Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

London: Russia uses paratroopers as rapid reaction units in Ukraine

Russian commanders in southern and eastern Ukraine are using airborne forces as "elite rapid reaction units", according to a British Ministry of Defense briefing.

General Lord Dannatt, a former British chief of staff, told Sky News that the Russians were facing "inevitable defeat in the city, so they are managing the withdrawal to make it look less chaotic".
He added that Russian forces are still in a defensive position on the battlefield and that is why Moscow is targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Lewis Hamilton will be awarded a knighthood in the New Year's Honour list after winning his seventh world championship this year.

Hamilton made F1 history last week when he equalled the legendary Michael Schumacher's record with a seventh world-title win. Nobody has won more driver championships than the pair in the sport. 

Tall, pale and with a deep resonating voice, British actor Christopher Lee, whose death was confirmed on June 11, will forever be remembered for his spine-chilling performance as Dracula in the cult Hammer Horror movies.