TACTICAL INNOVATION: FIBER-OPTIC FPV DEPLOYMENT (1730Z, Voin DV, MEDIUM): Reports from the Huliaipole sector indicate extensive use of fiber-optic guided drones by both Russian and Ukrainian forces. This represents a significant shift as these munitions are immune to Electronic Warfare (EW) jamming.
INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS: KYIV GRID RESTRICTIONS (1702Z/1729Z, KMVA/RBK-UA, HIGH): Kyiv City Military Administration confirms a return to "strict" rolling blackout schedules. This follows previous reports of energy infrastructure degradation and likely serves as a stabilization measure following recent strikes.
FRONT-LINE KINETIC: POKROVSK DUEL (1714Z/1729Z, DeepState/RusVesna, HIGH): High-intensity attritional combat continues. UAF 148th Artillery Brigade confirmed successful strikes on Russian positions, while Russian Group "Center" ("O" Group) claims successful FPV/loitering munition strikes against UAF assets in Pokrovsk and eastern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
DIPLOMATIC SIGNALING: TRUMP STATEMENT (1716Z, TASS, MEDIUM): US President-elect Trump characterized negotiations in Abu Dhabi as having "very good development," suggesting a shift in the international mediation landscape.
STRATEGIC OUTREACH: UK-UKRAINE COORDINATION (1702Z, Zelenskiy Official, HIGH): President Zelenskyy held a virtual summit with UK PM Keir Starmer focusing on long-term security guarantees and reconstruction documents, signaling a push for formalized Western commitments.
HUMANITARIAN POSTURING: BORDER OPENING PROPOSAL (1707Z, Dnevnik Desantnika, LOW): Russian Ombudsman Moskalkova proposed opening a border crossing for "family reunification." This is assessed as a potential information operation to project a humanitarian image amidst "City-Kill" kinetic operations.
Operational picture (by sector)
Northeast Sector (Kharkiv/Sumy):
Kharkiv: At 1719Z, Ukrainian Air Force reported Russian UAVs (Shahed/Geran type) transiting South over Staryi Saltiv. This confirms a continuous reconnaissance-and-strike loop targeting the Kharkiv-Poltava corridor.
Sumy: The "no-go zone" remains active; focus remains on interdicting civilian movement and logistics.
Donetsk Sector (Pokrovsk/Vuhledar):
Pokrovsk: Remittance of high-definition strike footage from the 148th Artillery Brigade (1714Z) confirms UAF maintains effective counter-battery and interdiction capabilities despite Russian pressure.
Dnipropetrovsk Border: Russian drone activity has expanded into eastern Dnipropetrovsk (1729Z), suggesting an attempt to widen the operational depth of the Pokrovsk offensive and disrupt UAF rear-echelon logistics.
Southern Sector (Zaporizhzhia/Huliaipole):
Huliaipole: Combat has reached a high level of technological saturation. The presence of fiber-optic wire fragments and "wired" drone footage (1730Z) suggests that traditional EW-based protection for armored columns is currently neutralized in this sector.
Stepnohirsk: Russian ground pressure remains high (per previous sitrep), likely aiming to exploit the extreme cold to fixed Ukrainian positions.
Enemy activity / threat assessment
Tactical Adaptation (Fiber-Optic Drones): The transition to fiber-optic drones in Huliaipole suggests Russian forces are adapting to Ukrainian EW superiority. This requires UAF to shift from electronic protection to physical/kinetic interception of drones.
Internal Command Issues: Volatile footage of Russian disciplinary actions (1706Z) and POW testimonies (1722Z) regarding broken recruitment promises indicate ongoing friction in Russian manning and morale. However, this has not yet manifested in a decrease in kinetic intensity.
Logistics: Russian forces are maintaining pressure in the "Center" sector (Pokrovsk), likely supported by the GRAU Arsenal munition movements noted in the previous 24h.
Friendly activity (UAF)
Precision Strike: Continued successful use of tube and rocket artillery in the Pokrovsk sector to disrupt Russian "Center" group movements.
C2/Strategic Consolidation: President Zelenskyy is prioritizing "reconstruction documents" and "security guarantees" (1729Z) in talks with the UK and US, likely preparing a policy framework for potential 2026 negotiations.
Energy Management: KMVA is proactively managing the grid collapse through "strict schedules" to prevent a total blackout of the capital's C2 nodes.
Information environment / disinformation
Abu Dhabi Talks: Russian state media (TASS) is amplifying Trump's "optimism" to create a sense of inevitability regarding a settlement on Russian terms.
Humanitarian Narratives: The Moskalkova proposal (1707Z) for border crossings is likely a distraction from the documented deliberate killings of civilians in Sumy (Grabovske).
Internal RU Morale: UAF-aligned channels are aggressively disseminating POW accounts (Gudovskikh, 1722Z) to accelerate Russian desertion rates during the winter offensive.
Outlook (next 6-12h)
MLCOA (Most Likely): Continued UAV saturation over Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk. Expect Russian forces in Huliaipole to use the EW-immune drones for a localized push against UAF strongpoints.
MDCOA (Most Dangerous): A sudden escalation in missile/drone strikes against the Kyiv energy hub to capitalize on the "strict blackout" vulnerabilities, aiming for a total grid failure during the current cold snap.
Intelligence gaps & collection requirements
[CRITICAL] Determine the scale of Russian fiber-optic drone stockpiles in the Southern Sector.
[HIGH] Identify the specific "Abu Dhabi" negotiation points mentioned by US sources to assess potential impacts on UAF territorial integrity.
[MEDIUM] Monitor for any movement of Russian units toward the proposed "reunification" border point to distinguish between a PR stunt and a genuine tactical opening.
[MEDIUM] Confirm the current operational capacity of the Kyiv energy hub following the KMVA announcement of strict rationing.
