Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] 21.54 State Police Officer Kirilo Budanov voiced the key goals of Russia for 2026. I told Budanov about this in an interview with Suspilna. According to Budanov, Moscow wants to completely occupy the Donbass and Zaporizhzhya region.
21.13 On Saturday, the 27th, the Russians attacked the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region with a fleet of FPV drones. As a result of the shelling, two people were injured, as well as civilians and rulers who were in the regional center and communities in the region. administration Vladislav Gayvanenko. In his words, a 64-year-old person is in a severe case and a 66-year-old person is in a moderate case, hospitalized.
18.51 At the front, 62 military engagements began, with the most active attack on the Pokrovsky and Kostyantynivsky directions. I informed the ZSU General Staff about this on the evening of the 27th.
18.20 Due to an attack on critical infrastructure facilities, more than 40% of residential buildings in Kiev and part of the Obukhiv district of the Kiev region were deprived of heat supply. About this 27th anniversary, the Deputy Prime Minister for the Renewal of Ukraine - Minister for Community Development and Territory Oleksiy Kuleba.
17.55 Through a massive combined attack on Kiev on the night of the 27th century, a 71-year-old man was killed, and another 32 people were injured, including two children. The Kiev police, DSNS, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported about this. It appears that in the Dnieper region, a 71-river man died, his squad at an important station in the hospital. More than 10 residential buildings, private buildings, and civil infrastructure have been identified in Kiev.
17.38 The Russians attacked the gas and energy infrastructure - the VDU and CHP facilities of the Naftogaz group. The press service of the Naftogaz group reported about this 27th anniversary.
16.21 The Ukrainian ZSU forces watched a video of combat operations during the night Russian attack on Ukraine.
14.59 Peace is a priority for Ukraine and it “may be strong at the negotiating table.” President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated this during a meeting with journalists.
14.42 Russia attacked Ukraine at night on the 27th, deploying 40 missiles and 519 attack drones. The Ukrainian PPO managed to kill 503 targets. The Ukrainian Defense Forces announced this on Telegram.
13.58 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky called “red lines” for Ukraine in peaceful transitions before the meeting of presidents in the United States: territorial nutrition, ZAEU and security guarantees. About this, the head of the state announced an hour of peace with journalists.
12.48 The village of Dronivka near the Donetsk region is under the control of the Ukrainian troops. Prote Russian occupiers can be squeezed in two directions, trying to capture the population of the area. The Grouped Military Assembly reported this on Facebook.
12.35 The Russian army launched a series of missile and drone strikes on Kiev. Nina knows about the deceased and about 30 victims. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Igor Klimenko announced this on Telegram.
The mayor of Kiev, Vitaly Klitschko, informed that the number of victims in the capital had significantly increased.
11.34 Russia launched around 500 drones across Ukraine. There were also 40 missiles and Kinjali missiles. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this on Facebook.
10.58 Russia is carrying out a masquerading missile and drone attack on the energy system of Ukraine at night: people in Kiev, Kiev and Chernihiv regions are being destroyed. The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reports this.
10.50 Russian military rebels, for the past 26 years, have struck industrial and port infrastructure in the Odessa region. As a result of the shelling, there is shock, according to Oleg Kiper, head of the Odessa Regional Administration, on Telegram.
10.26 The Russian army kissed the campus of the NAU, the National Aviation University (never called the State University of the Kiev Aviation Institute, KAI) before the attack on Kiev baby 27 breasts. RBC-Ukraine reports this, relying on the confirmation of the rector, Vice-President Ksenia Semenova.
10.03 Russian troops attack in all directions, especially on Pokrovsky. Last year, 26 years ago, 258 battles were fought at the front. Please confirm the rank order of the General Staff of the ZSU.
9.38 Ulamki were located at 24 overhead booths near the Darnytskyi district of Kiev. Pozhezha is viral on the 24th version. The 18-top and 10-top are also falling, informing the Mayor of Kiev Vitaliy Klitschko on Telegram.
9.08 The commander of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) Denis WhiteRex Kapustin died at the end of his military duty on the Zaporozhye front. RDC reported this on their Telegram channel.
8.49 Russian military villains launched combined attacks on Kiev. As a result of the shelling, several districts of the capital suffered fires. DSNS Kiev informs about this on Facebook.
Near the Golosiivsky district, the crash of a drone caused the fire of three cars in the territory of a service station, I hope it has been liquidated.
In the Obolonsky district, as a result of a UAV attack, a vinyl cabin burned a three-top private living room. On the spot, the burning of the dahu and the other above is recorded. The firemen will continue to chew the extinguisher.
8.25 Five people suffered as a result of the enemy’s attack on Kiev. The Kiev mayor Vitaliy Klitschko told about this on his Telegram channel.
7.32 Ukrainian defense forces have killed and wounded 1,240 Russian soldiers in the past. The ZSU General Staff reported this on its Facebook page.
06.25 On Saturday, the 27th, Russian forces launched an attack on Kiev in that area, as a result of which one person was injured and they recognized the destruction of several objects. The head of KOVA Mikola Kalashnik told about this. Ushkodzhen recognized objects in Vishgorod, as well as in the Boryspil, Buchansky and Obukhivsky districts.
04.58 In Kiev, as a result of a massive missile attack on Saturday night, the 27th, there were power outages, water supplies and fires. Please inform local residents about this from social security agencies. Based on data from monitoring channels, the shelling was directed at strategic targets, such as the GES and TPP near Kiev and the region.
04.30 On Saturday, the 27th, Kiev has again become the target of attack by the aggressor country. Once again the capital was attacked by shock drones. The military authorities of the capital confirmed the information about the work of the PPO forces.
02.26 On Saturday, January 27, the Russian army launched ballistic missiles and winged missiles of the Caliber from the Sea type across Ukraine. Through the threat of missile strikes across the entire territory, the country voiced its alarm. During the aphids of the attack near Kiev, vibukhs appeared. Mayor of Kiev informed about the work of the PPO forces. Publics provided information about getting involved in the energy sector.
02.53 US President Donald Trump assessed the possibility of achieving a peaceful settlement during the visit of Volodymyr Zelensky to his Mar-a-Lago club this week. The head of the United States noted that the offending parties, in his words, will push back against their interests, so that their approaches may differ.
01.29 The real sector of the Russian economy is experiencing one of the greatest crisis stages, which is characterized by increasing isolation, lack of clarity and progressive instability. According to the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FIS), the financial system of the Russian Federation operates in a regime of “carved chaos”, where the capture of realities has become a warehouse of government policy.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Korrespondent] In the Pokrovsky direction, the invaders made 19 attempts to push back the Ukrainian defenders. In the Konstantinovsky direction, the Russian army attacked 12 times.
There have been 62 combat clashes on the front since the beginning of the day, with the enemy attacking most actively in the Pokrovsky and Konstantinovsky directions. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on the evening of December 27.
It is noted that Russian artillery again shelled border settlements today, in particular Rogizne, Ulanov, and Hirky in Sumy region.
In the North Slobozhansk and Kursk directions, the enemy carried out 62 attacks.
In the South Slobozhansk direction, the Russian army attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders four times near the settlements of Starytsia, Vovchansk, Prylipka and towards Hryhorivka. One clash is ongoing.
In the Kupyansk direction, the Defense Forces repelled two enemy attacks in the direction of Petropavlivka and Pishchane.
In the Lyman direction, the Russian army attacked six times near the settlements of Seredne, Novoselivka and towards the settlements of Druzhelyubivka, Stavky and Drobysheve. The defense forces have already stopped two attempts by the enemy to advance. Fighting continues in four locations.
In the Slavyansk direction, fighting is currently ongoing in the area of Serebryanka.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Vasyukivka and Predtechyny.
In the Konstantinivka direction, the Russian army attacked 12 times in the areas of the settlements of Konstantinivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka and towards Sofiivka and Stepanivka. Three combat clashes are still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the invaders made 19 attempts to push the Ukrainian defenders from the occupied positions in the areas of the settlements of Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnograd, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiya and towards the settlements of Novye Shakhove, Dorozhne, Rodynske, and Hryshyne. One battle is ongoing.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy attacked seven times near the settlements of Yalta, Vyshneve, Pryvilne, Rybne and towards the settlement of Andriivka-Klevtsove. Two clashes are still ongoing.
In the Hulyaipol direction, Ukrainian defenders have already stopped three enemy attempts to advance in the areas of Hulyaipol and Bilogirya. Three more clashes are ongoing.
In the Orikhiv direction, the Defense Forces repelled one enemy attack in the Shcherbaky area.
In the Dnieper direction, Ukrainian military repelled two enemy attacks in the area of the Antoniv Bridge.
As a reminder, the village of Dronivka in Donetsk region is under the control of Ukrainian troops. However, the Russian occupiers are pressing from two directions, trying to capture the settlement.
Previously, the analytical project DeepState reported that the Russian occupiers had advanced in the Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions, including in the Dronivka area.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[NewsFront] 21:25 As a result of active offensive actions by units of the East group of forces, controltakenThe Hulyai-Pole defensive region of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with its center in the city of Hulyai-Pole, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. 20:32 The settlement of Hulyaipole in the Zaporizhia region was liberated, –MAP.
19:08 UAV crews of the Southern group of forces destroyed a Leopard 1A5 tank, a 152mm D-20 gun and an enemy UAV control post in the Konstantinovsky direction.
FPV drone operators from the Zapad group of forces thwarted yet another attempt by Ukrainian Armed Forces militants to transport personnel and ammunition to the Kupyansk district of the Kha'rkov region.
Drone operators from the Center group of forces destroyed enemy personnel in buildings and equipped dugouts near the village of Grishino in the Krasnoarmeysky direction.
Attack drone crews from the Vostok group of forces destroyed two M109 and 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery units, as well as mortar crews of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the village of Gulyai-Pole.
FPV drone operators destroyed enemy vehicles, engineering equipment, and a field ammunition depot.
17:42 Crews of unmanned aerial vehicle systems troops as part of the 39th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th army corps of the Center group of forces continuously lead work to detect military facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, supporting the offensive actions of troops in the Krasnoarmeysk direction.
17:04 To the volunteers of the BARS-17 detachment of the Southern group of forceshanded overstate awards.
16:10 Crews of the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system of the Sever Guards destroyed a Ukrainian Armed Forces strongpoint in a forested area near Staritsa,video.
15:26 From 13:00 to 15:00 Moscow time by air defense systems on duty destroyed 36 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles of the aircraft type over the territory of the Bryansk region.
14:20 Russian Armed Forces are advancing in the Krasnolimansk direction, MAP.
13:50 The Moscow crew of the 69th Motorized Rifle Division destroys a Ukrainian Armed Forces transport vehicle in the Khar'kov region,video.
13:16 City of Kupyansk located under the control of units of the 6th Guards Combined Arms Army of the West group of forces.
12:20 Summary of the Russian Ministry of Defense on the progress of the special military operation as of December 27, 2025:
In response to Ukraine's terrorist attacks on civilian targets in Russia, the Russian Armed Forces launched a massive strike tonight using long-range, land-, air-, and sea-based precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic aeroballistic missiles, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, against energy infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises.
The strike's objectives have been achieved. All designated targets have been hit.
Units of the "North" force group have improved their tactical position. Formations of the territorial defense brigade and border detachment of the Ukrainian Border Service have been defeated near the villages of Pisarevka and Gavrilovo in Sumy Oblast.
In the Khar'kov direction, units of two motorized infantry brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a National Guard brigade were defeated in the areas of the settlements of Prilipka, Staritsa and Vilcha in the Khar'kov region.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 180 service members, 14 vehicles, and three electronic warfare stations. Two supply depots were destroyed.
Units of the "West" group of forces inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of two mechanized, airborne assault, and assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and a National Guard brigade in the areas of the settlements of Podoli, Kupyansk-Uzlovaya, Boldyrevka in the Khar'kov region and Yarovaya in the Donetsk People's Republic.
In the Kupyansk direction, over the course of a day, units of the 6th Army repelled three attacks by formations of the 92nd Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the 15th Brigade of the National Guard in the areas of the settlements of Blagodatovka, Palamarevka and Osinovo with the aim of breaking through to the city of Kupyansk in the Khar'kov region.
The enemy lost up to 60 militants. Two foreign-made armored vehicles and two pickup trucks were destroyed.
In total, enemy losses in the "West" group's area of responsibility amounted to 200 servicemen, four armored combat vehicles, and 11 automobiles. Four ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Southern Group of Forces have taken up more advantageous positions and lines. Three mechanized brigades, a motorized infantry brigade, an airmobile brigade, a territorial defense brigade, and the Azov* special forces brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been defeated near the settlements of Nikiforovka, Donetskoye, Reznikovka, Slavyansk, Krivaya Luka, Rai-Aleksandrovka, and Stepanovka in the Donetsk People's Republic.
The enemy lost up to 115 service members, four armored combat vehicles, nine cars, two artillery pieces, and an electronic warfare station. Two ammunition depots and a supply depot were destroyed.
Units of the Center group of forces inflicted losses on the manpower and equipment of the mechanized, infantry, two airborne assault, and airmobile brigades, three assault regiments of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade, and the Azov* special forces brigade in the areas of the populated areas of Artemovka, Toretskoye, Dimitrov, Grishino, Belitskoye, Rodynskoye, Novy Donbass of the Donetsk People's Republic, Novopavlovka, and Ivanovka of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
The enemy's losses amounted to more than 440 military personnel, an armored combat vehicle, two cars and two foreign-made field artillery pieces.
Units of the "East" group of forces continued to advance deep into the enemy's defenses. They inflicted losses on the personnel and equipment of three mechanized brigades, two assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a naval infantry brigade, and a territorial defense brigade near the settlements of Dobropasovo and Gavrilovka in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and Pryluky, Vozdvizhevka, Kosivtsevo, and Ternovatoye in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 220 service members, a tank, nine armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles, and four field artillery pieces, including two Western-made ones. Three ammunition depots and two supply depots were destroyed.
Units of the Dnepr group of forces defeated formations of a mechanized brigade, a coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and a territorial defense brigade in the areas of the settlements of Orekhov, Novoandriivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Otradokamenka in the Kherson region.
Up to 55 Ukrainian servicemen, three vehicles, two artillery pieces, two electronic warfare stations, and an ammunition depot were destroyed.
10:20 Frontline summary on the morning of December 27, 2025
Russian Armed Forces are advancing in the northern part of the city. Fighting is ongoing near Lukyanivske. In Hulyaipole, fighting is gradually shifting to the western part of the city. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the liberation of Kosivtseve, and there is progress toward Ternovaty.
Donetsk Front:
Fighting continues in Grishino on the Pokrovsk front. On the Dobropolsky front, Russian forces are fighting in Belitske, Sofiyivka, and Toretske, and are taking new territory south of Kucherov Yar.
In the Konstantinovka direction, Russian forces are advancing toward Stepanovka. In Konstantinovka, they are advancing toward the city center. There are gains in Novomarkovo and the Minkovka area. Russian forces have approached Markovo.
In the Krasnolimansk sector, Russian forces are conducting an offensive on the southern sector of the front, towards Slavyansk. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported the liberation of Svyato-Pokrovskoe.
There is progress toward Reznikovka, and the zone of control near Kuzminovka has been expanded. Fighting continues in Zakotnoye.
The situation on the Khar'kov Front
remains dire in the Kupyansk area. Fighting continues in various parts of the city. The enemy is counterattacking from Moskovka, Sobolevka, Sadovoye, and Kupyansk-Uzlovaya.
In the Vovchansk direction, intense fighting is taking place to the east of Vovchansk and south of the city. Russian forces are advancing south of Vilcha and toward Grafskoye. Fighting is also ongoing in the area of Staritsa and Vovchanskiye Khutors.
Sumy Front:
Russian troops are advancing in the areas of Kondratovka, Andreyevka, and Alekseyevka. There is also progress in the area of Grabovskoye toward Ryasnoye.
9:43 Russian Army inflicts combined strikes on Kyiv's energy facilities
Local public groups report that critical infrastructure is being severely damaged. Specifically, the Tripilska Thermal Power Plant, the region's most powerful power plant, has been damaged.
Attack drone flights are being recorded throughout the capital's districts, and monitoring resources are also reporting that more cruise missiles are heading toward the city.
In the capital of Ukraine, there have already begun to be interruptions in electricity, water, and heating.
9:12 In the area of Stary Saltiv, the enemy attempted to restore supplies
The crossing was destroyed as a result of a precision missile strike from a Tornado-S MLRS. Logistics in this area is impossible.video.
8:42 FPV drone crews of the unmanned aerial systems troops as part of the "North" force group destroyed self-propelled artillery unit "Paladin" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Khar'kov direction.
8:16 During the past night, air defense systems on duty destroyed seven Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles:
Four UAVs – over the territory of Krasnodar Krai,
Three UAVs – over the territory of the Republic of Adygea.
8:01 Crew of the self-propelled artillery unit "Malva" of the 1st Guards Tank Army of the "West" group of forces destroyed military equipment and shelters with Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in the Khar'kov region.
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
[Regnum] The Russian army is advancing on all fronts during the special operation.Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov reported this to Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 27.
"The combined force's forces are advancing on all fronts. The Ukrainian Armed Forces command is making unsuccessful attempts to halt our advance," he said during the meeting.
Gerasimov also reported the liberation of Stepnogorsk in the Zaporizhzhia region from the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). The Russian Armed Forces also took control of Dimitrov in the Donetsk People's Republic and Huliaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Furthermore, the Chief of the General Staff reported that in the Kharkiv region, east of Kupyansk, Russian units are destroying Ukrainian Armed Forces formations trapped on the left bank of the Oskol River. Following the capture of Seversk in this region, the Russian Armed Forces' advance on Slovyansk in the DPR has accelerated. In the Donetsk People's Republic, more than 50% of the urban development in Kostiantynivka has also been secured.
The Russian army has firmly seized the strategic initiative on the front during a special military operation. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“Kiev is not abandoning its attempts to change the situation on the front,” Lavrov noted in a conversation with TASS.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry added that virtually all of Europe, with a few exceptions, continues to support the Kiev regime with finances and weapons.
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin
[ColonelCassad] Putin was informed today of the liberation of four cities at once: Dimitrov and Rodinskoye in the DPR and Hulyaipole and Stepnogorsk in the Zaporizhzhia region.
December 27 marks the actual loss of Hulyaipole to the enemy. Counterattacks over the past two days were an attempt by the enemy to reverse the tide of events and delay the inevitable. However, the counterattacks fizzled out with heavy losses (our Su-34s deserve special mention, as they successfully launched several attacks on enemy infantry concentrations, which largely predetermined the failure of the enemy's plans).
The firm command of the Vostok group and the high professionalism of our soldiers, who breached enemy defenses in one of the key cities of the Zaporizhzhia region, deserve further
recognition. P.S. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, the search continues for those responsible for the surrender of an entire battalion command post of the 102nd Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with the battalion banner. They're blaming it on panic.
Stepnogorsk has long since been almost entirely ours. As has most of Rodinskoye.
* * *
Things were simpler with Dimitrov—the remnants of the enemy group had long ago been in their death throes, unable to break out of the encirclement, while our assault aircraft were steadily tightening the encirclement, gradually cutting it into pieces. Of course, they still need to finish off the remaining isolated groups, but it appears the Dimitrov encirclement is ceasing to exist as an operational factor.
* * *
The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that it is maintaining control of Kupyansk, repelling enemy attacks, and mopping up areas where enemy forces have penetrated.
Reports from the field indicate that very heavy fighting continues in the city; the enemy continues to press, trying to secure at least a tactical victory with a flagpole by the New Year. For both sides, Kupyansk is currently primarily of media importance. Syrsky wants to secure at least a small victory at any cost amid the general gloom on the front. Our General Staff wants to hold Kupyansk without fail and simultaneously take advantage of the enemy's weakening of other sectors (especially Sumske and Kharkivske, from which Syrsky drew reserves for the assault on Kupyansk).
Therefore, claims by both sides about controlling the city are part of a media war surrounding the ongoing battle for Kupyansk.
In fact, both the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently in the city, with part of the city in a gray zone, where small groups of both sides operate, often experiencing problems with logistics and the delivery of even the most basic supplies.
* * *
And here is the price of Syrsky's assault on Kupyansk.
The Russian Armed Forces have recaptured almost all of Andreevka in the Sumy region from the enemy and are also fighting in Kondratovka.
These villages were captured by the enemy as a result of prolonged fighting during the Ukrainian Armed Forces' counterattacks in the Sumy region. The enemy achieved this with great difficulty. Then followed the transfer of forces to Kupyansk and the Russian Armed Forces again regained the initiative here and one of the previously lost villages.
The battle for Kupyansk should certainly be exploited, and it is being exploited in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions, from where Syrsky drew his reserves.
Putin was also informed today of the liberation of three towns in the Kharkiv region. I suspect that, given today's mega-betrayal, Syrsky will be even more frantic in throwing reserves into Kupyansk in the coming days, hoping to plant a flag somewhere and announce some kind of victory for the telethon. But this is unlikely to save the "father of Ukrainian democracy."
Meanwhile, given the pace of the offensive, Russia's interest in withdrawing the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the territories it occupies is reduced to zero.
If Kyiv is unwilling to settle the matter peacefully, Russia will resolve all the objectives of the Central Military District by force. (c) Putin
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited by Kristina Ismagilova
[REGNUM] There comes a point in the history of political systems when contradictions become so acute that they cease to be masked by rhetoric and begin to define state behavior. Poland in 2025 is experiencing precisely such a moment.
Poland is not entering a classic constitutional crisis, but something deeper: a reversal of public consciousness that reveals the true priorities of the government.
Warsaw, which just two years ago positioned itself as a "symbol of solidarity with Ukraine," is now showing a clear backlash: public sentiment is shifting toward hostility, the political leadership is sanctioning this hostility with rhetoric about "privileged treatment," and the state machine is simultaneously mobilizing for conflict with Russia without openly declaring it.
And all of this together resembles a scenario of complete confusion, disguised as tactical depth.
TWO HEADS OF ONE MONSTER
In June 2025, Poles elected a new president. However, the victory of conservative Karol Nawrocki over liberal Rafal Trzaskowski was so narrow (50.89% to 49.11%—the closest vote total in Polish politics) that this polarization of society extended to the presidential palace.
Yes, Poland's previous leader, Andrzej Duda, was also in opposition to the liberal cabinet led by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, but he was, in a sense, "serving out the remainder of his term" and was not particularly eager for conflict.
According to the Polish system, a presidential veto can be overridden in the Sejm only by a 3/5 majority vote – that's 276 deputies.
Tusk's coalition (Civic Platform, Polish People's Party, New Left) has 248 votes, supported by the speaker. The blocking majority belongs to the Law and Justice (PiS) party, which supported Nawrocki, and the even more radically conservative Confederation.
In simple terms: no law requiring the president’s signature will pass without Navrotsky’s consent.
The very first months showed that Nawrocki intended to use his power as actively as possible. He convened a Cabinet Council (a rarely used constitutional power, which his predecessor, Duda, used only twice in 10 years) and publicly criticized the government.
Then came the systematic use of vetoes. The president rejected a bill extending aid to Ukrainian refugees, citing "privileged treatment of citizens of other countries."
Nawrocki also blocked other Tusk initiatives, including parts of the "deregulation package." One was on gas reserves stored abroad (due to energy security concerns), and another was on electronic registration of pesticides for farmers (due to excessive bureaucracy).
The symbolism here is clear: the president is signaling that this is not his government and he will not allow it to operate with complete freedom.
Tusk responded by attempting to manage the crisis in the traditional way: in July, he carried out a cabinet reshuffle, moving Radosław Sikorski to the position of first deputy prime minister (with responsibility for "complex eastern issues") and removing the ministers of justice and the interior.
But this doesn't solve the structural problem. The government remains in a minority against the president.
Throughout 2025, the prime minister and president have consistently "divided" foreign policy. Traditionally, and according to the country's constitution, it is the responsibility of the cabinet, while the leader of the republic performs more of a cardboard function: visits, meetings, and receptions.
But Navrotsky immediately declared that he was not satisfied with this state of affairs. As a result, there are regular squabbles between the Cabinet of Ministers and the Chancellery over who should do what, what responsibility lies with them, and which issues to oversee.
While both sides accuse each other of sabotage, the result is the same: paralysis in key decision-making and growing uncertainty among Poles that their leaders even know what they are doing.
SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE HAS TURNED INTO HOSTILITY
The beginning of the year found Poland in a wave of growing discontent with Ukrainians and the government's policies toward them. While in 2022–2024, Poles showed widespread sympathy for Ukrainian refugees, welcoming them into their homes and supporting them at their own expense, by 2025, sentiment had changed significantly.
Here, numbers speak louder than words. In March 2022, 94% of Poles supported accepting Ukrainian refugees, but by October 2025, that support had dropped to 45%.
In January and February, a series of incidents involving Ukrainian trucks on Polish roads occurred. Under pressure from domestic carriers, the Polish government imposed a temporary ban on entry for Ukrainian trucks.
This provoked a sharp reaction in Kyiv, where the move was seen as a betrayal. Tusk attempted to find a compromise, but it looked pathetic and unconvincing: he was backing down under pressure from both the Ukrainian side and his own electorate.
In March, a law restricting Ukrainian refugees' eligibility for certain types of social assistance came into force. It was formally presented as a measure to protect the interests of Poles, but in reality, it was an attempt to appease voters without completely adjusting policy toward Ukraine. A half-hearted solution, as is often the case in Poland.
By summer, relations between the countries had cooled further. Ukrainian media began accusing Poland of failing to provide sufficient aid, while Ukrainians living in Poland complained of discrimination and xenophobia.
Polish citizens, in turn, demanded that the government protect their interests, not the interests of foreigners.
By autumn, it became clear: the romance of Ukrainian solidarity was over. All that remained was pragmatism and hidden irritation: the Poles were willing to help Ukraine, but not at the expense of their own well-being.
In 2025, Poles viewed Ukrainian refugees as an economic threat, competition in the labor market, and a cultural invasion. Fifty-six percent of Poles expected Ukrainians to leave after the fighting ended. As a result, Polish solidarity not only weakened—it transformed into rejection.
MILITARIZATION IN FULL SWING
The most alarming phenomenon of the past year for Poles was the systematic involvement of Poland in the Ukrainian conflict.
And although the government and the president's positions coincide on this point—Poland will not send troops to Ukraine—if you look at the authorities' actions, they seem to contradict this assertion.
After all, Warsaw's bellicose rhetoric is not abating, and the country's militarization, including the active training of the civilian population, is only increasing.
In 2025, Poland made a historic turnaround in its military policy. Defense spending reached approximately $45 billion—4.7% of GDP, the highest figure in NATO after Lithuania. By comparison, the country spends 5% of GDP on education and 6% on healthcare.
Typically, this ratio is characteristic of states preparing for war.
The size of the armed forces has doubled in 11 years: from 100,000 in 2014 to 216,000 in 2025. And in March 2025, the government announced a plan to create "an army of half a million people, including reservists."
What is this if not a plan for full national mobilization, unfolding gradually, without grand announcements? Poles born in the 1990s are already entering a system where preparation for a major war has become the norm.
At the same time, Warsaw is investing in military infrastructure of a strategic scale.
For example, in the "Eastern Shield" program, a $2.5 billion program that involves the construction of 700 km of fortifications along the borders with Russia and Belarus.
The construction of anti-tank ditches, reinforced concrete barriers, fortified bunkers, surveillance systems, anti-drone systems, ammunition depots is planned...
Satellite images from November 2025 confirm that work in areas adjacent to the Kaliningrad region is in full swing.
And in April 2026, German engineering units will arrive at this construction site – for the first time since the end of World War II, the German army will deploy its units in Poland on a permanent basis.
When an incident involving alleged Russian drones occurred in September (around 20 UAVs crossed Polish airspace), Warsaw used it as justification for an additional build-up of forces: 40,000 soldiers were deployed to the border.
NATO launched Operation Eastern Guardian, the Netherlands sent F-35 fighters, Belgium sent aerial refueling aircraft, and Germany put its air defenses on alert.
But most importantly and critically, the drone incident was used as a pretext for escalating permanent militarism, which is now being presented as a need to prepare for defense.
November 2025 gave it new impetus. Sabotage occurred on the Warsaw-Lublin railway line (a key logistics route to Ukraine).
Tusk immediately declared a "critical line" had been crossed, "state terrorism," and directly accused Russia. Two Ukrainians, allegedly working for the FSB, were arrested.
Let's look at the numbers: $45 billion for defense, a plan to create a half-million-strong army, 700 kilometers of fortifications, German engineers in construction, 40,000 soldiers on the border, 400 on the railways, the closure of the last Russian consulate.
Add to this the strengthening of civil defense infrastructure, ongoing talk of reinstating compulsory military service, and large-scale exercises involving reservists.
What is this if not preparation for war, clothed in words about the need to defend oneself?
NATO's role is particularly visible here, because this is not a "unique Polish initiative" – it is a coordinated European strategy.
CONFUSION DISGUISED AS STRATEGY
For Poland, 2025 marks a year when the country, despite a change in power, once again faces old problems: corruption, intra-elite conflicts, and an inability to make coordinated decisions.
The dual power between the president and the prime minister paralyzed the republic.
Tusk turned out to be no reformer, but simply another version of the typical Polish politician—cynical and lacking clear principles. Nawrocki, for his part, is so far unable to effectively influence the situation.
And it is clear that without some kind of dismantling of political obstacles—through constitutional amendments or early parliamentary elections—this conflict will not be resolved.
But perhaps the most dangerous thing for Poles right now is the country's being drawn into a conflict that doesn't concern them. Warsaw could become a victim of Western politicians' ambitions and receive nothing in return except destruction and loss.
Poland enters 2026 with uncertainty. Its leadership is divided – the president versus the prime minister; society is fractured – Ukrainian solidarity with Ukrainians has turned into hostility; strategic development choices depend not on pursuing one's own interests, but on the moves other countries make.
Poland doesn't need new weapons or new political theaters, but honest leaders and a clear vision of the future. The question is whether the country will be able to find them in the coming years or whether it will continue to slide into chaos and uncertainty.
#1
...I don't know if it's possible for this lady to be more wrong.
If the Russians blink the wrong way, the Poles will tell the Ukrainians to sit down, shut up, and look the other way. They'll pull back once it's over; there's no desire to take over the Ukraine - this will be about settling some very old scores.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
