Russia's war on Ukraine. 25.12.24
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, Russian forces conducted assault operations west of Malaya Loknia, advanced along Highway 38N-449 west of the village, attacked near Novoivanovka towards Viktorovka and Malaya Loknia, captured territory near the forest around Kruglenkoe, entered Cherkasskya Konopelka, and advanced in the areas of Nikolaevo-Daryino, Leonidovo, Russkoe Porechie, and Kurilovka.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Tykhe, Vysoka Yaruha, and Vovchansk and are attempting to consolidate positions on the eastern and western outskirts of Starytsia.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces attacked in the areas of Kindrashivka, Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Bohuslavka, Zahryzove, Lozova, Hrekivka, Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, Tverdokhlibove, Novoserhiyivka, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Zelenyi Hai, Shyikivka, and Nadiya.
The "Khortytsia" OSG units repelled a Russian assault on the left bank of the Oskil River.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked near Serhiivka, Ivanivka, Terny, Druzhkivka, Torske, and Hryhorivka.
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces advanced near Bilohorivka but made no progress.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attempted to advance west of Hryhorivka and toward Heroichna and Lermontov Streets in the northern part of Chasiv Yar. They attacked near Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Bila Hora.
Ukrainian Defense Forces control the entire refractory plant territory, having pushed out units of the enemy's 98th Airborne Division. Russian forces also retreated from areas west of Klishchiivka.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced on the western outskirts and center of Shcherbynivka, east of the village, toward Saltykova-Shchedrina Street in the northern part of Toretsk, and attacked near Dachne, Dyliivka, and Druzhba.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces are fighting for Novoolenivka and Ukrainka, attempting to advance southeast of Pishchane, south of Novovasylivka, northeast of Novoelyzavetivka, along the railway east of Sukhyi Yar, on the southern outskirts of Myrolyubivka, north of Novooleksandrivka, and attacked near Vozdvyzhenka, Promin, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Dachenske, Zelenyi, Shevchenkove, Novopustynka, Novotroitske, and Vovkove.
On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced east of Shevchenkove, northwest of Dalnie, northwest of Zorya, and attacked near Kurakhove, close to Petropavlivka, Shevchenkove, Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Andriivka, Dachne, Uspenivka, Konstyantynopil, Yantarne, Konstyantynopolske, and Rozlyv.
On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces captured the northern part of Storozhove, are attempting to advance northeast of Rozdolne and northeast of Rivnopil, and attacked near Velyka Novosilka, Novyi Komar, Novosilka, Novodarivka, and Storozhove.
The "Khortytsia" OSG units repelled an enemy assault near Novyi Komar.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces attacked near Pyatykhatky, Lobkove, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, and Bilohirya.
On the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked on islands in the Dnipro River delta.
General conclusion:
In Kursk Oblast, the counterterrorist operation command deploys several elite units and utilizes all available weaponry to maintain a high tempo of the offensive. The military contingent from North Korea continues to suffer losses, but Russian forces evacuate the bodies of their deceased to the rear, concealing the participation of North Korean troops in combat.
On the Siversk direction, the enemy exploites cloudy weather to launch attacks with small groups using motorcycles.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces employ heavy armored vehicles, motorcycles, buggies, and cars during assaults, occasionally deploying up to 15 types of UAVs simultaneously, including those controlled via fiber-optic cables. They also use remote mining systems with North Korean-manufactured cluster munitions.
On the Zaporizhzhia direction, the occupiers conduct reconnaissance on the Orikhiv (north of Robotyne) and Huliaypole (northeast of Robotyne) directions, preparing new assault groups, and replenishing ammunition supplies.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 266 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy launched 5 assaults near Vovchansk and Vysoka Yaruha.
On the Kupyansk direction, there were 23 Russian attacks. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled enemy assault actions near Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove, and Lozova.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 31 times, attempting to breach defenses near the settlements of Druzhelyubivka, Zelenyi Hai, Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, Terny, Torske, and in the direction of Hryhorivka.
On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled an assault by Russian invaders near Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers attacked 14 times in the areas of Chasiv Yar and Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk direction, the aggressor made 16 attempts to advance on the positions of Ukrainian units near Toretsk, Druzhba, and Dachne.
On the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 60 enemy attacks in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Dachenske, Shevchenko, Vovkove, and Novovasylivka.
On the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 36 attacks. The occupiers were most active in attempts to advance near Petropavlivka, Shevchenko, and in the area of Kurakhove.
On the Vremivka direction, the enemy conducted 34 assaults in the areas of Uspenivka, Yantarne, Konstyantynopolske, Konstyantynopil, Rozlyv, Rozdolne, Novyi Komar, Novosilka, Velyka Novosilka, and Storozhove.
On the Prydniprovskyi direction, the invaders made 4 unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Ukrainian Defense Forces from their positions
The operation in Kursk Oblast continues, where 37 combat clashes occurred.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Black Sea: 4 ships, including 4 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 28 cruise missiles.
Mediterranean Sea: 8 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 25 cruise missiles.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 11th Separate Air Assault Brigade is active near Cherkasskya Konopelka, units of the 40th Separate Marines Brigade of the Pacific Fleet (the main forces of the brigade operate on the Vremivka direction), the "Pyatnashka" Battalion, and Chechen "Akhmat" tank units are active near Sudzha.
The 27th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Tank Army is advancing near Lozova.
The 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 14th Army Corps conducts combat operations in Chasiv Yar.
The 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army and the 24th Separate SOF Brigade operate on the Pokrovsk direction.
The 110th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army is active on the Kurakhove direction.
The 127th Separate Reconnaissance Brigade of the 22nd Army Corps and the 81st Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division of the 18th Combined Arms Army operate on the Kherson direction.
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. 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 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.
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.
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 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 25.12.24
Personnel - almost 779,320 (+1,600);
Tanks 9,628 (+4);
Armored combat vehicles – 19,923 (+8);
Artillery systems – 21,333 (+10);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,256 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,030 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 32,117 (+31);
Aircraft - 369 (0);
Helicopters – 329 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 20,908 (+74);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,948 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
According to Air Defense Forces, on Christmas night, Ukrainian Defense Forces destroyed 55 cruise missiles, 4 guided aviation missiles, and 54 enemy drones out of 184 aerial targets launched by Russia. Russia targeted energy facilities in seven oblasts.
During the attack on December 25, Russian occupiers struck DTEK thermal power plants, causing serious damage to TPP equipment. In 2024, this marks the 13th massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and the 10th massive attack on the company’s energy facilities. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, DTEK’s thermal power plants have been attacked over 200 times.
Due to the massive missile attack by Russia, electricity consumption restrictions have been introduced across Ukraine. On Thursday, December 26, blackout schedules for the population will be in effect from 08:00 to 21:00.
During a morning air raid, the enemy struck Prykarpattia, leaving part of the oblast without electricity. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. Explosions were also heard in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Samara, and Kamianske in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. One person was killed in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.
In Burshtyn, Prykarpattia, heating is being restored after a Russian missile strike. As of 16:30, heating has been supplied to medical institutions.
On December 25, Russia launched 12 missiles and Shahed drones at Kharkiv, targeting critical infrastructure and residential buildings. Damage was recorded to 74 buildings. Four people were injured, two of whom are in serious condition. As a result of the strike on thermal energy facilities, as of the evening of December 25, about 300,000 people remain without heating.
In Sumy, unpredictable power outages are being applied due to a massive missile strike, and resilience points have been operating around the clock in the city.
Russian troops shelled the village of Inzhenerne in the Kherson Oblast, injuring a 40-year-old man. A Russian strike on Novoosynove in the Kharkiv Oblast on the morning of December 25 killed a woman.
From February 24, 2022, to the end of October 2024, Ukraine has recovered the bodies of 184 Ukrainians who died in Russian captivity, including 169 military personnel and 15 civilians.