It has been the 1020th 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:
Since the beginning of the day, 102 combat engagements have taken place in the frontline. Our defenders are stopping the enemy, holding the line and disrupting the russians’ plans.
During the day, the enemy fired artillery at Vidrodzhenivske in Kharkiv oblast from the territory of the russian Federation.
Towards Kharkiv, there were three firefights near Hlyboke and Vovchansk, and one enemy attack is ongoing.
Towards Kupiansk, the enemy attempted to advance to our positions near Lozova and Zahryzove twice during the day, one attack was successfully repelled and the battle is ongoing.
Towards Lyman, there were ten combat engagements near Hrekivka, Zelenyi Hai, Nadiia, Makiivka, Torske and Yampolivka. Six combat engagements are still ongoing.
Towards Toretsk, the enemy attacked six times in the areas of Toretsk and Nelipivka. Four of the attacks were successfully repelled by our defenders, and two firefights are ongoing.
Towards Pokrovsk, the enemy is still highly active. Clashes of varying intensity started 29 times today. Ukrainian troops repelled 24 attacks near Miroliubivka, Lysivka, Promin, Dachanske, Chumatske and Shevchenko.
The situation remains difficult towards Kurakhove. Near Sontsivka, Staryi Terny, Zoria, Dalne, Dachne and Kurakhove, 16 attacks were repelled, and nine engagements are still ongoing.
Towards Vremivka, the aggressor attacked 14 times towards Kostiantynopil, Novosilka and near Storozheve, with five engagements currently ongoing. Enemy aircraft launched anti-aircraft missiles at Konstiantynopil.
Towards Kherson, russian invaders attacked our positions three times. We received a tough rebuff and suffered losses.
Towards Kursk, Ukrainian defenders repelled six invaders’ attacks, and nine combat engagements have been recorded so far.
Ukrainian troops are depleting the enemy along the entire frontline and in the rear.
At least 36 double strikes have been carried out by the russians during the war against Ukraine. A double strike is when one shelling is followed by another (in some cases, several more) after a while – against rescuers, medics, and police who came to help the victims. The number of double strikes by the russian Federation is increasing every year: in 2022 there were six, in 2023 there were 10, and as of the end of August 2024 there were 20.
Andrii Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, reported that the son of a Ukrainian servicewoman, who had remained in occupation for the past three years, was returned from the occupied Luhansk oblast. Before the full-scale invasion began, he lived with his mother and grandmother in Svatove, Luhansk oblast, but after his mother left to defend the country and the town came under fire and was occupied, the boy was left alone with his grandmother. Two weeks ago, the grandmother died, and the child was left alone under the threat of deportation to russia and placement in an orphanage.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
The General Staff reported that as of 4pm, there was an artillery attack on Vidrodzhenivske from the territory of the russian Federation.
Towards Kharkiv, there were three firefights near Hlyboke and Vovchansk, and one attack is ongoing;
Towards Kupiansk, the occupiers attempted to advance to Ukrainian positions near Lozova and Zahryzove twice during the day, one attack was successfully repelled, and the battle is ongoing.
Oleh Romanov, Commander of the 3rd separate assault brigade’s anti-tank battalion, said that russian invaders are creating a bridgehead by capturing Pershotravneve and Vyshneve villages. They are probably planning to use mechanised attacks when the ground freezes.
At 2:11pm, Zolochiv of Bohodukhiv region was under russian attack. The shelling damaged 6 private houses.
At 2:09pm, Udy village of Zolochiv community, Bohodukhiv region was under attack. A UAV hit the ground in an open area. There was no information on damage or casualties.
Towards Kharkiv, the enemy unsuccessfully attacked the defensive lines of our troops four times near Vovchansk, Lyptsi and Vysoka Yaruha.
Towards Kupiansk, the enemy launched eight assaults near Pishchane, Kolisnykivka, Lozova and Zahryzove.
One person was killed and three people injured in Kharkiv oblast during the week as a result of russian shelling.
Artem Astakhov, Head of the regional rescue department, reported that pyrotechnics of the consolidated detachment of the State Emergency Service destroyed 516 explosive devices in the oblast. 352 people have exploded in mined areas since the start of the full-scale invasion, 95 of them were killed.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov said that 26 houses in Kharkiv that are beyond repair after russian strikes will be demolished and replaced with new buildings.
Donetsk oblast
Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office said that russian troops fired five times at residential areas in Kostiantynivka, using cannon artillery.
Two men aged 72 and 43 were wounded. A 91-year-old resident of Stara Mykolaivka village was killed near a shop as a result of the attack. The 44-year-old owner of the shop received shrapnel wounds to her arm and eye, and a 53-year-old man who had come to shop sustained multiple wounds to his thighs and back.
The Energy Ministry reported that as a result of the morning shelling of a thermal power plant in Donetsk oblast on 9 December, Volodymyr Kiliarov, a plant mechanic, was killed and two other workers were injured.
Yesterday police documented 2,218 hostile attacks on the frontline and residential areas.
The attacks took place in Lyman, Mykolaivka, Pokrovsk, Shcherbynivka and Oleksiivka.
Two civilian objects were damaged.
A civilian was injured in Shcherbynivka as a result of a russian drone attack.
The invaders attacked Mykolaivka with Tornado-S MRLs, causing damage to the infrastructure.
Serhii Chaus, Head of Chasiv Yar CMA, informed that evacuation from Chasiv Yar, where fewer than 300 residents remain, continues. Also russian troops are firing from drones at all vehicles travelling through the town.
Luhansk oblast
The number of enemy attacks towards Lyman increased significantly. Yesterday 28 combat engagements were registered there. The invaders attempted to storm Hrekivka, Nadiia and Makiivka, where Ukrainian troops are holding the line. Twice, the russians fired artillery at the territories. There were 54 unmanned aerial vehicles flying towards the Ukrainian military and settlements.
Teachers and employees of a number of other state-funded organisations in the so-called “lpr” work for free: for the second time in a year and a half, the occupation authorities have admitted that they are unable to pay their salaries.
The start of debt repayment was announced back in August 2023 and a corresponding regulatory act was developed, which, according to the occupiers, was supposed to solve the existing problem. However, in December 2024, the previous announcement was found to be false. They said that some legal circumstances prevented the payment of funds.
The demonstration repairs in the so-called “lpr” will continue. The locals may not expect much more than replacing the surviving windows with newer ones or painting their houses. Recently, they were indignant that the implementation of the regional targeted capital construction programme for 2024-2026, which included 247 apartment buildings, started from the rear of Luhansk, and not from the cities near the front line, where active hostilities were taking place and where many of the buildings destroyed by the russians were located. However, the occupation authorities clarified that the programme does not apply to emergency and combat-damaged buildings, as their restoration is not foreseen during the above period.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
German opposition leader Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv to discuss military support for Ukraine. This is the politician’s second visit to Ukraine, having previously visited the capital in May 2022.
The Regional Infrastructure Restoration and Development Service announced that a bridge over the Irpin river has been rebuilt in Kyiv oblast. The 156-metre-long bridge structure is located in the village of Demydiv on the R-02 Kyiv – Ivankiv – Ovruch road. The bridge detonation in February 2022 stopped the russian occupation forces from advancing on Kyiv.
Over 500 veterans underwent rehabilitation in adaptive sports clubs in Kyiv oblast during the year. There are 6 “Active Parks – Unstoppable” clubs successfully operating in oblast, rehabilitating veterans, military personnel, people with disabilities and their families. The facilities have the necessary equipment and qualified trainers. Visitors can take part in swimming, fitness, jiu-jitsu, general physical training and archery classes.
A memorial service was held at St Michael’s Cathedral in Kyiv for the fallen military man and immunologist Andriy Rybakov, codenamed “Fish”. He was killed on 30 October, but his body could not be retrieved from the death site. Flowers were laid to his photo portrait in the cathedral. “Fish” fought in the ranks of the 207th Territorial Defence Battalion of the Armed Forces.
Last week, the Ukrainian Women’s Guard NGO held a warm women’s creative circle for psychological support, adaptation and rehabilitation through the traditional art of embroidery. The event was held in a library space in Kyiv. The host Tana Sribna held a masterclass on amulet thread dolls, created on special request.
Zhytomyr oblast
By the end of 2024, specialists from mobile medical teams in Zhytomyr oblast will have visited 9 villages in three remote communities in the north of the oblast. Every week, each of the three mobile teams goes to one of the villages of the 3 border communities – Narodychi, Slovechne and Olevsk. The aim of the project is to help local residents check their health and get medical advice.
A six-month training course for community representatives on writing development projects has started in Zhytomyr oblast. This course aims to help participants learn how to secure funding for their community development ideas and become self-sufficient. The IMPACT-Zhytomyr training programme has been launched for 200 local government leaders. The project is being implemented by Givitta and the University of Tartu with the support of the Estonian International Development Centre.
Sumy oblast
On 8 Desember, russians carried out 35 shelling attacks on border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast, resulting in 57 explosions. The attacks targeted Khotin, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Shalyhyne and Seredyna-Buda communities.
Seredyna-Buda community: a strike was carried out from the territory of the russian federation by FPV-drones (2 explosions).
Krasnopillia community: the enemy struck by mortars (6 explosions), FPV-drones (2 explosions).
Khotin community: an enemy UAV dropped explosive devices (3 explosions).
Esman community: the russians dropped 4 mines on the territory of the community. There was also artillery fire (19 explosions).
Yunakivka community: a GAB airstrike was carried out from the territory of the russian federation (1 explosion).
Bilopillia community: an enemy UAV dropped explosive devices (11 explosions), mortar shelling (3 explosions).
Shalyhyne community: an enemy UAV dropped an explosive device (1 explosion).
Velyka Pysarivka community: FPV-drones struck from the territory of the russian federation (5 explosions). As a result, a private residential building was damaged.
Sumy Regional Police reported that special police unit ‘White Angels’ evacuated a woman and her three-year-old granddaughter from Krasnopillia in Sumy oblast. Officers provided comprehensive support during the evacuation, from arranging transport to ensuring safe accompaniment to their destination.
Sumy Regional Military Administration informed that Sumy oblast has received state-of-the-art equipment for air quality monitoring. The Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Sumy Regional State Administration acquired the advanced equipment through a UN Development Program in Ukraine initiative in partnership with Swedish government.
Chernihiv oblast
On 8 Desember russian army attacked border communities in Chernihiv oblast.
Novhorod-Siverskyi community:
– Mykhalchyna Sloboda: 2 explosions (probably by 120mm mortar), 1 explosion (probably dropping SOEs from UAVs).
– Krasnyi Khutir: 3 attacks, 4 explosions in total (probably by FPV-drones).
Semenivka community:
– Zaliznyi Mist: 1 explosion (probably dropping SOEs from UAVs).
– Halahanivka: 2 attacks, 2 explosions in total (probably by 82mm mortar).
– Baranivka: 2 attacks, 5 explosions (probably by 122mm artillery) and 6 explosions (probably by 120mm mortar).
Snovsk community:
– Yelyne: 3 attacks, 3 explosions in total (probably dropping SOEs from UAVs).
Horodnia community:
– Senkivka: 2 explosions (probably by 120mm mortar).
No casualties or injuries among the local population were reported as a result of the shelling.
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, reported that over the past week, the enemy targeted 14 settlements in Chernihiv oblast, carrying out 52 attacks with a total of 129 explosions. The enemy conducted 27 airstrikes, deploying attack FPV-drones, shelling the region with mortars and AGS, and dropping fragmentation grenades (VOG) from UAVs. One civilian was injured. The shelling caused damage to private residential buildings in the region.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Late in the evening, russian forces shelled Marhanets community in Nikopol region by artillery.
Kryvyi Rih is in mourning. On 6 December, a russian missile attack killed 3 people and injured dozens.
Throughout the day, the occupiers struck Nikopol region nearly 20 times by kamikaze drones, artillery and dropped munitions from UAVs. They targeted the regional centre, Marhanets, Pokrov and Myrove communities. The attacks damaged an industrial enterprise, equipment, a private house, power lines, a gas pipeline and infrastructure.
Vinnytsia oblast
According to the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, infrastructure at several private enterprises was damaged due to the fall of downed enemy drones in Vinnytsia oblast. There were no casualties reported.
Mayor Serhii Morhunov informed that Vinnytsia oblast continued supporting the Defence Forces by sending FPV drones, Mavic 3-T drones, electronic warfare systems, trench candles and burzhuika stoves to the front lines.
Kirovohrad oblast
Kirovohrad oblast paid tribute to the memory of 2 fallen soldiers. Ivan Bielikov was killed on 23 November, during assault operations in Bakhmut region of Donetsk oblast. Volodymyr Kucherenko was killed on 6 December while performing a combat mission in Pokrovsk region of Donetsk oblast.
Poltava oblast
Serviceman Mykola Sakhno from Reshetylivka community was killed on 1 December while performing a combat mission near Toretsk in Donetsk oblast.
Yuliia Perepeliatnyk, Spokeswoman of Kremenchuk City Council, reported that in Kremenchuk, 100 windows have been delivered for residents of homes damaged during a russian missile strike on 17 November. These will be installed free of charge by the end of the year. The metal-plastic windows were purchased by the American organisation GEM in partnership with the Howard Buffett Foundation.
According to Volunteer Viacheslav Murko, more than 100 burzhuika stoves of various types were made over the past year by the volunteer corps Vse Bude Ukraina (Everything Will Be Ukraine). The stoves, along with other supplies, are sent to military personnel at the front. The materials for production are purchased with their own funds and they also organise fundraising events.
Cherkasy oblast
Ihor Taburets, Head of the RMA, informed that during the night, 6 enemy drones were destroyed over Cherkasy oblast without causing any infrastructure damage.
Cherkasy soldiers who excelled in combat missions in eastern Ukraine were awarded honours. They received these awards directly at their positions.
Cherkasy oblast paid tribute to the memory of the fallen soldier Mykola Shyrokobokov, who was killed in battle on 4 December.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
Today, 9 December, the russian army attacked Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia oblast. A drone strike targeted a truck belonging to a charitable organization. There were no casualties or injuries.
Yesterday, the occupiers launched 218 strikes on 11 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian forces carried out four airstrikes on Novoandriivka and Mala Tokmachka. 112 drones of various types attacked Lobkove, Huliaipole, Novoandriivka, Shcherbaky, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Bilohiria, Novodarivka, Malynivka and Olhivske. Six MLRS strikes targeted Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Mala Tokmachka, and Novodarivka. 96 artillery strikes hit areas including Lobkove, Pavlivka, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Bilohiria, Malynivka, Novodarivka and Olhivske. There were two reports about the destruction of residential buildings and infrastructure facilities.
Updated information reveals that over the past day, the occupiers conducted nine assault operations towards Zaporizhzhia, particularly near Novodarivka and Novopil. The enemy was rotating its personnel towards Huliaipole and Orikhiv. The aggressor continues to train assault units in preparation for future offensives in certain combat zones. Enemy forces are actively conducting aerial and engineering reconnaissance.
Operatives from a special unit of Ukraine’s Chief Intelligence Directorate destroyed eight vehicles towards Zaporizhzhia over the week. The Kabul 9 special unit eliminated five enemy trucks, two UAZ vehicles, one Niva, and a quad bike with a trailer carrying occupiers using FPV drones.
The restoration of a five-story residential building on Sobornyi Avenue, 151 in Zaporizhzhia, has been completed. The building was partially destroyed by russian shelling in October 2022. The first residents have already received their keys. The reconstruction included the restoration of the destroyed section, insulation of the roof and facade, landscaping of the surrounding area, and the construction of a new shelter.
Zaporizhzhia also hosted an awards ceremony for participants in the creative contest “Patriotism Begins in the Cradle”. A collection of fairy tales about Ukrainian heroes and their feats, selected by a professional and independent jury, was published with 700 copies printed. The books were distributed to all contest participants, as well as to the families of military personnel and veterans, student organizations, and libraries in Zaporizhzhia oblast.
Mykolaiv oblast
Yesterday, 8 December, the enemy attacked Kutsurub community three times using FPV drones and shelled it twice with artillery. There were no casualties.
20,900 hectares of land have been demined in Mykolaiv oblast since the beginning of the year. Overall, pyrotechnics teams have surveyed over 309,000 hectares of land. Mykolaiv oblast ranks among the top three regions in Ukraine for the largest volume of humanitarian demining work completed this year.
Odesa oblast
As of 6am on 9 December, one carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo capacity of up to four missiles was present in the Black Sea. There were six enemy ships in the Mediterranean Sea, four of which are carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles with a total salvo capacity of up to 41 missiles.
Over the past day, eight vessels passed through the Kerch Strait into the Black Sea in russia’s interests, and nine ships entered the Azov Sea.
Border guards shot down a russian drone used by the russian army to attack Ukraine. According to border guards, the russian UAV was intended to strike civilian infrastructure.
Environmental specialists calculated the environmental damage caused by the russian attack on critical infrastructure in Odesa oblast on 17 November. The shelling of energy infrastructure in the city of Artsyz caused a fire involving petroleum products, specifically transformer oil. Nearly 116 tons of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere. The total environmental damage was estimated at over UAH 387,000.
Kherson oblast
It is reported that in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, russian occupiers used a drone to kill a man who was in his car during the attack.
Earlier today, russian forces attacked a civilian vehicle with a drone in the same area. A 44-year-old man sustained blast injuries and multiple shrapnel wounds to his back.
Around 2pm, a drone strike injured a 64-year-old cyclist in Kherson, causing blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to his leg. The victim is hospitalized in moderate condition.
At approximately 12:30pm, another drone strike injured a 61-year-old man on his way home, leaving him with leg injuries and a blast trauma.
At 11:30am, russian forces shelled Kherson again, injuring a 60-year-old woman who suffered leg wounds and blast injuries. At 10:30am, shelling in Kherson’s downtown injured a 44-year-old woman with similar leg and blast injuries.
A 35-year-old woman sought medical assistance after being wounded in a russian shelling in Komyshany the previous evening.
A local man in Komyshany suffered serious injuries, including blast trauma and wounds to the neck and chest, after a tripwire mine explosion.
Yesterday, russian forces targeted Antonivka, Sadove, Prydniprovske, Komyshany, Havrylivka and Kherson city. The attacks damaged two private homes, a gas pipeline, and vehicles. One person was killed, and eight others were injured.
In attempts to seize positions in the island zone of Dnipro estuary, russian forces launched seven assaults but were repelled after suffering personnel losses. Ukrainian defense forces eliminated 68 russian soldiers and destroyed 20 military and automotive units, including three bunkers, two drone launch sites and an ammunition depot.
In support of Ukrainian defenders, PEN Ukraine organization delivered books to soldiers in Kherson oblast. Prominent Ukrainian and international writers, philosophers, and public figures joined the initiative, including Volodymyr Yermolenko, Tetiana Okharkova, Maksym Sytnikov, Svitlana Povaliaieva, Olha Rusina, and Natalie Nougayrède. The donated books will help create small libraries within military units as part of the Ukrainian Word for the Defender project.
Meanwhile, volunteer doctors visited Beryslav region communities, providing medical aid to over 270 residents in Davydiv Brid, Ishchenka, Bruskinske, Karierne, and Pervomaiske over the past week.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
Lutsk City Council, responding to the requests of military personnel, sent 2 DJI Mavic 3T Enterprise quadcopters, to the Military Unit A4010.
In addition, a Sinytsia 3.5K electronic warfare vehicle and 10 RAPTOR 8 unmanned aerial vehicles with a thermal imaging camera were sent to the Military Unit A1778.
Zakarpattia oblast
Uzhhorod City Council reported that one-time financial assistance will be paid to 8 members of families of fallen soldiers of the community.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Ivano-Frankivsk community sent 50 FPV drones and fuel to the Svoboda battalion from budget funds.
Lviv oblast
This year, UAH 19m million was allocated from the regional budget of Lviv oblast to support the 3rd Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. The funds were directed to the purchase of quadcopters of various classes, which significantly increased the technical capabilities of the brigade.
During the week, another 156 people, including 63 persons with disabilities, were evacuated from the frontline oblasts to Lviv oblast.
A new rehabilitation department has opened in the Morshyn city hospital. From now on, 25 patients, including military personnel and veterans, will be able to undergo rehabilitation here at the same time. Currently, half of the patients are military personnel.
Rivne oblast
Communities of Rivne oblast will take care of 4 frontline communities. Within the Side by Side. United Communities project representatives of the oblast will help the settlements of Sumy and Kherson oblasts.
Ternopil oblast
Ternopil City Council reported that 11 wounded veterans from the community will receive financial aid for treatment and rehabilitation.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
At night, during an air alarm signal, the Air Defense Forces destroyed 2 enemy UAVs of the Shahed type. There were no injuries, deaths or property damage.
Chernivtsi oblast
Chernivtsi City Council reported that UAH 9.4m has been allocated from the budget of the community to provide defenders with everything they need.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Volodymyr Zelenskyiy, President of Ukraine, met with Kristen Michal, Prime Minister of Estonia. They discussed how to strengthen Ukraine’s position both on the battlefield and diplomatically in order to guarantee a fair and lasting peace not only for Ukraine, but also for the whole of Europe.
Friedrich Merz, German opposition leader, came to Kyiv to discuss military support for Ukraine. The chancellor candidate from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc has repeatedly emphasized the need for increased military support from Germany, including the transfer of long-range Taurus missiles. This is the politician’s 2nd visit to Ukraine, he previously visited Kyiv in May 2022.
Kristen Michal, Estonian Prime Minister, arrived in Kyiv on a visit and plans to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister, and Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada. The Prime Minister of Estonia assured that the victory of Ukraine will remain a priority for his country.
Materials compiled by Tetiana Kliuchnyk-Horobets, 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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