Military Situation Update: December 26, 2024, 04:41 UTC

Key Developments

Donetsk Oblast

• Kurakhove: Russian forces have liberated an additional 5 square kilometers, advancing south of the Ukrainian positions in the industrial zone. Clashes continue in the central part of the city for the remaining high-rise buildings. Russian forces are also advancing in the western part of the high-rise buildings and have placed a flag on the roof of the sanatorium.
• Vremivka Direction: Russian forces captured Storozheve and advanced towards Velyka Novosilka, forming a new "pocket" and capturing Novyi Komar and Novopustynka. Russian forces liberated around 10 sq km along the Huliaipole - Velyka Novosilka road.
• Toretsk: Street fighting continues. Russian forces continue attacks along Fabrychna, Rynkova, Svitla, Lesi Ukrainky streets and in the direction of the "Toretska" mine. Heavy fighting is ongoing in Shcherbynivka (southwest of Toretsk).
• Chasiv Yar: Ukrainian forces have retaken positions at the fire-resistant compound. There are currently about 150 Ukrainian soldiers at the plant. Drone operators from the Ivanovo Airborne Forces destroyed a Ukrainian tank near Chasiv Yar.
• Pokrovsk: Russian forces are developing success from the southwest, attacking from the side of Dachenske. Russian forces liberated Novyi Trud. Fighting is ongoing in Dachenske. Russian forces are advancing west on a broad front south of Pokrovsk, making progress near Novooleenovka and Novoyelizavetivka.

Kharkiv Oblast

• Starytsia: Russian forces have broken through the Ukrainian defense in Starytsia and are advancing along the Seversky Donets River.
• 6 new drones were reported in the Kharkiv Oblast, with a course towards/through Balakliia.

Kursk Region

• The crew of a Ka-52M helicopter destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold in the Kursk border area.
• "Grad" MLRS destroyed Ukrainian strongholds and infantry in the Kursk border area. A "Grad" MLRS crew of Tula paratroopers destroyed a concentration of Ukrainian infantry in the border area.
• A Ukrainian soldier from the 47th Mechanized Brigade, currently positioned in Sudzha, made threatening statements in voice messages to a Russian soldier.
• The 47th Mechanized Brigade reportedly suffered significant losses near Leonidovka.
• Ukrainian forces reportedly mined civilian objects in Plehovo with explosives placed inside of toys marked with a black triangle.
• Fighting occurred near Leonidovo, Cherkasskaya Konopelka, and Kurilovka. Ukrainian forces attempted two unsuccessful counterattacks.
• Ukrainian forces shelled Lgov, killing four people.
• Paratroopers from the 98th Airborne Division shot down a Ukrainian drone.

Belgorod Region

• Ukrainian forces attacked the Grayvoron district with drones, damaging power lines.
• A drone attacked a truck on the Belgorod - Shebekino highway.
• A car traveling on the Murom - Nechaevka highway was attacked by a kamikaze drone.
• A drone attacked a car in Dolgoe, Valuysky district.
• A drone attacked Nechaevka, Belgorod district.

Voronezh Region

• A Ukrainian drone was destroyed over the region.

Black Sea

• The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russia has 1 ship in the Black Sea, carrying up to 4 Kalibr missiles.

Azov Sea

• The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russia has no ships in the Azov Sea.

Mediterranean Sea

• The Ukrainian Navy reported that Russia has 8 ships in the Mediterranean Sea, 3 of which are carrying up to 25 Kalibr missiles.

Drone Warfare

• An air alert has been announced in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and was subsequently called off.
• Russian drones "Orion/Inokhodets" are being used successfully in the special military operation zone and are being prepared for export. A delegation of customers from an Asian country visited the manufacturer's facility in the "Rudnevo" industrial park.

Geopolitical Developments

• Russian companies are increasingly using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for international transactions to circumvent Western sanctions.
• The appearance of the "Mir" card in Cuba has attracted more tourists from Russia, according to the Russian ambassador to Havana. The card can now be used throughout the republic.
• Apple explained that it removed Russian-language independent media and VPN service applications from its App Store in Russia out of concern for democracy and citizens.

Other Key Developments

• Flooding affected 64 regions of Russia in 2024.
• Criminal cases related to online fraud have been opened in the city of Yunosti.
• Criminal investigation is ongoing in Khabarovsk in relation to the storage and selling of synthetic drugs.
• Massive strikes were carried out against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, damaging the Zmievskaya, Burshtynskaya, and Slavyanskaya thermal power plants. However, it is still too early to talk about the complete destruction of the enemy's generating capacity.
• On the Kherson direction, according to the enemy, Russian forces are creating conditions for fording the Dnieper. Such emotional statements by the enemy about the impending offensive of our troops may indicate a low readiness and insufficiency of enemy forces in the direction, while the statements themselves serve as an "information cushion" for local commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Kiev authorities. It is reliably known only about the intensified strikes of the Russian Armed Forces on the enemy coast, which, however, may be the work to reduce the threat to the civilian population of our coast in the conditions of constant terrorist attacks of the Nazis.

Analysis of Changes

• The liberation of an additional 5 sq km in Kurakhove and the capture of Novyi Trud signifies further progress for Russian forces in the Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces are making progress in street fighting in Toretsk and advancing south of Pokrovsk. The liberation of around 10 sq km along the Huliaipole - Velyka Novosilka road is also a significant advance for Russian forces.
• The destruction of a Ukrainian stronghold by a Ka-52M helicopter, the use of "Grad" MLRS, and the downing of a Ukrainian drone by paratroopers highlight the continued intensity of fighting in the Kursk region. The reported Ukrainian shelling of Lgov that resulted in civilian deaths is a significant escalation.
• The reported mining of civilian objects, including children's toys, by Ukrainian forces in Plehovo is a grave development and a potential war crime. This tactic poses a significant threat to civilians and returning residents.
• The destruction of a Ukrainian drone over Voronezh Oblast indicates the ongoing threat of drone attacks within Russian territory.
• The reported damage to power lines in the Belgorod region due to Ukrainian drone attacks indicates a continued focus on targeting infrastructure.
• The successful use of Russian "Orion/Inokhodets" drones and their preparation for export is a notable development in Russia's drone warfare capabilities.
• The reported increase in Russian tourists to Cuba due to the "Mir" card's availability is a minor economic development.
• The reported damage to Ukrainian thermal power plants, while significant, does not yet indicate a complete destruction of Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
• The Ukrainian claims of a potential Russian offensive across the Dnieper River on the Kherson front should be viewed with caution, as it could be an attempt to justify their own lack of preparedness. However, the increased Russian strikes on the Ukrainian side of the river are confirmed.
• The report by the Ukrainian Navy that Russia has 1 ship in the Black Sea, carrying up to 4 Kalibr missiles, and 8 ships in the Mediterranean Sea, 3 of which are carrying up to 25 Kalibr missiles, is a significant development. This indicates a continued Russian naval presence in the region, with the potential for missile strikes.
• The removal of Russian-language independent media and VPN service applications from Apple's App Store in Russia is a significant geopolitical development, as it restricts access to information and limits the ability of Russians to circumvent censorship.

Notable Tactical and Strategic Changes

• Russian Advance in Donetsk: The liberation of additional territory around Kurakhove and the significant advance along the Huliaipole - Velyka Novosilka road represent a substantial shift in the tactical situation, indicating a successful Russian offensive push in these areas. This advance may force Ukrainian forces to re-evaluate their defensive positions and could lead to further Russian gains in the region.
• Increased Naval Presence in the Mediterranean: The presence of 8 Russian ships in the Mediterranean Sea, including 3 carrying Kalibr missiles, represents a significant increase in Russia's naval power projection in the region. This could be a strategic move to exert influence beyond the immediate conflict zone in Ukraine, potentially impacting NATO operations or maritime security in the Mediterranean.
• Information Control: Apple's removal of Russian-language independent media and VPN applications from its App Store in Russia signifies a tightening of information control within Russia. This move could limit the Russian population's access to alternative news sources and restrict their ability to communicate freely, potentially impacting public opinion and dissent.
• Drone Warfare: The successful use of Russian "Orion/Inokhodets" drones and their preparation for export indicates an advancement in Russia's drone warfare capabilities. This could have implications for the balance of power in the conflict, as well as for future military exports and international drone warfare trends.

These changes represent significant developments in the ongoing conflict, with potential implications for the military balance, strategic objectives, and the broader geopolitical landscape.