War in Ukraine today: latest news, 13 Desember 2025 (photo)

It has been the 1389  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:  

On 13 December, there were 53 combat clashes on the front.

The enemy artillery shelling affected Khrinivka, Kliusy, Karpovychi, Liskivshchyna in Chernihiv oblast and Bobylivka, Bila Bereza, Vovkivka, Brusky, Ryzhivka, Neskuchne, Rohizne, Volfyne in Sumy oblast.

Towards Northern Sloboda and Kursk, there were two combat clashes. The enemy launched two air strikes, dropped four guided aerial bombs and carried out 78 attacks.

Towards Southern Sloboda, there were five enemy attacks near Prylipka, Vovchansk and towards the settlement of Synelnykove. Another battle is ongoing.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy once unsuccessfully tried to displace Ukrainian units from the occupied positions towards the settlement of Monachynivka.

Towards Lyman, there were seven combat clashes. The enemy attacked towards Novyi Myr, Novoselivka, Drobysheve and Zarichne, fighting is taking place in three locations.

Towards Slaviansk, the enemy carried out three attacks in the vicinity of the settlements of Yampil, Serebrianka and towards Platonovka.

Towards Kostiantynivka, the defense forces stopped 12 enemy attacks. The invader tried to advance in the vicinity of the settlements of Pleshchiivka, Kleban-Byk, Rusyn Yar and towards Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne. Another battle is ongoing.

Towards Pokrovsk, russian troops tried 19 times to advance on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of the settlements of Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Dachne and towards Sofiivka, Novy-Shakhove, Bilytske, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Hryshyn, Molodetske, and Novopavlivka. Ukrainian defenders repelled 18 attacks, one battle is ongoing.

Towards Oleksandrivka, Ukrainian defenders repelled four enemy attacks near the settlements of Verbove, Pryvilne, Oleksandrivskehrad, Rybne.

Towards Huliaipole, Ukrainian soldiers repelled an attack by enemy units towards Dobropillia.

Towards Kramatorsk, Orikhiv and Kherson, the enemy did not conduct offensive operations.

In the remaining directions, there were no significant changes in the situation.

Ukrainian troops are exhausting the enemy along the entire line of combat contact and in the rear.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

There were 178 combat clashes in the oblast.

Towards Southern Sloboda, Ukrainian troops stopped five enemy attacks in the vicinity of ​​the settlements of Vovchansk, Synelnykove, Kolodiazne, Dvorichanske.

Towards Kupiansk, there were five attacks near the settlements of Pishchane, Nova Kruhliakivka, Kurylivka and Kupyansk.

Viktor Tregubov, Head of the communications department of the Joint Forces Group, reports that there may be more than 100 occupiers in Kupiansk: intelligence is aware of about 40 active russian call signs used in the city.

Yuri Fedorenko,  the unit’s commander,  reported that the 429th separate Achilles unmanned systems regiment used three tons of explosives to destroy a pipe in Kupiansk, which russian troops were using to infiltrate personnel. From April to December, the regiment eliminated 1,877 occupiers (998 killed, 879 wounded), hit 8,324 shelters, 232 UAV positions, 611 vehicles, 63 armored vehicles, and 154 artillery systems. Due to complicated logistics, the regiment’s crews used UAVs to deliver 8 tons of humanitarian cargo to the front lines. The defense forces also cleared the northwestern outskirts of Kupiansk, liberated Kindrashivka and Radkivka, and completely blocked the land routes of russian troops entering the city, despite russian statements about the alleged occupation of Kupyansk, which were denied by the Ukrainian side.

Oleh Synehubov, Head of the RMA, reports that a 10-year-old girl was hospitalized after a russian drone hit a civilian car in the village of Zarichne, Starosaltivsk community. The child’s condition is moderate. Her 34-year-old mother was also injured by shrapnel. A 65-year-old woman suffered an acute stress reaction.

AOleh Synehubov, Head of the RMA, reports that as a result of the strike on an administrative building in Kyivskyi district of Kharkiv, the roof on an area of ​​2 sq. meters rotted. There are no casualties.

The regional prosecutor’s office reported that russians destroyed apartment buildings in Kupyansk-Vuzlovye with aerial bombs on December 12.

9 settlements of Kharkiv oblast were subjected to enemy attacks.

9 people were injured as a result of the shelling.

In the village of Pavlivka of Novovodolazka community, two 45-year-old, 60-year-old and 62-year-old men and a 62-year-old and 19-year-old woman were injured; in Merefa, a 42-year-old woman, a 71-year-old woman, and a 33-year-old man were injured.

The enemy actively used various types of weapons:

▪️4 missiles (type to be determined);

▪️15 Geran-2 UAVs;

▪️1 FPV drone;

▪️7 UAVs (type to be determined).

Civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed:

▪️in Bohodukhiv region, power grids were damaged (village of Bratenytsia), a garage, a car (village of Krasnokutsk), and a private house (village of Maksymivka);

▪️in Kupiansk region, a warehouse was damaged (village of Ploske);

▪️in Kharkiv region, a gas station, 5 cars (village of Pavlivka), 7 private houses, and a car (Merefa);

▪️in Chuhuiv region, power grids were damaged (village of Tymchenky).

The transit evacuation point in Lozova accepted 96 people during the day. 30 people remained. A total of 19,650 people have been registered at the Point since it began operating.

Andrii Kanashevych, Head of the RMA, says that nine people were taken to Kharkiv from the center of Kupiansk: one of them said that russian occupiers shot a 44-year-old man and an unknown elderly woman in a high-rise building on Stadionna Square.

Donetsk oblast

There is no street fighting in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk oblast. The russian army is trying to enter the city in single infantry groups to gain a foothold there, but so far they have not succeeded. The defense forces are destroying russian infantry with FPV drones, and the occupiers are attacking Kostiantynivka with various weapons. High-rise buildings are being destroyed with guided aerial bombs, and drone swarms are hitting the logistics of the Ukrainian military.

The 7th Corps of the DSHV denied russian statements about the occupation of Pokrovsk. According to the military, the russian federation announced the capture of the city for the fourth time in a month and a half, and the Defense Forces continue to control the northern part of the city.

Yevhen Alkhimov, the presiding officer of the 28th separate mechanized brigade named after the Knights of the Winter Campaign, spoke about the defense of Kostiantynivka and what the damaged city looks like. “The enemy is unable to push through the Ukrainian defenses in the north of Pokrovsk and is using TV artillery. The only argument is photos and videos from the central part of the city. The enemy did not take into account the main thing: this information provocation works only for those for whom TV is food. And Pokrovsk is just an unfamiliar name on the map.”

On the eve of December 12, russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov published a video from the allegedly occupied Pokrovsk, which russians call by its Soviet name Krasnoarmiysk. Also, russian media outlets continue to publish videos and reports claiming that the Ukrainian city is under russian control. In particular, such publications were made by the russian propaganda agency RIA Novosti.

Towards Lyman, russian troops are increasing the number of attacks. The goal of the occupiers is to enter and gain a foothold in Lyman, as well as move towards Sviatohirsk, said Dmytro Mediakov, an officer of the Pomsta brigade, with the call sign “Pacifist”.

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, says that in several weeks of fighting for Pokrovsk, the Defense Forces were able to regain control of about 16 square kilometers in the northern part of the city.

Serhii Gorbunov, Head of Kostiantynivka RMA, says that the russian army attacked Kostiantynivka with an FPV drone, one person was killed, two were injured.

On December 12, there were 1,790 russian strikes on the front line and residential sector.

5 settlements were under fire: the cities of Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, the village of Oleksiivo-Druzhkivka, the village of Yatsivka.

14 civilian objects were destroyed, including 5 residential buildings.

russians struck Kostiantynivka with two GAB-250 bombs, artillery, and FPV drones – killing two civilians and wounding another person. 2 apartment buildings and a civilian car were damaged.

One person was killed in Oleksiivo-Druzhkivka. 2 private houses and a garage were damaged as a result of the shelling.

The enemy struck Druzhkivka 10 times with FPV drones – 6 people were wounded and 8 civilian cars were damaged.

A private house was damaged in Pokrovsk.

The petition for the title of “Hero City of Ukraine” for Bakhmut gained the necessary 25,000 votes in 40 days. This is the third such petition, but the previous two did not gain the required number.

Volodymyr Proskurin, Head of Mykolaivka city military administration, reports that the forced evacuation of families with children from Mykolaivka community was announced. The decision was made due to the worsening security situation. Currently, 300 children remain in the community.

Luhansk oblast

Towards  Lyman and Slaviansk, the invaders made 32 assault attempts near 16 settlements. Ukrainian soldiers are holding back the enemy. The invaders are actively using drones and artillery. In particular, they opened fire nine times from barrel artillery installations.

The so-called “lpr” announced a significant increase in utility tariffs. This is due to the increase in the value-added tax on the territory of the russian federation to 22% from 2026. The kremlin made the corresponding decision because of the hole in the budget, which is getting bigger every time. Expenses for salaries of employees of utility companies occupy the overwhelming part of the income, which depends on the level of payment by the population for housing and communal services.

In Siverskodonetsk, the invaders allowed the introduction of a local mobile network. It was expected that calls to mobile phones would become available to everyone within the city limits. In fact, you can only call four emergency numbers from a mobile phone, with only a SIM card from a specific operator.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klychko reported that six air raid sirens sounded in the capital this week with total duration for almost 11 hours.

The RMA reported that as of today, 1,297 shelters have been set up in educational institutions in Kyiv oblast, but the need remains significant: 36 shelters are required for kindergartens and another 43 for schools. Some of them have already been approved for design and cost estimates, while others are under construction or undergoing major repairs. During 2025, the construction of five civil protection facilities was completed, 21 shelters were renovated, and work is ongoing at dozens of other locations.

The State Emergency Service reported that pyrotechnicians inspect the territory of -Kyiv oblast daily to detect and neutralise explosive objects left over from the hostilities. More than 38,600 hectares of territory have already been demined, including 8,486 hectares of agricultural land and 411 hectares of forest. A total of 90,718 explosive devices have been defused.

The Kyiv City State Administration reported that as of today, there are 100,000 veterans and nearly 300,000 family members of defenders registered in the capital.

In the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv, the Kyiv Military Hub, a comprehensive support centre for veterans and their families, was opened with the help of international partners, in particular Latvian ones. The centre provides comprehensive support based on the principle of ‘peer-to-peer’. 81% of its employees have a status related to defenders, 35% of whom are veterans themselves.

The first youth space, ‘12–21,’ has opened in Bila Tserkva. Its creation was made possible with the help of Howard Buffett and international partners, including the Danish network Headspace. At the space, young people can receive psychosocial support, counselling, help with finding themselves and their future career path, and spend their free time in a useful and safe way.

The premiere of the fourth novella of the VARTA film project was shown at the Zhovten cinema in Kyiv. It tells the story of combat medics and female soldiers. According to director Yevhen Brooks, the project aims to preserve the memory of the faces of war.

Zhytomyr oblast

A Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier from Zhytomyr lived with a piece of metal in his heart for more than five months after being wounded on the front line. According to the O.F. Gerbachevsky Zhytomyr Regional Clinical Hospital, on 9 December, cardiac surgeons at theremoved the remaining piece of iron using a magnet during a four-hour operation.

On 11 December, a charity concert entitled ‘Let’s Make Music Together’ was held at the Berdychiv Music School, with the participation of the school’s students and their teachers. The concert was organised to raise money to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Sumy oblast

Serhii Kryvosheienko, Head of the Municipal Military Administration, said that on 13 December, russian forces attacked Sumy by drones, hitting two non-residential sites. No fatalities were reported. Response efforts are ongoing.

Sumy Regional Military Administration reported that as a result of another enemy attack on Seredyno-Buda community on 13 December, one civilian was killed. An enemy projectile struck a residential building while an 80-year-old woman was in her yard. According to Sumy Regional Prosecutor’s Office, at around 11:10am the enemy struck the community’s civilian infrastructure by 15 unguided rockets.

Between the morning of 12 December and the morning of 13 December, russian forces carried out more than 20 attacks on 11 settlements across eight territorial communities in the oblast. The enemy used artillery, mortars, FPV drones, UAVs and guided aerial bombs. Air-raid alerts in the oblast lasted a total of 13 hours and 8 minutes over the past day.

The consequences of russian attacks on the territory of Sumy oblast as of the morning of 13 December are as follows:

• in Seredyno-Buda community, a 76-year-old woman was wounded in a mortar strike;
• a 43-year-old woman sought medical assistance after being injured on 11 December in Velyka Pysarivka community as a result of a guided aerial bomb strike;
• a 68-year-old woman sought medical assistance after being wounded on 7 December in a UAV strike in Okhtyrka;
• in Krasnopillia community, a civilian infrastructure facility was damaged;
• in Mykolaivka rural community, a private residential house and a passenger car were damaged;
• in Shostka community, a non-residential building (a sports complex of an educational institution) was damaged.

Andrii Demchenko, Spokesperson of the State Border Guard Service, informed that the russian army is using small infantry groups towards Khotinka and Yunakivka communities in Sumy oblast. Previous attempts produced no results, leading to a decrease in activity. According to him, russian forces are sustaining heavy losses in this area. At the same time, russian troops have not ceased attempts to deploy sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Such activity is recorded most frequently in Sumy oblast, although its intensity has significantly decreased.

Over the past 24 hours, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police and non-governmental organisations from border communities, evacuated seven people.

Chernihiv oblast

Pavlo Miroshnychenko, Head of Koriukivka Regional Military Administration, said that during the daytime on 13 December, the russian army attacked Kholmy community by four drones, destroying the starosta office building.

Oleksandr Seliverstov, Head of Novhorod-Siverskyi Regional Military Administration, reported that on 13 December, russian forces used a Lancet loitering munition to strike an operational civilian infrastructure facility in Semenivka. Rescuers contained a fire caused by the terrorist attack. The extent of the damage is being clarified. According to him, russia attacked Semenivka five times during the day on 13 December. As a result of the attacks, three private houses in the community were also damaged.

During the daytime on 13 December, russian forces attacked a civilian vehicle in Pushkari village in Novhorod-Siverska community. No casualties were reported.

JSC Chernihivoblenergo informed that on 12 December, russian forces attacked Pryluky region. The attack damaged an energy facility, leaving a number of settlements without power. Emergency repair works will begin as soon as the security situation allows.

According to Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment, over the course of 12 December, russian troops attacked four border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, Horodnia and Snovsk. The enemy shelled the area by tube artillery (five explosions), carried out UAV strikes (three explosions), FPV-drone attacks (18 explosions), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (three explosions). Nine settlements came under enemy fire.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

Mykola Lukashuk, Head of Dnipro Oblast Council reported that in Dnipro, a UAV attack caused a fire, with a non-operational building burning. One vehicle was destroyed and another was damaged.

Nikopol region: The enemy attacked the regional centre as well as Marhanets, Myrove and Pokrovske communities by artillery and drones. Men aged 43 and 67 were injured; the latter was hospitalised in serious condition. A fire broke out, and vehicles and a power line were damaged.

Nikopol region: The enemy also attacked the regional centre and Marhanet, Chervonohryhorivka and Pokrovske communities by artillery and drones. Fires were reported. Three private houses, three outbuildings, two greenhouses, two filling stations and a non-operational building were damaged. According to updated information, a 20-year-old man was injured during overnight attacks in the Pokrovska community. A private house was damaged.

Kirovohrad oblast

Andrii Raikovych, Head of Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, informed that the enemy carried out another massive attack on the oblast using missiles and strike drones. The primary target was once again the oblast’s energy infrastructure.

Cherkasy oblasi

Ihor Taburets, Head of the Cherkasy Regional Military Administration, said that in Cherkasy oblast, 30 russian UAVs were destroyed overnight. In Zolotonishchyna, drone debris damaged windows in a residential building.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

Vitalii Zaichenko, Chairman of the Board of NPC Ukrenergo, reported that the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost external power supply for a period of time as a result of russia’s massive attack on Ukraine. During the nighttime attack, the NPP operated in isolated mode for more than an hour, running on diesel generators. According to the IAEA, power supply to the occupied nuclear power plant has now been restored.

The Institute for the Study of War reported that in Huliaipole region, russian forces advanced near Huliaipole and Varvarivka. Geolocated footage published on 11 and 12 December indicates that russian troops recently advanced southeast of Huliaipole and northwest of Varvarivka.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on 12 December, Defence Forces repelled 37 russian attacks in Orikhiv, Huliaipole and Oleksandrivka regions.

Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, stated that on 12 December, russian forces carried out 637 strikes on 16 towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia oblast. In particular, 360 drone attacks, mostly FPV drones, targeted Marivka, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Bilohiria, Pryluky, Solodke, Varvarivka and Charivne.

Mykolaiv oblast

Based on the information provided by Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, 5 people were injured in Mykolaiv. 3 were hospitalised: a 43-year-old man, a 48-year-old woman and a 16-year-old girl. All in moderate condition. 2 others received outpatient medical care.

During the night of 13 December, russian forces attacked critical and industrial infrastructure in the oblast. As a result, Bashtanka and Mykolaiv regions remain without electricity. Restoration works are ongoing. As of 7:16am, no injuries were reported.

On 12 December, russian troops carried out 11 FPV drone attacks on Kutsurub, Halytsynove and Ochakiv communities. One of the strikes damaged 3 private houses in Dmytrivka village, while another house was damaged in Lupareve. There were no casualties reported.

Odesa oblast

The Naval Forces reported that russian forces attacked a civilian vessel bound for Egypt and carrying sunflower oil with a drone. The ship was sailing via the grain corridor and was struck in Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone, outside the range of Ukrainian air defence systems. 11 Turkish nationals were on board; none were injured.

Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa RMA, reported that Odesa oblast is experiencing one of the most massive air attacks to date. The attack caused damage to civilian facilities, energy and industrial infrastructure. Fires broke out and administrative buildings and energy facilities were damaged. Emergency services are working to mitigate the consequences. According to preliminary information, 4 people were injured. There were no fatalities reported.

According to Operational Command South, During the night, russia for the first time attacked Odesa oblast by 2 Kh-47M2 Kynzhal air-launched ballistic missiles. The oblast was also struck by 5 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles.

The State Emergency Service informed that since yesterday, russian forces have continued striking critical and civilian infrastructure in Odesa oblast. Despite constant air raid alerts, rescuers extinguished a large-scale fire on a civilian vessel. Overnight and in the morning, fires broke out at energy infrastructure facilities and warehouses storing textile products. Residential buildings, an administrative building, civilian vehicles and a fire engine were damaged.

Kherson oblast

Referring to the RMA, at around 6:40pm, russian forces attacked a 51-year-old man by a drone in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. He was hospitalised with blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to his right leg.

Yaroslav Shanko, Head of the CMA, said that russian troops struck a minibus by a drone in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. A municipal enterprise bus was damaged, but neither passengers nor the driver were injured.

The CMA informed that in the morning, russian forces shelled Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, injuring a 71-year-old woman. She sustained a concussion, blast injury and a closed head injury.

The Prosecutor’s Office reported that in Beryslav, a 56-year-old man was killed overnight after russian forces attacked his house by a drone. Law enforcement authorities have launched a pre-trial investigation.

Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, stated that, russian forces shelled 34 settlements in Kherson oblast. 7 people were injured. A high-rise building, 14 private houses, a food service establishment and vehicles were damaged.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

Memorial plaques to Vyacheslav Loshak and Fedor Shkliaruk, fallen Heroes of Ukraine, were unveiled on the territory of Velykosnytsky Lyceum, Kolkiv Village Council.

Zakarpattia oblast

The 33rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is holding the defense in one of the most difficult directions – Pokrovsko-Dobropolske, received charging stations, sets of thermal underwear, other necessary things, sweets and the most expensive gifts – postcards from Uzhhorod students from Uzhhorod community.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

The 6th stage of the regional sports games Will to Live took place in the Carpathian region. Over 150 participants took part in the competitions – veterans, military personnel, and representatives of law enforcement agencies.

Lviv oblast

The RMA reported that students, teachers, and parents of Velikokolodniv educational institutions collected almost UAH 20,000 to the military of Zhovtanetsk community.

A charity fair was held in Horodotsky Preschool Education Institution Barvinok in support of the Defenders of Ukraine. Children, parents, and teachers actively participated in the event. They raised UAH 77,000.

During the charity event, a charity concert was held at the Sokalskyi People’s House. The collected UAH 25,000 was donated to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Rivne oblast

There are currently 87 support specialists working in the oblast. Another 42 vacancies remain open. The development of a network of support specialists is one of the steps in the formation of the Heroes Policy in the region, initiated by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine.

Ternopil oblast

Servicemen from Ternopil receive one-time financial assistance to purchase necessary equipment. In 2024, such funds were provided to 3,198 soldiers.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

Khmelnytskyi City Council reported that 796 family members of fallen Heroes will receive benefits for housing and communal services.

Chernivtsi oblast

A humanitarian convoy of 11 ambulances from France has arrived in Bukovina. Ambulances were donated by the Aide Médicale & Caritative France – Ukraine Association with the assistance of the All-Ukrainian Council of Resuscitation and Emergency Medical Care NGO and the SANAGRO Ukraine LLC in partnership with Chernivtsi Regional Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine Center.

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

The EU has agreed to freeze €210bn in russian assets indefinitely, a move that would avoid the need to vote on it every 6 months.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, announced that Germany is preparing the work of a defense group to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

 

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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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