Major Updates on the Military Situation in Ukraine: December 30, 2024, 09:47 UTC

Strategic Overview

The military situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile, with intense fighting concentrated in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. Russian forces are making significant advances, particularly around Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, and along the Vremivka direction. They are leveraging their advantage in drone warfare, with widespread use of FPV drones and confirmed reports of AI integration into Shahed drones. Ukrainian forces are engaged in a fighting withdrawal towards the Dnipro River, employing counter-drone measures and inflicting losses on Russian troops and equipment. The withdrawal is focused on the areas around Novooleksandrivka, Novoselivka Persha, and Sokil.

Russian forces have reportedly liberated Novotroitske (DPR), repelling 11 Ukrainian counterattacks. Fighting is ongoing in Chasiv Yar, with Russian forces controlling over half the city and having now taken control of the railway station. The loss of the railway station is a significant blow to Ukrainian forces and indicates a further deterioration of their position in the city. Russian forces are advancing near Dzerzhinsk, with fighting ongoing in the center of the town. Russian artillery disrupted a Ukrainian rotation in the Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) direction.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly been withdrawn to the main defense line near the border with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Russian forces have reportedly taken control of a garage cooperative in Kurakhove, advancing from the industrial zone. They are advancing in the western part of the city near the Kurakhove thermal power plant. The space controlled by Ukrainian forces in the city is shrinking. Ukrainian forces no longer control the territory of the Kurakhivska Thermal Power Plant.

In the Kursk region, Russian forces have reportedly secured a foothold in Cherkaska Konopelka and made progress in the wooded areas of the Sudzhansky district. Ukrainian forces have reportedly been redeploying reinforcements to the area in an attempt to prevent further Russian advances. Video and photographic evidence confirm the liberation of Lozova by Russian forces, with the 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Guards Tank Army raising the Russian flag in the center of the village.

A captured Russian soldier's account alleges that Ukrainian command is not providing adequate cover for its troops on the Pokrovsk direction. This could indicate morale issues or tactical deficiencies within the Ukrainian forces in this area.

Slovak Minister of Defense, Robert Kaliňák, stated that Ukraine might have to cede territory to Russia, emphasizing the need for immediate peace talks. This reflects a potentially shifting perspective among some European allies regarding the desired outcome of the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated that Russia will not participate in the "peace summit" organized by Ukraine, also declaring that there are currently no preconditions for ending the conflict.

Ukrainian Air Force reports that overnight, Russian forces attacked with 43 drones, 21 of which were shot down and 22 missed their targets. Damage to private residences was reported in Kharkiv and Odesa oblasts due to falling debris.

Russian forces have improved positions in Novovasylivka and Novoelizavetovka. They also advanced in Vozdvyzhenka. Russian forces have captured Peschanoe and entered Shevchenko.

Ukrainian border guards from the "Revenge" brigade conducted precise strikes in the Luhansk region, destroying a tank, two cannons, an ammunition depot, and 15 vehicles.

Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Velyka Novosilka, destroying Russian equipment and capturing Russian soldiers.

Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault near Klishchiivka, destroying Russian equipment and personnel.

Ukrainian forces conducted a drone strike operation in the Pokrovsk direction, targeting a Russian command post and destroying a Starlink station.

Ukrainian forces conducted a drone operation in the Kursk region, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot.

Ukrainian forces used drones to destroy a Russian command post near the Toretsk mine.

Ukrainian forces used drones to destroy three Russian field howitzers near Volchansk.

Ukrainian forces used drones to destroy a Russian communication tower and a supply depot in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Ukrainian forces used drones to target Russian positions in the Kurakhove direction.

Ukrainian forces used FPV drones to destroy a Ukrainian T-64BV tank near Kupyansk.

Ukrainian forces used FPV drones to destroy a German Leopard 1 tank.

Ukrainian forces used FPV drones to shoot down an enemy UAV.

Ukrainian forces report shooting down 15 out of 16 drones, with one drone "lost."

Ukrainian forces report shooting down two more Russian drones over the Belgorod region.

Ukrainian air defenses reportedly shot down 7 drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Ukrainian Air Force reports updates on the movement of Russian drones.

Ukrainian Air Force reports no threat of attack drones.

Ukrainian Air Force reports increased drone activity in Poltava and Myrhorod, as well as in Kyivska and Chernihivska regions.

Ukrainian air defense forces successfully detected and neutralized about ten hostile drones near Kyiv.

Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.

Ukrainian forces report a Russian drone strike on the central market in Nikopol, causing damage to the market and injuring 8 civilians, 7 of them being hospitalized.

Ukrainian forces report that a Russian drone control center near Velyka Novosilka was destroyed by drone operators.

Ukrainian forces report that their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, reported that Russia is integrating AI into Shahed drones to enhance their target recognition capabilities, even when offline.

Overnight, Russian forces actively attempted to attack Tokmak, Energodar and Melitopol. Ukrainian air defense successfully shot down hostile objects.

Russian forces used approximately 100 Geran drones to deplete Ukrainian air defenses overnight.

Russian forces report needing more Mavic drones to break through enemy defenses on all fronts, from Kursk to Kurakhove.

Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army discovered and destroyed a disguised Ukrainian communications repeater, thereby ensuring the security of Russian positions from enemy drone strikes.

Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 110th Brigade spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.

Russian forces are reportedly using FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.

Russian forces are reportedly pressing Ukrainian forces on all fronts in the Kursk region.

Russian forces used FPV drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a forest.

Russian forces used drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a wooded area.

Russian forces reportedly used drones to eliminate a Ukrainian special forces group near Kupyansk.

Russian forces reportedly used drones to eliminate Ukrainian troops in a forested area in the Kharkiv region.

Russian forces report destroying a Ukrainian Baba Yaga drone.

Russian forces tracked the route of a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone and destroyed a supply drop.

Russian forces used drones to eliminate Ukrainian troops in a forested area in the Kharkiv region.

Russian forces reportedly used drones to eliminate a Ukrainian special forces group near Kupyansk.

Russian forces have used drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a wooded area.

Russian forces have used FPV drones to destroy a Ukrainian armored vehicle in a forest.

Russian forces are using FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.

Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army discovered and destroyed a disguised Ukrainian communications repeater.

Russian forces report that operators of drones from the 110th Brigade spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.

Operators of drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Army detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in a forest plantation, ensuring the security of Russian positions from enemy drone strikes.

Operators of drones from the 95th Air Assault Brigade repelled an attack by North Koreans in the Kursk region.

Operators of drones from the 110th Brigade, operating in the Kurakhove direction, spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.

Operators of drones from the "Center" group reportedly eliminated a Ukrainian observation post in the Pokrovsk direction.

Operators of drones from the "Center" group continue to hunt for Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk direction.

Operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.

Operators of drones from the BARS-3 "Rodina" unit destroyed a Polish self-propelled gun "Krab" on the Kupyansk front.

Operators of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade destroyed an enemy along with equipment in the Kursk region.

Latvia plans to transfer 1000 drones to Ukraine by the end of 2024 and allocate 20 million euros for drone procurement in 2025.

Attack FPV drone teams of the Yug Group of Forces eliminated a stronghold and a mortar position of the AFU in Kurakhove direction.

Aerial reconnaissance from the "Mad Dogs" brigade detected a night raid by Ukrainian forces from the 32nd Brigade. A Russian FPV drone operator, "Dolgiy," reportedly destroyed four Ukrainian soldiers and wounded two during this raid in the Pokrovsk direction.

A Russian soldier detonated a grenade near his head after being attacked by a Ukrainian FPV drone in Kursk Oblast.

A Russian attack drone unit successfully eliminated Ukrainian troops in a forested area in the Kharkiv region.

A new FPV-drone "Hortenzia" with support of management for optical fiber started to be used.

A Leopard tank was destroyed in the Kupyansk Direction.

Video evidence of drone attacks on Ukrainian forces personnel.

Video evidence of Ukrainian forces dropping a flag on Russian positions near Robotyne.

Video evidence shows the destruction of a Ukrainian UAV control point by the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment.

Video evidence shows a mobile, vehicle-mounted "Repellent-Patrul" anti-drone system.

Video evidence shows a systematic process of preparing aerial bombs, specifically focusing on the installation of guidance fins or wings.

Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting Russian positions with drones, resulting in multiple explosions and fires.

Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting and destroying Russian military equipment and personnel near Novoelizavetivka.

Video evidence shows a masked individual setting fire to a shop.

Video from Sudoplatov shows Russian forces towing a captured American M113 armored personnel carrier in the Kursk region.

Video shows a systematic process of preparing aerial bombs, specifically focusing on the installation of guidance fins or wings.

Video shows a drone observation of Russian forces ambushing and engaging enemy personnel in a wooded area.

Video shows a drone strike on a US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Sudzha.

Video shows a systematic process of preparing aerial bombs, specifically focusing on the installation of guidance fins or wings.

Video shows drone footage from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaging Russian infantry in the Kursk region.

Video shows a drone strike on a US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Sudzha.

Video shows drone footage from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaging Russian infantry in the Kursk region.

Video shows a drone recording of a military engagement near a road.

Video shows a systematic process of preparing aerial bombs, specifically focusing on the installation of guidance fins or wings.

Video shows a drone observation of Russian forces ambushing and engaging enemy personnel in a wooded area.

Video shows a drone recording of a military engagement near a road.

Video shows a drone strike on a US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Sudzha.

Video shows drone footage from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaging Russian infantry in the Kursk region.

Video footage shows the destruction of a Starlink station by the "Southern Front" group.

Video footage shows the destruction of a German Leopard 1 tank by Russian FPV drones "VT-40".

Video footage shows the destruction of an enemy UAV control point by drone operators of the 36th Army.

Video allegedly shows a Ukrainian drone strike on a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade at the Lgov sugar factory.