On the Southern Slobozhansky direction, enemy assault groups were observed north of Vilcha. Russian forces attacked near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Tykhe, Synelnykove, Lyman, Khatnie, toward Dovhenke, near Odradne and Dvorichanske but did not advance.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Vilcha.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced west of Novovodyane, fought for Pishchane, attempted to advance north, east and west of the village, along Highway R07 Kupyansk–Shevchenkove west of Kupyansk, and attacked near Sobolivka, Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Bohuslavka, Borivska Andriivka, Druzhelyubivka and Hrekivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked north of Kupyansk, inside the city, west of Pishchane and near Sobolivka.
On the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked near Lyman, Derylove, Drobysheve, Yarova, Shandryholove, Serednie, toward Oleksandrivka, near Stavky, Kolodyaz, Myrne, Zarichne and Torske.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked on the southern outskirts of Lyman.
On the Sloviansk direction, Russian forces attempted to advance in the center of Siversk and in the center of Sviato-Pokrovske, and attacked near Zakytne, Yampil, Dibrova, Dronivka, Serebrianka and Fedorivka.
On the Kostyantynivka direction, Russian forces seized Chervone, attempted to advance south of Kostyantynivka, near Virolyubivka and Mykolaivka, west of Stepanivka, north and northeast of Rusyn Yar, north of Sofiivka, and attacked near Chasiv Yar, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Ivanopillia, Kleban-Byk, Yablunivka and toward Novopavlivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces seized Lysivka and Sukhyi Yar, advanced in the northwest of Rodynske along Highway T0504 Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad, are operating in the southern part of Myrnohrad, attempted to advance southwest of Rodynske, in the northeast of Myrnohrad, north of Svitle, and attacked near Shakhove, Nove Shakhove, Toretske, Novyi Donbas, Zapovidne, near and inside Pokrovsk, near Hryshyne, Bilytske, Krasnyi Lyman, Fedorivka, Novoekonomichne, Kotlyne, Udachne, Zvirove and Molodetske. The 1435th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 2nd Combined Arms Army seized Rivne.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Zaporizhzhia, north of Pokrovsk and west of Zatyshok.
On the Oleksandrivka direction, Russian forces attacked near Novoserhiyivka, Dachne, Filiya, Yalta, Zelenyi Hai, Tykhe, Sosnivka, Vorone, Sichneve, Vyshneve, Verbove and Krasnohirske.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Hai.
On the Huliaypole Direction, Russian forces advanced north and to the eastern outskirts of Huliaypole, and attacked near Radisne, toward Dobropillya, Pryluky, Zelene, Varvarivka, Solodke, Pryvilne, Zlahoda and Rybne.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Dobropillya.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces seized Novodanylivka, attempted to advance south of Lukyanivske and east of Stepnohirsk, and attacked near Novoandriivka, Prymorske and Stepove.
General conclusion:
On the Northern Slobozhansky Direction, the intensity of hostilities is decreasing, although Russian forces still conduct artillery and air strikes along the front line. Difficult weather conditions, a shortage of personnel, and constant Ukrainian UAV strikes contribute to the slowdown.
In the Southern Slobozhansky Direction, Russian forces will be unable to concentrate a grouping sufficient for a breakthrough toward Staryi Saltiv. The proximity of the Lyptsi area to the Russian border contributes to frequent enemy attacks intended to pin down Ukrainian forces in the border zone and seize dominant heights near the settlement. UAV strikes by Ukrainian Defense Forces hinder the aggressor’s attempts to establish crossings over the Vovcha River or use small boats.
Russian forces near Starytsia and Vovchansk have insufficient supplies, including water. The Russian military command does not plan to conduct rotations in the near future despite heavy troop losses. The 1st Consolidated Rifle Regiment of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Armed Forces is deploying to the direction.
After the enemy strike on the dam in Pechenihy, Ukrainian Defense Forces have quickly restored access to the crossing in Bezsalivka and will soon reopen movement in Pechenihy and Staryi Saltiv.
Russian forces have an advantage in the low-altitude air domain in the Shchurove–Donetsk sector and have established fire control over Ukrainian logistics in the Lyman area.
On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces use small-group tactics. Ukrainian Defense Forces have created a kill zone 10–15 km deep.
In the Pokrovsk Direction, the 7th Rapid Reaction Corps of the Air Assault Forces of Ukrainian Defense Forces conducts rotations and delivers ammunition to forward units in Myrnohrad despite the difficult logistical situation. Russian forces continue to suffer heavy losses. The situation in Pokrovsk is more stable than in mid-November 2025, although it is still difficult. Russian forces use infiltration tactics and advance in small groups of 2–3 soldiers on foot.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, rainy and foggy weather conditions and difficult terrain force Russian forces to use all-terrain vehicles instead of motorcycles.
Change in the line of contact (LoC), directions of attacks and counterattacks:
There were 139 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursk directions, one combat engagement was recorded.
On the Southern Slobozhansky direction, eight combat engagements took place in the areas of Vovchansk, Synelnykove, Odradne and Dovhenke.
On the Kupyansk Direction, four enemy attacks were recorded. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled assault actions toward Petropavlivka and Pishchane.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked ten times, attempting to advance in the areas of Novovodyane, Shandryholove, Kolodyaz, Drobysheve, Zarichne and toward Lyman.
On the Sloviansk direction, the enemy attacked positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces seven times near Yampil, Serebrianka, Dronivka and Fedorivka.
On the Kostyantynivka direction, the enemy carried out sixteen attacks near Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Yablunivka, Rusyn Yar and toward Sofiivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, forty-three attacks were stopped in the areas of Shakhove, Fedorivka, Rodynske, Krasnyi Lyman, Nykanorivka, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Dachne and toward Novopavlivka.
On the Oleksandrivka direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled seventeen enemy assaults in the areas of Zelenyi Hai, Sichneve, Verbove, Rybne, Krasnohirske and Vyshneve.
On the Huliaypole Direction, fifteen engagements took place in the areas of Solodke, Pryvilne, Huliaypole and toward Pryluky.
On the Orikhiv direction, the occupiers attempted to advance in the area of Stepove.
Supporting operation:
Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out UAV strikes on an ammunition depot in the area of Chmyrivka, a fuel depot in the area of Simeikyne in Luhansk Oblast, and a UAV storage site near Donetsk.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 352nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 11th Army Corps operates on the Kupyansk Direction. The 252nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division of the 20th Combined Arms Army advances west of Novovodyane.
The 144th Motorized Rifle Division of the 20th Combined Arms Army strikes Ukrainian positions toward Lyman.
The 169th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 25th Combined Arms Army operates in Yampil.
The Sever-V Brigade strikes Ukrainian positions northeast of Markove.
The 174th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division of the 8th Combined Arms Army advances toward Dobropillya, the 506th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army operates in Pokrovsk, and the 56th Separate SOF Company of the 51st Combined Arms Army operates near Myrnohrad.
The 239th Tank Regiment of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Combined Arms Army strikes Ukrainian positions south of Novopavlivka, and the 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, the 5th Separate Tank Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army, and assault units of the 139th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 36th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 29th Combined Arms Army operate in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
The 57th and 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 5th Combined Arms Army strike Ukrainian forces near Huliaypole, and the 305th Artillery Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army spreads propaganda materials 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 09.12.25
Personnel - almost 1,182 610 (+930);
Tanks – 11,403 (0);
Armored combat vehicles ‒ 23,691 (+2);
Artillery systems – 34,944 (+27);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,563 (+1);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,253 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 69,243 (+61);
Aircraft - 431 (0);
Helicopters – 347 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 88,889 (+432);
Intercepted cruise and other missiles – 4,058 (0);
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
During the night of December 9, Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with 110 strike UAVs of the Shahed, Gerbera, and other types, including about 70 Shaheds. As of 09:00, Ukrainian air defense had shot down and suppressed 84 enemy UAVs. The attack resulted in 24 strike UAV impacts at nine locations, and the attack is still ongoing, with several enemy UAVs remaining in the airspace.
During the night, the enemy carried out a massive attack on energy infrastructure in several oblasts, causing power outages in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy oblasts. At the same time, electricity consumption continues to rise: on Tuesday, December 9, consumption was 7.9% higher than on Monday. Emergency power cuts were imposed during the day in most regions of Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Russian UAV attacks on border areas of the Sumy district killed two civilians and injured one person. In the Myropillya community, the enemy struck a civilian car, killing a 73-year-old man. In the Krasnopillya community, an enemy drone attacked another vehicle: a 61-year-old man died from his injuries, and the wounded passenger was hospitalized.
Throughout the day, Russian forces attacked the Nikopol and Synelnykove districts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring two women. In the Nikopol district, the attacks damaged an educational institution and its dormitory, seven private houses, and several outbuildings. In the Mezhivska community of the Synelnykove district, a guided aerial bomb strike destroyed a mill building and six private homes.
In temporarily occupied Mariupol, near the drama theater where many civilians were killed, Russian forces set up a 14-meter Christmas tree. The event was dedicated to the theater’s reopening after more than three years of “restoration.”
In the flood zone created by Russian strikes on the dam of the Pechenihy Reservoir in Kharkiv Oblast, around 13,000 residents may be affected, including 3,500 people with limited mobility.
Between June and November 2025, the UN Human Rights Office recorded a significant increase in civilian casualties from Russian aggression in both frontline and urban areas of Ukraine. July saw the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries since April 2022. One of the deadliest attacks occurred on November 19 in Ternopil, killing at least 36 people—the largest attack in western Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. In addition, in October and November 2025, Russia carried out eight large-scale attacks on the energy system, causing emergency outages and restrictions lasting up to 18 hours per day, while some regions experienced prolonged disruptions in water and heat supply.