Russia's war on Ukraine. 18.12.24
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, the enemy advanced northwest and northeast from Malaya Loknia to the western bank of the Psel River east of Kurilovka, where servicemen from the DPRK are involved.
Russian troops are approaching Kruglenkoe, attempting to seize several terrain features west of the village, and have advanced east of Novoivanovka. Battles continued near Russkoe Porechie, Cherkasskoe Porechie, Malaya Loknia, Cherkasskya Konopelka, Kurilovka, Novoivanovka, Kremiannoe, and towards Sverdlivkovo.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops conducted localized attacks near Kozacha Lopan, Lyptsi, and Vovchansk.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian troops advanced east of Zahryzove and attacked near Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Lozova, in the direction of Novoplatonivka, near Vyshneve, Kopanka, Zelenyi Hai, Novoserhiyivka, Tverdokhlibove, Makiivka, Novoyehorivka, and towards Cherneshchyna.
On the Lyman direction, Russian troops are clearing the forested area near Kreminna, and attacked near Terny, Hryhorivka, and in the area of the Serebriansk Forest.
On the Siversk direction, Russian troops attacked near Siversk, in the areas of Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Ivano-Dariivka, and Spirne but did not advance..
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian troops took advantage of poor weather and advanced near the refractory plant in the center of Chasiv Yar, where battles for the plant continue. The enemy is clearing areas around Stupochky, attacked near Chasiv Yar, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, and is attempting to cross the “Siverskyi Donets-Donbas” canal. The enemy is extensively using FPV drones along the canal but is unable to operate combat vehicles there due to active resistance from Ukrainian Defense Forces.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian troops advanced to Belyakov Street in Toretsk. The enemy is trying to clear the western outskirts of the city to create favorable conditions for advancing towards Kostyantynivka. Fighting continued near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops advanced northwest to the northeastern part of Novovasylivka, west of Shevchenkove, west of Novotroitske along the bank of the Solona River, south of Lysivka, south of Dachenske, south of Pishchane, towards Novoolenivka and Ukrainka. They are attempting to dislodge Ukrainian forces from Novotroitske and attacked in the areas of Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Sukhi Yaly, Dachenske, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Novooleksiivka, Pushkyne, Novoolenivka, Pishchane, and Ukrainka. The Defense Forces counterattacked near Shevchenkove.
On the Kurakhove direction, Russian troops advanced on the eastern outskirts of Dalnie, but Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled attacks on the southeastern and southern outskirts of Kurakhove, forcing Russian troops to withdraw from these areas. The enemy attacked near Stari Terny, Sontsivka, Shevchenkove, Slovyanka, Trudove, Sukhi Yaly, Hihant, Zelenivka, and Yantarne, and is fighting on the southeastern outskirts of Konstyantynopil, advancing north of Uspenivka, towards Ulakli and Konstyantynopil.
On the Vremivka direction, Russian troops advanced near Velyka Novosilka, southeast of Novyi Komar, near the Malta Bar gully, towards Neskuchne, south of Velyka Novosilka, from Rivnopil, through the Kuchuhurna River between Storozhove and Makarivka, north of Makarivka via the bridge over the Mokri Yaly River, and towards Velyka Novosilka from both the north and south. The enemy attacked near Novyi Komar, Rozdolne, Blahodatne, Neskuchne, Storozhove, Makarivka, Novodarivka, and Novosilka.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian troops advanced in the area of Novoandriivka and Novodanylivka but failed to make progress. The 503rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 19th Motorized Rifle Division of the 58th Combined Arms Army attempted unsuccessfully to advance north of Nesteryanka. The occupiers conduct reconnaissance, rotate troops, and accumulate reserves.
General conclusion:
On the Kursk direction, the enemy makes efforts to eliminate the "Siversk" OTG bridgehead. The OTG holds positions along the line of Nikolaevo-Daryino – Zelenyi Put – Kruglenkoe – Pogrebki – Malaya Loknia – Russkoe Porechie – Cherkasskoe Porechie – Martynovka – Bondarevka – Cherkasskya Konopelka – Plekhovo. The enemy attacks Daryino, Malaya Loknia, and Plekhovo. North Korean units involved in the operation were spotted near Pogrebki, Malaya Loknia, Russkaya Konopelka, Cherkasskya Konopelka, and Plekhovo. The enemy has redeployed reserves from Belgorod Oblast but failed to achieve even tactical success. The "Siversk" OTG skillfully uses terrain and maneuver tactics. OTG units did not cling to Plekhovo at any cost but withdrew north of the Psel River, creating a 5-7 km inter-positional space between themselves and the enemy. This forces the enemy to cross open terrain to attack positions whose layout is unknown to them, all under strikes from UAVs and artillery. The result — dozens of assaults over the past few days have ended at the distant approaches to Ukrainian defenses. The "Siversk" OTG operates similarly on the Snagost River and in the village of Kruglenkoe, where, despite capturing Daryino, Novoivanovka, Zelenyi Put, and Pogrebki, the enemy cannot secure its position in the villages as they come under attack from OTG units.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy has been unable for a long time to overcome the “Kharkiv" OTG defenses, and around Hlyboke, they have abandoned offensive actions altogether. The enemy has been unable to gain control of the Aggregate producing plant in Vovchansk for an extended period and has unsuccessfully attempted to bypass the southern part of the city via the village of Vovchanski Khutory with assault groups of 17-25 troops.
On the Kupyansk direction, on the western bank of the Oskil River the enemy managed to expand its tactical bridgehead to 6 km along the front and almost 2.5 km in depth through active infantry actions. The 344th and 350th Motorized Rifle Regiments are increasing the density of troops at the bridgehead, reinforcing it with mortars and armored vehicles, and actively attacking Zapadne. They have entered and entrenched themselves in Dvorichna. If the bridgehead at Dvorichna is not eliminated within the next week, the enemy will be able to build up their grouping there, expand it, and threaten a strike on Kupyansk from the northwest. Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully counterattacked in the area of Kolisnykivka and from the forest west of the village, liberating a 2 by 2 km area.
For several weeks, the enemy has unsuccessfully and with significant losses attempted to seize the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of Kopanky. At the same time, they launched a series of attacks to the north, in the direction of Lozova and Zelenyi Hai. Both sides engaged in active maneuver combat in the area of these villages, resulting in the enemy making gains and advancing to Lozova and Zelenyi Hai. Borova, the ultimate goal of the offensive, remains about 11 km away, with the enemy advancing 5 km in a month. Control of Lozova and Zelenyi Hai allows for a flanking support of the offensive on Borova from the direction of Kruhlyakivka, but the enemy has failed to break Ukrainian defenses near Zahryzove. The loss of Lozova could threaten this defense with encirclement.
On the Siversk direction, the new commander of the enemy's "Yug (South)" Operational Grouping Lieutenant General O. Sanchik, decided to immediately display activity and decisiveness by launching a series of attacks on the positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces simultaneously on four sectors: south of Vyimka, on Ivano-Dariivka, on Verkhnokamianske, and on Bilohorivka from the south. Between 36 to 45 assaults are being repelled daily.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy concentrated its efforts on a narrow section of the front opposite the refractory plant in Chasiv Yar, which it approached only from the southeast direction. The enemy broke through to the plant from the east and north, and battles for the industrial zone, a key point in the city's defense, continue. If the enemy manages to capture the plant within the next 5-12 days, it will divide Ukrainian defenses, turning them into isolated strongholds. This will enable the enemy to bypass Ukrainian Defense Forces from the flanks and force them to retreat further west. South of Chasiv Yar, Ukrainian Defense Forces halted the enemy's advance west of Klishchiivka and in the Andriivka area. If Ukrainian Defense Force units retreat from Chasiv Yar, defense of Andriivka will become almost impossible, as the threat of flanking it from the north will emerge.
In Toretsk, heavy battles for each building continue. The enemy's offensive in the “Zabalka” district has slowed due to losses. North of the “Tsentralna” mine, the enemy is unable to overcome Ukrainian defenses but continues to attack with small assault groups. After a two-week pause, the aggressor resumed assaults from the direction of New York towards Leonidivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, the 422nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army broke into Shevchenkove but failed to develop success. Ukrainian Defense Forces introduced reserves into the battle, which first pushed the enemy away from Pishchane and then from the area north of Shevchenkove through maneuver actions and swift counterattacks with powerful artillery support. The enemy also introduced additional forces into the battle near Shevchenkove, which managed to slowly advance towards Pishchane. The command of the enemy's "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping feared that a "Khortytsia" OSG counterattack at the base of the 433rd Motorized Rifle Regiment’s wedge could lead to the complete destruction of the regiment. As a result, additional forces were transferred to the Shevchenkove area from Novotroitske. The enemy is fighting for Zelene and attacking Lysivka. The offensive on Novotroitske and towards the Donetsk Oblast border to the west has slowed due to the redeployment of part of the forces to other sectors.
On the Kurakhove direction, the occupiers broke through north of the village of Sukhi Yaly and captured Zelenivka. The enemy's advance has slowed due to the terrain. The enemy is focusing on simultaneous attempts to break through further and expand the salient after capturing Zelenivka. If they manage to reach the highway and are supported by an attack from the Pokrovsk direction towards Dachne, the tactical group of Ukrainian Defense Forces in Kurakhove and east of Konstyantynopil and Dachne will be encircled. It should be noted that the enemy lacks the forces and means to establish a reliable encirclement front. Kurakhove is expected to be captured in the coming days. Battles on the Daleke – Uspenivka – Romanivka – Yelyzavetivka bridgehead and fighting in Kurakhove have significantly weakened the Russian grouping and bought several weeks to organize the defense (or prepare a counterattack) of the "Khortytsia" OSG 15-17 km further west. The enemy's losses and the time spent will have an impact on the winter battles in this direction.
The enemy's activity on the Vremivka direction is linked to the desire of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces to report the capture of Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka by the New Year and to reach, at least on a narrow section, the border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 183 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces near Vovchansk, but the occupiers' attempt to advance was successfully repelled. Additionally, the enemy launched airstrikes on the area of Vovchanski Khutory.
On the Kupyansk direction, the enemy conducted three attacks near Petropavlivka and Lozova.
On the Lyman direction, with air support, Russian invaders launched 21 assaults on the positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces near Zelenyi Hai, Terny, Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, and the Serebriansk Forest. Simultaneously, the enemy carried out airstrikes near Serhiivka, Terny, and Ivanivka.
On the Siversk direction, the enemy attacked Hryhorivka, Bilohorivka, Siversk, and Verkhnokamianske. The invaders' aviation carried out airstrikes on Fedorivka, Riznykivka, Vyimka, and Serebrianka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy attacked in the areas of Chasiv Yar and Stupochky. Three Russian attempts to push back the Ukrainian defenders from their positions were unsuccessful. In addition, the enemy carried out airstrikes near Pazeno and Vasyukivka.
On the Toretsk direction, there were 7 clashes today. The enemy stormed Ukrainian positions near Toretsk. The invaders carried out an airstrike in the area of Romanivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy launched 35 attacks in the areas of Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Novovasylivka, Pishchane, Novoolenivka, Novopustynka, Chumatske, Ukrainka, Sukhi Yaly, and Novoelyzavetivka.
On the Kurakhove direction, the enemy made 26 attempts to break through Ukrainian defense near Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, and Yantarne.
On the Vremivka direction, the enemy launched 22 attacks near Konstyantynopolske, Sukhi Yaly, Storozhove, Novosilky, Temyrivka, Novopil, and Novodarivka.
On the Orikhiv direction, three clashes near Novoandriivka, Orikhiv, and Novodanylivka were successfully repelled. Additionally, the enemy carried out an airstrike on the area of the settlement of Zelene Pole.
With the support of army aviation, the enemy made two unsuccessful attacks on the Prydniprovskyi direction.
In Kursk Oblast, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 42 enemy assaults, during which the enemy launched eight airstrikes.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 6 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 25 cruise missiles.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 155th Separate Marines Brigade of the Pacific Fleet is operating near Novoivanovka in Kursk Oblast.
The 344th and 350th Motorized Rifle Regiments of the 69th Motorized Rifle Division of the 6th Combined Arms Army are operating on the Synkivka – Petropavlivka direction.
The 16th Separate SOF Brigade is operating near Zarichne.
Possible operation situation developments:
On the Kupyansk direction, the enemy will make efforts to expand its bridgehead in the Dvorichna area.
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.
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 Vremivka direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces will have to completely withdraw from the villages liberated during the 2023 offensive, located south of Velyka Novosilka, namely Makarivka, Neskuchne, and Storozhove.
By the end of the current year, the enemy will not succeed in seizing the "belt of fortresses" Kostyantynivka – Druzhkivka – Kramatorsk – Sloviansk or occupying Donetsk Oblast. The upcoming battle for Pokrovsk will mark the apex of the enemy’s offensive operation in the Southwestern Theater of Operations in 2024.
The enemy's military command in the theater of operations until March 2025 will be creating conditions to achieve the military-political goal of the “Special Military Operation”: reaching the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts and the junction of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk Oblasts near the village of Temyrivka.
Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 18.12.24
Personnel - almost 766,690 (+1,580);
Tanks 9,571 (+4);
Armored combat vehicles – 19,772 (+21);
Artillery systems – 21,164 (+5);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,256 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,025 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 31,610 (+60);
Aircraft - 369 (0);
Helicopters – 329 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 20,470 (+64);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 2943 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, 1,087 people have been affected by accidents involving mines and explosive remnants of war. Among them are 16 children who died and another 88 who were injured.
On the night of December 18, 2024 (starting from 7:00 p.m. on December 17), the enemy launched an attack using 81 strike UAVs of the "Shahed" type and drones of other types. As of 9:00 a.m., 51 strike UAVs were confirmed to have been shot down, while 30 enemy decoy drones were lost from radar tracking without causing any negative consequences.
On the evening of December 17, the enemy shelled the town of Semenivka in the Chernihiv Oblast using artillery. A 74-year-old local resident was killed, and a residential house was also damaged. Over the past day, Russian occupiers shelled the territory of Chernihiv Oblast 18 times, with local authorities recording a total of 40 explosions.
As a result of a massive Russian strike on the Zolochiv community in the Kharkiv Oblast on the evening of December 17, power grids were destroyed, and residential buildings were damaged. Recovery efforts are ongoing.
On the morning of December 18, Russian forces struck Kharkiv with a "Molniya" drone, damaging a shopping and entertainment center. No casualties were reported.
During October and November, more than 2,180 civilians were officially recorded as killed or injured in Ukraine. Additionally, around 40,000 people in frontline areas were forced to leave their homes.