It has been the 1397 th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.
What happened in Ukraine today:
Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 4 pm:
The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back russian invaders.
On 21 December, there were 93 combat engagements.
Communities of the settlements of Volfyne, Ryzhivka, and Boiaro-Lezhachi in Sumy oblast were hit by enemy artillery fire.
Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, there was one enemy attack. In addition, the enemy carried out 49 attacks, four of which were from multiple launch rocket systems.
Towards Southern Sloboda, there were 12 combat engagements, the enemy attacked in the vicinity of Vovchansk, Prylipka, Dvorichanske, Izbitske and Obukhivka. Four combat engagements are currently ongoing.
Towards Kupiansk, Ukrainian soldiers repelled six enemy attacks in the vicinity of Kurylivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane and Hlushkivka; four clashes are still ongoing.
Towards Lyman, the invading army carried out eight attacks on Ukrainian positions in the vicinity of the settlements of Druzheliubivka, Stepove, Olhivka, Lyman, Drobysheve and Zarichne, five clashes are still ongoing.
Towards Slaviansk, the enemy attacked three times near Yampol and Siversk.
Towards Kramatorsk, the enemy twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders near the settlements of Minkivka and Vyroliubivka.
Towards Kostiantynivka, there were 14 enemy attempts to penetrate Ukrainian defenses in the vicinity of the settlements of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Kostiantynivka, Rusyn Yar, Sofiivka and Stepanivka. Another battle is ongoing.
Towards Pokrovsk, russian occupiers made 23 attempts to push Ukrainian soldiers from the occupied positions in the vicinity of the settlements of Shakhove, Rodynske, Sukhetske, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Nove Shakhove and Novopavlivka. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelled 15 attacks.
Towards Oleksandrivka, Ukrainian defenders stopped 10 assaults by enemy troops in the vicinity of the settlements of Oleksandrohrad, Sichneve, Sosnivka, Pryvilne, Rybne, Pershotravneve, Andriivka-Klevtsove and Ivanivka. Another battle is ongoing.
Towards Huliaipole, the aggressor tried to advance on the positions of Ukrainian troops near Huliaipole six times, two clashes are ongoing.
Towards Orikhiv, Ukrainian defenders repelled five enemy attacks in the vicinity of Stepove, Shcherbaky, Mali Shcherbaky, Stepnohirsk and towards Novoandriivka. One clash is ongoing.
Towards Kherson, the enemy made one unsuccessful attempt to approach the positions of Ukrainian units in the vicinity of the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
Towards South Sloboda, there were 12 combat clashes. russians attacked in the vicinity of Vovchansk, Prylipka, Dvorichanske, Izbitske and Obukhivka. Four battles are ongoing.
Towards Kupiansk, the Defense Forces repelled six assaults by the occupiers in the vicinity of Kurylivka, Petropavlivka, Pishchane and Hlushkivka. Four battles are also ongoing here.
Towards Lyman, russians also attacked Ukrainian positions near Olhivka and Druzheliubivka.
Viktor Kovalenko, Head of the RMA, says that russian troops launched a missile strike on the village of Odnorobivka in Zolochiv community. The strike occurred at 09:25, as a result of the hit, three apartment buildings, 12 private houses, outbuildings and power grids, as well as an educational institution that is not working.
Oleksandr Danylenko, Head of media relations of the Gart brigade, says that towards Vovchansk, about 10 russian attacks are recorded every day. According to him, the Defense Forces control the southern, eastern, western outskirts of the city of Vovchansk, as well as Vovchanski Khutory, Vilcha, Synelnykove and other settlements of the border Vovchansk community.
Viktor Trehubov, Head of the communications department of the Joint Forces Group, reports that in Kupiansk, russians found themselves in a severe encirclement and are completely losing any presence in the city, while near the city, on the left bank of the Oskol, they are trying to push Ukrainian troops across the river.
There were 235 combat clashes in the oblast.
Towards Southern Sloboda, the Defense Forces repelled 13 enemy attacks in the vicinity of the settlements of Sotnytskyi Kozachok, Vovchansk, Prylipka, Izbitske and Hryhorivka.
Towards Kupiansk, there were six attacks. The Defense Forces repelled enemy assault actions in the vicinity of Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruhliakivka and Pishchane.
Over the past day, 6 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were subjected to enemy attacks.
Two people were killed and two injured as a result of the shelling.
The press service of the Patrol Police of Ukraine reported that as a result of the russian airstrikes on Izium, 42-year-old patrol policewoman Iryna Baida died. She was one of the first patrol officers in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. The patrol officer’s husband was also killed during the airstrikes. The couple is survived by a 15-year-old son.
A 64-year-old woman was also injured in Izium.
A 69-year-old man was injured in the village of Kivsharivka, Kupiansk community.
The enemy actively used various types of weapons:
▪️9 GABs;
▪️4 Geran-2 UAVs;
▪️1 UAV (type to be determined).
Civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed:
▪️In Kupiansk region, a private house was damaged (village of Kupiyansk-Vuzlovyi), 5 private houses (village of Velykyi Burluk);
▪️In Izium region, an apartment building and a private house, a palace of culture, and 13 cars were damaged (city of Izium);
▪️In Chuhuiv region, a recreation center was damaged (village of Prymorske).
The transit evacuation point in Lozova received 43 people. 25 people remained. A total of 15,292 people have been registered at the Point since its inception.
Donetsk oblast
Roman Pysarenko, Head of the communications department of the 79th brigade, reports that russian troops created a significant cordon zone near Myrnohrad, but not all roads to the city are under the fire control of the occupiers. Ukrainian military personnel continue to enter the city, carry out logistics and periodically rotate.
On December 20, there were 1,651 enemy shelling along the front line and residential sector.
8 settlements were under fire: the cities of Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Mykolaivka, the village of Oleksandrivka, Vyrivka, Sydorove, and Starodubivka.
18 civilian objects were destroyed, including 14 residential buildings.
The occupiers struck Druzhkivka with MLRSs and dropped 2 KAB-250 bombs, killing one person, and injuring three others. 3 apartment buildings and 9 private houses, a car were damaged.
Donetsk Oblast State Emergency Service reported that in the evening, russian troops attacked warehouses in Kramatorsk. Rescuers extinguished the fire at the site of the impact for five hours.
In Kostiantynivka, a civilian was injured as a result of an FPV drone hit.
russians sent a Molniya-2 UAV to Kramatorsk, a private house was destroyed.
As a result of the FPV drone attack, a civilian car was damaged in Mykolaivka and Starodubivka.
As a result of the Geran-2 UAV attack in Oleksandrivka, an administrative building and 4 houses were destroyed.
97 people remain in the village of Dmytro-Daryivka, Oleksandrivka community. Since the start of the full-scale war, 20 local residents have left. The front is located 40 kilometers from the village, but the russian army is shelling residential buildings.
Luhansk oblast
Towards Lyman, russian troops carried out 4 assault operations and 12 more towards Sloviansk. The enemy tried to identify weak points in Ukrainian defense near 11 settlements. In Luhansk oblast, there were attacks near Novovodiane and Novoiehorivka. The invaders opened mortar fire six times, used automatic grenade launchers six times, and used drones three times.
The occupation authorities informed the residents of Antratsyt and Khrustalne that the restoration of centralized drinking water supply is not expected in the near future. The cities were left without water due to a hydrological drought in the region. The occupation administration is not taking immediate measures to solve the problem, limiting itself to promises to organize water transportation. As long-term options, they are considering cleaning mine water or repairing existing water pipelines, but the deadlines for the work have not been determined.
In Siverskodonetsk, despite the restoration of the ability to call emergency services via the local mobile network, the quality of medical care has not improved. The arrival time of an ambulance is about six hours, which does not always allow for timely assistance. The city lacks mobile medical teams and specialized transport.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
The head of the regional military administration, Mykola Kalashnyk, reported about the creation of 1,748 new temporary accommodation places in Kyiv oblast since the beginning of the year. Due to constant shelling and evacuation from frontline areas, the need for housing increases daily. Currently, there is a plan to equip several more buildings for displaced persons. The reconstruction of buildings for displaced persons is planned to begin in Stavytsia and Zavorychi (a total of 78 apartments will be equipped), and in Byshiv. Buildings will be redesigned to house dozens of families.
A modern sports hall has been opened at the State Tax University in Irpin. The university’s sports facilities were destroyed at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Among the university’s students and graduates are 27 distinguished masters of sport of Ukraine and more than 80 international masters of sport, Olympic and world championship medallists. The new space will serve as a platform for training future champions in judo, freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, sambo, boxing and other martial arts.
The 12th graduation of military chaplains of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who studied at the Military Institute of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, took place in St. Sophia Cathedral. It is noted that most of those who attended the courses already have experience as chaplains and have served in the ATO/JFO. They know how to work with combat stress and loss and have provided spiritual support to military personnel in various units.
On 20 December in Kyiv, volunteers from the Modern Ukraine Charitable Foundation handed over to soldiers of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence the second part of 100 FPV drones collected as part of the ‘Tasty, because it’s for drones’ campaign. Businesses joined the campaign – 170 catering establishments. In total, UAH 5 million was raised to equip the reconnaissance units. The first 50 drones were delivered earlier.
Psychologists from the State Emergency Service organised a training course in canine therapy for military personnel currently undergoing rehabilitation at one of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ facilities in Kyiv. The psychologists conducted the canine therapy sessions as part of the ‘Psychological Practices Point’ project. Banana the dog helps in the rehabilitation of military personnel. Such sessions are designed to reduce anxiety and restore emotional balance.
Zhytomyr oblast
Head of the Regional State Administration Vitaliy Bunechko announced that Zhytomyr oblast had become a venue for important international dialogue, bringing together military personnel and diplomats from various countries. A meeting was held with representatives of the Kyiv Association of Military Attachés to discuss key issues of defence and cooperation.
A boccia game was held in Zhytomyr, a Paralympic sport accessible to people with disabilities of various nosological groups. The event was initiated by the Zhytomyr Regional Public Organisation ‘VO SOIU’ under the leadership of Natalia Tsyplytska. Boccia combines physical activity, accuracy, tactical thinking and teamwork.
Sumy oblast
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, reported that on 18 December, russian servicemembers unlawfully detained around 50 civilian residents of Hrabovske village in Sumy oblast, holding them without access to communications and in improper conditions, and on 20 December forcibly transferred them to the territory of russia. Ukraine is demanding the immediate return of its citizens. According to him, these actions constitute a gross violation of international humanitarian law, including violations of the laws and customs of war, unlawful deprivation of liberty, and the forced deportation of the civilian population.
The Joint Forces Group informed that fighting is ongoing in Hrabovske village in Sumy oblast. Ukrainian defenders are making efforts to push occupying forces back into russian territory. It was noted that, despite certain media reports, russian forces are currently absent from the neighbouring settlement of Riasne.
Between the morning of 20 December and the morning of 21 December 2025, russian forces carried out more than 20 attacks on nine settlements across six territorial communities in the oblast. The highest number of strikes was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used artillery, mortars, FPV drones and UAVs against the territory of Sumy oblast. Air-raid alerts in the oblast lasted a total of 2 hours and 46 minutes over the past day.
As a result of russian shelling of Sumy oblast, as of the morning of 21 December, a civilian infrastructure facility was damaged in Bilopollia community, and a private residential house was damaged in the Seredyno-Buda community.
Over the course of 20 December, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police and non-governmental organisations from border communities, evacuated 22 people.
According to the Regional Military Administration, on 21 December, part of the residents of Krasnopillia community, where Hrabovske is located, who had previously refused to evacuate, were evacuated by armoured transport.
This week in Sumy oblast, the first burial in the region took place for four unidentified fallen Defenders of Ukraine. For this purpose, a separate sector was established at a local cemetery in Bochechky community, designated for the burial of servicemembers whose identities have not yet been established. All bodies underwent forensic examinations, and their DNA profiles were entered into the state database. In the event of a match with relatives, a procedure for re-identification and possible reburial with family participation is предусмотрено.
In Krolevets, UAH 62,000 was raised during a charity auction to support Ukrainian defenders. Sixteen local artisans took part in the event. According to organiser Ihor Humeniuk, the funds raised will be transferred to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Chernihiv oblast
Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment reported that over the course of 20 December, russian forces attacked four villages in Novhorod-Siverska and Semenivskyi border communities. In total, the enemy carried out seven FPV-drone strikes.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipro Oblast Council, said that occupying forces shelled Nikopol as well as Pokrovske, Marhanets and Myrove communities. An 86-year-old woman and a 65-year-old man were injured. Three multi-storey residential buildings, eight private houses, five outbuildings, four medical facilities, six garages, two agricultural enterprises, infrastructure, power lines and a gas pipeline were damaged. Occupying forces also carried out a drone strike on Pokrovske community.
Poltava oblast
In Myrhorod, Poltava oblast, the “Alfa-Zhraia” canistherapy centre is operating. The centre works with internally displaced persons, servicemembers, veterans and their families.
Cherkasy oblast
In Cherkasy, a rally in support of prisoners of war and missing servicemembers titled “Do Not Be Silent — Captivity Kills” took place. Around one hundred people gathered at Soborna Square with flags and placards, including relatives and friends of defenders, volunteers, servicemembers and local residents.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration reported that on 20 December, the occupiers carried out 514 strikes on 24 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian forces conducted 12 air strikes on Rozumivka, Voskresenka, Bilenke, Huliaipole, Orikhiv, Ternuvate, Verkhna Tersa, Zaliznychne, and Preobrazhenka. 298 UAVs of various types (mostly FPV) attacked Chervonodniprovka, Hryhorivka, Tavriiske, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Shcherbaky, Lukianivske, Huliaipole, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Zelene, Varvarivka, Solodke, and Dobropillia. There were five MLRS strikes on Shcherbaky, Huliaipole, Mala Tokmachka, and Dobropillia. 199 artillery strikes hit the territory of Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Shcherbaky, Huliaipole, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Zelene, Varvarivka, Solodke, and Dobropillia. Thirty-three reports were received about damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities. One person was killed and four people were wounded as a result of enemy strikes in Zaporizhzhia and Polohy regions.
According to the General Staff, as of 16:00 on 21 December, the aggressor attempted six times to advance on the positions of Ukrainian troops toawards Huliaipole, with two combat engagements ongoing. Ukrainian defenders repelled five enemy attacks in the areas of Stepove, Shcherbaky, Mali Shcherbaky, Stepnohirsk, and Novoandriivka towards orikhiv. One combat engagement is ongoing. Over the past day, on 29 December, the Defense Forces of Ukraine repelled 20 russian attacks towards Huliaipole and Orikhiv.
Mykolaiv oblast
Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration reported that on 20 December, the enemy attacked Snihurivka community using aerial means of destruction, preliminarily guided aerial bombs. One person was injured. A warehouse containing humanitarian aid was damaged.
Also yesterday, the enemy carried out an artillery strike on Kutsurub community. There were no casualties.
Odesa oblast
Odesa Regional Military Administration reported that on 20 December, russia once again carried out a massive attack on civilian infrastructure in Odesa oblast. The enemy targeted transport, port, and industrial infrastructure facilities in the south of the region. As a result of the strikes, fires broke out and property was damaged.
The Patrol Police Department reported that traffic was restored on the M-15 Odesa–Reni highway through the settlement of Maiaky in Odesa oblast. The day before, the russian army attacked a bridge located nearby.
According to the press service of Odesa City Council, Odesa schools will switch to distance learning from 22 to 26 December, 2025, due to prolonged air raid alerts and security risks.
Kherson oblast
According to Kherson City Military Administration, today at around 14:00 russian occupiers attacked Inzhenerne. At least two private houses and an apartment building were damaged. Roofs were damaged, about 40 windows were shattered, and a power line was hit.
As reported bythe State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kherson region, on the morning of 21 December, russian forces shelled one of the districts of Kherson with artillery. As a result of the attack, an apartment in a multi-story building caught fire.
Kherson Regional Military Administration reported that yesterday, 20 December, the russian forces attacked Beryslav, Antonivka, Prydniprovske, Kizomys, Dniprovske, Bilozerka, Berehove, Velyetenske, Pryozerne, Komyshany, Sofiivka, Burhunka, Vesele, Zelenivka, Zolota Balka, Kachkarivka, Kozatske, Mylove, Mykhailivka, Novoberislav, Olhivka, Poniativka, Tokarivka, and the city of Kherson. Four apartment buildings, three private houses, an administrative building, a gas pipeline, and a private car were damaged. Seven people were injured as a result of russian aggression.
According to the General Staff, as of 16:00 on 21 December, the enemy made one unsuccessful attempt to approach the positions of Ukrainian units near the Antonivskyi Bridge towards Kherson.
The Southern Defense Forces reported that over the past day the russian army lost 446 personnel in the south. The Southern Defense Forces also destroyed two artillery systems, 19 vehicles, five motorcycles, a boat, a ground robotic system, and field depots with ammunition and fuel and lubricants, as well as 32 Shahed-136-type drones and five groups of operators of unmanned aerial systems. The occupiers made five unsuccessful attempts to approach the positions of Ukrainian units towards Kherson.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
In the local church of the Volyn unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, with the assistance of a military chaplain, a spiritual and psychological event was held for the children of defenders who are currently defending Ukraine from the russian aggressor. A special part of the meeting was the making of greeting cards and the making of palm prints on an angel – a symbol of faith and protection.
Zakarpattia oblast
The RMA reported that the open tournament of Zakarpattia oblast and the city of Uzhhorod in adaptive sports among military personnel and war veterans gathered about 120 participants from different parts of Zakarpattia and other regions of Ukraine.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Ivano-Frankivsk City Council reported that over UAH 825m was allocated for the military in the budget of the community for 2026.
Lviv oblast
At an extraordinary meeting of Kulykivska Village Council, funds in the amount of UAH 1.5m were allocated for the needs of defenders.
The ensemble Shabatura of the Obroshin School of Arts held a charity concert Mission Possible, during which UAH 11,425 was raised to support the military. The funds raised were donated to the Jackie Chans volunteer organization.
Pidberiztsi community purchased 2 sets of winter tires with a total value of UAH 25,700 for the needs of 2 soldiers from Myklashiv.
Rivne oblast
As a result of an enemy air attack, a civilian infrastructure facility was damaged. There was no fire. One of the workers received a minor injury. He was provided with medical assistance at the scene. Representatives of the Security and Defense Forces, as well as other structures, are currently working there.
Ternopil oblast
2 rolls of fabric for making camouflage nets were received by volunteers who weave them for defenders on Torgovytsia Street from Ternopil community.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Khmelnytskyi City Council reported that the Program of Social Support for Veterans and Active Military Personnel for 4 years has been adopted, with a volume of over UAH 1bn.
Chernivtsi oblast
15 electronic warfare devices were sent to the 651st Separate Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun Battalion. The necessary equipment, at the request of Bukovyna fighters, was purchased with funds from the regional budget.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Swedish customs officers have detained the russian cargo ship Adler, which is subject to sanctions. The company that owns the ship exports weapons to russia. The cargo is being inspected on board. The Adler is owned by the russian company M Leasing LLC, which is on the sanctions lists of the US and the European Union. The company’s ships are transporting north korean ammunition, which the russian federation is using in the war against Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, had a phone conversation with Jonas Gahr Store, Prime Minister of Norway. They discussed support for Ukraine.
Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia
Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova
Ukrainian Women’s Guard
SUPPORT US
Donate to Ukrainian Women’s Guard PayPal mail: [email protected]
DONATE ⇒https://www.uavarta.org/donat/
Subscribe to our channels and pages:
https://www.facebook.com/UkrZhinochaVarta
https://t.me/UWguardNewsEN
https://t.me/zhinkavarta
https://t.me/uaguard
https://instagram.com/ukrainianwomens_guard
