Russia’s war on Ukraine. 08.12.25
Operational situation
On the Southern Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces attempted to advance west of Lyman, east of Vilcha, south of Vovchanski Khutory, and attacked near Vovchansk, Synelnykove, toward Izbytske, and near Ambarne, Khatnie, Dvorichanske, and toward Kolodyazne.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Vilcha and Prylypky.
On the Kupyansk direction, the 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 68th Motorized Rifle Division and the 1486th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 6th Combined Arms Army fought for Kucherivka. The enemy attempted to advance in central Kupyansk and attacked near Sobolivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane, Kolisnykivka, Hrekivka, Tverdokhlibove, and toward Novoserhiyivka. The 121st and 122nd Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 68th Motorized Rifle Division of the 6th Combined Arms Army attacked in Kupyansk and toward Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi.
The aggressor faces significant difficulties sustaining logistics for its forward units because Ukrainian Defense Forces strike its lines of communication.
On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked near Lyman, Derylove, Drobysheve, Novoselivka, Yarova, Serednie, toward Oleksandrivka, and near Novyi Mir, Stavky, Myrne, and Zarichne.
On the Sloviansk direction, Russian forces attempted to advance in the northeast and southern parts of Siversk, west of Platonivka, on the eastern outskirts of Zakitne, northwest of Ozerne, south of Sviato-Pokrovske, and attacked near Yampil, Dronivka, Serebrianka, Fedorivka, Vasyukivka, toward Pazeno and Nykyforivka, and maintain fire control over Highway T0513 Lyman–Soledar in the southern part of Sviato-Pokrovske.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Ozerne and Nykyforivka.
On the Kostyantynivka direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced northwest of Ivanopillya and counterattacked near Klynove and Bezimyane.
Russian forces fought for Sofiivka, attempted to advance toward the outskirts of Pryvillya and Minkivka, near Rusyn Yar, in central Virolyubivka, attempted to enter Bezimyane from the north, seized Klynove, attacked near Kostyantynivka, between Novomarkove and Minkivka, near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, toward Berestok, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillya, Yablunivka, toward Stepanivka and Novopavlivka, and destroyed a dam with an airstrike on Highway M03 Sloviansk–Bakhmut on the northeastern outskirts of Pryvillya. The dam’s destruction may hinder the enemy’s advance east toward Khromivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces fought for Nove Shakhove and Rivne, attempted to advance in the southern part of Toretsk, west and south of Pokrovsk, north of Udachne, in central Myrnohrad, and attacked toward Novyi Donbas, near Hryshyne and Rodynske, toward Bilytske, near Krasnyi Lyman, Novoekonomichne, Kotlyne, and toward Molodetske.
Units of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces of Ukrainian Defense Forces continue identifying and destroying enemy groups in Pokrovsk, prevent further enemy infiltration into Myrnohrad, and are deploying additional logistical routes to Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.
On the Oleksandrivka direction, Russian forces attempted to advance northwest of Filiya, north of Ivanivka, and attacked near and inside Novopavlivka, near Yalta, Dachne, Zelenyi Hai, Oleksandrohrad, Verbove, Vorone, Stepove, and Sosnivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Tykhe and Hai.
On the Huliaypole Direction, Russian forces advanced on the eastern outskirts of Dobropillya, attempted to advance toward the Khaychur River in the eastern part of Huliaypole, in the southeastern part of the city, in Varvarivka and Zarichne, and attacked near Danylivka, toward Zelenyi, and near Krasnohirske, Pryvilne, Solodke, Rybne, Uspenivka, Pavlivka, and Zlahoda, and are conducting airstrikes on Huliaypole.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near and inside Dobropillya and near Huliaypole, continue to use Highway T0401 Huliaypole–Pokrovske for logistical support of the garrison in Huliaypole, and the route is not under enemy fire control.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces attacked near Novoandriivka, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, and Stepove.
On the Prydniprovske Direction, Russian forces fought for the islands of Borshchovyi, Vilkhovyi, and Zabytskyi, attempted to advance south of Yantarne and Berehove, attacked near the Antonivskyi Bridge, and enemy sabotage groups entered Prydniprovske.
General conclusion:
On the Northern Slobozhansky Direction, weather conditions slightly slowed the pace of combat operations.
Russian forces attempt to place Ukrainian Defense Forces logistics routes in northern Kharkiv Oblast under fire control with UAV strikes, they have stroke the bridge near Staryi Saltiv, forcing the closure of T2111 Chuhuiv–Velykyi Burluk road near Pechenihy and highway T2104 Kharkiv–Vovchansk–Chunivka near Staryi Saltiv, and conducted a missile strike on the dam in Pechenihy, suspending movement across the dam. Russian strikes on the bridge and the dam aim to degrade Defense Forces logistics in support of the materiel and technical supply of forces in Vovchansk, Velykyi Burluk, and Kupyansk. Ukrainian Defense Forces were prepared for this scenario, having deployed reserve routes.
Russian strikes are aimed at the operational rear of Ukrainian Defense Forces groupings in the areas of Kharkiv, Velykyi Burluk, and Kupyansk, which may be a sign of preparations for an offensive operation.
On the Southern Slobozhansky Direction, the enemy failed to achieve the effect it previously created on the Pokrovsk Direction due to a lack of forces and means to gain control over the “small airspace”.
Russian forces intensified strikes on bridges near the administrative border of Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts, striking the bridge over the Khaychur River in central Andriivka. The enemy’s ability to cross the Khaychur River will be a decisive factor in its ability to achieve operational success toward Zaporizhzhia.
The enemy is attempting to isolate Ukrainian forces on the eastern bank of the Khaychur River and facilitate its advance in the area south of the river near Oleksandrivka. The strike on the bridge indicates that the enemy has the capability to cross the river at another point.
Change in the line of contact (LoC), directions of attacks and counterattacks:
There were 164 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, the enemy conducted 6 air strikes.
On the Southern Slobozhansky direction, 4 enemy attacks in the area of Vovchansk were stopped.
On the Kupyansk Direction, enemy attacks took place. Enemy assault actions toward Pishchane were repelled.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 16 times, attempting to break into the Ukrainian defense near Hrekivka, Serednie, Derylove, Zarichne, and Myrne, and toward Oleksandrivka, Stavky, and Torske.
On the Sloviansk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6 enemy attacks near Yampil, Dronivka, and Serebrianka.
On the Kostyantynivka direction, the enemy conducted 19 attacks in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Kleban-Byk, and Yablunivka, and toward Kostyantynivka, Ivanopillya, Rusyn Yar, Novopavlivka, and Sofiivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, 53 enemy assault actions were stopped toward Nove Shakhtarske, Novyi Donbas, Bilytske, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Myrnohrad, Molodetske, and Novopavlivka, and in the areas of Shakhtarske, Novoekonomichne, Zvirove, Kotlyne, Udachne, Dachne, and Filiya.
On the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy conducted 14 attacks in the areas of Yalta, Sosnivka, Verbove, Vorone, Zlahoda, Krasnohirske, Pryvilne, and Solodke, and toward Vyshneve.
On the Huliaypole Direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 20 Russian attacks in the areas of Rybne, Radisne, Varvarivka, Dobropillya, Zelene, and Huliaypole.
On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy made 2 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defense toward Novoandriivka and Prymorske.
On the Prydniprovske Direction, the enemy unsuccessfully tried to break through the Ukrainian defense in the area of the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Supporting operation:
Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out UAV strikes on energy infrastructure facilities in Rostov Oblast.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps strikes Ukrainian positions in Oleksiivka, and units of the 204th Separate SOF Company operate near Myropillya.
The 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the 44th Army Corps, is active in Vovchansk.
The 16th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade conducts reconnaissance in wooded areas near Dibrova. The 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Combined Arms Army operates near Siversk, and the 6th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the army strikes Ukrainian forces in Siversk.
The 13th “Rusichi” Assault Detachment of the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 14th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 3rd Combined Arms Army strikes Ukrainian positions in Ivanopillya, the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Combined Arms Army operates near Sofiivka, and the 58th Separate SOF Battalion of the 51st Combined Arms Army operates near Kostyantynivka.
The 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 80th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the 51st Combined Arms Army operate in Myrnohrad.
The 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army operates in Dobropillya, the 14th Separate Engineering Brigade attacks roads near Huliaypole with UAVs. The 14th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade strikes in Terenuvate, and the 57th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army operates near Huliaypole.
Possible operation situation developments:
The Defense Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry assesses that while the enemy is unlikely to capture all of Donetsk Oblast by the spring of 2026, it may reach the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia and the Sloviansk–Kramatorsk agglomeration by early winter. Additionally, if current fighting continues at the same pace, the enemy could possibly take control of Pokrovsk, Kostyantynivka, Druzhkivka, and Kupyansk no earlier than year’s end.
On the Southern Slobozhanske Direction, the enemy will attempt to reach the Vovchansk – Staryi Saltiv road near Tsehelne and the highway to Rubizhne to disrupt the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ formations in the southern part of Vovchansk, significantly complicate their defense due to the considerable flank threat. The main forces of the 6th Combined Arms Army will advance from the Vovchansk–Bilyi Kolodyaz direction and from the bridgehead on the Oskil through Hryhorivka toward converging directions on Velykyi Burluk, pushing Ukrainian Defense Forces from all territory east of the Siverskyi Donets.
On the Lyman direction, the troops of the enemy’s 20th Combined Arms Army will advance toward Shandryholove–Novoselivka and Zelena Dolyna–Drobysheve and will push into the Novoselivka–Drobysheve–Pryshyb–Yarova area, while simultaneously expanding its tactical bridgehead on the Nitrius River near the village of Serednie, in order to block Lyman from the northwest and cut all communications running along the Siverskyi Donets River toward Izium. The enemy may attempt an immediate crossing of the Siverskyi Donets in the Zakytne–Dronivka area, which will complicate the further defense of Siversk.
The enemy’s “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping will attack in the directions of Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka and Druzhkivka, attempting to cut the H20 highway Kostyantynivka–Sloviansk, which will complicate the logistics of the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ 19th Army Corps in Kostyantynivka. The enemy will deliver concentric strikes simultaneously from Chasiv Yar, Toretsk, the Kleban-Byk Reservoir, and from the Poltavka–Yablunivka line.
The command of the “Tsentr (Center)” Operational Grouping in order to prevent the withdrawal of elements of the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces of the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad bridgehead, will make efforts to achieve a deeper envelopment of the western flank of the Pokrovsk defense area, attacking northward from the Udachne–Kotlyne line and attempting to break through to Hryshyne. The withdrawal of elements of Ukrainian Defense Forces from Myrnohrad toward the Dobropillya area could affect the overall situation on the 51st Combined Arms Army bridgehead west of the Kazennyi Torets River. To prevent a deterioration of the situation there, the enemy would hastily organize and conduct counterattacks in the areas of Ivanivka and Nove Shakhove.
On the Oleksandrivka direction, the troops of the enemy’s “Vostok (East)” Operational Grouping will attempt to envelop the Huliaypole defensive area of Ukrainian Defense Forces from the north and block its main lines of communication. The troops of the 36th Combined Arms Army and elements of the right flank of the 5th Combined Arms Army will be breaking through toward Pokrovske from the southeast. The enemy will attempt to reach the Khaychur River and the Huliaypole–Pokrovske road on the Dobropillya–Varvarivka section.
Enemy forces of the “Vostok (East)” Operational Grouping on the Huliaypole Direction will bypass the Huliaypole defensive area from the north, breaking through on the Dobropillya–Varvarivka section, or will break through toward Pokrovske in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast from the south and southeast. At any moment, to exploit success, the 76th Air Assault Division or the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Combined Arms Army may be committed to the operation from the Oleksandrivka Direction. The enemy is capable of creating an operational breakthrough toward Novomykolayivka and of bypassing the Orikhiv defensive area from the north. Russian military command on the Southwestern Theater of Military Operations will attempt to collapse the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the southeast of Zaporizhzhia and break through to its approaches. To achieve this, it will simultaneously advance toward Zaporizhzhia both from the east, from Donetsk along the Donetsk–Zaporizhzhia highway, and from the south.
On the Orikhiv direction, the “Dnepr” Operational Grouping will attempt to break through along the left bank of the Dnipro River from the Plavni – Kamianske line toward Stepnohirsk and from the Stepove – Mali Shcherbaky line in the northern direction aiming to reach close approaches to the city of Zaporizhzhia.
On the Prydniprovske direction, the command of the enemy’s “Dnepr” Operational Grouping will continue trying to take control of most of the island zone in the Dnipro delta in the direction of Kherson, will try to create a tactical bridgehead on the right bank, and to eliminate the tactical bridgeheads of the 30th Marine Corps of Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of the automobile and railway bridges near Antonivka.
Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 08.12.25
Personnel - almost 1,181 680 (+810);
Tanks – 11,403 (+2);
Armored combat vehicles ‒ 23,6898 (+1);
Artillery systems – 34,917 (+10);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,562 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,253 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 69,182 (+47);
Aircraft - 431 (0);
Helicopters – 347 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 88,457 (+530);
Intercepted cruise and other missiles – 4,058 (+4);
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
From the evening of 7 December, Russian forces launched 149 strike UAVs of various types against Ukraine, about 90 of them Shahed-type. As of 09:00, air defense had shot down or suppressed 131 enemy drones. Sixteen strike UAVs hit 11 locations, and debris from downed drones fell in four additional locations.
On the night of 8 December, Russian forces attacked the Okhtyrka community in Sumy Oblast with three strike UAVs, hitting an apartment building. The building sustained extensive damage, and seven civilians were injured. All of them were taken to the hospital.
One person was killed and five others, including two children, were injured as a result of Russian UAV strikes on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the evening of 7 December and during the night of 8 December. The attacks targeted the Kryvyi Rih, Pavlohrad, and Nikopol districts, as well as the city of Dnipro. An agricultural enterprise, an administrative building, six apartment and private houses, outbuildings, a gas pipeline, an arts school, and vehicles were damaged.
In Chernihiv on the night of 8 December, a Russian UAV exploded near an apartment building, injuring three people. The blast wave blew out windows and doors, damaged vehicles, and caused a gas pipeline to catch fire.
Fires broke out in the city of Fastiv in Kyiv Oblast as a result of a Russian UAV strike during the night of 8 December. The impacts set the roofs of a three-story and a one-story building ablaze over an area of 1,500 square meters. The blast wave also damaged a private home and administrative buildings.
At 09:00 on 8 December, occupation forces struck Kostyantynivka with an FPV drone. A family riding bicycles to fetch water was caught in the blast zone. A man, his wife, and their two young children—a seven-year-old girl and a twelve-year-old boy—were injured. Doctors diagnosed them with blast and mine-explosive trauma, shrapnel wounds, and concussion.
During the day on 8 December, an 87-year-old woman was killed by another Russian strike in the Dnipro district of Kherson. Later, Russian forces shelled residential neighborhoods in central Kherson, injuring a 78-year-old local resident.
At about 13:00, the Russian military carried out guided airstrikes on Zaporizhzhia and Vilniansk. Fifteen people were injured, four of them seriously. An industrial facility sustained damage.
At 16:24 on 8 December 2025, the aggressor state’s forces dropped an aerial bomb on Kramatorsk, which exploded near a two-story residential building. Four members of a family who were at home at the time—the 44-year-old father, his 40-year-old wife, and their children aged six and eight—were injured.
Throughout the day, Russian forces struck the Nikopol area with heavy artillery and FPV drones, targeting the district center and the Pokrovske, Myrove, and Marhanets communities. A 67-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman were injured. Infrastructure, a business, an educational facility, a fuel station, greenhouses, and power lines were damaged. One home caught fire, nine more were damaged, five outbuildings were destroyed (one completely), and a summer house was destroyed.
Due to enemy strikes on energy infrastructure, as of the morning of 8 December, part of consumers in Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Chernihiv Oblasts remained without electricity. Across all regions of Ukraine, from 00:00 to 23:59, hourly outage schedules and power-limitation schedules for industrial consumers and businesses were in effect. In the evening, emergency blackouts were introduced in four oblasts, overriding the previously published schedules.