Sheremet's case
In December 2020, the National Police of Ukraine received information about the individuals who may have ordered the murder of Belarus-born journalist Pavel Sheremet. The information was obtained with the help of the Foreign Intelligence Service, with documents and audio dating back to before 2012. Earlier today, the Ukrayinska Pravda and EUObserver websites published an audio recording where a former head of the Belarusian KGB is allegedly heard discussing ways of doing away with Sheremet and others in opposition to Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Sheremet was killed in a controlled car blast in Kyiv in July 2016. In December 2019, musician Andriy Antonenko, children's surgeon and volunteer Yuliya Kuzmenko and army nurse Yana Duhar were declared suspects in the case.
Coronavirus
On the morning of 4 December, Ukraine registered 4,158 new Covid-19 cases, 73 fatalities and 4,693 recoveries, Health Minister Maksym Stepanov said.
As of 4 January, the Kharkiv-based pharmaceutical company Biolik has not applied for the registration of the Russian vaccine candidate Sputnik-V, Interfax-Ukraine has learnt from the State Expert Centre. On 2 January, the Opposition Platform-For Life party published on its website what it presented as Biolik's registration application for Sputnik-V.
The official coronavirus statistics do not give a true picture, ex-President Petro Poroshenko has told Pryamyy TV, noting a drop in the number of coronavirus tests conducted recently. He said that 20-30 people contact him every day because they cannot find a vacant hospital bed with oxygen supply or a proper doctor.
G7
The UK has taken the presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Ukraine Support Group from the USA, the group has tweeted. "We’re looking forward to a great 2021, working with our partners to support #Ukraine in delivering reform for the benefit of all Ukrainians," it said.
Croatia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree to send humanitarian assistance to Croatia hit by the recent earthquakes. "Ukraine is praying for everyone affected by this catastrophe, wishing them strength and endurance," he said.
Moldova
Moldovan President Maia Sandu will pay an official visit to Ukraine on 12 January 2021, her press service as said. She will meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and speaker Dmytro Razumkov.
Crimea
The so-called emergencies minister of the Russian occupying authorities in Crimea, Serhiy Shakhov, died in a coronavirus hospital on 4 January, Interfax has said. Before the annexation, he was in charge of the Emergencies Ministry's main directorate in Crimea.
Economy
Deutsche Bank AG London has issued Ukraine with a short-term loan of $340.7m, the Ukrainian Finance Ministry has said.
Donbas
Russia-backed militants have violated the ceasefire in Donbas twice since midnight on 4 January, the Joint Forces Operation HQ has said on Facebook. They opened harassing fire with a mounted anti-tank grenade launcher and a heavy machine gun near Vodyane, and anti-tank and automatic grenade launchers near Luhanske.
Crime
The Prosecutor-General's Office and the main investigative department of the State Investigation Bureau of Ukraine have sent a written notice of suspicion to be served to the former head of the Ukravtodor road management company, Slawomir Nowak. He is suspected of ignoring a court order and obstructing justice.
A resident of Berehove in Transcarpathian Region is suspected of making separatist calls in social networks. In particular, he called for the region's secession from Ukraine, according to cyber experts of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
The wife and daughter of Oleh Prykhodko, a Ukrainian national jailed by Russia on suspicion of terrorism, were attacked outside their house in Crimea, according to Freedom movement leader Oleh Tyahnybok.
Sports
The Youth and Sports Ministry expects Ukraine to host the Olympics on 2030-2032, its head Vadym Huttsayt has told Suspilne Sport. He added that "more attention" was being given to the Winter Olympics option.