War in Ukraine today: latest news, 23 Desember 2025 (photo)

It has been the 1399  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:   

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 67 combat clashes on the front line.

The enemy fired artillery from russian territory at the areas around the settlements of Huta-Studynetska, Zaliznyi Mist in Chernihiv oblast; Ryzivka, Kuchervka, Yastrubine, Iskryskivshchyna, and Atynske in Sumy oblast.

Towards North Slobozhanske and Kursk, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders once, and fighting is currently ongoing. They also carried out 89 shellings of populated areas and the positions of our units, including two attacks with multiple launch rocket systems.

Towards South Slobozhanske, the enemy attacked three times in the area of the settlement of Prylipka and in the direction of Hryhorivka. One combat engagement is still ongoing.

Towards Kupiansk, the enemy is trying to advance towards Petropavlivka, Pishchane and Kruhliakivka area. Our defenders have already repelled two attacks, and two clashes are currently ongoing.

Towards Lyman, Ukrainian soldiers repelled two attacks by the invaders in the areas of the settlements of Novoselivka and Kolodiazi.

Towards Sloviansk, fighting is ongoing in Dronivka.

Towards Kramatorsk, no clashes have been reported at this time.

Towards Kostiantynivka, the invaders carried out nine offensive actions near the settlements of Shcherbynivka, Yablunivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Kleban-Byk, Rusyn Yar and Sofiivka. One attack is still ongoing.

Towards Pokrovsk, the enemy attempted to advance towards our positions near the settlements of Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetsk, Novoserhiivka, Horikhove, and Dachne 27 times during the day. Two combat engagements are still ongoing.

Towards Oleksandrivka, the aggressor attacked seven times in the areas of the settlements of Oleksandrivka, Sosnivka, Pryvilne, and Rybne.

Towards Huliaipole, Ukrainian defenders repelled six attacks by the occupiers near the settlement of Huliaipole, and fighting is currently ongoing in four locations. In addition, enemy aircraft struck the settlements of Pryluky, Zaliznychne, Charivne, and Varvarivka.

Towards Orikhiv, the Defence Forces repelled two enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Mala Tokmachka and Stepove. Novoiakovlivka was subjected to an air strike.

Towards Kherson, the Defence Forces repelled two enemy attacks in the direction of the Antonivskyi Bridge.

No significant changes in the situation have been recorded in other directions.

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

---

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ruslan Stefanchuk, signed an order to establish a working group to prepare a draft law on elections during martial law. This law will be used on a one-time basis. The working group will include representatives of all factions and groups without exception, representatives of civil society and the Central Election Commission. The working group will work out all the details of the application of the Electoral Code: the issue of voting by military personnel and their right to be elected, voting by millions of Ukrainians who are currently outside Ukraine, the conduct of elections in the temporarily occupied territories of the country, and the issue of the presence of foreign observers at the elections.

After the night shelling, all services were coordinated to eliminate the consequences of today’s attack. The enemy used more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles. It was a deliberate, cynical russian strike on the eve of Christmas. The attack caused the most damage to energy facilities in the western regions of Ukraine. Due to the enemy’s actions, emergency power cuts are being implemented throughout the country. They will be cancelled as soon as the situation in the energy system stabilises. Regional military administrations and all relevant services are already working to restore power to people as quickly as possible. All resources have been mobilised for this purpose. The Ministry of Energy, together with Ukrenerho, will provide updates on the status of the power grid.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

Kharkiv oblast

Over the past day, 205 combat clashes were recorded.

Towards South Slobozhanske, the enemy stormed the positions of our units six times near the settlements of Sotnytskyi Kozachok, Vovchansk, Dvorichanske, and in the direction of Vilcha and Kolodiazne.

Towards Kupiansk, there were 11 attacks by the occupiers during the day. The defence forces repelled the enemy’s assault in the areas of Pishchane, Zahryzove and towards Kurylivka, Novoplatonivka, Kupiansk.

According to Viktor Kovalenko, Head of Zolochiv community, as reported by Suspilne, FPV drones attacked the village of Lyutivka at around 12:30pm on 23 December. A house, a barn, a garage, farm buildings and power lines were damaged.

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

There were no casualties as a result of the shelling. The enemy used 35 UAVs.

Towards Kupiansk region, five private houses, farm buildings, and garages (in the village of Prykolotne) were damaged.

The transit evacuation point in Lozova received 116 people during the day. Forty-one people remained. A total of 15,459 people have been registered at the centre since it began operating.

Construction of 43 underground schools is underway in Kharkiv oblast. We plan to complete more than 20 projects by the end of this year, with the rest to be completed in 2026. This will allow around 50,000 more students to return to offline learning.

In 2026, at least three departments are planned to be renovated at Kharkiv Regional Hospital, and an underground department and shelter are to be built at the children’s hospital.

Oleh Siniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, reported that construction of the cancer centre has resumed in Kharkiv, and preparatory work is underway. The priority is the underground part of the medical facility.

He added that anti-drone nets are being installed in Kupiansk, Lozoza and Izium.

The algorithm for remote inspection of residential buildings that were damaged or destroyed by russian attacks in Kharkiv oblast is not working. According to him, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Recovery is developing a new mechanism that will allow people to receive compensation.

Donetsk oblast

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian troops have withdrawn from Siversk in Donetsk oblast. Russian occupiers continue to advance. The city remains under the fire control of Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian troops thwarted a mechanised assault near Kostiantynivka: artillery and units of the 28th Mechanised Brigade destroyed “heavily armoured” russian tanks and about 15 assault vehicles, completely halting the occupiers’ advance on 22 December.

Chief sergeant of the 42nd Mechanised Brigade’s BAC platoon, call sign “Ron”, reported that the russian Federation is intensifying mechanised assaults and using drone technology — from Wi-Fi detection of pilots to the waiting men.The Ukrainian Defence Forces managed to repel positions in this direction and liberate Ivanivka, a settlement just across the river.

The General Staff said that towards Pokrovsk, russian troops attacked 58 times in 24 hours, and there were 31 battles towards Kostiantynivka.

Towards Kostiantynivka, russian troops attacked near the settlements of Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Shcherbynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Kleban-Byk, Sofiivka, and in the direction of Berestok.

Towards Lyman, the russian army carried out 10 assaults.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on the morning of 23 December, russian troops struck Kramatorsk. At 8:10am, russian troops struck the industrial zone of the community with an Italmas UAV. There were no casualties.

On 22 December, the police recorded 1,785 enemy strikes on the front line and residential areas.

Kostiantynivka and Hannivka were under fire.

One civilian facility was destroyed.

As a result of FPV drones hitting Kostiantynivka, one person was wounded and a civilian car was damaged.

Luhansk oblast

Yesterday, the russians used rocket artillery three times. They fired mortars 11 times. They fired automatic grenade launchers three more times. Eight drones carried out their combat missions. The invaders attempted to advance near Nadiia. In total, they carried out 16 assaults towards Lyman and Sloviansk.

In 11 years in the so-called “lpr”, the russians have repaired only 20% of non-functioning lifts, most of them in Luhansk. They promise to repair the remaining 80% by 2030, which means accelerating the pace eightfold, which seems unrealistic.

A local mobile network has appeared in Severodonetsk, but there is virtually no ambulance service. Despite the possibility of calling emergency services from smartphones, it takes up to six hours to wait for a team of medics, as the entire city is still served by only one ambulance.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

As a result of an enemy attack on the morning of 23 December, five people were injured in Kyiv. A five-storey building in the Svyatoshynsky district was damaged. The roof of the building was partially destroyed and the facade damaged. The building’s structure was not damaged. A headquarters has been set up in the Svyatoshynsky district to help people affected by the enemy attack.

In Vyshhorod district of Kyiv oblast, , a private two-storey house caught fire as a result of an enemy attack on 23 December. A woman born in 1949 died. Three more people were injured – a man born in 1975, a woman born in 1976 and a girl born in 2009. They suffered shrapnel wounds. All victims were provided with medical assistance at the scene.

The OVA reported that two private houses were damaged in the Obukhiv district. Their windows were shattered, facades and roofs damaged.

DTEK reported that on the morning of 23 December, as a result of a massive russian missile and drone attack on energy infrastructure facilities, emergency power cuts were introduced in Kyiv and surrounding oblast.

As of the beginning of winter, the total amount of funding from regional and local budgets allocated to the defence of the state exceeds UAH 3 billion, of which more than UAH 600 million coming from the regional budget. According to the Regional State Administration, mechanisms have been established at the regional and community levels to quickly finance the needs of the military and increase assistance depending on the situation at the front.

The Kyiv City State Administration reported that a new project, a medical support system for veterans, will start in Kyiv on 1 January. In the capital’s healthcare facilities, veterans will be accompanied by a special coordinator to help with examinations and consultations, organise hospitalisation if necessary, accompany them at all stages of treatment, save time and eliminate the need to stand in queues.

The third ‘Hero Dogs of Ukraine’ award ceremony took place in Kyiv. Every day, service dogs from the State Border Guard Service and the National Guard search for weapons, explosives, and drugs, guard perimeters during UAV launches, ensure the safety of foreign delegations, and help military personnel recover from PTSD..

Zhytomyr oblast

The head of the Regional Military Administration, Vitaliy Bunechko, reported that Zhytomyr oblast has been under enemy air attacks for the second day in a row. On the night and morning of 23 December, the russian army carried out a missile and drone attack on Zhytomyr and oblast. As a result of the russian strikes, six people were injured, including two children. A child born in 2022 died in hospital. Residential buildings, private civilian enterprises and a shop were damaged.

According to the city council Due to the enemy attack on the night of 23 December, dozens of residential buildings in Zhytomyr were damaged by the blast wave: windows broken and roofs damaged. Businesses and farm buildings on Vitruka, Artsykhovskogo, Korolyova, and Promyslova streets were also damaged. A commission to survey the destroyed and damaged property is already working on the sites.

Yuriy Matviychuk, head of the Stanyshiv Village Council, reported that due to enemy shelling on the night of 23 December, two houses were destroyed and nine houses, farm buildings with garages, and cars damaged in the Stanyshiv community of the Zhytomyr oblast. The blast wave knocked out windows in the regional clinical hospital. There were no casualties.

At 7:41 a.m., Zhytomyroblenergo reported that emergency power cuts had been introduced in Zhytomyr oblast.

Serhiy Koverdun, Director General of the Korosten Central City Hospital, reported that three employees of Ukrzaliznytsia, who were injured as a result of a drone attack by russian troops in the Korosten district on 22 December 2025, are being treated on an outpatient basis. Another wounded person in serious condition was taken to a specialised clinic in the capital.

According to the Regional State Administration, Zhytomyr oblast, together with local communities, has allocated almost one billion hryvnias to support the Defence and Security Forces of Ukraine.

On 19–20 December 2025, a traditional open regional swimming tournament dedicated to the memory of the heroes and heroines who defended Ukraine was held in Zhytomyr at the swimming pool of the Avangard Children’s and Youth Sports School of the Zhytomyr Regional Council. The memory of the graduates of the sports school who died while performing combat missions to defend the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine – Oleksiy Sych, Yuriy Malynovskyi and Illia Kovalenko – was honoured.

Sumy oblast

The Regional Military Administration reported that during the night of 23 December, the russian army carried out a large-scale drone attack on northern Sumy oblast. Strikes were recorded in Konotop region, and civilian infrastructure was hit in Shostka region. Power supply disruptions were reported.

Mykola Noha, Mayor of Shostka, said that during the night of 23 December, the russian army attacked Shostka by strike UAVs. A critical infrastructure facility was destroyed. Some residents were left without electricity and heating. Municipal services and hospitals switched to generator power. Emergency repair teams are working at the impact site.

Sumyoblenerho JSC informed that on the morning of 23 December, emergency power outages were introduced in Sumy oblast due to a russian attack on the energy system.

Over the past 24 hours, from the morning of 22 December to the morning of 23 December, russian forces carried out more than 60 attacks on 31 settlements across 16 territorial communities of the oblast. The highest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used artillery, mortars, multiple-launch rocket systems, FPV drones, UAVs and unguided aerial rockets. Over the day, the air-raid alert in the oblast lasted 13 hours 34 minutes.

Civilian infrastructure was damaged and destroyed:

in  Sumy community, private residential houses and a civilian infrastructure facility were damaged;

in  Seredyna-Buda community, private residential houses, civilian infrastructure facilities and a passenger car were damaged;

in  Vorozhba community, a non-residential building was damaged;

in  Esman community, a private passenger car was damaged;

in  Druzhba community, a private residential house and a passenger car were damaged;

in  Hlukhiv community, a private residential house was destroyed;

in Znob-Novhorodske community, a civilian infrastructure facility was damaged;

in Shostka community, civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed;

in Konotop community, a civilian infrastructure facility was damaged.

Over the day, local authorities together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police and public organisations evacuated 18 people from border communities.

The Regional Military Administration announced that more than UAH 1bn.  from the regional and local budgets of Sumy oblast have been allocated to support the security and defence forces. The funds were used to provide units with necessary equipment, vehicles, protective gear and to support territorial defence.

Chernihiv oblast

Chernihiv City Council reported that in the evening of 23 December, a russian UAV strike was recorded within Chernihiv city. A critical infrastructure facility came under attack. Part of the city was left without electricity.

The National Police in Chernihiv oblast informed that as a result of the russian attack on 23 December, private residential houses were damaged in villages of  Kozelets and Kipti communities in Chernihiv region.

Oleksandr Seliverstov,  Head of  Novhorod-Siverskyi Regional Military Administration, said that at around 2am on 23 December, russian forces attacked Novhorod-Siverskyi by several Herbera-type strike UAVs. Civilian infrastructure in the city came under fire. According to the Regional Military Administration, the drones hit an energy facility. A number of settlements remain without electricity.

During the day on 22 December, russians carried out five UAV strikes on the city of Semenivka. Civilian residential areas were affected.

According to the Regional Military Administration, Pryluky area had been under attack since the night. russian UAVs struck critical infrastructure facilities, using more than 10 Geran drones. One strike hit an enterprise in Pryluky, damaging the vehicle fleet. In one of the villages, the enemy struck a hangar belonging to a farming enterprise, damaging the building and equipment.

At around 4:50am on 23 December, as a result of a russian attack on Pryluky, four cars were destroyed by fire and at least six others were damaged. Vadym Trach, owner of vehicle service station, said that the explosion occurred on private property housing a vehicle service station. According to him, neighbouring private houses were also damaged.

Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment reported that throughout 22 December, russian forces attacked three border communities of Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka and Snovsk. A total of 72 strikes were recorded. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (23 explosions) and tube artillery strikes (16 explosions), conducted attacks by Molniia-type UAVs (5 explosions) and FPV drones (46 explosions), and dropped an explosive device from a UAV (1 explosion). Sixteen settlements came under fire.

The Regional Military Administration reported announced that this year, Chernihiv oblast has already allocated more than UAH 1.5b. to support the Security and Defence Forces. The funds came from community budgets and the oblast budget.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

Air defence forces were active in the oblast, destroying 7 enemy UAVs.

Nikopol region. The enemy continued to attack the regional centre, Chervonohryhorivka, Marhanetsk and Pokrovske communities by drones. According to updated information, as a result of yesterday’s attacks, 4 private houses, 3 outbuildings, a greenhouse and a vehicle were damaged.

Nikopol region. During the day, the enemy did not cease attacks on the regional centre and Marhanets, Myrove, Pokrovske and Chervonohryhorivka communities. In Nikopol, an 86-year-old woman was injured and received the necessary medical assistance. 16 private houses, 5 outbuildings, a café, a vehicle and an enterprise were damaged.

Kryvyi Rih region. The occupiers struck Zelenodolsk and Hrushivka communities by drones. A petrol station was damaged.

Vinnytsia oblast 

In Vinnytsia oblast, the consequences of another enemy strike were recorded. As a result of the attack, 14 buildings were damaged, including 8 residential buildings. There were no casualties reported.

Andrii Barulin from Vinnytsia was awarded the Golden Cross from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A volunteer since March 2022 and a serviceman of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade, he sustained a severe injury in Zaporizhzhia oblast but, despite his condition, managed to save the life of a fellow soldier.

Vinnytsia oblast, together with the team of the Interregional Coordination Humanitarian Headquarters, continued sending aid to the frontline. This time, 200 FPV drones were delivered to the National Guard of Ukraine’s Azov Special Purpose Brigade and the 3rd Border Guard Detachment named after Yevhenii Pikus.

Kirovohrad oblast

In Kropyvnytskyi, memorial ceremonies were held for 2 servicemembers, Olha Zhyvotovska and Oleksandr Frolov.

Olha Zhyvotovska served as a riflewoman in an infantry unit. She was killed on 11 November 2024 near Kremiane village, Korenevsk region, Kursk oblast.

Oleksandr Frolov served as a senior rifleman in a military cargo escort platoon. He was killed on 11 December 2025 in Kharkiv oblast.

Poltava oblast

In the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Poltava, memorial ceremonies were held for servicemen Oleksandr Savisko and Serhii Nesterenko.

Oleksandr Savisko was killed on 12 December 2024 in Donetsk oblast.

Serhii Nesterenko was killed while carrying out a combat mission on 15 December 2025 in Zaporizhzhia oblast.

Cherkasy oblast

Ihor Taburets, Head of the Regional Military Administration, reported that in the oblast, 8 russian missiles and 13 UAVs were neutralised. A UAV was shot down over Zvenyhorodka. There were consequences from falling debris and blast waves.

In Cherkasy oblast, a russian missile was destroyed during the daytime. Preliminary reports indicate no damage to infrastructure. In Uman region, debris damaged several residential buildings, while at another location the roof of an outbuilding belonging to a private enterprise was damaged.

In Cherkasy, memorial ceremonies were held for serviceman Vladyslav Pavlenko. He was killed on 16 December 2025 in Dnipropetrovsk oblast. He was 25 years old.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

 

Mykolaiv oblast

Odesa oblast

Kherson oblast

 

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

In Volyn oblast, cooperation measures were taken to protect the state border with the republic of belarus. They were carried out by servicemen of Volyn Border Guard Unit and units of the 9th Sich Riflemen Border Guard Unit, which guard the border between Volyn and Rivne oblasts.

Zakarpattia oblast

In the oblast, over 50 specialized specialists underwent training to improve the quality of assistance to families of prisoners of war, missing persons, and fallen defenders. Participants studied algorithms for receiving state payments and benefits, legal aspects of property disposal, features of psychological communication with families and more.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

At dawn, the enemy attacked the area using strike UAVs. The target was a critical infrastructure facility.

Lviv oblast

Tonight, the enemy attacked a critical energy infrastructure facility in Lviv oblast with combat drones. There are consequences.

In the morning, two enemy drones are in the airspace of Lviv oblast. One is headed for Pomorany, the other for Novi Strylishcha.

Rivne oblast

Rivne oblast was subjected to a massive enemy air attack. Due to damage to an energy facility, approximately 300,000 subscribers were left without electricity. In addition, 2 residential buildings, 3 utility buildings, and 3 cars were damaged. No people were injured. Power engineers have fully restored power supply.

Ternopil oblast

Ternopil is temporarily without centralized water supply due to emergency power outages caused by the massive Russian missile attack. In addition, trolleybuses are not running in the city due to emergency power outages.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

During the air alert, the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 22 UAVs and 3 cruise missiles in the region. A person born in 1953 was killed. All services are working to eliminate the consequences of the attack. There are damaged windows in apartment buildings. Water supply and sewage have been almost completely restored. Energy workers are working to restore electricity, part of the critical infrastructure is already under voltage. Next, they plan to gradually restore the system and power other consumers. Medical and educational institutions are operating normally.

Chernivtsi oblast

In Chernivtsi, representatives of French emergency medical companies handed over 11 ambulances to Ukrainian medics. They will be used in various regions of Ukraine, including frontline regions, to evacuate wounded people.

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

Coca-Cola and the Ukrainian Red Cross have purchased and delivered 110 mobile boiler houses to different oblasts of the country over the past three years. The total capacity of the equipment is almost 61 MW, which allows heating about 610,000 sqm of premises. Coca-Cola has already allocated more than $9m to the project. In total, since February 2022, the Coca-Cola System of Companies together with the Coca-Cola Foundation have allocated about $40m to help Ukrainians and restore infrastructure.

 

---

 

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