Strategic Overview of the Military Situation in Ukraine

December 30, 2024, 20:17 UTC

Russian forces maintain offensive operations primarily in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, with notable advances near Kurakhove, Pokrovsk, and along the Vremivka direction. They leverage their advantage in drone warfare and have seized control of the railway station in Chasiv Yar and the Kurakhivska Thermal Power Plant. Ukrainian forces are engaged in a fighting withdrawal towards the Dnipro River in some areas, employing counter-drone measures and inflicting losses on Russian troops and equipment.

A significant prisoner exchange occurred, with 189 Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians returned home, including defenders of Azovstal, Mariupol, Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Zmiinyi Island, and those fighting on multiple fronts. The exchange was confirmed by Ukrainian President Zelensky and facilitated by the United Arab Emirates. Russian sources report 150 soldiers were returned in the exchange.

President Zelensky dismissed Roman Mashovets from his position as Deputy Head of the Office of the President. Mashovets was responsible for the security and defense sector.

Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault in the Siversk direction. Video evidence confirms ongoing engagements, with soldiers from the 68th tank regiment advancing and capturing enemy positions. Drone strikes remain a significant feature of the fighting near Kurakhove. The 425 ОШБ "Скала" conducted a drone strike operation on the Pokrovsk direction. Video footage shows the destruction of a Starlink station by the "Southern Front" group. Video evidence of a Russian FPV drone attacking a building with a modified munition. Video shows a systematic process of preparing aerial bombs, specifically focusing on the installation of guidance fins or wings. Drone attack near Volchansk. "Ronin" unit of the 65th Mechanized Brigade used drones to destroy three Russian field howitzers of different calibers. A "wedding" Mavic drone acting as an inspector stops a pair of Russian vehicles, followed by FPV drone strikes.

Key Developments

Drone Warfare

• Extensive and increasingly sophisticated use of drones by both sides for reconnaissance, targeting, and attacks.
• Russia is confirmed to be integrating AI into Shahed drones to enhance their target recognition capabilities, even when offline.
• Ukrainian forces are innovating with shotgun-mounted drones to down enemy drones.
• FPV drones are being used extensively by both sides.
• Over 10 drones were reportedly detected and destroyed in the suburbs of Voronezh and several districts of the region.
• Ukrainian air defenses shot down 7 drones over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
• Residents of Nizhyn (Chernihiv region) are advised to take shelter due to the threat of an enemy drone.
• Ukrainian forces report that their drones can strike targets up to 2000 km away.
• Ukrainian forces report shooting down 15 out of 16 drones, with one drone "lost."
• Reports indicate drones approaching from Tendra towards Odesa/Pivdenne, with an estimated arrival time of 10-15 minutes. The number of drones is being clarified.
• Mykolaiv Oblast is under threat of enemy drone attacks.
• Air raid alerts have been issued in Mykolaiv Oblast due to the threat of "Shahed" drones.
• Enemy drones are moving from the Black Sea towards Chornomorske/Pivdenne (Odesa Oblast).
• Drones are reported in Mykolaiv Oblast, approaching from the south.
• Two drones are reported near Kobleve, and two more are moving from the Tendra Spit towards Ochakiv.
• Enemy drones are reportedly heading towards Mykolaiv Oblast from the south, with a call for residents of Ochakiv to take shelter.
• Odesa Oblast is under threat of enemy drone attacks.
• Ukrainian forces report a 19-fold increase in the supply of drones to their units in 2024, compared to the previous year.
• The "ACHILLES" drone unit, originally a company-sized element of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, has expanded to a battalion and is reportedly hitting over 2000 targets per month.
• Russian forces are reportedly using "Upyr" kamikaze drones to target Ukrainian equipment, strongholds, and personnel.
• Russian forces are reportedly using "Tatsinsky Raider" drones in their operations.
• Marines used UAVs to locate and eliminate a Baba Yaga-type heavy drone in the Kakhovka direction. During reconnaissance, a UAV operator of the Northern Fleet Marines detected the drone, directed his drone on a suitable trajectory, and rammed into it.
• The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, with the help of donations, shot down a Russian Zala reconnaissance UAV wrapped in reinforced tape.
• Operators of the FPV group "Sever" hit three Ukrainian Armed Forces dugouts with three kamikaze drones in the Kharkiv direction.
• Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces targeting and destroying Russian military equipment and personnel near Novoelizavetivka.
• Ukrainian drone operators conducted a mass drone attack on Russian positions in the Pokrovsk direction.
• Ukrainian forces repelled one of the largest recent assaults in the Bakhmut direction near Klishchiivka.
• Video evidence of drone attacks on Ukrainian forces personnel.
• Ukrainian forces used drones to destroy a Russian command post near the Toretsk mine.
• Russian forces used approximately 100 Geran drones to deplete Ukrainian air defenses overnight.
• Footage showing the destruction of an enemy UAV control point by drone operators of the 36th Army.
• Ukrainian forces report that the Russian military is executing North Korean soldiers.
• Reports indicate significant losses among North Korean soldiers in the Russian army.
• Ukrainian forces are transferring reinforcements to Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk).
• Reports of widespread drone activity across multiple regions, including new drone threats in numerous cities. Air raid alerts issued in multiple Oblasts.
• Video evidence of Ukrainian forces dropping a flag on Russian positions near Robotyne.
• Photo depicts a deceased individual wearing military-style camouflage clothing with a white band on his upper arm.
• Photo message shows a severely wounded individual on a makeshift stretcher.
• Video evidence shows the destruction of a Ukrainian UAV control point by the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment.
• Ukrainian Air Force reports a threat of enemy drone attacks from the east in Sumy Oblast and from the south in Mykolaiv Oblast.
• Photo message depicts a map of Ukraine with several regions highlighted in red, indicating active air raid alerts.
• Video evidence shows a masked individual setting fire to a shop.
• New enemy drone attacks reported in Ochakiv, Mykolaiv Oblast, from the Black Sea.
• Video evidence shows a mobile, vehicle-mounted "Repellent-Patrul" anti-drone system.
• One drone north of Cherkasy, moving towards Kyiv Oblast. Two drones west of Poltava, moving northwest. Five drones near Konotop, moving southwest.
• 1 drone is approaching Boryspil. 2 drones are flying from Poltava region to Cherkasy. 1 drone is flying from Kirovohrad region to Vinnytsia. 3 drones are in Pryluky area, heading southwest. 3 new drones are flying through Shostka area, heading southwest.
• A new group of drones from Sumy Oblast is moving towards Poltava Oblast.
• Within an hour, explosions were heard in the occupied part of the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, in the suburbs of Kharkiv and Cherkasy.
• Several groups of attack drones detected south of Kyiv, suggesting a potential imminent drone attack on the capital or surrounding areas. Ukrainian air defense systems are likely on high alert.
• Several villages in the Grayvoron district of Belgorod Oblast were left without electricity after a Ukrainian drone attack.
• Ukrainian drone units reported successful strikes on a Russian armored vehicle in the Sumy region, near the Kursk border.
• Video allegedly shows a Ukrainian drone strike on a command post of the 810th Marine Brigade at the Lgov sugar factory.
• Video shows a drone strike on a US-made M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near Sudzha.
• Video from Sudoplatov shows Russian forces towing a captured American M113 armored personnel carrier in the Kursk region.
• Video shows drone footage from the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaging Russian infantry in the Kursk region.
• Operators of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade destroyed an enemy along with equipment in the Kursk region.
• Code 9.2 unit drops "goodies" on communists and Jucheists in the Kursk region.
• Russian operators destroyed a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone near Kupyansk and an armored vehicle in the Kharkiv region.
• A Leopard tank was destroyed in the Kupyansk Direction.
• A Russian attack drone unit successfully eliminated Ukrainian troops in a forested area in the Kharkiv region.
• Ukrainian forces were reportedly killed by Russian drones near Kharkiv.
• 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.
• Pilots of the "ACHILLES" battalion of the 92nd brigade are reported to have destroyed enemy personnel and a truck in the Kharkiv region.
• Ukrainian forces used a drone to attack a Russian position near a road, resulting in a fire.
• Ukrainian forces used an FPV drone to destroy a Ukrainian T-64BV tank near Kupyansk.
• In the Kupyansk area, fighters of the 16th Special Forces Brigade destroyed an enemy T-64BV tank with two FPV drones.
• FPV of the Third Assault Brigade destroys enemy weapons, shelters, and warehouses in the Kharkiv direction.
• Ukrainian forces repelled a powerful Russian assault in the Kupyansk direction, destroying 5 armored vehicles.
• One Ukrainian soldier was killed, and another injured in Kupiansk due to shelling by Russian forces.
• A Ukrainian drone hit a civilian man walking down the street in Kupyansk.
• Explosive strikes were reported in the region.
• 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.
• Russian forces report needing more Mavic drones to break through enemy defenses on all fronts, from Kursk to Kurakhove.
• In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, operators of the 375th OPTADN used drones to destroy an enemy communication tower and a supply depot.
• Attack FPV drone teams of the Yug Group of Forces eliminated a stronghold and a mortar position of the AFU in Kurakhove direction.
• Operators of drones from the 110th Brigade, operating in the Kurakhove direction, spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.
• Ukrainian forces report that Russian forces used drones to target the positions of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade in the Kurakhovo 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.
• 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 are using FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.
• A Ukrainian drone "Vampir" of the "Hydra" unit of the 137th Separate Marine Battalion remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria, Donetsk Oblast.
• Fighters of the 16th Special Forces Brigade destroyed an enemy mortar with an FPV drone.
• Russian forces are reportedly pressing Ukrainian forces on all fronts in the Kursk region.
• Ukrainian Air Force reports updates on the movement of Russian drones:
  • New drones entering Sumy Oblast from Kursk, moving southwest.
  • Drones in eastern and western Poltava Oblast, moving west.
  • Drones in northeastern Cherkasy Oblast, moving west/northwest.
  • Drones are reported in the center of Poltava Oblast, moving northwest, and on the west of Sumy Oblast, moving southwest. A drone is reported on the northeast of Cherkasy Oblast, moving west/northwest.
• One drone north of Cherkasy, moving towards Kyiv Oblast. Two drones west of Poltava, moving northwest. Five drones near Konotop, moving southwest.
• City of Pryluky (Chernihiv Oblast) is under threat from enemy drones approaching from the northeast.
• The Air Force reports the movement of enemy drones:
  • Drones in the west of Poltava region, course - west / southwest;
  • Drones in the north of Sumy region, course - south-west;
  • Drones in the center of Chernihiv region, course - south / south-west;
  • Drones in the east of Kyiv region, course - west / north-west;
  • Drones on the border of Kirovohrad and Odesa regions, course - west.
• Enemy drone is moving in the direction of Cherkasy from the southeast.
• 1 drone is approaching Boryspil. 2 drones are flying from Poltava region to Cherkasy. 1 drone is flying from Kirovohrad region to Vinnytsia. 3 drones are in Pryluky area, heading southwest. 3 new drones are flying through Shostka area, heading southwest.
• The Ukrainian Air Force reports the movement of drones in Kharkiv Oblast towards Poltava Oblast, in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to the south-west and west, in Chernihiv Oblast to the west, and new groups in the east of Kharkiv Oblast to the west.
• Drone movement has been detected in the Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, and Chernihiv regions, specifically near Nizhyn.
• Ukrainian forces conducted a successful drone operation in the Kursk region, targeting a Russian T-90 tank and an ammunition depot. The operation involved a group of attack drones, including "Baba Yaga" heavy bombers and FPV drones. The T-90 tank was destroyed by a direct hit from an FPV drone, while the ammunition depot was destroyed by a "Baba Yaga" drone.
• Ukrainian forces, specifically the "Birds of Madyar" unit, used drones to record the bodies of North Korean and Russian troops in Kursk Oblast.
• Operators of drones from the 95th Air Assault Brigade repelled an attack by North Koreans in the Kursk region.
• Mykolaiv Region:
  • Up to 10 drones and several FPV drones were involved in the recent attack.
  • Ukrainian air defense systems engaged multiple Russian drones near Nechaiane, Ochakiv, and Velyka Korenykha.
  • Russian drones were launched from Crimea.
  • Russian drone strike on the central market in Nikopol caused damage and injured 8 civilians, one woman is in critical condition and 3 are in severe condition.
  • Up to 10 drones were reported over Ochakiv, with some shot down. One drone was reported near Parutino.
  • New enemy drone attacks reported in Ochakiv from the Black Sea.
  • FPV drones of the "Center" group continue to hunt for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Pokrovsk direction.
• Voronezh Region:
  • Over 10 drones detected and destroyed in the suburbs of Voronezh.
  • Debris from downed drones caused damage to railway infrastructure.
• Donetsk Oblast:
  • Ukrainian drone attack on the Makeevsky Machine-Building Plant prevented.
  • In Horlivka, a man was killed and two others were injured in a Ukrainian drone attack.
  • Russian forces report operators of drones from the 110th Brigade spotted moving Ukrainian soldiers and dropped a munition, killing one.
  • Remote mining by Ukrainian "Vampir" drone near Zoria.
  • Drone strikes on assault columns near Kurakhove.
  • Video evidence of military engagement near Kurakhove.
  • Russian forces used FPV drones to target Ukrainian positions in the Kurakhove direction.
  • Ukrainian forces report Russian forces used drones to target positions of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade in the Kurakhovo direction.
  • Operators of FPV drones from the 20th Motorized Rifle Division destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.
  • Ukrainian drone "Vampir" remotely mined Russian logistics routes near Zoria.
  • Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian assault using drones in the Siversk direction.
  • Video evidence confirms ongoing engagements, with soldiers from the 68th tank regiment advancing and capturing enemy positions.
  • Drone strikes remain a significant feature of the fighting near Kurakhove.
  • The 425 ОШБ "Скала" conducted a drone strike operation on the Pokrovsk direction.
  • Video footage shows the destruction of a Starlink station by the "Southern Front" group.
  • Video evidence of a Russian FPV drone attacking a building with a modified munition.
  • Video shows a systematic process of preparing aerial bombs, specifically focusing on the installation of guidance fins or wings.
  • Drone attack near Volchansk
  • "Ronin" unit of the 65th Mechanized Brigade used drones to destroy three Russian field howitzers of different calibers.
  • A "wedding" Mavic drone acting as an inspector stops a pair of Russian vehicles, followed by FPV drone strikes.
• Orlov Region:
  • 3 Storm Shadow missiles attacked a military facility, killing 2 soldiers and injuring 7.
  • Ukrainian forces struck a fortified military facility of the Russian Armed Forces, destroying a storage, maintenance, and repair facility for "Shahed" drones.
• New Update: Three drones are moving from Kharkiv Oblast to Poltava Oblast.
• New Update: Four drones are approaching Chuhuiv/Kharkiv. Anti-aircraft operations may be active.
• New Update: Two drones are moving from the east of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast to Kharkiv Oblast.
• New Update: One drone is in the Zlatopil area and has turned towards Lozova in Kharkiv Oblast.
• New Update: New Shahed drones from the Black Sea are heading towards the south of Odesa Oblast.
• New Update: Shahed drones are present in the south of Sumy Oblast, the east of Poltava Oblast, and the west of Kharkiv Oblast, moving northwards.
• New Update: A new group of Shahed drones is heading from the Black Sea towards the south of the Odesa region.
• New Update: New Shahed drones are heading towards Odesa Oblast, specifically towards the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district.
• New Update: Three Shahed drones are approaching Bilyaivka either through or near the town. Three new Shahed drones are moving from the Black Sea towards the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district, with one potentially heading towards Ovidiopol.
• New Update: The Air Force reported:
  • A new group of Shahed drones from the Black Sea heading towards the south of the Odesa region.
  • Shahed drones in the south of the Odesa region heading north.
  • Shahed drones in the south of the Kharkiv region heading northwest.
  • Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the north of the Kharkiv region heading towards the Poltava region.
  • Drones in the east of the Poltava region heading towards Myrhorod.
  • Shahed drones in the east of the Sumy region heading towards the Chernihiv region.
• New Update: Three Shahed drones are heading towards Kurortne through Bilyaivka. One Shahed drone is circling at the intersection of the Sumy and Poltava regions. Two Shahed drones are moving from the Kharkiv region to the Poltava region. Three Shahed drones are in the Lozova area of the Kharkiv region, heading north.
• New Update: 3 drones are moving through Bilyaivka towards Kurortne. 1 drone is circling around the border of Sumy and Poltava oblasts. 2 drones are moving from Kharkiv to Poltava. 3 drones are in Lozova area, heading north.
• Update: 3 drones via Rozdilna are heading towards Odesa Oblast.
• Update: 2 drones via Bilyaivka are heading towards Odesa.
• Update: 1 new drone from the Black Sea is heading towards Ovidiopol.
• Update: 1 drone north of Nizhyn, moving towards Chernihiv.
• Update: 1 drone is heading via Konotop towards Sumy.
• Update: 1 drone near Pryluky, moving northwest.
• Update: 1 drone turned towards Odesa, expect loud activity.
• Burning foreign equipment warms the soul like nothing else! The ATGM crews of the 68th Army Corps brigade destroyed a French-made AMX-10 RC wheeled tank in the area of the Sukhi Yaly River. Equipment from the West continues to be turned into scrap metal by the efforts of guys from the Far East!
• New Update: Operators of the FPV group "Sever" hit three Ukrainian Armed Forces dugouts with three kamikaze drones in the Kharkiv direction.
• Update: The Air Force reported that a drone in the south of the Kharkiv region is heading towards Lozova.
• Update: The Air Force reported that two drones are in the south of the Kharkiv region, heading towards Lozova.
• Update: A new group of Shahed drones is heading from the Black Sea towards the Tatarbunary area.
• Update: One drone is reported in the Valky area, heading towards Bohodukhiv.
• Update: One drone is reported in the Valky area, heading towards Bohodukhiv.
• Update: The Air Force reported that drones are on the border of the Mykolaiv and Kirovohrad regions, heading north-west.

Ground Operations

Donetsk Oblast

• Two civilians injured in Horlivka due to a Ukrainian attack.
• Fighting continues in the Dzerzhinsk area.
• Ukrainian forces conducted four attacks on populated areas of the Donetsk region.
• Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian drone control center near Velyka Novosilka.
• Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold and a mortar position in the Kurakhove direction.
• Russian forces evacuated civilians from Toretsk (Dzerzhinsk).
• Russian electronic warfare systems disrupted nearly 140 Ukrainian air attacks in the past week.
• Seven members of the 101st Brigade surrendered near Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk).
• Intense fighting continues in the southern part of the Donetsk direction.
• Heavy artillery battles reported near Pokrovsk.
• Fighting escalating in the direction of Myrnohrad.
• Ukrainian forces are continuing to transfer reinforcements to Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) from the 155th Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which was trained and equipped by France. These forces were intended for the anticipated winter offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, due to the rapidly evolving situation south of Krasnoarmiisk, the Ukrainian command has been forced to deploy these reserves, which had been accumulated for offensive operations.
• Fighters of the 155th Brigade are being transferred from the reserves of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk). The unit was trained and equipped by France and was intended for the expected winter offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Ukrainian command was forced to use these reserves, which had been accumulated for offensive operations, due to the rapidly developing situation south of Krasnoarmiisk.
• Kurakhove:
  • Russian forces control approximately 80% of the city.
  • Ukrainian withdrawal reported.
  • Konstantinopolskoe (Ostrovskoe), Zelenovka, and Gigant liberated.
  • Advancing on Yantarnoye.
  • Bridge over the Volchya River destroyed.
  • Clashes near multiple settlements.
  • Airstrikes reported.
  • Guided air bombs against Konstantinovka and Chasov Yar.
  • Forest belt occupation south of Zelenivka.
  • High-intensity battles near several settlements.
  • Drone and sniper activity.
  • Positional fighting in the Kurakhove-Dalnee area.
  • Night raid by "Mad Dogs" brigade.
  • Communications repeater destruction.
  • Advance towards Shevchenko.
  • Loss of positions reported by Ukrainian forces.
  • Russian forces maintain control of approximately 80% of Kurakhove, continuing offensive operations.
  • Reports persist that Ukrainian forces are withdrawing from Kurakhove.
  • Russian forces liberated several settlements and are advancing, destroying a bridge.
  • Video evidence shows drone strikes on various targets.
  • Snipers and drone operators actively targeting Ukrainian forces.
  • Intense clashes ongoing near several settlements.
  • Ukrainian forces used drones to target Russian positions.
  • Video evidence shows Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian observation posts, soldiers, and positions.
  • Drone recording of a military engagement.
  • Operators of FPV drones detected and destroyed a camouflaged communications repeater.
  • Sontsovka renamed Krasnoye.
  • In the central part of Shevchenko, Russian forces destroyed a camouflaged enemy antenna.
  • Ongoing battles near multiple settlements.
  • Russian forces advanced more than 1km from Dalnee.
  • Video shows nighttime operations conducted by operators of the 39th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade.
  • Russian forces advancing up to 3km west of the Kurakhovskoe reservoir towards Shevchenko.
  • Ukrainian forces report the loss of some positions.
  • Russian forces consolidating control over approximately 80% of Kurakhove.
  • Clashes continue in the central part of the city.
  • Russian forces liberated Gigant.
  • Russian forces storming Novooleenovka.
  • Video shows drone observation of Russian forces ambushing and engaging enemy personnel.
  • Video shows a drone recording of a military engagement near a road.
  • Positional fighting in Kurakhove.
  • Russian forces reportedly came under fire in an administrative building of the Kurakhovskaya TPP.
  • Russian assault units advanced up to 1.5 km west of the city.
  • Video evidence confirms ongoing engagements.
  • Russian assault troops intensifying efforts.
  • Russian forces are effectively out on the Pokrovsk-Dnipro highway.
  • Russian DRGs are operating in Pokrovsk itself.
  • Heavy fighting continues in the Kurakhove area.
  • Fighting for Novovasylivka continues.
  • "Otvazhnye" forces are making a powerful push near Pokrovsk, initiating assaults on Solone, Novovasylivka, and Novoelizavetivka.
  • Russian forces report fierce battles near Peschanoe and Volchye, with attempts to advance towards Chunishino and Myrolyubivka.
  • Ukrainian forces report heavy fighting in Lysovka, with Russian forces advancing to the center of the settlement.
  • Ukrainian forces report destroying a reserve of the so-called "Caucasian Legion" that was advancing on armored vehicles to reinforce Ukrainian units in Lysovka.
  • Ukrainian forces are attempting to prevent Russian advances near Peschanoe, Volchye, and Solyonoe at any cost, using all available means of destruction and reserves.
  • The situation is similar south of Kurakhove, near Novovasylivka and Novoelizavetivka, where a breakthrough by Russian forces threatens to reach the Dnipropetrovsk region and encircle Kurakhove from the west.
  • Russian forces are advancing in Kurakhove, taking control of several streets.
  • Russian forces liberated an additional 5 sq km, advancing south of Ukrainian positions in the industrial zone in the Kurakhove direction.
  • Russian forces successfully targeted a Ukrainian YPR-765 armored personnel carrier near the Kurakhovskaya TPP.
  • Russian forces have reportedly begun storming the territory of the Kurakhovskaya TPP, with reports of Russian troops firmly entrenched in the eastern part of the thermal power plant.
  • Continued fighting in Kurakhovo.
  • A Ukrainian drone operator filmed a Russian soldier shooting at Ukrainian positions near the 12th microdistrict of Kurakhove.
  • Russian assault groups are storming the Kurakhovskaya TPP, the last Ukrainian stronghold in Kurakhove.
  • Fighting reported near the Kurakhove Thermal Power Plant.
  • Russian forces have taken control of the Kurakhove Thermal Power Plant.
  • Heavy fighting continues in the Kurakhove area.
  • Source from Krasnoarmiisk reports: "In Krasik (Krasnoarmiisk), soldiers from Dnipro have arrived. During a conversation with one of the soldiers, he said to warn acquaintances, relatives, and friends to leave Krasik! As the task is to eliminate civilians. This will be done by Ukrainian soldiers disguised in Russian uniforms with identifying marks. In short, a provocation. This information is also confirmed by a priest from Krasik. Krasik itself is being heavily shelled. There were no strikes in Dobrik." This suggests a possible false flag operation by Ukrainian forces.
  • According to unconfirmed information, Ukrainian forces no longer control the territory of the Kurakhovskaya TPP. Their units are leaving the station under pressure from Russian assault groups.
  • Video evidence suggests that Russian forces have captured the Kurakhivska Thermal Power Plant. This is considered a key point in the battle for the city.
  • Russian forces are storming the thermal power plant and advancing in multiple directions around Kurakhove, with reports of Ukrainian forces withdrawing from the plant.
  • Russian forces are advancing near Shevchenko, Yantarne, Rozlyv, and Rivnopil, as confirmed by Ukrainian military analysts.
  • Video evidence confirms ongoing engagements, with soldiers from the 68th tank regiment shown advancing and capturing enemy positions. Russian assault troops are intensifying efforts near Dachny and the industrial zone, while also attempting to penetrate Ukrainian defenses to the south of the city. Drone strikes remain a significant feature of the fighting.
  • Continued fighting in Kurakhovo. Assault troops are pressing in the direction of Dachny from the north and the industrial zone from the north-west. To the south of the city, the defensive line in the fields is being forced open, covering the approaches to the city from the south. On the right bank, they occupied part of the defensive positions of the Ukrainians to the north-west of Uspenovka. Fighting is ongoing for
• Vremivka Direction:
  • Russian forces captured Storozheve, forming a new "pocket" near Velyka Novosilka, and liberated Uspenovka and Novyi Komar.
  • Ukrainian forces reportedly encircled in Makarivka, though this is officially denied.
  • Clashes ongoing near multiple settlements.
  • Russian forces advancing towards Velyka Novosilka.
  • Bridge over the Mokri Yaly river destroyed.
  • Russian forces reportedly liberated Makarivka and gained control of the road between Huliaipole and Velyka Novosilka.
  • Russian forces reportedly already at the Huliaipole-Velyka Novoselka road west of Vremivka and Neskuchne.
  • Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the liberation of Storozheve.
  • Rogov reported the beginning of battles for the liberation of Neskuchne.
  • Russian forces reportedly attacking Velyka Novosilka from both sides.
  • Russian forces processing the approaches to Neskuchne.
  • Occupation authorities in Huliaipole concerned about the situation.
  • Russian forces captured Storozheve and advanced towards Velyka Novosilka, forming a new "pocket".
  • Reports of Ukrainian forces being encircled in Makarivka are officially denied.
  • Fighting continues in Novyi Komar.
  • Reports of Makarivka's liberation on December 16th.
  • Liberation of Uspenovka completed.
  • Situation in Velyka Novosilka remains extremely difficult.
  • Video shows artillery operations by the 1461st Amur Regiment.
  • Russian forces have severed the last paved road supplying the Ukrainian garrison in Velyka Novosilka.
• Toretsk:
  • Street fighting continues.
  • Russian forces captured two objects on the outskirts of the "Central" mine spoil heap.
  • Clashes ongoing near multiple settlements.
  • Russian forces advancing behind New York.
  • Continued fighting reported.
  • Ukrainian command post destroyed near the Toretsk mine.
  • Ukrainian forces destroy some of an enemy assault group, capturing an Egyptian mercenary.
  • Street fighting divides the city.
  • Two Ukrainian infantrymen captured five Russian soldiers.
  • Video shows a raid on a high-rise building in Toretsk by the "Athena" group.
• Chasiv Yar:
  • Russian forces control over