Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelensky named military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov to lead the presidential office, positioning him to steer security strategy.
- Zelensky said he will seek parliamentary approval to replace the defense minister with Mykhailo Fedorov, citing the need to embed drone and digital expertise in the war effort.
- U.S. intelligence assessed that Ukraine did not attack Vladimir Putin or his residences, contradicting Russian claims that Kyiv calls fabricated.
- National security advisers from about 15 countries, along with EU and NATO representatives, convene in Kyiv today, with a Paris meeting of Ukraine’s supporters scheduled for January 6.
- Hostilities persist as authorities report casualties in Kharkiv and order the evacuation of more than 3,000 children and parents from frontline areas, while several battlefield and casualty claims remain unverified.