Major Updates on the Military Situation in Ukraine (December 24, 2024, 06:55 UTC)

Key Developments

Donetsk Oblast

• Kurakhove: Fighting continues in the central part of the city, with Russian forces controlling approximately 80% of the area. Clashes are focused on the remaining high-rise buildings. Russian forces have liberated Konstantinopolskoe (Ostrovskoe), Zelenovka, and are advancing on Yantarnoye. They are expanding their control zone near Zelenivka and have destroyed a bridge over the Volchya River between Konstantinopol and Andreevka, further degrading Ukrainian logistics.
• Vremivka Direction: Russian forces have made significant advances towards Velyka Novosilka, capturing Storozheve and forming a new "pocket" near Velyka Novosilka. They have also liberated Uspenovka and Novyi Komar. Active combat is taking place near Velyka Novosilka, with reports of heavy fighting and Russian forces advancing more than 800 meters. Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from the "Uspenivka pocket" with fewer losses than anticipated.
• Toretsk: Street fighting continues, dividing the city in half. Russian forces are consolidating control and advancing near Dzerzhinsk. They are attacking along Fabrychna, Rynkova, Svitla, and Lesi Ukrainky streets and towards the "Toretska" mine. Russian forces have made gains in the Khomkolonka microdistrict and near the small mine No. 10 spoil heap. They have also captured two objects on the outskirts of the "Central" mine spoil heap. FPV drones are being actively used by Russian forces, targeting enemy firing positions.
• Chasiv Yar: Fighting continues, with Russian forces controlling over half of the city. Russian forces have retaken positions at the fire-resistant compound and partially dislodged Ukrainian forces from the area. Ukrainian units are reportedly regrouping to prevent further Russian advances.
• Pokrovsk: Russian forces are advancing south of Pokrovsk towards Ukrainka and have reportedly entered Pisky. They are storming Novooleenovka from the north and east and advancing towards Slavyanka. High-intensity battles are ongoing near several settlements, including Myrolubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zelene, Novovasylivka, and Chumatske. Russian forces have advanced approximately 2 kilometers near Pushkino, reached its outskirts, and liberated Veselyi Gai.

Kursk Region

• Russian forces have made advances in the northern Sudzha district and near Cherkasskaya Konopelka, advancing up to 1200 meters near Nikolaevo-Daryino, Leonidovo, Russkaya Porechnaya, and Kurilovka. They have fully liberated Novoivanovka and established control over positions east of Novoyvanovka.
• Russian forces are conducting a powerful offensive on the Kursk front, storming Kruglenkoye, advancing towards Sudzha, Martynovka, and Cherkasskaya Konopelka.
• Heavy fighting continues, with Ukrainian forces conducting unsuccessful counterattacks using "Bradley" BMPs and "M-113" APCs.
• Russian forces have advanced an additional kilometer in the wooded areas of the Sudzha district.
• A Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber was observed conducting operations in the region.
• The town of Rylsk came under heavy shelling, reportedly from ATACMS missiles with cluster munitions, resulting in multiple civilian casualties and significant damage to civilian infrastructure.

Kharkiv Oblast

• Russian forces have reportedly completed the clearing of Lozova and are advancing in two directions on the Kupyansk front.
• Kupyansk Direction: Fighting is reported near Zahryzove, with Russian infantry occupying positions in a forest plantation and buildings in the northern part of the village.

Drone Warfare

• Extensive drone activity is reported across multiple regions, including Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Vinnytsia, Kherson, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Chernihiv, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Tatarbunary, Bila Tserkva, Belyayevka, Borispil, Kryvyi Rih, Myrhorod, Shostka, Pryluky, Kremenchuk, Okhtyrka, Shepetivka, Smila, Kamianske, Izium, and Ukrainka.
• Drone movement (likely Shahed drones) has been detected in the Khmelnytskyi and Chernihiv regions.
• Ukrainian air defenses shot down 7 drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast overnight and in the morning.
• Ukrainian forces attempted to attack a military airfield in Rostov Oblast overnight with eight UAVs, most of which were suppressed by air defense and electronic warfare systems.

Other Regions

• Kremennaya-Terny: Ukrainian forces are intensifying attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Kremenna (LPR) in response to Russian activity in the area. Russian forces advanced in the central part of Terny and expanded their territorial control by up to 400 meters.
• Zaporizhzhia Oblast: Ukrainian forces report that they are using drones to attack Russian positions in the region. 422nd Separate Battalion of Unmanned Systems Luftwaffe hit and destroyed a buggy, 2 ATVs, 9 dugouts, 8 shelters, 6 enemy KIA, and 5 WIA.

Axis Clashes

• Kharkiv Axis: Clashes near Hoptivka, Hlybokoht, Vysoka Yaruhya, Buhruvatka, and Starytsa.
• Kupyansk Axis: Clashes near Kucherivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Bohuslavka, Zahryzove, and Nova Krystynivka.
• Lyman Axis: Clashes near Zelenyy Hay, Novoserhiyivka, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Makiyivka, Nadiya, Ivanivka, Terny, Toretsk, Hryhorivka, Druzhelubivka, Dibrovy, and Serebryanka.
• Siversk Axis: Clashes near Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamyanske, Ivano-Daryivka, and Vyyimka.
• Kramatorsk Axis: Clashes near Vasukivka, Chasiv Yar, and Stupochky.
• Toretsk Axis: Clashes near Toretsk and Druzhba.
• Pokrovsk Axis: Clashes near Lysivka, Sukha Balka, Promin, Zelene, Ukrayinka, Dachenske, Shevchenko, Novoukrayinka, Pokrovsk, Novovasylivka, Novoyelizavetivka, Novotroitske, and Novoolenivka.
• Kurakhivka Axis: Clashes near Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, Yasenove, Dachne, and towards Andriyivka.
• Vremivka Axis: Clashes near Velyka Novosilka, Kostyantynopilske, Yantarne, Uspenivka, Rozlyvu, Rozdolne, Novosilka, Blahodatne, and Vremivka.
• Orikhiv Axis: Clashes near Novoandriyivka.
• Kherson Axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 4 Russian assaults. One person was killed and two were injured in the region due to Russian attacks.
• Kursk Region: Ukrainian forces repelled 27 Russian assaults.

Non-Military Developments

• The Kyiv Post reports that US Congressional hearings on corruption in Ukraine could block aid for years.
• The Russian cargo ship "Ursa Major" sank off the coast of Spain after an explosion.
• The Russian Navy is not recorded in the Black Sea or the Azov Sea. In the Mediterranean Sea, there are 8 enemy ships, of which 3 are Kalibr missile carriers, with a total of 25 missiles.
• Germany, together with Denmark, transferred another 15 Leopard tanks to Ukraine, and Berlin also sent another IRIS-T air defense system.
• The Russian government has banned cryptocurrency mining in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in the Caucasus.

Updated Situation - December 24, 2024, 06:55 UTC

The conflict in Ukraine has significantly escalated, particularly in the Donetsk and Kursk regions. Russian forces have made substantial advances in Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and the Vremivka direction, capturing Storozheve and advancing towards Velyka Novosilka. The situation in the Vremivka direction has shifted significantly with the destruction of a bridge over the Mokri Yaly river.

Drone warfare remains a defining feature of the conflict, with new drone threats reported in Khmelnytskyi and Chernihiv regions. Ukrainian air defenses have been active, shooting down drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, while Ukrainian forces have attempted to attack a military airfield in Rostov Oblast.

The humanitarian situation continues to worsen, with reports of civilian casualties and forced evacuations. Allegations of war crimes, including the shooting of Ukrainian POWs, further escalate the severity of the conflict.

Fighting has intensified in the Kremennaya-Terny area, Kharkiv, and the Kursk region, with strategic repositioning of forces. Russian forces have reportedly completed the clearing of Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast and liberated Novopustynka.

A Russian Su-34 fighter-bomber was observed conducting operations in the Kursk region, highlighting ongoing airstrikes. The sinking of the Russian cargo ship "Ursa Major" off the coast of Spain adds complexity to the maritime aspect of the conflict.

Diplomatic tensions are highlighted by discussions about US aid to Ukraine and concerns about corruption. The Russian Attorney General's Office has designated the US-based NGO Help Heroes Of Ukraine as undesirable.

Major Updates from Older Situations (6 hours to 3 days ago)

Key Developments

• Drone Warfare: Extensive drone activity across multiple regions, including new groups of drones entering Sumy Oblast and reports of Chinese anti-drone technology being introduced.
• Russian Advances: Significant Russian advances in Donetsk (Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, Toretsk) and Kursk (Novoivanovka, Sudzha district, Cherkasskaya Konopelka).
• Chasov Yar: Fighting continues, with Russian forces controlling over half of the city and partially dislodging Ukrainian forces from the fire-resistant compound.
• Other Significant Developments: Reports of North Korean troop involvement, US cruiser mistakenly shooting down an F/A-18, discussions about negotiations, alleged atrocities in Selidovo, alleged liquidation of Colombian mercenaries, and the assassination of a Russian General.

Ground Warfare

Russian Advances

• Donetsk Oblast: Russian forces control approximately 80% of Kurakhove, have entered Pisky, and are consolidating control in Toretsk.
• Kursk Region: Russian forces have fully liberated Novoivanovka and made advances in the northern Sudzha district and near Cherkasskaya Konopelka.
• Intense Fighting: Heavy fighting along the front line, with numerous engagements reported.

Aerial Warfare

• Extensive Drone Warfare: Widespread drone attacks by both sides, targeting infrastructure, military positions, and equipment.
• Air Defense Interceptions: Russian and Ukrainian air defense systems have intercepted numerous drones.

Naval Activity

• Black Sea: 3 Russian ships, carrying up to 24 "Kalibr" missiles.
• Azov Sea: No Russian ships present.
• Mediterranean Sea: 6 Russian ships, 3 carrying up to 25 "Kalibr" missiles.

Regional Analysis

Drone Warfare

• Ukraine: Extensive drone activity across multiple regions, with air defense systems active.
• Russia: Multiple drone attacks reported, including Kazan and Sochi, with Russian air defense systems intercepting numerous drones.

Ground Warfare

• Donetsk Oblast: Russian forces are making advances, particularly around Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, and Toretsk.
• Kursk Region: Russian forces have made significant progress, liberating Novoivanovka and advancing in the Sudzha district.
• Zaporizhzhia Front: Active combat operations in the area of Kamenskoye and north of Nesterianka.
• Kharkiv Front: Ukrainian forces are holding back Russian troops, with one clash occurring near Vovchansk.

Naval Activity

• Black Sea: 3 Russian ships, carrying up to 24 "Kalibr" missiles.
• Azov Sea: No Russian ships present.
• Mediterranean Sea: 6 Russian ships, 3 carrying up to 25 "Kalibr" missiles.

The overall situation suggests a significant escalation in multiple areas, with both sides adapting their strategies and tactics. The conflict's impact on civilians, the extensive use of drone warfare, and the allegations of war crimes highlight the severe and multifaceted nature of the ongoing hostilities. The potential for further escalation, particularly in the southern front, and the involvement of international actors underscore the complex and volatile nature of the conflict.