on December 23 and transferred to the Center for the temporary detention of foreigners in Tver region .
`` He has just crossed the Ukrainian-Russian border and arrived at the Bachivsk automobile checkpoint , where he has been met by his family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Commissioner 's Office and representatives of the territorial departments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces ' military administration , '' she said .

He was abducted by Russian special services in Kherson region on the administrative border with Russia-occupied Crimea in 2017.
Ukrainian citizen Oleksandr Shumkov, who has been in illegal detention in Russia since August 2017, has returned to Ukraine.
Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Ombudsperson Liudmyla Denisova announced this on Telegram on December 24.
Read alsoThree citizens freed from prison in Laos eventually return to Ukraine – Ombudsperson
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"Ukrainian political prisoner and serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Shumkov is now free! For more than three years, he has been in illegal detention in a correctional colony in the town of Torzhok, Tver region [in Russia]. Almost during the entire term of his imprisonment, he was kept in a punishment cell and a detachment with strict conditions of detention," she said.
According to Denisova, Shumkov was released from the colony on December 23 and transferred to a temporary detention center for foreigners in Tver region.
"He has just crossed the Ukrainian-Russian border and arrived at the Bachivsk automobile checkpoint, where he has been met by his family, a representative of the [Human Rights] Commissioner's Office and representatives of the territorial departments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' military administration," she said.
Shumkov's abduction and Russian captivity


unian--2020-12-24--UK, EU agree on 'jumbo' trade deal

UK, EU agree on 'jumbo' trade deal

The document will enter into force on New Year 's Eve , when the UK finally leaves the EU .
The United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed on a `` jumbo '' trade deal following the end of the Brexit transition period .
According to Reuters , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the last-minute agreement as a `` jumbo '' free trade deal along the lines of that done between the European Union and Canada , and urged Britain to move on from the divisions caused by the 2016 Brexit referendum .
BBC News Russian said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain in trade , transport , fishing , energy , security cooperation , and other areas .
In the near future the agreement should be discussed and preliminary approved by the ambassadors of the EU countries in Brussels , after which it is expected to be approved by the European Council and the British Parliament .
The document will enter into force on New Year 's Eve , when the UK finally leaves the EU .
The details of the deal are still unknown , since the text of the document , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet been seen by anyone except the negotiators .
The delegations led by Michel Barnier and David Frost , who had for a year been arguing almost to no avail over the basic principles of the future agreement , nevertheless agreed on the wording of the deal .
As noted by the BBC , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen have been holding intensive negotiations in recent days , agreeing on details that the delegations could not agree on .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then the EU and Britain would have to switch from January 1 to absolutely free movement of goods across the border to trade under the terms of the World Trade Organization , that is , with duties and quotas .
This would have threatened big businesses with losses on both sides .
The main points of controversy in the negotiations were , firstly , the requirement of the European Union that Britain undertake to follow the EU rules in terms of government subsidies , labor protection , technological and environmental requirements for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent British firms from gaining unfair , from an EU point of view , competitive advantage on the continent .
Secondly , they discussed fishing , namely the preservation of EU fishermen 's access to British waters .
• Zelensky : Right moment for Ukraine to join EU after Brexit • UK not to introduce visa-free travel for Ukrainians after Brexit – envoy • UK should be looking to Ukraine for food

The document will enter into force on New Year's Eve, when the UK finally leaves the EU.
The United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed on a "jumbo" free trade deal following the end of the Brexit transition period.
According to Reuters, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the last-minute agreement as a "jumbo" free trade deal along the lines of that done between the European Union and Canada, and urged Britain to move on from the divisions caused by the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Read alsoBritain could freeze Russia's assets after Brexit – media
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BBC News Russian said the deal concerns relations between the EU and Britain in trade, transport, fishing, energy, security cooperation, and other areas.
In the near future the agreement should be discussed and preliminarily approved by the ambassadors of the EU countries in Brussels, after which it is expected to be approved by the European Council and the British Parliament.
The document will enter into force on New Year's Eve, when the UK finally leaves the EU.
The details of the deal are still unknown, since the text of the document, which is several hundred pages long, has not yet been seen by anyone except the negotiators.
The delegations led by Michel Barnier and David Frost, who had for a year been arguing almost to no avail over the basic principles of the future agreement, eventually agreed on the wording of the deal.
As noted by the BBC, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have been holding intensive negotiations in recent days, agreeing on details that the delegations could not agree on.
If the parties had failed to find common grounds, then the EU and Britain would have had to switch as of January 1 to absolutely free movement of goods across the border to trade under the terms of the World Trade Organization, that is, with duties and quotas. This would have threatened big businesses with losses on both sides.
The main points of controversy in the negotiations were, firstly, the requirement of the European Union that Britain undertake to follow the EU rules in terms of government subsidies, labor protection, technological and environmental requirements for production, etc. This was necessary to prevent British firms from gaining unfair, from the EU's point of view, competitive advantage on the continent. Secondly, they discussed fishing, namely the preservation of EU fishermen's access to UK waters.
Other related reports


unian--2020-12-24--Ukrainian military conducting maneuvers with Smerch MRL systems near Crimea

Combat readiness checks are held weekly , both in the day and night time .
The Ukrainian military are conducting maneuvers at one of the training grounds in Kherson region to test readiness of its units operating the Smerch multiple rocket launchers .
Servicemen of the units subordinate to the Army 's Joint Forces Command , serving in the southern direction , have been involved in the practical phase of maneuvers , as reported by the JF HQ .
`` Ukrainian troops worked out the elements of preparations for a rocket launch against conditional enemy targets , '' the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation , Serhiy Nayev , defenders of the country 's south advanced to ad hoc launch positions , deployed and took measures to prepare for launches with elements of site security and defense .
`` In conditions as close as possible to combat , the battery quickly and smoothly completed a march and arrived at rocket launch sites .
After that , it deployed and worked out precise aiming routine on specified targets , '' the commander said .
Combat readiness checks are held weekly , both in the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ready to step up support to Ukraine , Georgia – Stoltenberg • NATO , Ukraine to conduct joint drills in 2021 as part of platform to counter hybrid warfare

Combat readiness checks are held weekly, both in the day and night time.
The Ukrainian military are conducting maneuvers at one of the training grounds in Kherson region to test readiness of its units operating the Smerch multiple rocket launchers.
Servicemen of the units subordinate to the Army's Joint Forces Command, serving in the southern direction, have been involved in the practical phase of maneuvers, as reported by the JF HQ.
"Ukrainian troops worked out the elements of preparations for a rocket launch against conditional enemy targets," the report says.
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According to Commander of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation, Serhiy Nayev, defenders of the country's south advanced to ad hoc launch positions, deployed and took measures to prepare for launches with elements of site security and defense.
"In conditions as close as possible to combat, the battery quickly and smoothly completed a march and arrived at rocket launch sites. After that, it deployed and worked out precise aiming routine on specified targets," the commander said.
Combat readiness checks are held weekly, both in the day and night time.
Drills: Related coverage


unian--2020-12-24--MFA Ukraine finalizes foreign policy strategy toward Asia

The government is yet to approve the document .
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( MFA ) of Ukraine has completed the drafting of a foreign policy strategy toward Asian countries .
`` The Asia strategy has been completed .
It has been developed , and de facto it is already being implemented .
It is not easy to work in this region , but there are a lot of positive shifts .
We are moving forward .
The only reason why you have n't yet seen the approved public document on this matter , and de facto the strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lies purely in the bureaucratic plane , '' Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said during an online briefing on Thursday , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
Read alsoFM Kuleba : Ukraine 's short-term goal in relations with Russia to achieve `` peaceful coexistence '' '' The fact is that with the adoption of the National Security Strategy , the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was instructed to prepare a strategy for Ukraine 's foreign policy as a basic document , from which sectoral strategies , such as the Asia one , should follow .
And therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitted it for government approval , and as soon as the cabinet approves this general strategy , we will be able to immediately release the Asia Strategy as [ part of ] a developing general strategy of foreign policy , '' the minister added .

The government is yet to approve the document.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Ukraine has completed the drafting of a foreign policy strategy toward Asian countries.
"The Asia strategy has been completed. It has been developed, and de facto it is already being implemented. It is not easy to work in this region, but there are a lot of positive shifts. We are moving forward. The only reason why you haven't yet seen the approved public document on this matter, and de facto the strategy has not become such de jure, lies purely in the bureaucratic plane," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said during an online briefing on Thursday, an UNIAN correspondent reports.
Read alsoFM Kuleba: Ukraine's short-term goal in relations with Russia to achieve "peaceful coexistence""The fact is that with the adoption of the National Security Strategy, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry was instructed to prepare a strategy for Ukraine's foreign policy as a basic document, from which sectoral strategies, such as the Asia one, should follow. And therefore we have developed such a document, submitted it for government approval, and as soon as the cabinet approves this general strategy, we will be able to immediately release the Asia Strategy as [part of] a developing general strategy of foreign policy," the minister added.


unian--2020-12-25--Zelensky says he will pay for his vaccination against COVID-19

Vaccine producers are seeking access to the commercial market in Ukraine .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will get vaccinated against COVID-19 at his own expense .
He announced this in an interview for the Focus magazine , answering a question whether he , as president , will be eligible for a free vaccine .
`` When we negotiate with companies that will supply vaccines to Ukraine , they ask to open a commercial market for them .
This indicates there is a segment of people all over the world – and our country is no exception – who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They understand that the state has priority groups of the population – these are the low-income people , doctors , the army , teachers , people with serious illnesses .
Therefore , people like me will get vaccinated at their own expense .
This is normal , '' he said .
Read alsoMinister Kuleba says China ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine • In March , the first batch with 8 million doses of a vaccine is expected to be shipped to Ukraine under the COVAX Facility .
These doses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because one person needs two shots of the vaccine .
Doctors , senior citizens , and seriously ill patients will get vaccinated first .
• On December 24 , Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said that his ministry was working out a plan to increase the vaccine quota as part of the COVAX global initiative from 8 million to 16 million doses .
• On the same day , Stepanov signed a roadmap for mass vaccination against COVID-19 in Ukraine in 2021-2022 .

Vaccine producers are seeking access to the commercial market in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he will get vaccinated against COVID-19 at his own expense.
He announced this in an interview for the Focus magazine, answering a question whether he, as president, will be eligible for a free vaccine.
"As a president, I don't get anything for free," he said.
"When we negotiate with companies that will supply vaccines to Ukraine, they ask to open a commercial market for them. This indicates there is a segment of people all over the world – and our country is no exception – who will not pay attention to the price. They understand that the state has priority groups of the population – these are the low-income people, doctors, the army, teachers, people with serious illnesses. Therefore, people like me will get vaccinated at their own expense. This is normal," he said.
Read alsoMinister Kuleba says China ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine
Vaccine against coronavirus in Ukraine


unian--2020-12-25--Number of new COVID-19 cases registered in Kyiv on Dec 24 exceeds 1,030

There were 24 healthcare workers among the newly reported cases .
As many as 1,038 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Kyiv on December 24 .
In the past 24 hours , fourteen patients died , 1,208 recovered , Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said on Telegram on December 25 .
The new cases included 568 women aged 18 to 89 , some 413 men aged 19 to 90 , as well as 31 girls aged 3 months to 17 years and 26 boys aged 11 months to 17 years .
Read alsoUkraine reports over 11,000 new COVID-19 cases in past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the newly reported cases .
Ninety-one patients were hospitalized on December 24 .
Others are self-isolating under medical supervision .
In total , since the beginning of the pandemic , 106,078 COVID-19 patients have already been registered in the capital city ; 36,969 of them have already recovered .
The total death toll is 1,816 .
Top districts in Kyiv by number of COVID-19 patients confirmed on Dec 24 According to earlier reports , the number of cases in Kyiv on December 23 exceeded 1,300 people ; 23 coronavirus patients died .

There were 24 healthcare workers among the newly reported cases.
As many as 1,038 new COVID-19 cases were registered in Kyiv on December 24.
In the past 24 hours, fourteen patients died, 1,208 recovered, Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said on Telegram on December 25.
The new cases included 568 women aged 18 to 89, some 413 men aged 19 to 90, as well as 31 girls aged 3 months to 17 years and 26 boys aged 11 months to 17 years.
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Read alsoUkraine reports over 11,000 new COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours
There were 24 healthcare workers among the newly reported cases.
Ninety-one patients were hospitalized on December 24. Others are self-isolating under medical supervision.
In total, since the beginning of the pandemic, 106,078 COVID-19 patients have already been registered in the capital city; 36,969 of them have already recovered. The total death toll is 1,816.
Top districts in Kyiv by number of COVID-19 patients confirmed on Dec 24
Darnytsky district – 293 cases;
Dniprovsky district – 175 cases;
Desniansky district – 115 cases.
According to earlier reports, the number of cases in Kyiv on December 23 exceeded 1,300 people; 23 coronavirus patients died.


unian--2020-12-25--Ukraine reports over 11,000 new COVID-19 cases in past 24 hours

Over 15,300 coronavirus patients recovered in the past day .
As many as 11,035 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus were recorded in Ukraine in the past 24 hours as of December 24 , 2020 .
The new cases included 388 healthcare workers , according to the Ukrainian Health Ministry 's Coronavirus_info channel on Telegram .
Read alsoCOVID-19 : In easing , Cabinet allows cafes , restaurants to work throughout New Year 's night In particular , 484 children tested positive for the coronavirus on December 24 .
Meanwhile , 15,337 coronavirus patients recovered in the past day .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , the highest number of the confirmed cases was recorded in the city of Kyiv ( 1,038 ) , as well as in Odesa region ( 963 ) , Kyiv region ( 877 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 690 ) , and Kharkiv region ( 629 ) .
Coronavirus statistics in Ukraine since the start of the epidemic Data from Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine , namely the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol , as well as certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions , is not available .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Dec over new COVID-19 variant – health official • Ukraine could additionally get 8 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine for free – health official • Ukraine in world 's top 20 in terms of coronavirus deaths • Minister Kuleba says China ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine

Over 15,300 coronavirus patients recovered in the past day.
As many as 11,035 new cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus were recorded in Ukraine in the past 24 hours as of December 24, 2020.
The new cases included 388 healthcare workers, according to the Ukrainian Health Ministry's Coronavirus_info channel on Telegram.
Read alsoCOVID-19: In easing, Cabinet allows cafes, restaurants to work throughout New Year's night
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In particular, 484 children tested positive for the coronavirus on December 24.
Meanwhile, 15,337 coronavirus patients recovered in the past day.
In the past 24 hours as of December 24, the highest number of the confirmed cases was recorded in the city of Kyiv (1,038), as well as in Odesa region (963), Kyiv region (877), Zaporizhia region (690), and Kharkiv region (629).
Coronavirus statistics in Ukraine for December 24
Hospitalizations: 2,739 people;
Deaths: 186 people;
Recoveries: 15,337 people;
Tests per day: 58,874 (37,873 PCR tests, 21,001 ELISA tests).
Coronavirus statistics in Ukraine since the start of the epidemic
Confirmed cases: 1,012,167 people;
Deaths: 17,581 people;
Recoveries: 646,772 people;
PCR tests: 5,428,825.
Total COVID-19 cases per region
Kyiv, the city: 106,078;
Odesa region: 67,934;
Kharkiv region: 67,417;
Lviv region: 58,875;
Kyiv region: 56,374;
Dnipropetrovsk region: 55,680;
Zaporizhia region: 50,805;
Ivano-Frankivsk region: 42,611;
Rivne region: 39,979;
Sumy region: 39,490;
Chernivtsi region: 39,143;
Khmelnytsky region: 38,004;
Zhytomyr region: 37,848;
Cherkasy region: 36,947;
Donetsk region (Ukraine-controlled part): 34,225;
Poltava region: 33,997;
Ternopil region: 33,175;
Volyn region: 32,149;
Mykolaiv region: 28,805;
Chernihiv region: 28,730;
Zakarpattia region: 27,650;
Vinnytsia region: 21,698;
Kherson region: 16,679;
Luhansk region (Ukraine-controlled part): 9,725;
Kirovohrad region: 8,149.
Data from Russia-occupied parts of Ukraine, namely the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, is not available.
Other related news reports


unian--2020-12-25--Zelensky greets Christians of Western rite on Christmas

The president says it is `` extremely important to try to let the negative emotions go this year and enter 2021 with a pure heart . ''
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has greeted citizens who celebrate Christmas according to the Western rite .
The greetings were posted on the president 's social media accounts .
Read alsoCOVID-19 : In easing , Cabinet allows cafes , restaurants to work throughout New Year 's night Zelensky says that many Ukrainians are not in festive mood this outgoing year , as 2020 was a challenging year with a shocking pandemic , quarantines , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of communication .
`` Still , it is extremely important to try to let the negative emotions go this year and enter 2021 with a pure heart , '' he said .
Separately , the president mentioned the Ukrainian military and healthcare workers who are on the front line – the Armed Forces have been defending the nation in Donbas and doctors have been fighting against the coronavirus .
`` Ukraine will always be grateful to each of its defenders .
I wish everyone truly good holidays , family comfort and new hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yourself , and Ukraine .
Merry Christmas ! ''
he said .
• Christians of Western Rite Orthodoxy celebrate Christmas on December 25 according to the Gregorian calendar , while Eastern Christians continue celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar 13 days later , on January 6 .
• December 25 became a public holiday in Ukraine not long ago .
This year , Ukrainians have three days off , from December 25 to December 27 , to celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar .

The president says it is "extremely important to try to let the negative emotions go this year and enter 2021 with a pure heart."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has greeted citizens who celebrate Christmas according to the Western rite.
The greetings were posted on the president's social media accounts.
Read alsoCOVID-19: In easing, Cabinet allows cafes, restaurants to work throughout New Year's night
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Zelensky says that many Ukrainians are not in festive mood this outgoing year, as 2020 was a challenging year with a shocking pandemic, quarantines, new economies, and significantly limited channels of communication.
"Still, it is extremely important to try to let the negative emotions go this year and enter 2021 with a pure heart," he said.
Separately, the president mentioned the Ukrainian military and healthcare workers who are on the front line – the Armed Forces have been defending the nation in Donbas and doctors have been fighting against the coronavirus.
"Ukraine will always be grateful to each of its defenders. I wish everyone truly good holidays, family comfort and new hopes. Take care of your loved ones, yourself, and Ukraine. Merry Christmas!" he said.
Christmas on December 25


unian--2020-12-24--UK, EU agree on 'jumbo' free trade deal

UK, EU agree on 'jumbo' free trade deal

The document will enter into force on New Year 's Eve , when the UK finally leaves the EU .
The United Kingdom and the European Union have agreed on a `` jumbo '' free trade deal following the end of the Brexit transition period .
According to Reuters , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described the last-minute agreement as a `` jumbo '' free trade deal along the lines of that done between the European Union and Canada , and urged Britain to move on from the divisions caused by the 2016 Brexit referendum .
BBC News Russian said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Britain in trade , transport , fishing , energy , security cooperation , and other areas .
In the near future the agreement should be discussed and preliminarily approved by the ambassadors of the EU countries in Brussels , after which it is expected to be approved by the European Council and the British Parliament .
The document will enter into force on New Year 's Eve , when the UK finally leaves the EU .
The details of the deal are still unknown , since the text of the document , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not yet been seen by anyone except the negotiators .
The delegations led by Michel Barnier and David Frost , who had for a year been arguing almost to no avail over the basic principles of the future agreement , eventually agreed on the wording of the deal .
As noted by the BBC , British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have been holding intensive negotiations in recent days , agreeing on details that the delegations could not agree on .
If the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then the EU and Britain would have had to switch as of January 1 to absolutely free movement of goods across the border to trade under the terms of the World Trade Organization , that is , with duties and quotas .
This would have threatened big businesses with losses on both sides .
The main points of controversy in the negotiations were , firstly , the requirement of the European Union that Britain undertake to follow the EU rules in terms of government subsidies , labor protection , technological and environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was necessary to prevent British firms from gaining unfair , from the EU 's point of view , competitive advantage on the continent .
Secondly , they discussed fishing , namely the preservation of EU fishermen 's access to UK waters .
• Zelensky : Right moment for Ukraine to join EU after Brexit • UK not to introduce visa-free travel for Ukrainians after Brexit – envoy • UK should be looking to Ukraine for food


unian--2020-12-25--Russia-led forces' 120mm mortar shell hits private yard in Vodiane, Donbas

No civilian casualties have been recorded .
One of proscribed 120mm mortars fired by Russia-led occupation forces in Donbas , Ukraine 's east , has hit a private yard in the village of Vodiane .
The press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Headquarters reported about the incident on Facebook on December 25 .
`` Despite the ceasefire , armed formations of the Russian Federation continue shelling civilian infrastructure in the frontline areas of Donbas .
Today , December 25 , the invaders shelled the private sector of the village of Vodiane , using a 120mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local residents ' courtyard .
Fortunately , there were no civilian casualties over the criminal actions by the Russian occupation forces , '' it said .
The owner of the property said in the video released by the JFO HQ that during the attack , the family was hiding in the basement .
According to him , the house and other structures on the site were damaged during the shelling .
The fact of the ceasefire violation by armed formations of the Russian Federation was reported to the OSCE representatives through the Joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ceasefire .
The JFO HQ reported four enemy attacks from 00:00 to 17:00 Kyiv time on December 25 .
Russia-led forces used 82mm and 120mm mortars .
They also opened fire with grenade launchers , large-caliber machine guns , and rifles .
No Ukrainian army casualties were recorded over the period under review .
On December 24 , enemy troops mounted five attacks on Ukrainian positions near three populated localities in Donbas , namely near the villages of Vodiane and Shumy .
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded amid shelling , another one was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town of Krasnohorivka .

No civilian casualties have been recorded.
One of proscribed 120mm mortars fired by Russia-led occupation forces in Donbas, Ukraine's east, has hit a private yard in the village of Vodiane.
The press center of the Ukrainian Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Headquarters reported about the incident on Facebook on December 25.
"Despite the ceasefire, armed formations of the Russian Federation continue shelling civilian infrastructure in the frontline areas of Donbas. Today, December 25, the invaders shelled the private sector of the village of Vodiane, using a 120mm mortar. One of the shells hit local residents' courtyard. Fortunately, there were no civilian casualties over the criminal actions by the Russian occupation forces," it said.
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The owner of the property said in the video released by the JFO HQ that during the attack, the family was hiding in the basement. According to him, the house and other structures on the site were damaged during the shelling.
The fact of the ceasefire violation by armed formations of the Russian Federation was reported to the OSCE representatives through the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the Ceasefire.
Read alsoOSCE SMM reports 116 civilian casualties in Donbas since year's start
The JFO HQ reported four enemy attacks from 00:00 to 17:00 Kyiv time on December 25. Russia-led forces used 82mm and 120mm mortars. They also opened fire with grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, and rifles. No Ukrainian army casualties were recorded over the period under review.
On December 24, enemy troops mounted five attacks on Ukrainian positions near three populated localities in Donbas, namely near the villages of Vodiane and Shumy. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded amid shelling, another one was injured in a booby-trap explosion near the town of Krasnohorivka.


unian--2020-12-25--Bill on Ukraine's 2021 budget signed into law

The deficit of the national budget is capped at UAH 246.635 billion .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a @ @ @ @ @ for 2021 into law .
This was reported by the presidential press service on December @ @ @ @ @ adopted the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on December 15 .
According to @ @ @ @ @ for 2021 amounts to UAH 1.084 trillion , while budget spending is set at UAH @ @ @ @ @ of the national budget is capped at UAH 246.635 billion .
The 2021 budget provides @ @ @ @ @ for healthcare , and almost UAH 170 billion will be allocated for the development of @ @ @ @ @ on national security and defense is foreseen in the amount of UAH 267 billion , @ @ @ @ @ .
From January 1 , 2021 , the minimum wage will increase to UAH 6,000 @ @ @ @ @ , 2021 , it will be UAH 6,500 , with a respective review of expenditures @ @ @ @ @ salaries .

Bill on Ukraine's 2021 budget signed into law
21:59, 25.12.20 1862
The deficit of the national budget is capped at US$8.7 billion.
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unian--2020-12-25--Zelensky enacts law to restore powers of National Agency on Corruption Prevention

The law shall come into force the next day after its publication .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bill into law to amend the Law of Ukraine on the Prevention of Corruption to reinstate an institutional mechanism for preventing corruption .
This was reported on the president 's official website .
The bill was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on December 15 .
The document eliminates the legislative gaps that arose after the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on October 27 recognized as unconstitutional some provisions of the Law of Ukraine on the Prevention of Corruption .
It ensures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Corruption Prevention ( NACP ) .
The law also stipulates additional specifics of the NACP 's powers in relation to judges , including judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine , aimed at ensuring compliance with the guarantees of those persons ' independence .
This approach will take into account the Constitutional Court 's October 27 ruling , and at the same time will preserve the effectiveness and proportionality of the institutional mechanism for preventing corruption .
The document also provides for open round-the-clock access to the state register of declarations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state or local self-government .
In addition , the law establishes the specifics of conducting full checks of assets declarations and monitoring income and spending of judges , including judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine .
It also provides legal regulation regarding liability for corruption and corruption-related offenses .
`` The implementation of the provisions of the law will help reduce the level of corruption in Ukraine , will restore the functioning of the institutional mechanism for preventing corruption , will contribute to the restoration of the NACP 's proper operation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obligations in the field of preventing and combating corruption , to further implementation of its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations , as well as strengthening of [ Ukraine 's ] standing in the international arena , '' the President 's Office noted .
The law shall come into force the next day after its publication .
• On October 27 , the Constitutional Court , on the motion of 47 MPs , adopted a decision repealing Article 366-1 of the Criminal Code , which had provided for liability for inaccurate declaration of assets by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also recognized unconstitutional the provisions of laws on the verification of e-declarations , and abolished the powers of the NACP to verify such declarations and identify conflict of interest .
• President Volodymyr Zelensky tabled bill No .
4288 in parliament to terminate the powers of all Constitutional Court judges .
The document states , in particular , that the decision of the Constitutional Court of October 27 is `` null and void '' ( such that it does not create legal consequences ) as such that was adopted by the Constitutional Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interests . ''
Zelensky proposes the termination of the powers of Constitutional Court judges from the date when the law becomes effective , suggesting that subjects authorized to appoint new judges should immediately begin the procedure for the competitive selection of the court 's new members .
• Head of the Constitutional Court Oleksandr Tupytsky said the president 's proposals directly contradict the Constitution of Ukraine .
• NACP Chief Oleksandr Novikov says the decision of the Constitutional Court does not actually bar officials from committing corruption offenses .

The law shall come into force the next day after its publication.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a bill into law to amend the Law of Ukraine on the Prevention of Corruption to reinstate an institutional mechanism for preventing corruption.
This was reported on the president's official website.
Read alsoUkraine's parliament restores institutional mechanism for preventing corruption
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The bill was adopted by the Ukrainian parliament on December 15.
The document eliminates the legislative gaps that arose after the Constitutional Court of Ukraine on October 27 recognized as unconstitutional some provisions of the Law of Ukraine on the Prevention of Corruption. It ensures the full-fledged work of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP).
The law also stipulates additional specifics of the NACP's powers in relation to judges, including judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine, aimed at ensuring compliance with the guarantees of those persons' independence. This approach will take into account the Constitutional Court's October 27 ruling, and at the same time will preserve the effectiveness and proportionality of the institutional mechanism for preventing corruption.
The document also provides for open round-the-clock access to the state register of declarations of persons authorized to perform the functions of the state or local self-government.
In addition, the law establishes the specifics of conducting full checks of assets declarations and monitoring income and spending of judges, including judges of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine. It also provides legal regulation regarding liability for corruption and corruption-related offenses.
"The implementation of the provisions of the law will help reduce the level of corruption in Ukraine, will restore the functioning of the institutional mechanism for preventing corruption, will contribute to the restoration of the NACP's proper operation and the implementation of Ukraine's international obligations in the field of preventing and combating corruption, to further implementation of its European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as well as strengthening of [Ukraine's] standing in the international arena," the President's Office noted.
The law shall come into force the next day after its publication.
Constitutional crisis in Ukraine


unian--2020-12-25--EU court annuls 2019 acts designating Azarov as subject to sanctions – media

The European Union 's General Court ( Fifth Chamber ) on December 16 , 2020 , delivered its T-286/19 judgement on former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov , having annulled the 2019 acts designating him as subject to EU sanctions .
This was reported by the Ukrainian media outlet ZN.ua , which refers to a ruling dated December 16 , 2020 .
Read alsoEU 's decision to lift sanctions against former Ukraine officials Azarov , Stavytskiy comes into force According to the ruling , the Council of the European Union had failed to establish that the Ukrainian judicial authorities had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right to effective judicial protection in the respective criminal proceedings .
`` In view of all the foregoing considerations , it has not been established that the Council , before the adoption of the contested acts , ensured that the Ukrainian judicial administration respected the rights of defense and the applicant 's right to effective judicial protection in the criminal proceedings on which he relied .
It follows that , in deciding to keep the applicant 's name on the list , the Council committed an error of assessment , '' the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the contested acts must be annulled in so far as they relate to the applicant , without it being necessary to examine the latter 's request for measures of organization of procedure . ''
In this regard , the court decided to annul the EU 's decision that had imposed sanctions on Azarov .
The legal costs must be paid by the Council of the European Union .
Sanctions against Azarov : In brief • On March 5 , 2020 , the EU Council adopted a decision to lift sanctions that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Azarov and former Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Eduard Stavytsky .
• The sanctions included an asset freeze and a ban on entry to EU countries .
• The decision took effect the next day , March 6 .

Azarov was delisted in March 2020.
The European Union's General Court (Fifth Chamber) on December 16, 2020, delivered its T-286/19 judgement on former Ukrainian Prime Minister Mykola Azarov, having annulled the 2019 acts designating him as subject to EU sanctions.
This was reported by the Ukrainian media outlet ZN.ua, which refers to a ruling dated December 16, 2020.
Read alsoEU's decision to lift sanctions against former Ukraine officials Azarov, Stavytskiy comes into force
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According to the ruling, the Council of the European Union had failed to establish that the Ukrainian judicial authorities had respected Azarov's rights of defense and the right to effective judicial protection in the respective criminal proceedings.
"In view of all the foregoing considerations, it has not been established that the Council, before the adoption of the contested acts, ensured that the Ukrainian judicial administration respected the rights of defense and the applicant's right to effective judicial protection in the criminal proceedings on which he relied. It follows that, in deciding to keep the applicant's name on the list, the Council committed an error of assessment," the ruling said. "In those circumstances, the contested acts must be annulled in so far as they relate to the applicant, without it being necessary to examine the latter's request for measures of organization of procedure."
In this regard, the court decided to annul the EU's decision that had imposed sanctions on Azarov. The legal costs must be paid by the Council of the European Union.
Sanctions against Azarov: In brief


unian--2020-12-26--Hryvnia gets stronger against U.S. dollar on Dec 28

The rate against the euro is fixed at UAH 34.56 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) has set the official forex rate for December 28 at UAH 28.35 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by 11 kopiykas .
Read alsoUkraine 's GDP in Q3 declines by 3.5 % y-o-yThe official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 34.56 per euro – the hryvnia gained six kopiykas in value since Thursday , according to the NBU website .
The central bank has fixed the following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key foreign currencies for December 28 : US $ 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,835.47 ( UAH 2,845.51 as of December 24 ) ; EUR 100 will be quoted at UAH 3,456.01 ( UAH 3,461.56 as of December 24 ) .
By 16:00 Kyiv time on December 24 , hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 28.38/28.40 to the dollar , while those against the euro were at UAH 34.59/34.61 .
The National Bank set the official forex rate for December 24 at UAH 28.46 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country 's national currency by 21 kopiykas .

Hryvnia gets stronger against U.S. dollar on Dec 28
16:10, 26.12.20 402
The rate against the euro is fixed at UAH 34.56 per euro.
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unian--2020-12-26--COVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President

EU citizens will get vaccines developed by BioNTech and Pfizer .
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says the COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered to all the European Union member states .
`` Today , we start turning the page on a difficult year .
The COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered to all EU countries , '' she said on Twitter on December 26 .
Vaccination will begin tomorrow across the EU , she added .
Read alsoUkraine in world 's TOP 20 countries with largest number of COVID-19 cases '' The EU vaccination days are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lasting way out of the pandemic , '' she stressed .
Ursula von der Leyen also noted that vaccination would help Europeans to get their normal lives back , gradually .
At the same time , she called on Europeans to continue to adhere to quarantine measures .
• EU citizens will get vaccines against COVID-19 developed by BioNTech and Pfizer .
• BioNTech 's Chief Business Officer Sean Marett said the EU is scheduled to receive 12.5 million doses of the vaccine by the end of 2020 .
• First vaccinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 27-29 .
The European Union has agreed to pay EUR 15.50 ( $ 18.90 ) per dose for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech .
• Earlier , Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal said Poland could become a mediating country in receiving vaccines from the European Union .
Negotiations are underway between the countries .

EU citizens will get vaccines developed by BioNTech and Pfizer.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says the COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered to all the European Union member states.
"Today, we start turning the page on a difficult year. The COVID-19 vaccine has been delivered to all EU countries," she said on Twitter on December 26.
Vaccination will begin tomorrow across the EU, she added.
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Read alsoUkraine in world's TOP 20 countries with largest number of COVID-19 cases"The EU vaccination days are a touching moment of unity. Vaccination is the lasting way out of the pandemic," she stressed.
Ursula von der Leyen also noted that vaccination would help Europeans to get their normal lives back, gradually.
At the same time, she called on Europeans to continue to adhere to quarantine measures.
Today, we start turning the page on a difficult year. The #COVID19 vaccine has been delivered to all EU countries.
Vaccination will begin tomorrow across the EU.
The #EUvaccinationdays are a touching moment of unity. Vaccination is the lasting way out of the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/pYOj5vS2gV — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 26, 2020
Vaccination against COVID-19


unian--2020-12-26--Kyiv mayor reports over 400 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths as of Dec 26

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 106,486 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 408 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 26 , 2020 , against 1,038 cases registered a day earlier .
`` In the past day , another 408 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus , including 16 healthcare workers .
There were 13 fatalities , '' Klitschko reported via Telegram on Saturday .
According to the city mayor , 229 women aged 23 to 94 and 146 men aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new cases include 14 girls aged three months to 17 years and 19 boys aged five months to 16 years .
Klitschko said 40 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
He added that 161 people had recovered in the past day .
In total , 37,130 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease .
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 147 ) , Desniansky district ( 83 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The death toll in the city stands at 1,829 .
• Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in the number of new active COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 26 , 2020 , that is 7,709 against 11,035 registered a day earlier .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876 .
• The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions ( 676 each ) , Kyiv region ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , and Zaporizhia region ( 445 ) .

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 106,486.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 408 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 26, 2020, against 1,038 cases registered a day earlier.
"In the past day, another 408 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus, including 16 healthcare workers. There were 13 fatalities," Klitschko reported via Telegram on Saturday.
"As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 106,486."
According to the city mayor, 229 women aged 23 to 94 and 146 men aged 19 to 88 are among those infected.
The new cases include 14 girls aged three months to 17 years and 19 boys aged five months to 16 years.
Klitschko said 40 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
He added that 161 people had recovered in the past day.
In total, 37,130 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (147), Desniansky district (83), and Obolonsky district (45).
The death toll in the city stands at 1,829.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-26--Donbas war update: Ukraine records four ceasefire violations on Dec 25

No casualties have been reported .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported four violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Friday , December 25 .
`` In the past day , December 25 , four ceasefire violations were recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) , '' the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 26 , 2020 .
Read alsoRussia-led forces ' 120mm mortar shell hits private yard in Vodiane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In particular , the occupiers fired 120mm and 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms near the village of Vodiane .
The invaders also shelled the private sector of Vodiane , using a 120mm mortar .
One of the shells hit local residents ' courtyard .
Fortunately , there were no civilian casualties .
Ukrainian units delivered an adequate rebuff to enemy provocations , the JFO HQ said .
No casualties were reported in the past day .
Since midnight , enemy forces have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 over the latest period .

No casualties have been reported.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported four violations of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Friday, December 25.
"In the past day, December 25, four ceasefire violations were recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation (JFO)," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 26, 2020.
Read alsoRussia-led forces' 120mm mortar shell hits private yard in Vodiane, Donbas (Photo, video)In particular, the occupiers fired 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms near the village of Vodiane.
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The invaders also shelled the private sector of Vodiane, using a 120mm mortar. One of the shells hit local residents' courtyard. Fortunately, there were no civilian casualties.
Ukrainian units delivered an adequate rebuff to enemy provocations, the JFO HQ said.
No casualties were reported in the past day.
Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background


unian--2020-12-26--Number of new daily COVID-19 cases sharply down as of Dec 26

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876 .
Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in the number of new active COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 26 , 2020 , that is 7,709 against 11,035 registered a day earlier .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876 as of December 26 , 2020 , according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council .
As many as 651,917 patients , including 5,145 in the past day , have recovered .
Read alsoMinister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine to UkraineThe death toll has hit 17,702 with 121 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
The government reported 350,257 active cases as of December 21 .
In total , there have been 1,117,882 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020 .
`` In the past day , 7,709 people tested positive for the coronavirus , including 366 children and 198 healthcare workers .
Some 2,888 new patients were hospitalized , '' Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Saturday .
In total , 31,482 tests were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
In particular , 24,621 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests were run , as well as 6,861 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions ( 676 each ) , Kyiv region ( 568 ) , Odesa region ( 513 ) , and Zaporizhia region ( 445 ) .
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea , the city of Sevastopol , parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : In easing , Cabinet allows cafes , restaurants to work throughout New Year 's night • Ukraine in world 's top 20 in terms of coronavirus deaths • Ukraine could additionally get 8 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine for free – health official

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876.
Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in the number of new active COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 26, 2020, that is 7,709 against 11,035 registered a day earlier.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876 as of December 26, 2020, according to the interactive map compiled by the National Security and Defense Council.
As many as 651,917 patients, including 5,145 in the past day, have recovered.
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Read alsoMinister Kuleba says China ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to UkraineThe death toll has hit 17,702 with 121 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
The government reported 350,257 active cases as of December 21. In total, there have been 1,117,882 reports on suspected COVID-19 since the beginning of 2020.
"In the past day, 7,709 people tested positive for the coronavirus, including 366 children and 198 healthcare workers. Some 2,888 new patients were hospitalized," Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
In total, 31,482 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, 24,621 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests were run, as well as 6,861 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions (676 each), Kyiv region (568), Odesa region (513), and Zaporizhia region (445).
Data from Russia-occupied areas – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol, parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions – is not available.


unian--2020-12-26--Ukraine reports 78 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 26

Some 423 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 78 as of the morning of December 26 .
Read alsoHealth official says over 70 % of beds in hospitals have oxygen supply '' As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 26 , some 2,427 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus .
In total , 11,161 people have recovered and 37 have died during the pandemic , '' the press service of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Saturday .
`` Some 78 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours . ''
Of those newly-infected , 12 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 423 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 34 people .
• Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 26 , 2020 , that is 7,709 against 11,035 registered a day earlier .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876 .
• The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions ( 676 each ) , Kyiv region ( 568 ) , Odesa region ( 513 ) , and Zaporizhia region ( 445 ) .

Some 423 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 78 as of the morning of December 26.
Read alsoHealth official says over 70% of beds in hospitals have oxygen supply"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 26, some 2,427 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 11,161 people have recovered and 37 have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Saturday. "Some 78 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."
Of those newly-infected, 12 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 423 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 34 people.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-26--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 80.1 mln

The overall death toll is 1,754,762 people , while 45,250,266 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 80.1 million patients as of December 26 .
Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President ( Video ) As many as 80,166,360 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 21:22 on December 26 , 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 1,754,762 people , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The highest death toll was recorded in the United States ( 331,116 people ) , Brazil ( 190,488 ) , India ( 147,343 ) , Mexico ( 121,837 ) , Italy ( 71,620 ) , the United Kingdom ( 70,512 ) , and France ( 62,694 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 18,881,783 confirmed cases ) , India ( 10,169,118 ) , Brazil ( 7,448,560 ) , Russia ( 2,992,123 ) , France ( 2,607,688 ) , the United Kingdom ( 2,262,715 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus .

The overall death toll is 1,754,762 people, while 45,250,266 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 80.1 million patients as of December 26.
Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President (Video)As many as 80,166,360 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 21:22 on December 26, 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 1,754,762 people, while 45,250,266 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
Видео дня
The highest death toll was recorded in the United States (331,116 people), Brazil (190,488), India (147,343), Mexico (121,837), Italy (71,620), the United Kingdom (70,512), and France (62,694).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (18,881,783 confirmed cases), India (10,169,118), Brazil (7,448,560), Russia (2,992,123), France (2,607,688), the United Kingdom (2,262,715), and Turkey (2,133,373).
As many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus.


unian--2020-12-26--Health official says over 70% of beds in hospitals have oxygen supply

Some 55 % -60 % of those hospitalized need oxygen therapy for the time being .
Ukraine 's Deputy Health Minister , Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko says more than 70 % of beds for COVID-19 patients in Ukrainian hospitals have the oxygen supply .
Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President ( Video ) Some 55 % -60 % of those hospitalized need oxygen therapy for the time being , he wrote on Facebook on December 26 .
In total , 64,349 beds that have been repurposed for COVID-19 treatment are available in hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply .
They account for 70 % of all allocated beds .
Today , 29,487 beds with oxygen supply are available in the country 's hospitals , he added .
• Ukraine reported a sharp decrease in the number of new active COVID-19 cases that had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 26 , 2020 , that is 7,709 against 11,035 registered a day earlier .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,019,876 .
• The highest number of new confirmed cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dnipropetrovsk and Lviv regions ( 676 each ) , Kyiv region ( 568 ) , Odesa region ( 513 ) , and Zaporizhia region ( 445 ) .

Some 55%-60% of those hospitalized need oxygen therapy for the time being.
Ukraine's Deputy Health Minister, Chief Medical Officer Viktor Liashko says more than 70% of beds for COVID-19 patients in Ukrainian hospitals have the oxygen supply.
Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President (Video)Some 55%-60% of those hospitalized need oxygen therapy for the time being, he wrote on Facebook on December 26.
In total, 64,349 beds that have been repurposed for COVID-19 treatment are available in hospitals, of which 44,436 have the oxygen supply. They account for 70% of all allocated beds.
Видео дня
Today, 29,487 beds with oxygen supply are available in the country's hospitals, he added.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-27--Naftogaz to raise gas price for households by over 14% in Jan

Changes in gas prices in January are primarily due to the seasonal factor and an increase in the wholesale gas price .
LLC Naftogaz of Ukraine GSC ( Gas Supply Company ) has set the price of gas for households in January at UAH 7.22 ( US $ 0.25 ) per cubic meter , which is 14.06 % up from December 2020 .
`` The price of natural gas in January for households under the Monthly tariff is UAH 7.22 per cubic meter with VAT , excluding the cost of distribution ( delivery ) , '' the company 's press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 .
It is noted changes in gas prices in January are primarily due to the seasonal factor and an increase in the wholesale gas price .
Gas transmission to households to rise in price from Jan 1 Background • On August 1 , the natural gas market opened for the country 's households , who received the opportunity to independently select their gas supplier .
• National Joint-Stock Company Naftogaz of Ukraine 's public service obligations ( PSOs ) to supply gas to households expired , but municipal heating companies will continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naftogaz .
• In December 2020 , the price of gas for Ukrainian households was set at UAH 6.33 ( US $ 0.22 ) per cubic meter .

Naftogaz to raise gas price for households by over 14% in Jan
15:50, 27.12.20 276
Changes in gas prices in January are primarily due to the seasonal factor and an increase in the wholesale gas price.
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unian--2020-12-27--Kyiv mayor reports over 700 new COVID-19 cases, 15 deaths as of Dec 27

The death toll in the city stands at 1,844 .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 718 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 27 , 2020 , against 408 cases registered a day earlier .
`` In the past day , another 718 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus , including 19 healthcare workers .
There were 15 fatalities , '' Klitschko reported via Telegram on Sunday .
`` As of today , the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 107,204 . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ women aged 19 to 85 and 266 men aged 18 to 88 are among those infected .
Read alsoHealth official says over 70 % of beds in hospitals have oxygen supplyThe new cases include 20 girls aged seven months to 17 years and 34 boys aged one to 17 years .
Klitschko said 65 new patients had been hospitalized , while the rest were self-isolating , undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision .
He added that 143 people had recovered in the past day .
In total , 37,273 Kyiv residents have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district ( 272 ) , Dniprovsky district ( 161 ) , and Desniansky district ( 57 ) .
The death toll in the city stands at 1,844 .
• Ukraine said 6,113 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 27 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,025,989 .

The death toll in the city stands at 1,844.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said 718 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed in the city in the past 24 hours as of December 27, 2020, against 408 cases registered a day earlier.
"In the past day, another 718 residents of Kyiv tested positive for the coronavirus, including 19 healthcare workers. There were 15 fatalities," Klitschko reported via Telegram on Sunday.
"As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is 107,204."
Видео дня
According to the city mayor, 398 women aged 19 to 85 and 266 men aged 18 to 88 are among those infected.
Read alsoHealth official says over 70% of beds in hospitals have oxygen supplyThe new cases include 20 girls aged seven months to 17 years and 34 boys aged one to 17 years.
Klitschko said 65 new patients had been hospitalized, while the rest were self-isolating, undergoing treatment at home under medical supervision.
He added that 143 people had recovered in the past day.
In total, 37,273 Kyiv residents have already beaten the disease.
The highest number of the new cases in Kyiv was registered in Darnytsky district (272), Dniprovsky district (161), and Desniansky district (57).
The death toll in the city stands at 1,844.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-27--Europe launches vaccination program in bid to leave pandemic behind – media

Countries including France , Germany , Italy , Austria , Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations , starting with health workers on Sunday .
Europe launches a cross-border vaccination programme of unprecedented scale on Sunday as part of efforts to end a COVID-19 pandemic that has crippled economies and claimed more than 1.7 million lives around the world .
The region of 450 million people has secured contracts with a range of suppliers for over two billion vaccine doses and has set a goal for all adults to be inoculated during 2021 , as reported by Reuters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best-resourced healthcare systems in the world , the sheer scale of the effort means that some countries are calling on retired medics to help out while others have loosened rules for who is allowed to give the injections .
With surveys pointing to high levels of hesitancy towards the vaccine in countries from France to Poland , leaders of the 27-country European Union are promoting it as the best chance of getting back to something like normal life next year .
Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised for failing to work together to counter the spread of the virus in early 2020 , the goal this time is to ensure that there is equal access to the vaccines across the entire region .
But even then , Hungary on Saturday jumped the gun on the official roll-out by starting to administer shots of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech to frontline workers at hospitals in the capital Budapest .
Countries including France , Germany , Italy , Austria , Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Outside the EU , Britain , Switzerland and Serbia have already started in recent weeks .
• EU to discuss response to new COVID-19 variant as travel bans on UK expand • EU has no plans to ease travel restrictions – Ukraine 's envoy • The Economist : A new coronavirus variant may derail pandemic-control efforts

Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations, starting with health workers on Sunday.
Europe launches a cross-border vaccination programme of unprecedented scale on Sunday as part of efforts to end a COVID-19 pandemic that has crippled economies and claimed more than 1.7 million lives around the world.
The region of 450 million people has secured contracts with a range of suppliers for over two billion vaccine doses and has set a goal for all adults to be inoculated during 2021, as reported by Reuters.
While Europe has some of the best-resourced healthcare systems in the world, the sheer scale of the effort means that some countries are calling on retired medics to help out while others have loosened rules for who is allowed to give the injections.
Видео дня
With surveys pointing to high levels of hesitancy towards the vaccine in countries from France to Poland, leaders of the 27-country European Union are promoting it as the best chance of getting back to something like normal life next year.
Read alsoCOVID-19 vaccine delivered to all EU countries – EU Commission President (Video)After European governments were criticised for failing to work together to counter the spread of the virus in early 2020, the goal this time is to ensure that there is equal access to the vaccines across the entire region.
But even then, Hungary on Saturday jumped the gun on the official roll-out by starting to administer shots of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech to frontline workers at hospitals in the capital Budapest.
Countries including France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Portugal and Spain are planning to begin mass vaccinations, starting with health workers on Sunday. Outside the EU, Britain, Switzerland and Serbia have already started in recent weeks.
Other related news reports


unian--2020-12-27--Donbas war update: Ukraine records one ceasefire violation on Dec 26

No casualties were reported in the past day .
The Command of Ukraine 's Armed Forces has reported one violation of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Saturday , December 26 .
`` In the past day , December 26 , one ceasefire violation was recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) , '' the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 27 , 2020 .
In particular , the Russian Federation 's armed formations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berezove .
Read alsoSoldier earlier captured by enemy returned to Ukraine – Delegation to TCGThe shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire , the JFO HQ said .
No casualties were reported in the past day .
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 peace settlement in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

No casualties were reported in the past day.
The Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces has reported one violation of the latest ceasefire agreement committed by Russia-controlled armed groups in the Donbas warzone on Saturday, December 26.
"In the past day, December 26, one ceasefire violation was recorded in the area the Joint Forces Operation (JFO)," the press center of the Ukrainian JFO Command wrote on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on December 27, 2020.
In particular, the Russian Federation's armed formations fired automatic rifles near the village of Berezove.
Видео дня
Read alsoSoldier earlier captured by enemy returned to Ukraine – Delegation to TCGThe shots posed no threat to the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers so the Joint Forces did not return fire, the JFO HQ said.
No casualties were reported in the past day.
Since midnight, enemy forces have not attacked Ukrainian troops.
The situation is under full control of the Ukrainian military.
Donbas ceasefire: Background


unian--2020-12-27--COVID-19: Over 6,000 new active cases reported as of Dec 27

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,025,989 .
Ukraine said 6,113 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 27 , 2020 .
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,025,989 as of December 27 , 2020 , as reported by Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov on Facebook .
As many as 658,538 patients , including 6,621 in the past day , have recovered .
The death toll has hit 17,774 with 72 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours .
Read alsoHealth official says over 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplyIn total , 24,978 tests were conducted in the country in the past day .
In particular , there were 19,543 PCR ( polymerase chain reaction ) tests run , as well as 24,978 ELISA ( enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ) tests .
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv ( 718 ) , Dnipropetrovsk region ( 537 ) , Odesa region ( 515 ) , Zaporizhia region ( 453 ) , and Mykolaiv region ( 414 ) .
• Ukraine in world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths • COVID-19 : In easing , Cabinet allows cafes , restaurants to work throughout New Year 's night • Minister Kuleba says China ready to supply COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine • Number of new daily COVID-19 cases sharply down as of Dec 26 • Ukraine reports 78 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 26

The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,025,989.
Ukraine said 6,113 new active COVID-19 cases had been confirmed across the country in the past 24 hours as of December 27, 2020.
The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,025,989 as of December 27, 2020, as reported by Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov on Facebook.
As many as 658,538 patients, including 6,621 in the past day, have recovered.
Видео дня
The death toll has hit 17,774 with 72 fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.
Read alsoHealth official says over 70% of beds in hospitals have oxygen supplyIn total, 24,978 tests were conducted in the country in the past day. In particular, there were 19,543 PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests run, as well as 24,978 ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests.
The highest number of new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered the city of Kyiv (718), Dnipropetrovsk region (537), Odesa region (515), Zaporizhia region (453), and Mykolaiv region (414).
Other related news reports


unian--2020-12-27--Number of COVID-19 cases confirmed worldwide exceeds 80.5 mln

The overall death toll is 1,762,015 people , while 45,584,194 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 80.5 million patients as of December 27 .
As many as 80,587,536 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 21:22 on December 27 , 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 1,762,015 people , while 45,584,194 coronavirus patients have already recovered .
Read alsoEurope launches vaccination program in bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll was recorded in the United States ( 332,705 people ) , Brazil ( 190,795 ) , India ( 147,622 ) , Mexico ( 122,026 ) , Italy ( 71,925 ) , the United Kingdom ( 70,860 ) , and France ( 62,694 ) .
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States ( 19,069,926 confirmed cases ) , India ( 10,187,850 ) , Brazil ( 7,465,806 ) , Russia ( 3,019,972 ) , France ( 2,608,277 ) , the United Kingdom ( 2,295,143 ) , Turkey ( 2,147,578 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus .
• COVID-19 : Over 6,000 new active cases reported as of Dec 27

The overall death toll is 1,762,015 people, while 45,584,194 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the world exceeded 80.5 million patients as of December 27.
As many as 80,587,536 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases had been reported as of 21:22 on December 27, 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 1,762,015 people, while 45,584,194 coronavirus patients have already recovered.
Видео дня
Read alsoEurope launches vaccination program in bid to leave pandemic behind – mediaThe highest death toll was recorded in the United States (332,705 people), Brazil (190,795), India (147,622), Mexico (122,026), Italy (71,925), the United Kingdom (70,860), and France (62,694).
The countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic include the United States (19,069,926 confirmed cases), India (10,187,850), Brazil (7,465,806), Russia (3,019,972), France (2,608,277), the United Kingdom (2,295,143), Turkey (2,147,578), and Italy (2,047,696).
As many as 191 countries have been affected by the virus.
More news reports


unian--2020-12-27--Ukraine reports 32 new COVID-19 cases in armed forces as of Dec 27

Some 421 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 32 as of the morning of December 27 .
`` As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 27 , some 2,374 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus .
In total , 11,246 people have recovered and 37 have died during the pandemic , '' the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were registered in the past 24 hours . ''
Read alsoHealth official says over 70 % of beds in hospitals have oxygen supplyOf those newly-infected , five 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 421 servicemen are now isolated ( including self-isolation ) .
The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 34 people .
• Ukraine said 6,113 new active COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past 24 hours as of December 27 , 2020 .
• The total number of confirmed cases grew to 1,025,989 .

Some 421 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation).
The number of COVID-19 coronavirus cases registered in the Armed Forces of Ukraine rose by 32 as of the morning of December 27.
"As of 10:00 Kyiv time on December 27, some 2,374 people in the Armed Forces of Ukraine had acute respiratory illness COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. In total, 11,246 people have recovered and 37 have died during the pandemic," the press service of the Medical Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook on Sunday. "Some 32 new COVID-19 cases were registered in the past 24 hours."
Read alsoHealth official says over 70% of beds in hospitals have oxygen supplyOf those newly-infected, five 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 421 servicemen are now isolated (including self-isolation). The number of those whose isolation term is expiring in the next three days is 34 people.
COVID-19 in Ukraine: Latest developments


unian--2020-12-27--No contacts with Ukraine's leadership, Kremlin spox says

Moscow once again accuses Kyiv of being passive in the implementation of the Minsk agreements .
Russian President Vladimir Putin 's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has said there is no contact with the Ukrainian leadership .
In an interview for the Russia-1 TV channel , he said the settlement in Ukraine is getting more complicated over time , an UNIAN correspondent in Russia reports .
Read alsoKravchuk tells how Russia keeps blocking solutions within TCGPeskov said no offers of contacts had been received from the Ukrainian side .
`` No one really calls now , '' he said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were reached in Paris and the implementation of the Minsk complex of measures has stalled , since some single provisions were actually implemented , but in general , the most important thing is that no one even took on them , '' Peskov added .
Contacts between Ukraine-Russia leadership : What is known • Earlier , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his intention to call Russian President Vladimir Putin if the meeting of the Normandy Four leaders ' advisors continues to drag on .
• In an interview for the Focus magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not do this since `` there is no subject for conversation . ''
In his opinion , there should be a dialogue like the Normandy format , as well as a direct dialogue .
• Zelensky reiterated the meeting of the Normandy Four leaders ' advisors had to take place in December , during which it was planned to discuss concrete steps to de-escalate the conflict .
But it was postponed .

Moscow once again accuses Kyiv of being passive in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has said there is no contact with the Ukrainian leadership.
In an interview for the Russia-1 TV channel, he said the settlement in Ukraine is getting more complicated over time, an UNIAN correspondent in Russia reports.
Read alsoKravchuk tells how Russia keeps blocking solutions within TCGPeskov said no offers of contacts had been received from the Ukrainian side.
Видео дня
"No one really calls now," he said.
"The process of fulfilling the very agreements that were reached in Paris and the implementation of the Minsk complex of measures has stalled, since some single provisions were actually implemented, but in general, the most important thing is that no one even took on them," Peskov added.
Contacts between Ukraine-Russia leadership: What is known