We will talk about what Putin discussed with businessmen and George Bush in the program “Facing the Event” with sociologist at Rutgers University in the USA Sergei Erofeev.

The Ukrainian command is investigating information about the loss of a Ukrainian Armed Forces stronghold in the center of Gulyai-Polye (a city in the east of the Zaporozhye region, which is currently being stormed by Russian troops). At the headquarters, among other things, there were computers. Z-bloggers report that the Russian military is already in the center of Gulyai-Polye. However, representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces say that Ukrainian forces are holding their positions.

Russian drone "Orlan" The Russian troops of unmanned systems (UPS) were led by Yuri Vaganov, a businessman and volunteer from Elektrostal near Moscow, who does not have a military education. This is reported by pro-war bloggers and sources of the BBC Russian Service . In the military community, Vaganov is known by the nickname “Yura Toilet”, because, according to BBC interlocutors, until 2022 he sold plumbing fixtures and was engaged in small business in Elektrostal.

The most interesting thing from our common past. An unfinished story. Unhealed wounds. Hopes still alive. Could Russia have taken a different path? Archive project. Ivan Tolstoy selects from our broadcast what is still relevant and has turned out to be eternal.

Illustrative photo The Ministry of Internal Affairs added that the accused “supported the activities of a person on the federal wanted list for terrorism and extremism and living abroad.” A court in Bashkortostan sent a Ufa college student ( his name was not given ) to a pre-trial detention center on charges of “participation in the activities of a terrorist organization” (Part 2 of Article 205.5 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said that Ukraine has agreed to meet with US President Donald Trump “in the near future.” “A lot can be decided before the New Year. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelensky wrote . He later said he planned to discuss security guarantees with Trump on Sunday, December 28, in Florida.

Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky Information digest “Time of Freedom with Andrei Sharogradsky.” Friday, December 26 Information digest “Time of Freedom with Andrei Sharogradsky.” Friday, December 26 -Results of fighting in Ukraine in 2025 and prospects for military operations in 2026 - Zelensky announced a meeting with Trump -The Duma adopted 588 laws in a year -Fugitive Russian banker Vladimir Antonov was detained in France - Sentences to the publisher of Meduza Galina Timchenko and the

Residential buildings during a power outage following Russian attacks, Odessa, Ukraine, December 14, 2025 On Friday night, Russia once again attacked Odessa with drones. As the head of the city administration, Sergei Lysak, writes , the target was an “infrastructure object,” and a fire started at the site where the drone hit. The Russian military strikes critical infrastructure in Odessa on a daily basis, causing power outages and interruptions in water supplies.

Journalists have identified the names of 158,143 Russian military personnel who have died since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The loss count is being carried out by the BBC Russian Service and Mediazona together with a team of volunteers. 55 percent of all those killed were volunteers, mobilized and convicted, who left penal colonies for the war. The highest number of deaths remains among volunteers – 51,538 people.

Why is Russia's population rapidly declining, and how alarming are the statistics in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan? Independent demographers Salavat Abylkalikov and Aby Shukurov explain why the crisis is systemic and government measures will not help. Replay of the broadcast from October 10, 2025.

Consequences of a mosque explosion in Syria, December 26, 2025 In the Syrian city of Homs, an explosion occurred in a mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab area, the state agency SANA reports . According to preliminary data, eight people were killed and another 18 were injured. A security source told SANA that the explosion could have been caused by explosives planted in the mosque.

We discuss Putin’s statements in the “Facing the Event” program with political scientists Evgeny Roshchin and Maria Snegova.