Major Military Situation Updates - December 17, 2024, 14:32 UTC
Overall Situation
The conflict in Ukraine remains intense, with Russian forces making significant advances across multiple fronts. The most intense fighting is reported in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, as well as along the Vremivka axis. Russian forces are also making gains in the Toretsk area and have renewed their offensive actions in the Kursk region, where they are reportedly using North Korean troops. Drone warfare continues to be a dominant feature of the conflict, with both sides employing extensive drone operations. Ukrainian forces report a new tactic of Russian drones attacking other drones in the air and are struggling to counter the increased use of Russian FPV drones. Russian forces are employing new drone technologies, including fiber-optic guided drones. Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down 20 out of 31 enemy drones launched on the night of December 17th. Russia conducted a massive missile attack involving 93 missiles and 200 drones, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure including power grids, gas networks, and transport networks. Ukrainian forces claim to have shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles with F-16s. Explosions were reported in multiple regions due to drone and missile attacks, including Odesa, Dnipro, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi Oblast. A Ukrainian commander reported that desertions in the Ukrainian Armed Forces are often higher than the number of killed and wounded. There is a critical shortage of troops in some units.
Key Developments by Region
Eastern Front
Kurakhove and Pokrovsk
Kurakhove Under Heavy Assault: Russian forces control approximately 80% of Kurakhove, including the city council building. Active combat is ongoing, with Russian forces controlling all residential areas and attempting to encircle Ukrainian forces near the Kurakhov thermal power plant and within the city. A Ukrainian commander reported that there are "one kettle after another" in the Kurakhove direction. Approximately 700 Ukrainian troops, including special forces, are surrounded south of Kurakhove.
Russian Advance: Russian forces made significant advances, securing the southeastern part of Uspenovka, capturing Annivka, Yelizavetovka, Veselyi Hai, Zholte, and Zarya. They advanced 1.5 km north of Uspenivka along the Kurakhove-Velyka Novosilka highway and 2.5 km south of Kurakhovo near Dalne. Russian forces are attempting to encircle Ukrainian forces near Makarivka. Russian forces have established themselves in the area of Sukhi Yaly and Zelenivka and will then try to cut the main highway to Kurakhove in the area of the village of Ulakly.
Pokrovsk Threatened: Russian forces have advanced to within 2 km of Pokrovsk, capturing Novotroitskoye, Zarya, and Shevchenko. The situation for Ukrainian forces near Pokrovsk is described as increasingly difficult, with reports of territorial losses. Russian forces are reportedly advancing towards Dachenske and Shevchenko.
Bridge Destruction: Ukrainian forces destroyed a bridge leading to Pokrovsk to slow the Russian advance.
Alleged Atrocities in Selidovo: Reports allege Ukrainian forces committed mass killings of civilians in Selidovo.
Liquidation of Colombian Mercenaries: Reports of Russian forces liquidating a unit of Colombian mercenaries near the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR).
Intense Fighting Near Krasnoarmeisk: Positional fighting was observed near Krasnoarmiysk, with shelling on Russian forward positions. An advance exceeding 2 km was achieved on the southern flank of Krasnoarmiysk.
Desertion: Over 1,000 personnel from the 155th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reportedly deserted in the Krasnoarmiisk area.
Drone Strikes: 425 ОШБ "Скала" conducted a drone strike operation in the village of Shevchenko.
One Ukrainian soldier killed, another injured in Kupiansk: Due to shelling by Russian forces.
Ukrainian Command Change: Ukrainian forces replaced the commander of the "Donetsk" Operational Tactical Group (OTG).
Intense Fighting Continues in Veselyi Hai: Reports indicate significant Ukrainian casualties and the destruction of the last Ukrainian defense line in Veselyi Hai.
Recruitment of Children: Ukrainian forces are reportedly recruiting children from orphanages in occupied territories to join the military. A specific incident occurred in the Melitopol social rehabilitation center, where children were offered positions in a military school in Mariupol.
Alleged Murder of Russian General: Ukrainian sources claim responsibility for the assassination of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Protection troops. The attack allegedly occurred in Moscow. Russian officials confirmed his death, along with his assistant, Major Polikarpov. A homemade bomb with shrapnel was reportedly used. There is speculation that this was a targeted attack by Ukrainian or Western intelligence services, possibly in retaliation for alleged Russian use of chemical weapons. The Russian response is expected to be severe. A video of an explosion in Moscow, allegedly targeting Kirillov, has been circulated. Another video of the same explosion has also surfaced. The power of the IED that killed General Kirillov was over 1 kg of TNT.
OSCE: The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine reported increased shelling in the Donetsk region.
Medvedev's Statement: Medvedev stated that the military-political leadership of the Kyiv regime will face inevitable retribution for the murder of Kirillov.
Toretsk and Chasov Yar
Consolidation and Advances: Russian forces are consolidating control in Toretsk and advancing near Dzerzhinsk. Russian forces advanced towards the small mine No. 10 spoil heap near Toretsk. Russian assault troops were able to advance 500 meters to the west in the Khimkolonka area and occupy new positions in the private sector.
Chasov Yar Fighting: Russian forces have partially dislodged Ukrainian forces from the fire-resistant compound in Chasov Yar.
Seversk Advance: Russian assault groups reportedly breached Ukrainian defenses and advanced 2 km towards Seversk from Zolotarevka.
Velyka Novosilka
Southwest Advance: Russian forces are advancing southwest of Velyka Novosilka and have reached Storozheve and Neskuchne, forming a new "pocket."
Attacks on Novyi Komar and Novoocheretuvate: Russian assault units are attacking in the direction of these settlements.
Encirclement Near Makarivka: Ukrainian sources report that Russian forces are attempting to encircle Ukrainian forces near Makarivka.
Vremivka Axis: Russian troops are successfully advancing and expanding their control zone in Novyi Komar.
Surrender of Ukrainian Troops: At least 80 Ukrainian troops have surrendered in the area from Ugledar to Velikaya Novoselka over the past three months.
Northern Front
Kursk Region
Engagements: There were 55 engagements in the Kursk direction, with 25 ongoing. The hottest point was Kursk, with 57 clashes.
North Korean Involvement: Reports claim North Korean special forces are involved in operations in the Kursk region, with reports of them suffering their first losses and mistakenly firing upon Chechen forces. Their participation is likely exaggerated. A video has surfaced that reportedly shows North Korean troops preparing for an attack in the Kursk region. Reports that North Korean soldiers are being treated in the Kursk city hospital.
Video Evidence: A video has surfaced that reportedly shows North Korean troops preparing for an attack in the Kursk region and being targeted by Ukrainian cluster munitions.
Mercenary Sentencing: A New Zealand mercenary was sentenced to 14 years in prison for invading Kursk Oblast.
Su-34 Operations: The breathtaking footage of an Su-34 fighter bomber crew in action at night in the border area of Kursk region was shown by the Russian MoD.
Ukrainian Casualties and Tank Loss: The Ukrainian Armed Forces (VSU) reportedly lost up to 540 military personnel and one tank in the Kursk region.
Reports of Atrocities: A captured Ukrainian soldier, Artur Plombirus, confessed to killing civilians in the Kursk region under orders from his commanders.
Alleged Atrocities by Mercenaries: A Brazilian mercenary, Lucas Ribeiro de Jesus, admitted to killing two Russian soldiers, a father and son, during combat in the Kursk region.
HIMARS Strike: Ukrainian forces used two HIMARS missiles with cluster munitions against groups of North Korean special forces attempting to storm Ukrainian positions near Mala Loknia and Kruhlenke.
Sumy Oblast
Drone Activity: New groups of enemy drones are entering Sumy Oblast from the Kursk region, moving west/southwest. An attack drone was reported in the south of Sumy region, heading towards Poltava. Attack drones were reported in Sumy region, heading south. New groups of Russian drones enter from the Kursk region, with multiple drones moving towards Kyiv, Poltava and Pryluky.
Threat to Sumy:Sumy is under threat of attack from the northwest and northeast. Russian tactical aviation is active, conducting guided air bomb strikes on Sumy.
Force Concentration: Russian forces are concentrating significant forces in Sumy Oblast, with a potential strength of up to 12,000 personnel.
Fortifications: Ukrainian forces are actively constructing fortifications in the Sumy Oblast.
Kharkiv Oblast
Heavy Fighting in Volchansk: Heavy fighting is ongoing in Volchansk, with reports of Ukrainian forces deploying chemical weapons.
Other Areas of Fighting: Fighting continues near Hlyboke, Lyptsi, Starytsya and Vovchansk.
Ballistic Missile Strikes: Multiple ballistic missile strikes are reported in Kharkiv and Slobozhanske.
Repelled Assaults: Ukrainian forces repelled 8 Russian army assaults in the region.
Air and Drone Strikes: Russian forces carried out 10 air strikes and 45 strikes using kamikaze drones in the region.
Bombardments: Russian forces carried out 304 bombardments of Ukrainian defensive positions.
Russian Losses: Russian forces report they have lost 109 personnel, 49 items of military equipment, and 70 defensive shelters in the Kharkiv area.
Ukrainian Claims: Ukrainian forces claim to have killed 33 Russian soldiers, wounded 75, and captured 1 in the Kharkiv region.
Destruction of "Baba Yaga" Hexacopters: Russian forces report the mass destruction of seven Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" hexacopters in the Kharkiv direction.
Southern Front
Zaporizhzhia Oblast
Repelled Assaults: Ukrainian forces repelled 14 Russian army assaults, mostly on the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Air Raid Alerts: Air raid alerts are in effect over Zaporizhzhia Oblast, indicating continued drone activity.
Kherson Oblast
Threat to Kherson:Kherson is under threat of attack from the north.
Repelled Assaults: Ukrainian forces repelled 5 Russian army assaults.
Drone Warfare
Extensive Drone Activity: Drone activity is reported across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Kherson, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia regions. New groups of drones are entering Sumy from the north and northeast, approaching Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and Starokostiantyniv.
Explosions: Explosions have been reported in multiple regions due to drone attacks, including Dnipropetrovsk, Chuhuiv, Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
Russian Drone Tactics: Ukrainian forces report a new tactic of Russian drones attacking other drones in the air.
New Drone Activity:
1 drone was reported near Kharkiv.
8 drones were reported moving from Poltava Oblast to Cherkasy Oblast.
4 drones were reported near Pryluky.
1 drone was reported north of Kremenchuk, heading southeast.
1 drone was reported near Okhtyrka.
4 drones were reported in Zhytomyr Oblast, moving towards Shepetivka.
There is a drone threat in Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Kharkiv Oblasts.
1 drone was reported approaching Shepetivka.
2 drones were reported near Zhytomyr, heading southwest.
5 drones were reported north of Cherkasy.
1 drone was reported flying past Cherkasy towards Smila.
1 drone was reported east of Cherkasy.
4 drones were reported moving from Poltava Oblast to Cherkasy Oblast.
1 drone was reported in the north of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, heading towards Kamianske.
1 drone was reported in Kharkiv Oblast, heading towards Izium.
One drone is flying from Zhytomyr Oblast to Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
Six drones are circling north of Cherkasy.
One drone is west of Smila, heading southwest.
One new drone is in Sumy Oblast, flying towards Poltava Oblast.
One drone is approaching Kyiv from Ukrainka.
1 drone was reported on Zhytomyr, heading towards Khmelnytskyi.
1 drone was reported on the east of Cherkasy, heading south.
1 drone was reported on Poltava, heading north.
4 drones near Chernihiv, moving north towards Kyiv Oblast.
1 drone near Shostka.
2 drones in Sumy Oblast, moving west towards Chernihiv Oblast.
3 drones near Okhtyrka.
1 drone towards/through Myrhorod.
1 drone east of Poltava, moving south.
3 drones through Kupyansk district, moving northwest.
1 drone near Balakliia, moving northwest.
1 drone in Donetsk Oblast, moving towards/through Pokrovsk.
1 drone north of Dnipro, moving towards Kamianske.
Threats in Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Sumy, Chernihiv, Kyiv, and Zhytomyr Oblasts.
Ukrainian Drone Usage: Ukrainian forces are utilizing drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and kamikaze attacks. A video shows Ukrainian forces using a drone to attack a Russian position near a road. Another video shows Ukrainian forces using a drone to drop multiple munitions on targets, including personnel and buildings.
Drone Shootdowns: 14 Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed overnight in Bryansk Oblast. Two Shahed drones were shot down over Khmelnytskyi Oblast.
Specific Drone Attacks:
Ukrainian drone attacks reported in multiple Russian regions, including a fire at an oil depot in Orlov.
Ukrainian drone remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria, Donetsk Oblast.
A drone attack on a police special forces barracks in Grozny resulted in minor injuries to 4 guards.
Russian operators destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk and an armored vehicle in the Kharkiv region.
Russian forces are using drones to destroy groups of Ukrainian soldiers who have reached the edge of the forest near their positions.
Ukrainian "Birds of Madyar" unit used drones to record the bodies of North Korean and Russian troops in Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian "Sherhni Dovbush" unit conducted a successful drone strike on a Russian soldier in an open field.
Ukrainian "Shadow" unit used drones to successfully attack a Russian position in a residential area during the day, and a Russian bunker at night.
Russian drone attacks on Ukrainian logistics and troops are reported, including the destruction of a Ukrainian ammunition depot.
Russian drone teams are active in the Kursk region, targeting Ukrainian strongholds, positions, and armored vehicles.
A Ukrainian drone "Vampir" of the "Hydra" unit of the 137th Separate Marine Battalion remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria, Donetsk Oblast.
Video footage from Orel shows the aftermath of a Ukrainian drone strike on an oil depot, with a second reservoir catching fire.
Ukrainian air defense forces successfully detected and neutralized about ten hostile drones near Kyiv.
+330 drones were purchased thanks to donations. In total, 127,329 FPV drones have been purchased.
Donetsk scouts identify positions, equipment, command posts, and observation posts of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and then destroy them.
There is a graph showing the number of drone launches over a 7 day period.
Drone Usage Reports: Russian sources report that drone usage is helping to stop Ukrainian counterattacks. They also report that they are improving their drones.
Ukrainian Drone Strike: Ukrainian forces carried out a drone strike on North Korean troops in the Kursk region.
Drone Activity Near New York: The US is responding to flights of unknown drones near New York.
End of Drone Threat: The threat of using strike UAVs in all areas has ended. The air raid alert has ended in Kyiv.
New Tactics: Ukrainian forces have reportedly started using signal splitters to counter Russian electronic warfare measures against their drones. This allows the drones to switch between two receivers, depending on which one is being jammed.
Image Analysis: An image suggests active surveillance and potential targeting of a specific location (coordinates 50.44430° C and 30.52814° B). The presence of stylized damage and human figures suggests a location already experiencing conflict, currently being surveyed, and a potential target for further operations. The message on the car suggests there is either some form of communication going on at the location or it is some form of propaganda or psychological operation, perhaps as a call to action.
Image Analysis: An image depicts a soldier in winter camouflage in a snowy wooded area, likely performing reconnaissance, as indicated by a camera on his helmet and a radio antenna. The branding "HПI разведка" suggests affiliation with a specialized reconnaissance unit.
Video Analysis: A video shows the aftermath of a cyclone in Mayotte, France, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis. Military transport planes are shown arriving, indicating a coordinated aid and rescue operation involving the military.
Video Analysis: A video depicts a large-scale explosion or fire in a semi-urban area during nighttime. The plume suggests a significant event with implications for targeting, damage assessment, and collateral damage in a populated area.
Video Analysis: A video likely shows a night-time, targeted strike against a high-value military target, possibly an ammunition or supply depot, weapon system site, or command center. The multiple explosions and scale of the event suggest a deliberate and coordinated attack using artillery or demolition explosives.
Video Analysis: A video presents a series of updates regarding the conflict, primarily focusing on areas of activity and claimed successes. The video details activity around key areas and reports on Russian offensive strikes, partisan activity, Ukrainian retaliatory attacks, energetic and fuel infrastructure strikes, and frontline focus.
Map Analysis: A map shows a strategically important region with significant towns, a road network, and varied terrain. Military operations would likely focus on controlling major cities, securing key transport routes, ensuring stable supply lines and water access, and adapting military operations to the varied terrain.
Image Analysis: An image depicts a war memorial erected in 1864 at Ikan, commemorating fallen soldiers. The historical significance of the site, the memorial's symbolism, and the place name are relevant for any ongoing military strategy.
Video Analysis: A video shows a fire or explosion at night, with a clear horizon. A distinct, bright area is visible against the dark sky. It seems to be filmed from a moving vehicle, likely on a road. The light source is intensely orange/red, suggesting a large fire or explosion. The camera is shaky indicating movement. There is no audio in the clip. The view is partially obscured by reflections on the windshield and by raindrops.
Video Analysis: A video shows a drone successfully targeting several individuals in an open field using precise strikes.
Video Analysis: A video shows an aerial view, likely from a drone, of a location marked with a distinctive white symbol inside a square. This suggests that this is an objective or area of interest being monitored.
Ukrainian Drone Usage: Ukrainian forces used drones to target a Russian position near a road and successfully targeted two soldiers in the open.
Video Analysis: Ukrainian forces utilized a drone to attack a Russian position near a road, resulting in a fire.
Ukrainian Drone Usage: Ukrainian forces utilized drones to target Russian positions, resulting in fires in at least three buildings. Ukrainian forces destroyed a sabotage and reconnaissance group (DRG) attempting to cross the border into the Sumy region.
Video Analysis: Ukrainian forces are utilizing a drone to drop multiple munitions on targets, including personnel and buildings.
Video Analysis: A video shows a Russian Ka-52 helicopter accompanying an Il-76MD military transport aircraft during takeoff from the Khmeimim airbase. The operation highlights coordinated air activity and the strategic use of military assets.
Video Analysis: The video shows a Russian military drone striking a camouflaged M119 howitzer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The attack was carried out by the 238th Artillery Brigade's strike and reconnaissance unit, under the command of an officer with the call sign "Berkut".
Drone Strike: The 238th Artillery Brigade of the 8th Guards Army of the Russian Armed Forces used a Lancet loitering munition to destroy a camouflaged enemy gun and its crew.
Drone Warfare: Ukrainian forces are utilizing drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and kamikaze attacks.
Video Analysis: A video shows soldiers of the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 39th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the "East" group capturing trophies during combat operations in Trudovoy.
Image Analysis: A military-style patch with geometric patterns, likely a unit identifier, is shown. The design suggests potential symbolic and/or regional significance.
Image Analysis: A Ukrainian military patch with a symbolic design, including a raven, armored fists, and the Ukrainian coat of arms, is shown.
Drone Activity: New groups of enemy drones are entering Sumy Oblast from the Kursk region, moving west/southwest. An attack drone was reported in the south of Sumy region, heading towards Poltava. Attack drones were reported in Sumy region, heading south. New groups of Russian drones enter from the Kursk region, with multiple drones moving towards Kyiv, Poltava and Pryluky. Sumy is under threat of attack from the northwest and northeast. A drone was reported to be moving past Sumy to the southwest. Another drone was reported in the Sumy region, moving towards Poltava Oblast. A drone was reported moving past Sumy to the southwest. An enemy drone was reported on the northeast of Poltava region, moving southwest. New groups of enemy drones are entering Sumy Oblast from the Kursk region, moving west/southwest. A group of attack drones was reported in Chernihiv region, heading west.
Drone Activity: New groups of enemy drones are entering Sumy Oblast from the Kursk region, moving west/southwest.
Drone Activity: New groups of drones are entering the eastern part of the region, moving south/southwest. There is also a report of a drone flying over Shostka heading west and 7 drones north of Myrhorod heading south. Drones are moving through the center of Sumy Oblast in a northeasterly direction. Drones are moving through the southeast of Chernihiv Oblast in a westerly direction. Drones are moving through the southwest of Chernihiv Oblast in a westerly direction.
Drone Activity: Drone activity continues in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Drone Activity: Russian operators of FPV drones destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk.
Drone Activity: Russian forces have used drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a wooded area.
Drone Activity: High-speed drones are a threat to Ternopil.
Drone Activity: Multiple drones are reported to be active across Ukraine, moving towards or over Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Kherson, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia.
Drone Activity: Multiple drones are reported to be approaching or over Sumy.
Drone Activity: A drone is moving towards Dnipro from the north.
Drone Activity: A large group of drones launched from the Black Sea, moving towards Tatarbunary.
Drone Activity: Drones are approaching Bila Tserkva, Belyayevka, Borispil, and Kryvyi Rih.
Drone Activity: Two Ukrainian drones simultaneously struck a single target.
Drone Activity: Drones are moving northwest from the border with Mykolaiv Oblast.
Drone Activity: Drones are approaching Kherson from the direction of Zelenovka.
Drone Activity: Russian forces are launching guided air bomb attacks in the Kharkiv Oblast.
Drone Activity: Drones are moving west/southwest from the southern part of the region.
Drone Activity: One drone is approaching Mykolaiv from the direction of Zelenovka.
Drone Activity: Drone activity is reported across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Kherson, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia regions. New groups of drones are entering Sumy from the north and northeast, approaching Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and Starokostiantyniv.
Drone Activity: New groups of drones are entering the eastern part of the region, moving south/southwest. There is also a report of a drone flying over Shostka heading west and 7 drones north of Myrhorod heading south. Drones are moving through the center of Sumy Oblast in a northeasterly direction. Drones are moving through the southeast of Chernihiv Oblast in a westerly direction. Drones are moving through the southwest of Chernihiv Oblast in a westerly direction.
Drone Activity: Drone activity continues in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Drone Activity: Russian operators of FPV drones destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk.
Drone Activity: Russian forces have used drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a wooded area.
Drone Activity: High-speed drones are a threat to Ternopil.
Drone Activity: Multiple drones are reported to be active across Ukraine, moving towards or over Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Kherson, Dnipro, and Zaporizhzhia.
Drone Activity: Multiple drones are reported to be approaching or over Sumy.
Drone Activity: A drone is moving towards Dnipro from the north.
Drone Activity: A large group of drones launched from the Black Sea, moving towards Tatarbunary.
Drone Activity: Drones are approaching Bila Tserkva, Belyayevka, Borispil, and Kryvyi Rih.
Drone Activity: Two Ukrainian drones simultaneously struck a single target.
Drone Activity: Drones are moving northwest from the border with Mykolaiv Oblast.
Drone Activity: Drones are approaching Kherson from the direction of Zelenovka.
Drone Activity: Russian forces are launching guided air bomb attacks in the Kharkiv Oblast.
Drone Activity: Drones are moving west/southwest from the southern part of the region.
Drone Activity: One drone is approaching Mykolaiv from the direction of Zelenovka.
Drone Activity: A video shows drone footage of a battle between drones over Chasov Yar.
Missile Attacks
Bomber Activity: Multiple Tu-95MS strategic bombers are airborne, with repeated launch maneuvers in the Caspian Sea.
Missile Mobilization: Mobile launch platforms for Kalibr missiles are mobilizing in Novorossiysk.
Ballistic Missile Threat: Ballistic missile threat originates from Crimea.
Kharkiv Strikes: Multiple ballistic missile strikes are reported in Kharkiv and Slobozhanske.
Black Sea Launch: "Kalibr" missiles have been launched from the Black Sea, triggering air raid alerts across Ukraine.
Multiple Launches: Multiple Russian missile launches are expected, with some targeted at Pryluky, and multiple Kalibr missiles are heading towards the Kirovograd Oblast, with some later changing course to Odesa and Kryvyi Rih.
Kh-101 Missiles: Multiple Kh-101 missiles entered Ukrainian airspace through the Sumy Oblast and are traveling through the Cherkasy, Kyiv, and Kharkiv regions.
Missile Movement: Missiles have reached Sumy, Poltava, and Chernihiv oblasts, with a missile targeted at Pryluky.
Kinzhal Missiles: Kinzhal Missiles are being launched towards western Ukraine, with vectors including Zvyagel, Shepetovka, Ternopil, Stryi, Burshytn, and Zakarpattia.
Cruise Missile Launches: Multiple Cruise missiles are being launched from the Kherson region in the direction of Mykolaiv, and from Kharkiv region towards Poltava and Dnipropetrovsk regions, with some missiles passing near Bila Tserkva.
Ballistic Missile Launches: Multiple ballistic missiles have been launched towards Odesa from Crimea.
Missile Movement: Multiple missiles are passing through the Lviv region in the direction of Stryi, and are also present in the Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Khmelnytskyi regions.
New Missile: A new type of air-to-surface missile is being used in the Kherson region in the direction of Voznesensk and Pervomaisk, and towards Bashtanka.
Missile Re-routing: Missiles from Kyiv have changed course and moved to the Vinnitsia region, and from there they moved west near the Khmelnitsky region.
Missile Reports: A missile has been reported traveling to Cherkasy from Kyiv region. Missiles are traveling through Zhytomyr and Vinnitsa, heading to the southwest.
Cherkasy Region: There is a report that a rocket has been spotted in the Cherkasy region, moving northwest, which then traveled to the Kyiv region before moving to the Vinnytsia region, then changed direction to fly west near Khmelnitsky.
Missile Movement: Missiles are reported to be passing by the city of Kozyatyn, in the Vinnytsia region and have been reported to have changed course and are heading west from the Vinnitsia region, towards Khmelnitsky.
Massive Attack: Ukraine reports a massive Russian attack that involved 93 missiles and 200 drones. 81 missiles were shot down, including 11 cruise missiles shot down by F-16. Russia states that this strike was in response to the Ukrainian use of ATACMS missiles near Taganrog.
North Korean Missile: A North Korean missile was used in the attacks.
Targeted Infrastructure: Russia is targeting key Ukrainian infrastructure including transportation and energy networks.
KAB Bombs: Three Ukrainian DSNs (State Emergency Service) workers were injured by a Russian attack using KABs (guided bombs) in Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Intense Attack: The Prykarpattya region is facing its most intense attack since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Energy Infrastructure: Attacks were made on energy infrastructure in Lviv, Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk Oblasts. 50% of the Ternopil region is without power.
Power Outages: Russian forces have launched missile attacks on the energy facilities in Lviv and the Ternopil regions, severely damaging their infrastructure and leading to power outages. Six energy infrastructure sites have been damaged in the Lviv region.
Russian Rationale: Russian forces stated their attacks were in retaliation for Ukrainian ATACMS attacks on Taganrog.
Strike on Fuel/Energy Infrastructure: Russian missile strikes were focused on critical infrastructure targets in the fuel and energy sectors that support the Ukrainian military-industrial complex.
Retaliation for ATACMs: Russia has stated that its attacks are in response to Ukraine's use of ATACMS missiles near Taganrog.
Response to ATACMS attack: In response to the use of ATACMS missiles near Taganrog, Russian forces launched a massive strike on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Russian Missile Attack: A map shows the trajectories of Russian missiles and drones targeting various Ukrainian cities and regions on December 13th. The attack involved a mix of cruise missiles (X-22, X-59/69, X-101/55CM, Kalibr), ballistic and aero-ballistic missiles, drones, and potentially Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. The attack suggests a complex and coordinated effort, with concentrations near Kyiv, western regions, and some paths reaching as far south as Odesa.
Air Strikes in Multiple Regions: Russian aviation conducted airstrikes at **Turya, Tsyluryka, Alisivka, Mala Rybytsya, Hraniv, Vovchanski Khutory, Okhrimivka, Bohuslavka, Niv Kruhlyakivka, Serhiyivka, Serebryanskyy Lis, Siversk, Krymske, Stara Mykolayivka, YElyzavetivka, Velyka Novosil
