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Ukrainian forces have confirmed their withdrawal from the embattled eastern town of Siversk, a strategic location near Bakhmut, after intense fighting. Kyiv’s military command stated on Tuesday, 24 December 2025, that the decision to pull back was made to preserve soldiers’ lives and resources, attributing the advance of Russian forces to a significant numerical advantage and relentless pressure from small assault groups amidst challenging weather conditions. This confirmation follows earlier claims by Moscow this month that it had captured Siversk, a claim that Kyiv had previously denied.
Simultaneously, southern Moscow was rocked by several explosions today at the site where Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov was killed by a car bomb on Monday. Reports from Russian Telegram channels Baza and SHOT, citing law enforcement sources and witnesses, indicated that a car was detonated. The blasts, which occurred near a police station, reportedly left at least two people seriously injured. Russian investigators are currently examining the possibility of Ukrainian special services’ involvement in General Sarvarov’s assassination.
In a significant humanitarian appeal, Pope Leo expressed profound sadness that Russia had not agreed to a Christmas ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, the Pope reiterated his call for “people of good will” to respect Christmas Day as a period of peace. He voiced a hope that his plea might be heard, leading to “at least 24 hours, a day of peace, across the world,” underscoring the deep human cost of the protracted conflict.
Adding to the tensions, WhatsApp sharply criticised recent restrictions to its service in Russia, accusing authorities of attempting to deprive over 100 million Russians of their right to private communications just before the holiday season. The messaging giant reported widespread complaints of outages and slowdowns across Russia. A WhatsApp spokesperson asserted the company’s commitment to fighting for its users, warning that forcing individuals onto less secure, government-mandated applications could compromise Russian citizens’ safety and privacy.
Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, countered WhatsApp’s statements by repeating its warning of a complete block if the service fails to comply with Russian law. Roskomnadzor alleged that WhatsApp is used to organise and carry out terrorist acts, recruit perpetrators, and facilitate fraud and other crimes within the country. The regulator indicated it is implementing measures to gradually restrict WhatsApp’s operations, intensifying the digital information battleground.
On the battlefield, Russia’s defence ministry claimed on Tuesday that its troops had captured the settlements of Prylipka in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and Andriivka in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The ministry also reported launching Kinzhal missiles to strike Ukrainian energy and military facilities. These claims of territorial gains could not be independently verified. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drone attacks continued, with debris from a downed Ukrainian drone sparking a fire at an industrial site in Russia’s Tula region, according to Governor Dmitry Milyaev, who also stated that Russian air defence units destroyed at least 12 Ukrainian drones over the region.
Amidst the ongoing hostilities, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that several draft documents, including proposals for security guarantees and a framework for ending the war, have been prepared following productive discussions with US counterparts in Miami. These talks involved envoys of President Trump, indicating continued international diplomatic engagement aimed at finding a resolution to the conflict and securing Ukraine’s future. The focus remains on establishing a foundational structure for post-war recovery and long-term security.
Highlighting national resilience, Ukraine’s popular “Dancing with the Stars” aired a special episode featuring Ukrainian wartime heroes. The show, which famously saw Volodymyr Zelensky win as an actor in 2006, now showcases participants, some with prosthetic limbs, performing intricate choreography, symbolising their strength in overcoming adversity. All proceeds from this special event are dedicated to the Superhumans Center, a specialist clinic providing vital treatment and rehabilitation for war-wounded victims, reinforcing a message of hope and recovery in challenging times.
