TOP HEADLINES

• A $45 billion aid package has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives for Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy warns citizens Russia may launch air raids over Christmas. MORE DETAIL BELOW

• A Ukrainian presidential aide has demanded the "liquidation" of Iranian factories making drones and missiles, as well as the arrest of their suppliers.

• The Russian occupation authorities have begun demolishing Mariupol's drama theater, where hundreds allegedly died from air bombardment in March. MORE DETAIL BELOW

• Putin instructed the defense industry chiefs to make sure the army got the weapons, equipment and military hardware it needed quickly for fighting in Ukraine.

• DPRK denied supplying munitions to Russia for use in Ukraine following Washington's report that Pyongyang had delivered arms to the Wagner Group. 

• Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has made significant progress towards demilitarizing Ukraine – one of Putin's stated goals when launching the offensive 10 months ago.

IN DETAIL

U.S. House approves Ukraine aid including arms after Zelenskyy visit

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned his citizens that Russia is likely to launch attacks over Christmas, and urged them to heed air raid alarms after Congress approved a $45 billion aid package for Ukraine on Friday.

The Democratic-controlled house passed the funding measure a day earlier as part of the $1.66 trillion government funding bill that was approved by the Senate. Now it will go to President Joe Biden for signing into law.

The new support would come on top of some $50 billion in aid to Ukraine this year and sanctions on Russia that now include a price cap on Russian oil.

Demolition of the Mariupol theater bombed by Russia begins

A major portion of Mariupol's drama theatrer has been demolished by Russian authorities in the city, where Ukrainian authorities claim hundreds died during an air bombardment in March.

It was shown in a video posted both on Ukrainian and Russian websites on Friday that heavy equipment had taken down most of the building, leaving only its facade standing.

Ukraine denounced the demolition as an attempt to cover up the March 16 bombardment and eradicate Ukrainian culture. According to Russian officials, the theater is being rebuilt in a city they control.