Sitrep 2025-01-31 12:40:53

Major Updates on the Military Situation in Ukraine (as of January 31, 2025, 12:38 UTC)

Donetsk Region

Velyka Novosilka: Under complete Russian control. Russian forces are advancing from Velyka Novosilka towards Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Pokrovsk: Russian forces are within 3 kilometers of the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. One of the two routes from Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) to Dnipro has been cut off. Intense fighting is reported near Yelyzavetivka, Vodyane Druhe, Novohrodivka, and Udachne. Ukrainian defenses are under immense pressure, with 67 attacks reported in the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces report repelling attacks near multiple settlements.
Chasiv Yar: Russian forces control approximately 20% of the refractory plant and about half of the city's urban area, including the Novyi and Sievernyi districts. Fighting continues on the outskirts and the southwestern outskirts.
Kurakhove: Most of the city has been captured, with fighting ongoing near Hryshyno. Russian forces are advancing towards Dnipropetrovsk. Heavy fighting is reported in the eastern part of Andriivka. Video evidence shows a soldier eliminating a Russian soldier near Kurakhove. Fighting is reported near Petropavlivka, Dachnoe, and Sukhykh Yal. Russian forces are advancing up to 1.5 km west of Kurakhove.
Toretsk: Ukrainian defenses are under immense strain, with less than 15% of the city under their control. Battles are ongoing on the northern outskirts and near several mines. Ukrainian forces report battles for the "Toretska" mine, with 90-95% of the city under Russian control.
Siversk - Verkhnokamyanske: Active combat operations are taking place. Russian forces launched an attack towards Verkhnokamyanske, resulting in the landing of troops in the central part of the settlement. Russian forces reportedly advanced 1.5 km in the Siversk direction and occupied new positions in Verkhnokamyanske.
Kramatorsk Direction: Russian forces have advanced south of Rozlyv and expanded their control in the Dachne area. A powerful explosion was reported in the industrial zone of Kramatorsk. Increased Russian assault activities are reported.
Other Locations: Novoyeлизаvetovka, Zverevo, Solone, Uspenivka, Dachne, Kotlyne, and Andriivka are seeing active fighting or advances by Russian forces. Solone has reportedly been liberated by Russian forces. Bogatyrskoe assault groups have advanced to the area of Alekseevka. Zelenovka reports fierce fighting. Vuhledar sappers discovered mines made with 3D printers. Sukhi Yaly River is a target of Russian artillery. Pokrovsk Direction sees advancing Russian forces, with battles near Udachne. Ukrainian forces reportedly lost Novoselivka Persha and repelled 7 Russian assaults in the Pokrovsk direction.

Luhansk Region

Russian forces are making advances near Nadiivka, Petropavlivka, Zakhidne, and Ivanivka, advancing towards the western border of the Luhansk People's Republic.
Borova Direction: Ukrainian forces have established positions northeast and east of Zelenyi Hai. Russian forces are advancing on the western bank of the Zherebets River. Russian forces have captured Zakhidne and Ivanivka and are advancing towards the western border of the Luhansk People's Republic, with a 2 km advance northwest of Makiivka and 400m in the direction of Hrekivka.
Bohuslavka: Russian forces have initiated battles.
Russian forces report that they are beginning to storm Kupyansk.
Video evidence shows the destruction of an M113 and a "Spartan" armored personnel carrier by Russian FPV drones near Petrovske/Hrekivka.

Kursk Region

The Ukrainian counteroffensive has stalled, with Russian forces regaining territory.
Russian forces report the capture of Nikolaevo-Daryino, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Malaya Loknya. The liberation of Nikolaevo-Daryino has been confirmed by the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Heavy fighting continues near Nikolsky.
Sudzha: Russian forces are bypassing the city from the south.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian assault force during an attempted landing near Tetkino.
Reports of significant North Korean casualties, with estimates ranging from 300 to 4,000 killed.
Drone operators of the Special Operations Forces destroyed 21 and wounded 40 North Korean soldiers.
Video evidence shows Ukrainian forces destroying a column of Russian armored vehicles near the border between Kursk and Sumy regions.
Ukrainian forces repelled 7 Russian assaults.
Refugees from the Kursk region are protesting and demanding a meeting with the acting governor.
Ukrainian forces have suffered significant losses, amounting to over 52,870 troops, 304 tanks, and numerous other military vehicles and equipment since the beginning of hostilities.
Russian forces are advancing, with ongoing battles near Sverdlykove and in nearby forested areas.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly deployed over 100 paratroopers to the Sudzhansky district for a counterattack near Nikolsky.
Reports indicate that contractors have allegedly embezzled over 3 billion rubles allocated for the construction of fortifications.
Russian forces are utilizing drones to target and destroy Ukrainian equipment in the region. A French-made VAB armored personnel carrier, a self-propelled artillery unit, and other equipment were reportedly hit.
Ukrainian forces from the 73rd Naval Special Operations Center are conducting operations, collecting data on Russian and North Korean troops.
Ukrainian forces will attempt to hold their occupied portion of the Kursk region for 100 days.
Heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1A "Solntsepek" crews reportedly destroyed strongholds of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in a border area.
Nikolaevo-Daryino has been cleared, with the enemy making careless and unsuccessful counterattacks.
Battles are ongoing near Pohrebky, with the 34th Brigade continuing to destroy enemy equipment and personnel.
In the Kursk region, the enemy delivered up to a company of militants to Nikolsky. After entering the area, the enemy troops tried to attack, our troops repulsed the attack with fire, the enemy suffered losses of up to 50 people. From Nikolsky, they are pressing in the direction of Russkoye Porechnoye to cut off the enemy grouping at Malaya Lokna and to the north. In the northern part of Russkoye Porechnoye, they struck a group of the enemy, resulting in the loss of one AFV and about 20 personnel in the temporary deployment point. Crimean paratroopers are pressing on Sverdlikovo, where the paratroopers' UAV operators also hit an enemy tank. The elimination of Ukrainians from the nearest forest plantations is ongoing.
An FPV drone successfully destroyed a Ukrainian T-72M1 tank in the Kursk border area.
Ukrainian forces are using drones to destroy a column of Russian armored vehicles near the border between Kursk and Sumy regions.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold in the Kursk border area with a Su-34 bomber.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian BMP with an FPV drone in the Kursk border area.
Russian forces are destroying Ukrainian manpower and equipment in the Kursk direction.
Russian airborne forces are destroying a Ukrainian D-30 howitzer near Makhnovka.
Ussuri paratroopers are displaying captured trophies, including a US-made 7.62mm M240 machine gun, and the restoration of a captured Ukrainian BMP-2 in the border areas of the Kursk region.
Russian forces are using Ka-52M helicopters for airstrikes.
A Russian Mi-28NM helicopter destroyed a Ukrainian stronghold in the border area of the Kursk region.
A Russian drone targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian D-30 howitzer in Makhnovka, Kursk region.
Russian troops are using an FPV drone to strike a Ukrainian group advancing at night near Makhnovka.
A Russian drone operator targeted a Ukrainian 2S1 "Carnation" self-propelled howitzer in the Kursk region.
A Russian "Lancet" drone operator from the "Sever" group targeted a Ukrainian M-113 armored personnel carrier near Yuzhnoye in the Kursk region.
The intensity of the fighting is being compared to the battles of Bakhmut and Avdiivka.
The acting governor of the Kursk region met with refugees from areas occupied by Ukrainian forces.
Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov inspected the Yug Group of Forces.
Russian forces targeted Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region with Su-25 aircraft, launching missiles at low altitudes.
Russian forces are continuing to advance in the region of Sverdlikovo and north of Guevo.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have suffered significant losses in the Kursk region, with over 240 troops and two ammunition depots lost in the past 24 hours. Overall losses are reported to exceed 56,000.

Kharkiv Region

Drone Attacks: Multiple reports of drone attacks and explosions in Kharkiv and surrounding areas. A fire broke out at an energy facility. Two civilians suffered acute stress reactions. In the Rohanska community, a drone attack destroyed a private house and garage, injuring 2 people. In Shestakove, a drone attack caused a fire in a destroyed private house, with no reported casualties.
Russian Advance: Russian forces have reportedly expanded their bridgehead up to 5 km south of Dvorichna. Russian forces have reportedly liberated Dvorichna.
Kupiansk: Under renewed heavy shelling. Russian forces report that they are beginning to storm the city.
Vovchansk: Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces successfully repelled a Russian attack.
Explosions were reported in Kharkiv and Chuhuiv districts.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports possible anti-aircraft activity against an enemy drone and warns of an enemy drone approaching Kharkiv from the northwest.
The Ukrainian Air Force reports launches of guided aerial bombs by enemy tactical aviation in the north of Kharkiv region.
In the Kharkiv region, the coordinated efforts of the "West-AKHMAT" battalion and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Kurchaloyevsky district of the Chechen Republic, under the leadership of Ismail and Rustam Aguyev, alongside the 116th Special Purpose Brigade "Stalnaya" of the Russian Guard, are ongoing.

Zaporizhzhia Region

An air raid alert has been declared and later lifted.
At least five people were injured in attacks on Zaporizhzhia, Kupiansk, and the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia attacked the Zaporizhzhia region 401 times overnight.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian Kozak armored vehicle and thwarted a Ukrainian rotation.
Soldiers of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Security Service of Ukraine organized a "Goooood morning" for the Russians on the western outskirts of Novovasylivka.
Ukrainian artillery strikes on concrete shelters of Russian forces in Hola Prystan, Kherson region, using 155-mm high-precision guided munition M712 Copperhead with laser guidance.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the group "Despite" of the 3rd SSO regiment, as a result of complex work, destroyed 20 invaders and captured one prisoner!

Drone Warfare

Extensive Drone Activity: Confirmed drone attacks inside Russia, with a massive overnight attack involving over 100 drones targeting central Russia and the south. Most drones were reportedly intercepted, but some hit their targets, including an oil refinery near Nizhny Novgorod. New reports of drone movements towards multiple regions indicate a potential expansion and intensification of the drone conflict. Confirmed drone attacks on Odesa and Bryansk resulted in damage to residential buildings and a fire near the "Druzhba" oil pipeline distribution station, respectively.
Bryansk (Russia): Two Ukrainian drones were shot down. Reports that drones attacked the village of Mamai, with an explosion near the "Druzhba" oil pipeline distribution station. The Bryansk region is reportedly under attack, with a series of explosions in the sky above the city. A fire has broken out in one of the districts. The Russian Ministry of Defense claims to have intercepted several Ukrainian drones over the Bryansk region. 26 drones were destroyed over the Bryansk region overnight. Residents of Klimovo and Novozybkov reported explosions and subsequent fires. It is alleged that drones attempted to attack the "Novozybkov" oil pumping station of the "Druzhba" pipeline.
Tver (Russia): A fuel transfer station was reportedly attacked by Ukrainian drones. A drone was shot down.
Belgorod (Russia): A private house was attacked by a drone. A drone attack resulted in the deaths of a woman and a two-year-old child.
Several drones were shot down on the approach to Smolensk.
A drone was destroyed over Lake Ladoga, with no reported damage or casualties.
Massive Drone Attack: Over 100 drones attacked central Russia and the south overnight. The Russian Ministry of Defense reports that 104 Ukrainian drones were intercepted and destroyed across multiple oblasts. The enemy reportedly targeted oil refineries, enterprises, and the Smolensk nuclear power plant. Most attacks were repelled, but some fires broke out at the targeted facilities. Drones attacked the fourth-largest oil refinery near Nizhny Novgorod. Ukrainian sources confirm that at least four drones hit the Kstovo oil refinery, causing a large-scale fire. Video evidence shows a fire at the "Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez" oil refinery and a large-scale fire at a nighttime industrial site, likely the result of a deliberate strike. The fire is identified as the Kstovo oil refinery in the Nizhny Novgorod region, also known as "Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez".
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 14 enemy drones in the Sumy region. All 4 enemy drones were shot down in the Lviv region. Ukrainian forces shot down 37 drones overnight.
New groups of enemy drones have been reported in the northeast of Chernihiv region. The Ukrainian Air Force reported an end to the threat of attack drones across all regions.
There are numerous reports indicating a significant number of drones active across Ukraine, with specific movements noted across multiple oblasts.
Ukrainian air defense is actively engaging enemy drones in Kyiv Oblast.
Explosions in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast: Media reports indicate explosions during an ongoing drone attack.
FPV drones, drone operators destroyed 21 and wounded 40 North Korean soldiers, used to destroy a column of Russian armored vehicles near the border between Kursk and Sumy regions, successfully destroyed a Ukrainian T-72M1 tank in the Kursk border area, used for 6 minutes of continuous strikes by Ukrainian forces on Russian positions and personnel in the Kursk region. A Russian FPV drone destroyed a Ukrainian "Kozak" armored vehicle in the Kursk region. Video evidence shows a Russian FPV drone attack on Ukrainian forces in a trench. The footage demonstrates the use of drones for both surveillance and direct attack.
UAVs, Ukrainian air defenses shot down 14 enemy drones in the Sumy region, Ukrainian forces shot down 37 drones overnight, Ukrainian forces shot down 39 drones overnight, used for attack on Kharkiv hit a private sector in the Kholodnohirskyi district, used for attack on residential buildings in Odesa, used for attack on an energy infrastructure facility in Uman, used for attack on an apartment building in Sumy, used for attack on a residential building in Sumy.
Ukrainian forces targeted and destroyed a Russian "Orlan" UAV ground control station using a missile strike.
Video evidence shows the destruction of an M113 and a "Spartan" armored personnel carrier by Russian FPV drones near Petrovske/Hrekivka.
Chernihiv and Sumy: Ukrainian Air Force reports enemy drones moving towards Chernihiv and Sumy from the northeast.
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast: One drone is flying between Ivano-Frankivsk and Kolomyia.
Ternopil Oblast: Two drones have moved from Khmelnytskyi Oblast to the south of Ternopil Oblast.
Vinnytsia Oblast: One drone is in the south of Vinnytsia Oblast.
Kirovohrad Oblast: Three drones are in Pervomaisk district. Another drone is in the eastern part of the region, moving west.
Cherkasy Oblast: One drone is circling east of Smila. Two drones are north of Uman, moving west. A drone is reported north of Kamyanske, moving north. Another drone is reported in the north of the region, moving west.
Chernihiv Oblast: Two drones are in the Nizhyn area. One drone is moving towards Chernihiv from the northeast. Other drones are reported in the west and east of the region, moving west.
Kyiv Oblast: Drones are reported on the border of Cherkasy and Kyiv Oblasts. Debris from a downed drone fell near a metro station in Kyiv, damaging a building.
Kirovohrad Oblast: Drones are reported in the south of Kirovohrad Oblast.
Vinnytsia Oblast: Drones are reported in the northeast and northwest of Vinnytsia Oblast.
Khmelnytskyi Oblast: Drones are reported in the west of Khmelnytskyi Oblast. One drone is moving north-west.
Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast: Drones are reported in the center of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast.
Mykolaiv Oblast: Drones are reported in the northwest of Mykolaiv Oblast. A drone was detected in the region, changing direction towards the region.
Chernihiv Oblast: Drones are reported in the west and southwest of Chernihiv Oblast. A drone is in the south of Chernihiv Oblast heading towards Kyiv Oblast.
Poltava Oblast: A drone is reported in the north, constantly changing course.
The Ukrainian General Staff reported on the presence of Russian warships and missile carriers in the Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and Mediterranean Sea.
Ukrainian forces report repelling a drone attack in the Rostov region.
Ukrainian forces report that Russia launched 100 drones overnight, with 65 shot down by Ukrainian air defenses.
Russian air defense reportedly continues to shoot down drones launched by Ukrainian forces in multiple regions. Five drones were destroyed over the Smolensk region, two over the Belgorod region, two over the Bryansk region, and one over Crimea.
The soldiers of the special unit "Wings of Omega" destroyed 2 Russian BTRs along with their crews using FPV drones.
Russian forces report destroying a Ukrainian "Baba Yaga" drone with a sniper rifle in the Kursk region.
A Lancet loitering munition destroyed a tank of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk border area.
Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian truck carrying troops near the Kursk border using FPV drones.
Russian forces report destroying a Ukrainian assault force during an attempted landing near Tetkino in the Kursk region.
Russian drone targeted and destroyed a Ukrainian D-30 howitzer in Makhnovka, Kursk region.
Russian troops are using an FPV drone to strike a Ukrainian group advancing at night near Makhnovka.
Russian drone operator targeted a Ukrainian 2S1 "Carnation" self-propelled howitzer in the Kursk region.
A Russian "Lancet" drone operator from the "Sever" group targeted a Ukrainian M-113 armored personnel carrier near Yuzhnoye in the Kursk region.
The Ukrainian military is adapting its force structure, creating new units focused on drone warfare. The 59th Motorized Brigade has been transformed into an assault brigade specializing in drone systems, and the 9th Motorized Battalion has been expanded into the 9th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade. Additionally, the "Achilles" drone battalion of the 92nd Assault Brigade has been expanded into the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment. The 225th Separate Assault Battalion has also been expanded into a regiment.

Other Regions

Air Raid Alerts: Air raid alerts in Kyiv and six regions of Ukraine. Half of Ukraine is under air raid alert due to enemy UAVs in the airspace. An air raid alert has been announced in the Zaporizhzhia region. Air raid alerts have been issued in Kyiv and six regions of Ukraine (Kyivska, Chernihivska, Poltavska, Sumska, Cherkaska, Kirovohradska), with the threat of ballistic missile attacks.
Kyiv: Enemy UAVs are in the vicinity of the city, with air defenses engaging. Debris from a downed drone fell in the Desnianskyi district, causing a fire. Explosions have been reported, indicating a possible air attack or air defense activity.
Sumy: Eight people have died, and 13 were injured as a result of a drone hitting an apartment building. The number of deaths has increased to nine. Emergency work at the site of the "Shahed" drone attack on Sumy has been completed. As a result of a drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Sumy at least one person was killed, and at least seven were injured. The number of injured has now risen to nine, with reports indicating that nine apartments and 12 balconies were destroyed in a 10-story residential building. Four people, including one child, were rescued, and 118 people were evacuated. The death toll has now risen to six. Infrastructure facilities were damaged. A Shahed drone hit an apartment building, resulting in at least 7 injuries, including a child, and 1 death. A rescue operation is underway for a woman trapped under debris. A headquarters for emergency response will be set up. Launch of guided aerial bombs by tactical aircraft in the Sumy region.
Odesa: Damage to residential buildings and civilian casualties were reported due to a Russian drone attack. An attack on the port infrastructure was reported. There is damage to residential buildings due to a Russian drone attack. Four cars caught fire. Explosions were reported in Odesa. An air raid alert has been declared in Izmail, with reports that drones are approaching the city. An explosion occurred at night in the city of Izmail, Odesa region. Images of the aftermath were published by the Izmail Regional State Administration.
Cherkasy: Overnight drone attack reported, with air defenses active and damage to an energy infrastructure facility in Uman.
Mykolaiv: Two people were killed as a result of a Russian missile strike on a food industry enterprise during the night.
The head of the Kherson Regional Military Administration warns of a possible massive shelling of Kherson and the suburbs by Russian forces.
Lipetsk Oblast in Russia has declared an air danger regime.
Synelnykivskyi district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, a lyceum was destroyed as a result of a Russian attack.
Chernihiv: A Russian airstrike caused a large fire in Chernihiv yesterday. The targets were likely high-voltage equipment storage facilities or communication and control complexes.

Diplomatic and Political Developments

The State Duma of the Russian Federation directed an appeal to the US Congress in connection with information about Biden and Blinken discussing the organization of an assassination attempt on Putin.
The State Duma regards the lack of reaction from Biden and Blinken to Carlson's statement about attempts to "kill" Putin as proof of their guilt.
Discussion of the issue of the physical elimination of the President of the Russian Federation can be qualified as an act of terrorism, according to the State Duma.
The EU is considering disabling SWIFT for 15 banks and imposing a phased ban on Russian aluminum imports.
The new Syrian authorities have requested compensation from Russia to restore trust.
A delegation from Georgia has suspended its work in the PACE.
Maria Zakharova has urged for careful verification of statements made by Western politicians.
Structures at Domodedovo airport are reportedly under foreign control.

New Updates

Finland is providing Ukraine with a new aid package worth nearly 200 million euros. This package is designed in close cooperation with Ukrainians and aims to provide support in the "acute situation on the front." Finland has already provided Ukraine with 2.5 billion euros in defense equipment.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces claim to have destroyed a command post of the "Kursk" troop grouping of the Russian Armed Forces in Rylsk, Kursk region. This is presented as part of a systematic effort to disrupt enemy command and control.
Great Britain will provide Ukraine with up to £2 billion for the purchase of air defense systems and missiles, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal. The government has approved a bill to ratify a framework agreement between Ukraine and Great Britain to support the development of Ukraine's defense capabilities.
Ten civilians were injured in Horlivka due to shelling, according to the head of the city administration, Ivan Prikhodko. The shelling also hit a residential area in the Nikitovsky district.
The US has lifted the 90-day freeze on most foreign aid, including military aid to Ukraine. However, the White House press secretary has denied the lifting of the freeze, creating confusion regarding the status of US aid.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has reiterated that the contract with Marina Bezrukova will not be extended. Arsen Zhumadilov will temporarily lead the Defense Procurement Agency starting February 1, 2025.
Explosions were reported in Berdyansk near the port area.
Chernihiv came under attack, with Russian forces targeting non-residential facilities with drones.
The government decided to extend until February 28 the permission for manufacturers to export gasoline, according to a representative of Novak.

Updated Situation

The military situation in Ukraine remains critical, with Russian forces maintaining offensive pressure across multiple fronts, particularly in the Donetsk region. Velyka Novosilka is under complete Russian control, and the situation in Pokrovsk is highly precarious, with reports indicating 67 Russian attacks in a single day. Russian forces are within 3 kilometers of the administrative border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, having severed one of the two routes from Krasnoarmiisk (Pokrovsk) to Dnipro. Ukrainian defenses in Toretsk are under immense strain, with reports indicating a potential collapse. Drone warfare continues to intensify, with multiple drone attacks reported across various regions. Ukrainian forces successfully struck a Russian 2S43 Malva self-propelled howitzer and a Russian mortar position.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces claim to have destroyed a command post of the "Kursk" troop grouping of the Russian Armed Forces in Rylsk, Kursk region. This is presented as part of a systematic effort to disrupt enemy command and control. The situation in the Kursk region remains tense, with reports of North Korean casualties and ongoing fighting. Ukrainian forces are attempting to hold their occupied portion of the region for 100 days.

Finland is providing Ukraine with a new aid package worth nearly 200 million euros, while Great Britain will provide up to £2 billion for air defense systems and missiles. The status of US aid remains uncertain due to conflicting reports.

The diplomatic and political situation is complex, with the Russian State Duma accusing the US of discussing an assassination attempt on Putin and demanding an investigation. The EU is considering new sanctions against Russia, while the new Syrian authorities are seeking compensation from Russia.

Overall, the situation in Ukraine remains highly volatile and unpredictable. The intensification of drone warfare, the continued fighting in the Donetsk and Kursk regions, and the uncertainty surrounding foreign aid create a complex and challenging environment for both sides of the conflict. The claimed Ukrainian strike on a Russian command post in Rylsk, if confirmed, marks a significant escalation and demonstrates Ukraine's ability to strike targets within Russian territory.

Situation Report