It has been the 1035th 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:
Ukraine’s defence forces are holding back the russian occupiers’ offensive and taking all necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory.
As of now, the number of combat engagements has increased to 179.
Today, enemy artillery and mortar fire affected communities in Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts, including Hirsk, Khrinivka, Pokrovka, Porozok, Maiske, Slavhorod, Vidrodzhenivske, Tymofiivka, Oleksandrivka and Ponomarenky.
Towards Kharkiv, the enemy attacked the positions of our troops four times near Vovchansk and Vysoka Yaruha.
Towards Kupiansk, the russian occupiers attacked the defence forces 19 times near Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove and Lozova. Eight combat engagements are ongoing.
Towards Lyman, the invading army carried out 18 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Druzheliubivka, Zelenyi Hai, Novoiehorivka, Makiivka, Terny, Torske and Hryhorivka, seven of the attacks are still ongoing. Ukrainian troops are holding steadfast and inflicting losses on the enemy.
Towards Siversk, near Bilohorivka the enemy tried to break through to our positions once.
Towards Kramatorsk, Ukrainian Armed Forces units have repelled five attacks by russian invaders near Chasiv Yar.
Towards Toretsk, the aggressor made eleven attempts to advance on the positions of Ukrainian troops near Toretsk, Druzhba and Dachne, and a battle is currently underway.
Towards Pokrovsk, the russian invaders made 45 attempts to push our defenders from their positions near Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Dachne, Shevchenko, Vovkove and Novovasylivka. The defence forces are holding back the attack and repelled 32 enemy attacks, 13 combat engagements are still ongoing.
Towards Kurakhove, the enemy army attacked 25 times towards Petropavlivka, Shevchenko and Kurakhove.15 enemy attempts to advance have already been repelled.
Nine enemy attacks continue towards Vremivka, and our troops have already repelled 11 enemy assaults in the areas of Uspenivka, Yantarne, Kostiantynopilske, Kostiantynopil, Rozlyv, Rozdolne, Novyi Komar, Novosilka, Velyka Novosilka and Storozheve. Enemy aircraft dropped guided aerial bombs on Temyrivka and Zelene Pole.
Towards Kherson, the enemy made one unsuccessful attempt to storm the positions of Ukrainian units.
Towards Kursk oblast, Ukrainian troops repelled twenty attacks by the invading forces, and ten engagements are ongoing.
In other areas, the situation remained unchanged.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal reported that the Cabinet of Ministers reported that UAH 1.2m is needed to finance one soldier. The budget of the Armed Forces needs to be increased to ensure effective manning of the forces. The UAH 500bn is the amount needed by the Armed Forces to cover the deficit by the end of the year. International partners do not provide funding for the Armed Forces, so funds for the military are provided at the expense of domestic resources.
A Ukrainian teenager abducted from a Kherson orphanage committed suicide in russia. The investigation was published by the Vazhnye Istorii publication. They found out that Oleksandr Yakushchenko did not leave a suicide note, and a phone with erased data was found near the boy’s hanged body. The boy’s own mother said that he had promised her to come to Ukraine before the New Year holidays. Other children with whom Oleksandr lived in Kherson confirmed that he wanted to return to Ukraine, but his russian guardians took away his passport. His foster family does not know the reason for his suicide. They say that he allegedly just lived with them because he had nowhere else to go. The boy told his classmates in russia that no one needed him.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
The General Staff reported that over 160 attacks were repelled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the eastern front yesterday. Vremivka and Kurakhove directions are the leaders in terms of the number of attacks.
Towards Kurakhove, the Defence Forces repelled 32 attacks. Using aviation, russian units tried to advance near Kurakhove, Petropavlivka, Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Dachne, Kostiantynopil and Andriivka.
Towards Vremivka, russian troops conducted 35 assaults near Novodarivka, Kostiantynopilske, Rozlyv, Rozdolne, Storozheve, Velyka Novosilka, Novyi Komar and Novosilka.
Kharkiv oblast
The General Staff reported that towards Kharkiv, russian troops attacked the positions of Ukrainian units four times near Vovchansk and Vysoka Yaruha.
Towards Kupiansk, russians attacked Ukrainian defence forces 19 times near Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Zahryzove and Lozova. As of 4pm, eight engagements are ongoing.
Yesterday at 10:30am, russians attacked Dvorichna village in Kupiansk region. A 66-year-old man was wounded in the attack and hospitalised.
Towards Kharkiv, there were four combat engagements with russian invaders near Vovchansk.
Towards Kupiansk, the enemy tried 19 times to force our units out of their positions near Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Lozova, Dvorichna and Bohuslavka.
As a result of intensified evacuation measures, 38 people were evacuated from Kupiansk and Borova directions.
Donetsk oblast
The day before, police recorded 2,726 hostile attacks along the frontline and in the residential sector.
Russian troops focused their fire on 5 settlements: Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, Siversk, Toretsk and Ivanopillia village.
16 civilian objects were damaged, including 12 residential buildings.
A civilian was killed in Kostiantynivka as a result of an enemy artillery strike. Three private houses and three trade pavilions were destroyed.
Pokrovsk was attacked by russia with a FAB-250 bomb, Grad multiple rocket launcher and a UAV. As a result of the shelling, a person was wounded and 7 private houses were damaged.
Russians shelled Siversk with artillery, injuring a civilian and destroying a house.
In Ivanopillia, a private house and a gas pipeline were damaged by shelling.
The Khortytsia military command reported that towards Vremivka, measures are currently underway to search for, detect and destroy the remnants of russian assault groups that have intervened in the defence of Ukrainian brigades.
Intense fighting continues in the urban areas of Chasiv Yar and Toretsk.
Serhii Tsehotskyi, an officer of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, informed that russia is conducting the most active assaults in the south and southwest of Pokrovsk. Also russian troops are using all available means of transport, etc.
The last three residents of frontline Ivanivka towards Lyman left as White Angels brought them to a safe place. Two men and a wounded woman left the village on foot.
Donetsk Regional State Emergency Service said that almost 1,800 children have been evacuated by rescuers in Donetsk region over the past year.
Luhansk oblast
The enemy is not reducing pressure either in the Liman or the Siverskyi sectors. According to the RMA, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled 13 russian attacks in Bilohorivka alone yesterday. The occupiers attempted 26 assaults towards Lyman. Specifically, they tried to advance near Hrekivka, Novoiehorivka, Tverdokhlibove, Nadiia, Serhiivka and Makiivka in Luhansk oblast. The invaders sent 90 UAVs towards the fortifications of the Ukrainian military. They opened fire from cannon artillery 11 times. They also fired from a multiple rocket launcher system.
In Sieverskodonetsk, russian construction workers are depriving the owners of their personal belongings in the houses they have chosen for the duration of the repairs because they are in the way. Locals have repeatedly complained about this. The quality of the work remains poor. However, valuable items continue to disappear. The occupiers believe that unnecessary items are thrown into the garbage. It is there that homeowners find some property. These repairmen do not pay anything for their temporary stay in someone else’s home. The utility bills are issued to the owners.
Some people in Lysychansk are allowed to run businesses that are prohibited for others. For instance, wealthier residents are offered equipment for rub 25,000 to use the Internet, which is shut down by the russians in the frontline zone. It is an unreliable option, with no provider and no guarantees. But the occupiers have nothing better to offer than to buy an antenna, and with it the opportunity to steal.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of the RMA, reported that five private houses of a dacha co-operative in Kyiv oblast were damaged by the debris from downed russian drones. The air raid alert was announced twice during the night. There were no civilian casualties.
The Regional Military Administration reported that in Vyshhorod region, Marianivka basic educational institution is being restored at the expense of UNITED24. The building of the institution was destroyed by an aircraft bomb on 25 February 2022. The shockwave damaged the roof, insulation and facade of the building, smashed windows and doors. The new shelter will be equipped with water supply and sewage systems, ventilation and heating.
As part of the comprehensive Winter Support package for Ukrainian families, the first main payment period of the Warm Winter aid programme has already been funded in Kyiv oblast, amounting to almost UAH 105m. The aid has already been received by: 6,179 children from the number of internally displaced persons, 374 internally displaced persons with disabilities of group, 3,557 children from low-income families.
The General Headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on a meeting in Kyiv dedicated to the development of robotics and the introduction of the latest technologies on the battlefield. The main goal of the initiative is to ensure an effective path from idea to soldier, so that modern technologies can be quickly brought to the frontline. In addition, developers and the military discussed the formation of a roadmap to improve the regulatory environment, which will create conditions for rapid innovation development.
The website of the Clermont-Ferrand festival reported that the Ukrainian animated film “I Died in Irpin” was selected for the international competition. The film deals with relationships in a family, in a couple and with oneself against the backdrop of the blockade of Irpin. The film runs for 11 minutes and is made using the rare technique of charcoal-on-paper animation.
Zhytomyr oblast
Zhytomyr Regional State Administration reported that despite the war, 111 regional measures envisaged for 2023-2024 have been implemented, and all 25 national tasks for building a barrier-free environment have been completed. There are 272 resource rooms in the oblast’s educational institutions that provide children with special educational needs with modern services. More than 2,000 children are already enrolled in inclusive education.
Zhytomyr Regional Academic Puppet Theatre hosted a special New Year’s celebration – an interactive fairy tale for children who found themselves in difficult life circumstances during the war. This year’s performance was titled “Prince of Persia – Time is running out, Christmas is coming to us!”.
Sumy oblast
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Sumy oblast reported that on the morning of 24 December, the russian army attacked a farm in Konotop region using Shahed drones. While firefighters were extinguishing the blaze, russian forces launched a second strike.
As the responders worked on-site, they heard the sound of a russian drone and managed to retreat to a safe distance. The Shahed hit near the location of the previous strike. The fire was successfully extinguished. Preliminary reports indicate no injuries among people, but several cows were wounded and later died.
On 23 Desember, russians carried out 18 shelling attacks on border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast, resulting in 61 explosions. The attacks targeted Khotin, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Putyvl and Khutir-Mykhailivskyi communities.
Khutir-Mykhailivskyi community: FPV-drone attack (2 explosions).
Velyka Pysarivka community: the enemy attacked by MLRS (24 explosions), artillery (6 explosions), mortars (9 explosions) and dropped FOG from a UAV (2 explosions).
Krasnopillia community: the russians dropped 2 mines on the territory of the community.
Khotin community: FPV-drone attack (3 explosions), FOG dropped from a UAV (1 explosion).
Bilopillia community: mortar shelling (9 explosions), FOG dropped from a UAV (2 explosions).
Putyvl community: FPV-drone attack recorded (1 explosion).
Sumy City Council reported that the charitable organisation “Global Empowerment Mission UA” has donated 60 windows to residents of an apartment building in Sumy that was damaged by russian strike on 17 November.
In the next delivery, the charity plans to provide approximately 120 windows, including balcony blocks.
Chernihiv oblast
According to the North Operational Command, in Kamka village, Holmy community, Koriukivka region, Chernihiv oblast, debris from a russian Shahed drone fell on 23 December.
As a result of the explosion, two private houses were damaged.
On 23 Desember russian army Semenivka border community in Chernihiv oblast by mortars and Semenivka city by FPV-drones.
33 explosions were recorded.
Towards Semenivka City – one hit, likely by FPV-drone.
Towards Yanzhulivka village – six explosions, likely by 120mm mortal.
Towards Tymonovychi village – 26 hits, likely by 120mm mortal.
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, reported that Bakhmat and Kulykivka communities in Chernihiv oblast have received mobile clinics to operate in remote villages. The mobile clinics are equipped by all the necessary facilities, including an electrocardiograph, defibrillator, patient monitor, pulse oximeter, and portable ultrasound machine. They also feature an oxygen concentrator, a resuscitation kit, and various blood analyzers.
Additionally, the clinics are fitted with air conditioning and ventilation systems, heaters, water tanks, generators, and backup power batteries. Hydraulic lifts and ramps ensure barrier-free access for residents with limited mobility.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
At night and in the morning, air defence forces operated in the oblast, shooting down 7 enemy drones. There were no casualties or damage reported.
The enemy continued shelling Nikopol region, by artillery, Grad and a kamikaze drone. The strikes targeted the regional centre, Pokrov and Marhanets communities, damaging 3 private houses, a utility structure and a car. There were no injuries reported.
A man was killed in an enemy missile attack on Kryvyi Rih. Several people were injured, including a 16-year-old girl. 3 of the injured are in critical condition. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
Throughout the day, the enemy targeted Nikopol region approximately 35 times, by artillery and drones. A 31-year-old man sustained injuries but will recover at home. The invaders targeted the regional centre, Chervonohryhorivka, Myrove, Pokrov and Marhanets communities. A fire broke out, damaging a gas station, a private enterprise, a sanatorium, 4 private houses, outbuildings, and power lines.
Vinnytsia oblast
Mayor Serhii Morhunov informed that Vinnytsia community allocated UAH 1.3bn for #security_and_defence in 2024, which is UAH 300m more than originally planned, due to numerous requests from the military.
Natalia Zabolotna, Deputy Head of the RMA, reported that additional housing assistance was provided to 7 families of defenders. Over UAH 14m were allocated to provide housing for 5 families of war-disabled individuals (groups I-II), one family of a fallen soldier and one internally displaced combatant.
According to the RMA, Ihor Khmil, a soldier from Vinnytsia oblast, was awarded the Cross of Military Honour by Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Kirovohrad oblast
Andrii Raikovych, Head of the RMA, reported that air defence operated in the oblast, with no reported impacts.
Kropyvnytskyi paid tribute to a soldier Oleh Demkovych at Dalekoskhidne Cemetery. He was killed on 15 December, near Pohrebky village in Kursk oblast. Demkovych was 38 years old.
Poltava oblast
A memorial ceremony for junior sergeant Maksym Serdiuk was held at the Dormition Cathedral. The soldier, who lived in Poltava, was killed on 20 December.
In Poltava, 2 memorial plaques were unveiled at School №11 to honour fallen alumni Oleksandr Ovchynnikov, who was killed on 16 May 2022, near Bakhmut, and Yevhenii Borysov, who was killed on 7 June 2024, near Sokil village in Donetsk oblast. Both graduated in 2014 and were classmates. The initiative came from their families and classmates.
Cherkasy oblast
Ihor Taburets, Head of the RMA, reported that air defence forces shot down 3 Shahed drones during an air attack. There were no injuries or damage reported.
Since the full-scale invasion began, 84 servicemen from Cherkasy oblast have been returned from russian captivity. The number of those still held captive is not disclosed for security reasons.
Liudmyla Sharapa, School Director, said that students from a Cherkasy school performed Christmas carols, songs and festive scenes for servicemen undergoing rehabilitation at a medical facility. The children prepared for 2 weeks to bring holiday cheer to the defenders. Such performances by students have been organised annually since 2014.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
According to the Ukrainian Air Force Command, in the evening, enemy tactical aviation launched guided bombs at Zaporizhzhia oblast.
As reported by the Institute for the Study of War, Ukrainian Defence Forces advanced near Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia oblast.
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, reported that on 23 December the russian military carried out 200 attacks on 13 towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia oblast. Among them were 32 airstrikes on Stepnohirsk, Novoboykivske, Prymorske and Temyrivka.
Mykolaiv oblast
According to the State Emergency Service, on 24 December, firefighters in Kutsurub community extinguished a vehicle fire caused by a russian FPV drone attack. There were no casualties reported.
Vitalii Kim, Head of the RMA, informed that on 23 December, russian forces attacked Kutsurub community by an FPV drone. There were no injuries or fatalities reported.
Odesa oblast
According to the Ukrainian Navy, as of the morning of 24 December, russia had no ships on combat duty in the Black or Azov Seas. In the Mediterranean Sea, 8 russian ships are present, including 3 carriers of Kalibr cruise missiles, capable of launching up to 25 missiles in total.
Kherson oblast
Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, reported that around 2pm, the russian military dropped explosives from a drone on a man in Kherson, killing him.
Roman Mrochko, Head of the CMA, stated that a 49-year-old man sustained injuries, including a mine-explosive trauma and an open head wound, during shelling in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson.
According to the RMA, in Beryslav, russian forces dropped explosives from a drone, injuring 2 people who were hospitalised.
At midnight, russian troops shelled Bilozirka by artillery, recording 13 strikes in the settlement. An administrative building was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.
Roman Mrochko, Head of the CMA, informed that artillery shelling in Korabelnyi district of Kherson caused interruptions in electricity and water supplies in Shumenskyi neighborhood. Specialists are assessing the damage. Emergency repairs will be carried out when the security situation permits.
According to the Southern Defence Forces, russian forces launched 3 assaults on islands in the Dnipro delta on 23 December, attempting to gain control of Kozatskyi Island. All attempts were unsuccessful.
Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, stated that on 23 December, russian forces shelled 38 settlements in Kherson oblast, damaging 19 private houses, a gas pipeline and a vehicle. One person was killed and 2 injured.
According to the police, a 42-year-old woman, her 35-year-old husband and 5 children were evacuated from Sofiivka in Kherson oblast. The family contacted Save Ukraine after another several-hour-long russian shelling of the village by MLRS.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
The RMA reported that a rehabilitation trip to art institutions of the regional center was organized for military personnel undergoing rehabilitation and treatment in medical institutions of Volyn oblast.
Lutsk community sent 8 DJI Mavic 3 Pro quadcopters to the 5th Separate Assault Brigade.
Zakarpattia oblast
Uzhhorod City Council approved the provision of assistance. A one-time financial assistance will be received by a representative of the family of the missing defender.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Within the framework of friendly relations between the cities, Ivano-Frankivsk received a bus to improve transportation services for community residents from Potsdam/
Lviv oblast
In Lviv, paratroopers of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Halicia presented the largest and updated Trident made of grandfathers in Ukraine. This symbol of Ukrainian statehood and Christmas traditions was installed on the square near the monument to Taras Shevchenko.
Rivne oblast
Gas workers from Rivne oblast completed restoration work in Kryvyi Rih. In total, 19 teams from all over Ukraine worked in this city in Dnipropetrovsk oblast, which was left without heat.
Ternopil oblast
Ternopil City Council reported that the Honorary Citizen of the City of Ternopil title was awarded posthumously to 45 families of fallen defenders.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
In the morning, during an air alarm signal, the Air Defense Forces destroyed 2 enemy UAVs of the Shahed type. As a result of the attack, windows were broken, roofs in private houses, a garage, a car and a utility room were damaged.
Khmelnytskyi community sent 6 Shark aircraft with 2 support systems worth UAH 7.8m to one of the combat units. Budget procurement.
Khmelnytskyi City Council accepted 5 new programs. Among them is the Defense and Security Forces Support Program for 2025 (UAH 250m).
Chernivtsi oblast
In Bukovina, educational security is being strengthened in schools under the legal regime of martial law. Security measures must be implemented not only before the beginning of the academic year, but also throughout the year, therefore, already from the new budget year, it is planned to install video cameras, metal detectors and other necessary security devices.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Germany sent Ukraine a new aid package, which includes: 2 Patriot launchers; 15 Leopard 1 A5 tanks with spare parts (joint project with Denmark), 2 Gepard tanks with spare parts and ammunition; 30 MRAP armored vehicles with anti-mine protection; IRIS-T SLM and IRIS-T SLS anti-aircraft missile complexes with missiles; 30 Vector drones, 24 RQ-35 Heidrun reconnaissance drones, 14 Hornet XR reconnaissance drones, shells, ammo, 120mm mortar ammunition, anti-tank mines, trucks and more.
The European Union provided €86m to protect the energy sector of Ukraine. Thus, the European Investment Bank is helping Ukrenergo to build protective shelters to protect critical power substations.
The Pentagon allocated over $253m to increase missile production, in particular to support Ukraine.
Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President, met with Nikolaus Marshik, General Secretary of the Federal Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs of Austria. They discussed the expansion of Austria’s support to Ukraine.
Vedmeja Paddington, world-famous hero of children’s books and films, visited Ukraine for the first time. The purpose of his visit is to join the campaign Ukraine for every child, in order to support Ukrainian children who grow up without the care of their parents, and to draw public attention to the problem of raising children outside the family environment.
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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