War in Ukraine today: latest news, 04 January 2026 (photo)

It has been the 1411  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 invaders continue to storm the positions of the Ukrainian defenders.

On December 4, there were 95 combat clashes on the frontline.

Border settlements, namely Ryzhivka, Velyka Bereza, Iskryskivshchyna, and Hirky in Sumy oblast, were affected by artillery shelling from the territory of the russian federation.

Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, the enemy carried out 58 attacks, including one from multiple launch rocket systems.

Towards Southern Sloboda, Ukrainian soldiers stopped three enemy attacks in the vicinity of Vovchansk, Starytsia, Prylipka and Izbitske. Three more combat clashes are ongoing.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy tried to advance three times in the vicinity of ​​Stepova Novoselivka, Hlushkivka and Petropavlivka, and the fighting is ongoing.

Towards Lyman, the invading army attacked five times near the settlements of Novoselivka, Kolodiazne, and Torske.

Towards Slaviansk, the Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Dronivka.

Towards Kramatorsk, there was one offensive action near Stupochky.

Towards Kostiantynivka, Ukrainian soldiers stopped 13 offensive actions of the enemy in the vicinity of Pleshchiivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Rusyn Yar, Yablunivka, and Sofiivka. One combat clash is still ongoing.

Towards Pokrovsk, the invaders made 38 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from the occupied positions in the vicinity of Shakhove, Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, and Novopavlivka. The Defense Forces are holding back the enemy’s onslaught and stopped 33 attacks.

Towards Oleksandrivka, the enemy attacked 17 times in the vicinity of the settlements of Oleksandrivka, Sosnivka, Vorone, Oleksiivka, Vyshneve, Solodke and Yehorivka. Five combat clashes are still ongoing. Velikomykhailivka was hit by airstrikes by GABs.

Towards Huliaipole, the Defense Forces repelled 25 russian attacks in the vicinity of Zelene, Huliaipole, Varvarivka, Dorozhnianka, Sviatopetrivka, Zaliznychne and Dobropillia. Ten more clashes are still ongoing.

Towards Orikhiv, there were five combat clashes near Mala Tokmachka, Shcherbaky and Stepove. The settlements of Orikhiv and Preobrazhenka were hit by enemy guided bombs.

Towards Kherson, there were no combat clashes.

The situation on other fronts did not change significantly.

 Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

There were 211 combat clashes.

Towards Southern Sloboda, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders 19 times in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Starytsia, Prylipka and Izbitske.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy attacked 22 times, trying to wedge into our defenses in the areas of Novoselivka, Myrny, Zarichny, Yampol and towards the settlements of Olhivka, Ozerne, Drobysheve, and Stavky.

Over the past 24 hours, 4 settlements in the Kharkiv region were hit by enemy strikes.

A 50-year-old woman was injured as a result of shelling in the village of Martove, Pechenihy community.

The 127th separate Kharkiv brigade captured Cuban citizen Joandi Delapaza with the call sign “Nobody”. He said that he worked illegally in Moscow and instead of deportation he was sent to war. He arrived in Kupiansk in August 2025, fought without documents and money, and was later captured. He says that upon returning to his homeland he may face a long imprisonment.

 

Viktor Kovalenko, Head of the RMA, reported that at about 12:00 on January 4, the russian army attacked the village of Zolochiv with two drones. According to him, no one was injured. No damage was recorded as a result of the attack.

Over the past day, 4 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were hit by enemy strikes.

As a result of shelling in the village of Martove, Pechenizhsk community, a 50-year-old woman was injured.

Oleh Synehubov, Head of the RMA, says that doctors provided assistance to a 25-year-old and 62-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman who were injured as a result of the enemy attack on Kharkiv on January 2. Fragments of the body of the sixth deceased person were found at the site of the explosion in Kharkiv on January 2. 

The enemy actively used various types of weapons:

▪️1 GAB;

▪️4 UAVs of the Geran-2 type;

▪️4 UAVs (type to be determined).

Civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed:

▪️In Kupiansk region, a private house was damaged (village Osinove), 3 private houses, a car (village Zhukiv Yar);

▪️In Chuhuiv region, a car repair shop, a car (village Kluhino-Bashkyrivka), 2 private houses (village Martove) were damaged.

The transit evacuation point in Lozova received 21 people during the day. There are 24 people staying there. A total of 16,095 people have been registered at the Point since the start of work.

Donetsk oblast

The General Staff reports that russian troops increased the number of attacks in most directions in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts during the day.

Towards Pokrovsk, Ukrainian defenders stopped 40 assaults.

Towards Lyman, the russian army attacked 22 times, trying to advance near the settlements of Novoselivka, Myrne, Zarichne, Yampol, Olhivka, Ozerne, Drobysheve, and Stavky.

Serhii Kondratiuk, Acting Head of the communications department of the 46th separate airmobile brigade of the 8th corps of the DShV, informs that russian troops began to attack Ukrainian positions in the Pokrovsky direction more often. If in autumn there were 17-30 attacks per week, now there are 40-45. In December, the russian military used fog for the largest mechanized assault of the year.

Viktor Tregubov, Head of the communications department of the Joint Forces Group, informs that towards Lyman, a significant “gray zone” and the activity of UAVs complicate the movement of both sides. The russian army is trying to bypass the defense and enter the Lyman, but is suffering losses. 

The Border Guard Service reported that the Ukrainian military is holding the defense of Rodynske as of January 4, 2026. The russian military is spreading fakes about the capture of the city, but in return they are suffering significant losses among fighters and equipment.

The State Border Guard Service reportedIn Kostiantynivka, during the night evacuation of a wounded Ukrainian soldier, a border guard quad bike ran over a PFM-1 Lepyestok anti-personnel mine. Despite the explosion and the loss of one wheel, the driver – a State Border Guard Service soldier – continued to move on three wheels in order to deliver his comrade to a safe place as quickly as possible and hand him over to the medics.

On January 3, there were 1,229 enemy attacks on the front line and residential areas.

7 settlements were under fire: Kramatorsk, Mykolaivka, Sloviansk, Oleksandrivka, Novoandriivka, Ocheretine, and Shevchenko.

35 civilian objects were destroyed, including 24 residential buildings.

A civilian was killed and a car was damaged as a result of a Molniya-2 UAV strike near Sloviansk.

russians sent seven drones to Kramatorsk, injuring one person, damaging 3 apartment buildings, 2 private houses, and 3 civilian cars.

russia hit Oleksandrivka with three Shaheeds – 14 private houses and 5 civilian cars were destroyed. Drone attacks on Oleksandrivska community in Ocheretyne damaged an apartment building, and 4 private homes in Novoandriivka.

 Petro Andriuschenko, Head of the Center for the Study of Occupation, says that new mass burial trenches and renewed exhumations have appeared in Mariupol due to active “mortgage development.” Dozens of new mass burial trenches have appeared, and the mortality rate among residents continues to rise.

 

Luhansk oblast

According to Luhansk RMA, towards Lyman and Sloviansk, russian troops carried out 26 assaults, 22 of them towards Lyman. The fighting covered the areas of 11 settlements, the enemy used mortars, grenade launchers and strike UAVs.

In the occupied part of Luhansk oblast, mobile communication is absent on 24% of the territory – mainly in front-line cities and villages.

In russia, they plan to include drone control in the norms of the “Ready for Labor and Defense” complex, equipping the corresponding locations in the occupied territory.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

An air alert was declared in Kyiv and a number of regions of Ukraine due to the threat of attack UAVs. At 8:41, it was announced that the air alert in Kyiv and the region had been lifted.

On January 3, in Kyiv, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and national security advisers of the participating states of the Coalition of the Willing discussed developments regarding the framework peace plan, security guarantees, reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine. 

Representatives of the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Poland, Finland, France, Sweden, the European Council, the European Commission and NATO took part in the meeting.

The Right to Protection Charity Foundation has opened registration for the Right to Business training course, which can be attended by internally displaced persons from Makariv, Bucha and Irpin communities of Kyiv oblast. The new grant program is aimed at increasing the economic resilience of those affected by the war. Participants are offered practical knowledge and tools to start or develop their own business, as well as the opportunity to receive grant support.

Zhytomyr oblast

Zvyahel community donated drones to the front for the fighters of the 30th Kostyantyn Ostrohskyi Separate Rifle Brigade. The funds were raised by the efforts of the World in the Palm charity fund together with representatives of the city authorities, heads of industries and institutions within the framework of the announced urgent fundraising campaign for unmanned aerial vehicles.

At the adaptive club in Zvyahel, veterans and their families are training in bugurt – a team sport in which players wear knightly armor. 20 veterans of the russian-Ukrainian war are engaged there. The club also has a gym, powerlifting and strongman, and conducts archery classes, sports knife and axe throwing.

The first city children’s orchestra in Zhytomyr, Richter Kids, together with the adult orchestra Music Lab, recently gave a charity concert on the stage of Zhytomyr Regional Music and Drama Theater. The event took place on the eve of the Christmas and New Year holidays and raised 60 thousand hryvnias in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Sumy oblast

Serhii Kryvosheienko, Head of Sumy City Military Administration, said that on 3 January, russian forces attacked Stetskivka in Sumy community by FPV drones. The strike damaged the premises of an administrative building, a post office, and shops. Windows were blown out in two nearby houses. There were no casualties.

At around 1p.m. on 3 January, in Esman community of Shostka region, the russian army struck the territory of a private household by an FPV drone. According to Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, a 52-year-old local resident was killed in the attack.

Over the past day, from the morning of 3 January to the morning of 4 January, russian forces carried out nearly 60 shelling attacks on 24 settlements across 12 territorial communities in the oblast. The highest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used artillery, mortars, FPV drones, UAVs, and guided aerial bombs. Air raid alerts in the region lasted 11 hours and 19 minutes during the day.

Damage to civilian infrastructure included:

• Nova Slobidka community: a private household was destroyed;
• Sumy community: a civilian infrastructure facility, a private household, a non-residential building, and a vehicle were damaged;
• Znob-Novhorodske community: a civilian infrastructure facility was destroyed, another civilian facility, private households and a passenger car were damaged;
• Seredyna-Buda community: a civilian infrastructure facility was damaged;
• Konotop community: a non-residential building eas damaged.

During the day, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police, and public organizations, evacuated four people from border communities.

Chernihiv oblast

Oleksandr Seliverstov, Head of Novhorod-Siverskyi Regional Military Administration reported that in Semenivka, on the evening of 3 January, russian forces attacked a VAZ-2109 car by an FPV drone. As a result of the strike, the vehicle was destroyed. According to him, earlier in the day russians also attacked residential areas of the town by two FPV drones. No casualties were reported.

Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, Onsaid that on 3 January, russian “Heran” drones struck an agricultural enterprise located between Kholmyn and Semenivka communities. At the time, grain was being loaded at the site. Vehicles were damaged. The “Heran” drones also hit the territory of an old farm in Chernihiv region. In another village, a UAV struck a non-operational school, damaging windows and the façade.

Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment informed that during 3 January, russian forces attacked four border communities in Chernihiv oblast — Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, Horodnia, and Ripky. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (10 explosions), launched a Shahed-type UAV (1 explosion), and conducted 20 FPV-drone strikes. Eleven settlements came under fire.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council, reported that the occupiers attacked the area by artillery and drones. The strikes targeted the regional center and Pokrovske, Myrove, Chervonohryhorivka, and Marhanets communities. An educational facility, five private houses, a garage, four outbuildings, and a greenhouse were damaged. The enemy also struck Vasylkivka community by a UAV, setting an outbuilding on fire. Enemy forces attacked Hrushiv community by a drone, damaging a private house.

Vinnytsia oblast

In Tsekinivka village, children collected UAH 1,500 in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine while caroling and performing traditional New Year chants.

Kirovohrad oblast

In Lupolove village, Blahovishchenske community, Kirovohrad oblast, residents paid tribute to serviceman Vadym Tokarchuk. The defender had been considered missing in action for nearly two years. He is survived by his wife, children, brother, and sister.

In Kropyvnytskyi, a rally titled “Don’t Stay Silent! Captivity Kills!” was held in support of servicemen who are in captivity or considered missing. Since 2022, such actions have been organized by relatives and friends of soldiers to draw public attention and seek support from international organizations in freeing prisoners and searching for the missing.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

russian forces attacked one of Zaporizhzhia’s residential districts. As a result of the shelling, a car caught fire and two multi-story apartment buildings were damaged.

According to Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, on 3 January, the occupiers carried out 569 strikes on 25 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian troops conducted 13 airstrikes on Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Vozdvyzhivka, Varvarivka, Sviatopetrivka, Staroukrainka, and Bilohiria.

 309 UAVs of various types, mostly FPV drones, attacked Zaporizhzhia, Komyshuvakha, Kushuhum, Nyzhnia Khortytsia, Veselianka, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Orikhiv, Zaliznychne, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Bilohiria, Dorozhnianka, Varvarivka, Zelene, and Dobropillia. 

Nine MLRS strikes were carried out on Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Preobrazhenka, Zelene, and Dobropillia. 238 artillery strikes hit Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Bilohiria, Dorozhnianka, Varvarivka, Zelene, and Dobropillia. Twenty reports were received about damage to homes, cars, and outbuildings. A 51-year-old woman was wounded as a result of an enemy attack on Zaporizhzhia region.

According to the General Staff,  towards Huliaipole, the Defense Forces repelled 25 russian attacks in the areas of Zelene, Huliaipole, Varvarivka, Dorozhnianka, Sviatopetrivka, Zaliznychne, and Dobropillia. Ten more clashes are still ongoing. There were five combat engagements near Mala Tokmachka, Shcherbaky, and Stepove towards Orikhiv. Over the past day, 3 January, the Defense Forces of Ukraine repelled 38 russian attacks towards Huliaipole and Orikhiv.

Mykolaiv oblast

Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration reported that yesterday, 3 January, the enemy attacked Vesniane community with strike drones, preliminarily identified as Molniya-type UAVs. As a result of the attack, a power transmission line was damaged, leaving more than 300 consumers without electricity. As of 16:38, power supply was restored. There were no casualties.

At night, the enemy struck the city of Ochakiv, preliminarily using MLRS. Four private houses, two cars, and a gas pipeline were damaged. There were no casualties. The russian forces also attacked Halytsynove and Kutsurub communities five times with FPV drones. As a result of one of the strikes, a private house in the village of Lupareve was damaged. There were no casualties.

As a result of yesterday’s nighttime mass shelling, 396 consumers in Mykolaiv region remain without electricity. Restoration works are ongoing.

Kherson oblast

Kherson Regional Military Administration reported that as a result of a russian attack on Dniprovskyi district, three people were injured. At around 13:15, a 43-year-old woman sustained blast injuries and an acute stress reaction due to russian shelling, while a 76-year-old resident of Kherson suffered blast injuries and a traumatic amputation of fingers on his hand. At approximately 14:30, a 72-year-old man was injured in the russian attack. He sustained a concussion, a leg wound, blast injuries, and a closed traumatic brain injury.

Yesterday, 3 January, the russian forces attacked Antonivka, Zelenivka, Prydniprovske, Sadove, Dariivka, Ivanivka, Mykilske, Novotiahynka, Tokarivka, Bilozerka, Dniprovske, Nadiivka, Kizomys, Yantarne, Stanislav, Sofiivka, Oleksandrivka, Shyroka Balka, Beryslav, Rakivka, Novovorontsovka, Mylove, Dudchany, Respublikanets, Zolota Balka, Odradokamianka, Novoraisk, Chervonyi Maiak, Vesele, Kozatske, and the city of Kherson. As a result of the attacks, eight apartment buildings, six private houses, an electric transport network, a shop, and private vehicles were damaged. Two people were killed and two others were injured due to russian aggression.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

Students of the 2nd Lutsk Music School congratulated Volyn rescuers on Christmas. The rescuers, in turn, joined in raising funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Zakarpattia oblast

The traditional Carols in the Old Village have started in Uzhhorod. During the event, a charity fundraiser is underway to support the Strix unmanned systems battalion of the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade Magura.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

A vehicle for transporting military amputees was donated to the Matejki hospital thanks to the Ukrainian community in Thuringia, the song and dance ensemble Hutsuliya and philanthropists

Lviv oblast

The RMA reported that the military was given 2,000 gas canisters (UAH 69,000), energy drinks (UAH 30,000), 4,000 pairs of socks (UAH 24,000), and two boxes of wet wipes (UAH 10,000).

A resident of the village of Pechikhvosty, Zhovtanetsky community, Derenchuk Maria, donated UAH 8,000 for a car for a soldier of the community, Nazar Zhovtanetskyi. Students of Ivano-Frankivsk School of the 1st–3rd degrees continue to organize regular charity fairs in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Rivne oblast

The RMA reported that in 2025, local budgets of the region have allocated UAH 1.5bn for priority expenditures – support for the Security and Defense Forces, the needs of veterans and IDPs.

Ternopil oblast

Ternopil helps military personnel with housing – reimburses the 1st installment on a mortgage loan in the amount of UAH 240,000 under the eOselia program. In total, 27 soldiers from the community took advantage of this program.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

In 2025, Khmelnytskyi community allocated over UAH 5m to assist public organizations, volunteer and charitable foundations. 59 organizations operating in the community received such assistance.

Chernivtsi oblast

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, awarded soldiers who were killed in battles for Ukraine. Soldier Serhii Ternovetskyi was awarded with the III degree For Courage Order (posthumously).

International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)

The EU has imposed sanctions against 41 more vessels of the russian shadow fleet. In total, the EU has imposed sanctions on over 600 vessels in the shadow fleet. The restrictions also apply to maintenance and insurance – without which the vessels officially lose the right to transit through most international straits.

 

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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

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