On the Kursk direction, Russian forces advanced north of Russkoe Porechie and Nechaievo, attacked near Kruglenkoe, north of Martynovka, and in the forested areas near Sudzha.

The “Siversk” Operational Tactical Group (OTG) units repelled enemy attacks west of Malaya Loknia, counterattacking across the entire bridgehead from the southeastern outskirts of Korenevo to the southern outskirts of Sudzha along the Leonidovo–Guevo line and in the wooded areas of Sudzha district.

The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in conjunction with other components of Ukrainian Defense Forces, struck a fortified Russian military facility in the Russian Oryol Oblast, destroying a storage, servicing, and repair depot for “Shahed” UAVs.

On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces advanced in the Starytsia area, crossed the Vovcha River in Vovchansk, and are attempting to prepare a bridgehead for further operations in this area, attacking near Lyptsi and Vovchansk.

Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted two counterattacks near Vovchansk.

On the Kupyansk direction, the 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Tank Army captured Lozova. The enemy is engaged in battles to capture Ivanivka and Zahryzove, attempting to reach Dvorichna and cross the Oskil River under cover of night or adverse weather conditions.

The enemy was forced to retreat from the northeastern outskirts of Kupyansk to fortified positions near Petropavlivka. Russian forces attacked near Kruhlyakivka, Bohuslavka, Pishchane, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Pershotravneve, Kopanka, Novoyehorivka, Zelenyi Hai, Nadiia, Kovalivka, Cherneshchyna, Novoserhiyivka, Druzhelyubivka.

On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked near Makiivka, Terny, Torske, Zarichne, Dibrova, Platonivka, and the Serebriansk Forest.

On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced north of Verkhnokamianske and regained lost positions.

Russian forces advanced toward Siversk and Vyimka from the south, attacking near Bilohorivka and Vyimka.

On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces are fighting near the lake in the “Pivnichnyi” neighborhood, attempting to advance toward the city center. The enemy attacked near Hryhorivka, Ivanivske, Kurdyumivka, Klishchiivka, Stupochky, Oleksandro-Shultyne, and Bila Hora. Fighting continues for the refractory plant in the center of Chasiv Yar.

Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled enemy attacks near Kurdyumivka, Ivanivske, and Klishchiivka.

On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces made minor advances toward Saratovska Street in the northern part of Toretsk, the central market and Hirnychoriatuvalna Street in the center of Toretsk, along Khyzhniak Street in the western part of Toretsk, toward the Toretsk mine, in Shcherbynivka, near the Central mine, and attacked near Dyliivka and Shcherbynivka.

On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced to the eastern outskirts of Novoelyzavetivka, attacked near Pokrovsk, Vozdvyzhenka, Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zelene, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Shevchenkove, Pishchane, Vovkove, Novoolenivka, Novotroitske, Novovasylivka, and Novoelyzavetivka.

Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Shevchenkove.

On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces conducted offensive operations near Kurakhove, in the Slovyanka and Petropavlivka areas, towards Andriivka, near Dachne, Dalnie, Konstyantynopolske, Uspenivka, Yantarne, Sukhyi Yaly, Zelenivka, Konstyantynopil, and advanced in the fields southeast of Rozlyv.

On the Vremivka direction, the 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army advanced west of Vremivka and cut the O0510 road between Velyka Novosilka and Huliaypole. Russian forces also advanced southwest of Velyka Novosilka near Ukrainian positions north of Marfopil and south of Malynivka, attacking near Rozdolne, Novyi Komar, Vremivka, and Novodarivka.

On the Orikhiv direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the command post of the 4th Military Base of the 58th Combined Arms Army with a HIMARS rocket system.

Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Novoandriivka and Kamianske.

General conclusion:

  • On the Kupyansk direction, the enemy is delivering its main strike south of Kupyansk -Vuzlovyi within the offensive sector of the 2nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 1st Tank Army and the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the 20th Combined Arms Army in the direction of Kruhlyakivka–Zahryzove and is attempting to expand a tactical penetration toward Borivska Andriivka along the Lozova–Zelenyi Hai line. The goal is a breakthrough to the village of Borova, toward which a grouping comparable to an army is advancing—the main forces of a motorized rifle division and two motorized rifle brigades. Over the past five days of intense fighting, the enemy has achieved only limited progress in this direction northeast and east of Zahryzove and north and south of Lozova.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy is advancing west of Pokrovsk aiming to reach the M30 Pokrovsk–Pavlohrad highway. Over the past two weeks, the enemy has been attacking only with small infantry groups of 2 to 5 individuals, without employing heavy equipment. The situation of Ukrainian Defense Forces continues to deteriorate. The enemy is gradually expanding its penetration south of Pokrovsk. The 90th Tank Division has captured Ukrainka and Novoolenivka and advanced to Novoelyzavetivka.
  • On the Vremivka direction, the command of the enemy’s “Vostok (East)” Operational Grouping will attempt to capture Velyka Novosilka despite a lack of reserves.
  • On the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, the enemy command will have to address the dilemma of simultaneously capturing Pokrovsk and compressing the Kurakhove bridgehead without disrupting the combat formations of the 90th Tank Division and redeploying additional troops from the Toretsk direction of the 51st Combined Arms Army or regrouping the 8th Combined Arms Army here.
  • The steadfast “Khortytsia” OSG defense along the Sukhyi Yaly River is already beginning to significantly influence the situation both across the entire Kurakhove direction and in the two neighboring directions—Pokrovsk and Vremivka.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

  • There were 162 combat engagements on various fronts.
  • On the Kharkiv direction, two enemy assaults took place in the area of Vovchansk.
  • On the Kupyansk direction, there were five attacks by the occupiers. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled enemy advances near Petropavlivka and Lozova.
  • On the Lyman direction, the enemy conducted 20 attacks, supported by assault and bomber aviation. The main offensive efforts were concentrated in the areas of Pershotravneve, Novoyehorivka, Nadiia, Terny, Torske, Zarichne, Dibrova, and the Serebriansk Forest.
  • On the Siversk direction, the enemy attacked four times near Bilohorivka and toward Vyimka.
  • On the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers conducted five attacks in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, and Stupochky.
  • On the Toretsk direction, the enemy carried out 10 attacks near Toretsk, Shcherbynivka, and Dyliivka, actively employing bomber aviation.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 52 Russian offensive actions near Myrolyubivka, Promin, Vozdvyzhenka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Shevchenkove, Novoelyzavetivka, Novovasylivka, and Vovkove.
  • On the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 18 attacks. The enemy focused its main efforts in the areas of Petropavlivka, Slovyanka, Dachne, and Kurakhove.
  • On the Vremivka direction, with aviation support, the enemy carried out 17 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Konstyantynopil, Rozlyv, Novyi Komar, and Novodarivka.
  • On the Huliaypole direction, the enemy attempted to advance once near Bilohirya but failed.
  • On the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian invaders attacked three times but faced a strong response and suffered losses.
  • Operations continue in Kursk Oblast, where the aggressor launched 23 airstrikes. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 22 enemy attacks.
  • In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
    • Black Sea: 1 ship, including 1 cruise missile carrier; the total salvo is 0 cruise missiles.
    • Mediterranean Sea: 8 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 26 cruise missiles.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

  • The 76th Air Assault Division, the 34th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 49th Combined Arms Army, and the 80th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 14th Combined Arms Army operate in Kursk Oblast.
  • The 25th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Combined Arms Army operates near Dvorichna. The 375th Separate Anti-Tank Battalion of the 47th Tank Division of the 1st Tank Army is active on the Kupyansk direction.
  • The 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Combined Arms Army operates near Bilohorivka.
  • Units of the 98th Airborne Division are engaged in Chasiv Yar, while the 112th Rifle Regiment of Mobilization Reserve of the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army is active near Ivanivske.
  • The 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army operates on the Toretsk direction.
  • The 14th Separate SOF Brigade is engaged in combat along the Sukhyi Yaly River.
  • The 57th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army is attacking in the direction of Vremivka.

Possible operation situation developments:

  • On the Kramatorsk direction, the “Khortytsia” OSG units will be forced to retreat to the Kostyantynivka area if the enemy reaches the Chervone–Stupochky line and simultaneously launches an offensive northward at the junction of its 41st and 51st Combined Arms Armies from the Novooleksandrivka–Arkhanhelske line, advancing to the Yablunivka–Oleksandro-Kalynove line on the Toretsk direction. If the Chasiv Yar Refractory Materials Plant is lost, it will be under enemy control by the end of December.
  • On the Pokrovsk direction, a withdrawal of the “Donetsk” OTG to the Ukrainka – Andriivka – Rozlyv – Novoocheretuvate line is expected. The length of the line of contact will be reduced, thereby tightening the combat formations of the operational-tactical group. As soon as the enemy completes the formation of the southern flank of Pokrovsk’s envelopment with the forces of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, the 41st Combined Arms Army will launch an offensive towards Myrnohrad and Novoekonomichne to form the northern flank.
  • If the enemy advances to the area where the Vovcha and Solona rivers converge near Dachne from the north, the position of Ukrainian Defense Forces units in Kurakhove will become critically complicated unless they manage to retreat in time. On the Zelenivka–Ulakli and Yasna Polyana–Rozlyv directions, the enemy may additionally deploy the main forces of the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and part of the forces of the 57th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army of the “Vostok (East)” Operational Grouping, which had previously been held in reserve by this grouping’s command.
  • On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy command may deploy an assault grouping consisting of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division, the 136th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, and the 503rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 19th Motorized Rifle Division of the 58th Combined Arms Army. Possible directions of advance may include Nesteryanka–Novoandriivka and Myrne–Shcherbaky. The objective may be to bypass the city of Orikhiv from the west, cut the logistical route between Orikhiv and Stepove, and create conditions for encircling the defensive positions of the “Tavria” Operational Strategic Group around Orikhiv from two sides simultaneously. The possibility of forming another assault grouping (forces of the 35th Combined Arms Army) cannot be ruled out, which could strike in the general direction of Myrne–Charivne, bypass Orikhiv from the east, or encircle the city from the north by breaking through to the village of Omelnyk.
  • The enemy’s military command in the south-western theater of operations until March 2025 will try to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts and the junction of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk Oblasts near the village of Temyrivka thus achieving the military-political goal of the “Special Military Operation”, namely occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 28.12.24

Personnel – almost 784,200 (+1,690);

Tanks 9,651 (+7);

Armored combat vehicles – 19,970 (+19);

Artillery systems – 21,408 (+29);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,256 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,032 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 32,328 (+66);

Aircraft – 369 (0);

Helicopters – 329 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 21,013 (+14);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 3,003 (0)

Boats/ships – 29 (0).

Humanitarian + general:

  • Ukrainian Air Defense Forces neutralized all 16 drones launched by Russia against Ukraine on the night of December 28. Out of the 16 drones launched, 15 were shot down, and one was a decoy. All 15 drones were intercepted in Mykolaiv Oblast.
  • As a result of the nighttime attack on the city of Mykolaiv by Russian “Shahed” drones, a residential building was damaged. A fire broke out on the roof of a multi-story building, but no injuries were reported.
  • On December 28, Russian occupiers shelled Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast twice during the day, injuring nine people, including two children. In the morning, in the Dnipro Raion of Kherson, Russian forces attacked a civilian vehicle with a drone, injuring a man.
  • In temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russian occupiers open engineering classes in schools to teach students how to assemble drones for the Russian military, according to the National Resistance Center. These classes are established with the support of occupation administrations. Russia has approved a program to expand the network of such classes by 2030.
  • In the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, Russian occupiers continue filtration measures, searching for relatives of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel. Identified relatives are summoned for interrogations, and there have already been documented cases of forced eviction, according to the National Resistance Center.
  • Kharkiv authorities reported on December 28 that as of the morning, approximately 85,000 households in the city of Kharkiv and 27,000 households in communities of Kharkiv district remain without heating.
  • As of the morning of December 28, the entire city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast is without power due to an emergency outage. Energy workers are investigating the cause of the blackout.
  • In the Myrnohrad municipal community of Donetsk Oblast, gas supply, water supply, and electricity have been cut off due to the security situation. Mandatory evacuation is ongoing.
  • Since the beginning of 2024, Russian special services have intensified recruitment of Ukrainian citizens via social media to commit acts of terrorism, property damage, interference with the legitimate activities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and sabotage. The National Police of Ukraine reported 341 cases of vehicle arson involving military personnel this year. Investigators have already served notices of suspicion in 219 of these cases. In 2023, such incidents were isolated.
  • Nearly half (47%) of all Ukrainian refugees living in Norway state that they will not return to Ukraine, even if the war ends, according to a survey commissioned by the company Imdi.

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