It has been the 1039th day of the Ukrainian resistance to the russian military aggression.
What happened in Ukraine today:
Here is operational information of the General Staff as of 4 pm:
The Ukrainian Defense Forces are holding back the advance of the russian occupiers. Terrorists continue to destroy Ukrainian cities and villages with missile, air and artillery strikes.
On 28 December, the number of combat clashes was 82.
The Ukrainian defenders are taking the necessary measures to prevent the enemy from advancing deep into Ukrainian territory.
Communities of Petrushivka, Shalyhyne, Nova Huta and Bila Bereza in Sumy oblast were hit by enemy artillery and mortar fire.
Towards Kharkiv, the enemy stormed the positions of our units once, near Vovchansk area, a battle is underway.
Towards Kupiansk, russian occupiers attacked the Defense Forces once in the Hlushkivka area, the combat clash is ongoing.
Towards Lyman, the invading army carried out 13 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Hrekivka, Pershotravneve, Kopanky, Novoiehorivka, Novoplatonivka and Makiivka. Seven battles are still ongoing. Ukrainian soldiers are holding their defenses steadfastly and inflicting losses on the enemy.
Towards Kramatorsk, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven enemy attacks near Stupochky and Chasiv Yar. Five attacks ended without success for the occupiers.
Towards Pokrovsk, russian invaders made 33 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their occupied positions in the vicinity of Zelene Pole, Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zelene, Pokrovsk, Novyi Trud, Pershe Travnia and Shevchenko. The defense forces are holding back the onslaught and repelling 25 enemy attacks, eight clashes are still ongoing. The enemy is most active near Dachenske, where seven clashes took place.
Towards Kurakhove, the enemy army attacked 13 times near Petropavlivka, Ukrainka, Kurakhivka and Dachne. Seven attempts by the occupiers to advance were repelled.
Towards Vremivka, nine enemy attacks took place near the settlements of Kostiantynopolske, Velyka Novosilka and Vremivka. Four battles are still ongoing.
Towards Siversk, Huliaipole, Orikhiv and Kherson, the occupation forces did not carry out active operations.
In Kursk oblast, Ukrainian defenders repelled five enemy attacks.
In the other directions, there are no significant changes.
Dmytro Lubinets, Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, reports that since the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion of Ukraine, at least 3.5 million people have lost their homes.
Rustem Umerov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine, says that Ukrainian drones accounted for 96% of all UAVs used by the Defense Forces. Cooperation with domestic enterprises will be a priority in 2025.
The Center of National Resistance, reports that in the temporarily occupied territories, FSB officers, together with local administrations, are updating the lists of relatives of fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The identified persons are summoned for interrogations, and in some cases are forcibly evicted. The purpose of such actions is an attempt to reduce the amount of information transmitted from the TOT to the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
In Kharkiv on December 28, an action called “Holiday without a holiday. Don’t be silent! Captivity kills” was held near the Historical Museum metro station to remind people about prisoners of war. It took place for the first time in 8 months – people had not gathered since spring due to the worsening security situation in the city.
Viktor Zabashta, Director of Kharkiv Emergency Medical Center, informs that 16 emergency services workers in Kharkiv oblast have become victims of russian attacks since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, most of them were killed. According to him, in 2024 the tactic of “double taps” – repeated strikes on the hit sites where emergency services arrived – which russians have been using since 2022, has become systematic.
Oleh Synehubov, Head of the RMA, informs that during the day, no strikes on the city of Kharkiv were recorded.
The day before, at 16:10, Kupiansk was shelled. As a result of the shelling, the windows and doors of an apartment building were damaged. There was no information about the casualties.
At about 15:00, the village of Vodiana Balka, Bohodukhiv region, and the village of Lyubivka were shelled. The enemy UAVs were eliminated outside the settlement. No casualties.
At about 11:28, the village of Ridkodub, Kupiansk region was shelled. A 58-year-old man was injured as a result of the shelling. He was hospitalized.
At about 10:14, the village of Vidrozhdenivske, Bohodukhiv region was shelled. As a result of enemy shelling, 2 cars, a private house, and outbuildings were damaged.
Between Kytsivka and Pechenyhy villages, Chuhuyiv region, an unexploded warhead of a Shahed UAV was discovered. The ammunition was neutralized.
In the vicinity of the settlement of Vovchansk, over the past day, two enemy assaults on the positions of our defenders took place.
Five enemy attacks took place towards Kupiansk. The defense forces repelled the enemy’s offensive actions near Petropavlivka and Lozova.
From Kupiansk and Borova directions, 26 people were evacuated (including 1 child):
The remaining population subject to evacuation towards Kupiansk is 6,782 people, including 135 people on the left bank of the city.
The remaining population subject to evacuation in Borova community (29 settlements) is 1,617 people.
The process of restoring heat supply in the city of Kharkiv and settlements of Kharkiv region is ongoing.
Work continues on connecting heating in apartment buildings in several districts of Kharkiv. As of now, about 85 thousand consumers in Kharkiv and 27 thousand consumers in communities of Kharkiv region remain without heating. All specialized services are working on connecting heat to people’s homes.
Donetsk oblast
According to the 93rd brigade Kholodny Yar, near the town of Chasiv Yar, in the vicinity of the village of Klishchiivka, the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelled one of the largest mechanized assaults in recent times in this direction. russian troops lost more than a dozen units of heavy equipment, including tanks and armored vehicles.
According to Khortytsia unit, the defense forces are destroying russian assault groups towards Vremivka. Heavy fighting continues towards Kurakhove, russian units are trying to realize their numerical superiority and develop the offensive.
According to the General Staff, over 120 attacks were repelled by the Defense Forces on the Eastern Front in the past day. Most attacks were towards Pokrovsk.
In the Pokrovsk, russian troops carried out 52 assaults and offensives near Myroliubivka, Promin, Vozdvizhenka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Shevchenko, Novoielizavetivka, Novovasylivka, and Vovkove.
According to the commander of the assault UAV company of the 68th separate Jaeger brigade with the call sign “Feb”, towards Pokrovsk, the Ukrainian military has stabilized the situation. Currently, russian troops are not making significant progress, but they are accumulating and trying to storm the positions of the Defense Forces.
The RMA reported that the Russian army shelled Pokrovsk 5 times a day – women born in 1939 and 1956 received shrapnel wounds, – . It also reported that the entire city was accidentally powerless on the morning of December 28 – power engineers are investigating the cause of the power outage.
Anastasia Medviedieva, Spokeswoman for the regional prosecutor’s office, says that a 33-year-old man died in the settlement of Kotlyne in the Donetsk region during shelling on December 28. The ammunition hit a private sector.
Almost three thousand people were evacuated from Pokrovsk over the past week. Currently, more than seven thousand residents remain in the city. Evacuation buses depart from Pokrovsk daily.
Operative situation in Donetsk oblast as of the morning of 28 December.
Pokrovsk region. In Pokrovsk 2 people are injured, 3 private houses and a multistorey building are damaged. In Myrnohrad 6 buildings are damaged.
Bakhmut region. In Chasiv Yar 4 private houses and a multistorey building are damaged. In Siversk 6 private houses are damaged.
In total, russians 7 times shelled the settlements of Donetsk oblast. 262 people, including 22 kids were evacuated from the frontline.
Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk RMA, reports that over the past day, russians have wounded 2 residents in Pokrovsk.
Luhansk oblast
122 unmanned aerial vehicles launched towards Ukrainian fortifications and frontline villages. russians fired 13 times from artillery installations. The occupiers tried to advance in Belohorivka and in Serebrianka Forest. Enemy attacks there were repelled. As well as near Novoiehorivka, Nadiia and Dibrova.
Luhansk RMA reports that russians have declared 8 more bridges and overpasses in the territory of the so-called “lpr” as emergency. On six of them, the speed of transport was limited to 20 km per hour, on one – to 30 km per hour. The movement of trucks is also prohibited. Even pedestrians will not be able to use some facilities. All of these bridges are located on the territory of Luhansk oblast occupied since 2014.
Artem Lysohor, Head of Luhansk RMA, informs that to use the Internet, which the invaders turned off in Siverskodonetsk, local residents went to the nearest settlements located on the highway to Luhansk – Smolianinove, Novokhtyrka, Novoaidar. There, in particular, in shops and other public places, it was possible to purchase a WI-FI password and call relatives. Recently, representatives of the russian security forces began to issue warnings to the owners of such establishments, the next stage is disconnection from the Internet.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
The State Agency for the Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine reported that the bridge over the Teteriv River, which was destroyed during the full-scale invasion, has been rebuilt in Kyiv oblast. Traffic on the international road M-07 Kyiv-Kovel-Yahodyn is open to all types of vehicles. As a result, one of the key transport corridors in the oblast was restored.
Ruslan Kravchenko, Head of the RMA, announced that three more dual-purpose radiation shelters for educational institutions were built in Kyiv oblast. Each shelter is designed for 500 people and was built at the expense of the Fund for Elimination of the Consequences of Armed Aggression. The education in Fursovo Lyceum-Gymnasium, Uzyn Lyceum “Obdarovanist” and Uzyn Lyceum “Uspich” in Bila Tserkva district will be better protected and more efficient.
The State Emergency Service of Kyiv oblast reported that the rescuers of Bila Tserkva district and the Special Purpose Emergency and Rescue Unit received state awards for courage and bravery, dedication and high professionalism, and conscientious performance of assigned tasks under martial law.
The RMA reported that Kyiv oblast received almost 15,000 copies of geography textbooks for the 10th grade. The printing of books for educational institutions was funded by the South Korean government.
The War Museum in Kyiv dismantled Soviet symbols on the Alley of Hero Cities. In particular, the letters that spelled out the names of the cities were removed. They explained that the status of “Hero City” was used in the USSR to form the myth of the “Great Patriotic War”.
The organisers say that on 29 December, Kyiv will host a colourful event from Kyiv Malanka. The Malanka will be held for charity: together with the Gurkit Charitable Foundation, the participants will raise funds for mobile UAV command posts for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. Traditional Malanka characters will march along the central streets of the capital with songs, music and bells: Malanka, Vasyl, Goat, Grandfather and Devils. This Malanka will combine the ancient Ukrainian New Year tradition with modern cultural accents.
Zhytomyr oblast
The Ministry of Defence has reported that a recruitment centre for the Ukrainian army has started operating in Korosten. This is the 46th recruitment centre of the Ukrainian army based on the ASCs opened this year.
The Popilnyanska community reported that on 26 December, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented the highest state award, the Order of the Golden Star with the title of Hero of Ukraine, to the relatives of the fallen Hero Ocheretyanyi Volodymyr Volodymyrovych (call sign “Medbrat”) from the village of Khodorkiv. Junior Sergeant Volodymyr Ocheretyanyi, a senior combat medic, saved hundreds of soldiers’ lives.
A veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine won a grant and opened a health centre in Malina. Olha Yeshchenko served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine from April 2022 to August 2024 and took part in combat operations in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. According to her, the idea to create the complex was born during her service, and after her discharge she implemented it with a government grant. The health centre offers services to help restore strength, find harmony and maintain health.
Sumy oblast
During night and morning, russians carried out 4 shelling attacks on border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast, resulting in 4 explosions. The attacks targeted Yunakivka, and Velyka Pysarivka communities.
Yunakivka community: launches of GABs (2 explosions).
Velyka Pysarivka community: Dropping of VOGs from UAVs (2 explosions).
During the last day, russians carried out 66 shelling attacks on border areas and settlements in Sumy oblast, resulting in 120 explosions. The attacks targeted Khotin, Myropilia,Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Putyvl, and Nova Slobidka communities.
Krasnopillia community: Dropping of VOGs from UAVs (4 explosions), mortar shelling (53 explosions), FPV-drone attacks (8 explosions), and GAB launches (4 explosions) were recorded. A civilian was injured, and damage was inflicted on eight residential houses and a lyceum.
Velyka Pysarivka community: Recorded attacks include NAR shelling (17 explosions), FPV-drone attacks (3 explosions), and dropping of VOGs from UAVs (13 explosions). A private house caught fire due to the attack.
Myropilia community: russian forces dropped six mines on the territory.
Nova Slobidka community: One explosion resulted from an FPV-drone attack.
Putyvl community: an attack using an FPV-drone (1 explosion) was recorded.
Khotin community: FPV-drone attacks (3 explosions) and mortar shelling (7 explosions) were recorded.
According to the Main Department of National Police in Sumy oblast, on December 27, in Trostiantsi a man was injured due to the explosion of an explosive object. He is currently hospitalised. Law enforcement authorities are determining the type of explosive and investigating the circumstances of the incident.
The North Operational Command informed about shelling consequences in Sumy oblast. In Osoivka, Krasnopillia community, a civilian was injured, and 11 private houses were damaged due to shelling.A private house was damaged in Velyka Pysarivka. Also a house was damaged in Oleksandrivka. In Buniakyne village, Nova Slobidka community, a private house was damaged.
Chernihiv oblast
On 27 December, russian forces attacked two border communities in Chernihiv oblast using various types of weapons. Spokesperson of Chernihiv Border Detachment, Halyna Shekhovtsova informed that 32 explosions were recorded. As a result of the shelling, a critical infrastructure facility, private houses, and a car were damaged.
Semenivka community: 12 explosions, likely by barrel artillery in Semenivka town, as resulting a critical infrastructure facility, two private houses, and a car were damaged. No injuries were reported. Another 12 explosions, likely by barrel artillery, were recorded toward Tymonovychi.
6 explosions, likely by 120mm mortars, were recorded towards Yanzhulivka.
Snovsk community: 5 explosions, likely caused by FPV-drones, and two explosions, likely by the dropping of unknown explosive devices from UAVs, were recorded towards Yeline.
Serhii Dedenko, Semenivka Mayor reported that second time on 27 December russian forces shelled the border town of Semenivka in Chernihiv oblast using barrel artillery. As a result, the town is without electricity, and there are issues with water supply.
Sukhopolovianska United Territorial Community informed that Chernihiv oblast, paid tribute to two soldiers, Oleksandr Dzhemuratov and Andrii Aleksandrov, who died defending the country from russian armed aggression.
Department of Education and Science of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration reported that more than UAH 60m have been allocated from the state budget for the establishment of centers for studying the subject “Defense of Ukraine” in Chernihiv oblast. The centers will conduct practical training on first aid on the battlefield, tactical and shooting skills.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Mykola Lukashuk, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Council, said that at night, the occupiers shelled Marhanets community of Nikopol region with artillery. According to the updated information, a 43-year-old woman was injured in yesterday’s shelling of the Mirove community. A fire broke out, destroying a garage and a car. Three private houses, an outbuilding, a power line and a gas pipeline were damaged.
More than two dozen attacks. The enemy fired on Nikopol region with artillery and kamikaze drones.
They targeted the region centre, Marhanets, Pokrovsk and Chervonohryhorivka communities. 12 private houses, 3 outbuildings, a playground, a petrol station, 4 cars and a truck, a power line and infrastructure were damaged.
Vinnytsia oblast
A peaceful rally in support of prisoners of war and missing defenders was held in Vinnytsia. It was organised by the families of the defenders. People were holding posters with the words “Missing persons have no holidays”, “Missing status of hope”, “Free Azov”, “I don’t celebrate until my family is home”.
Cherkasy oblast
In 2024, almost 1,500 aerial targets were recorded flying over Cherkasy oblast. Most of them were Shahed-type attack drones and reconnaissance UAVs. More than 170 russian missiles were also spotted.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled a russian attack near Bilohiria in Huliiaipole region.
Ivan Fedorov, Head of the RMA, reported that on 27 December, russian forces carried out 397 strikes on 12 towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia oblast. In particular, they shelled Lobkove, Huliaipole, Shcherbaky, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Bilohiria, Malynivka, Mala Tokmachka, Novodarivka, Olhivske and Malynivka 153 times by artillery.
Mykolaiv oblast
Referring to the RMA, on the night of 28 December, Shahed drones caused damage to a high-rise residential building, shattering windows and damaging part of the roof. An assistance point was established on-site. Fires broke out on the roof of the 5-story building and in grass on the premises of an industrial enterprise due to drone debris. Both fires were extinguished, but the building’s roof was destroyed, windows broken. There were no injuries reported.
According to the Air Force, air defence forces in Mykolaiv oblast shot down 15 out of 16 drones during the attack, with one simulator drone lost locally.
Odesa oblast
The Ukrainian Navy reported that as of the morning of 28 December, one russian warship was observed on combat duty in the Black Sea. The ship is equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles.
Kherson oblast
According to the RMA, the russian military shelled Bilozirka in Kherson oblast, injuring a 49-year-old man. The State Emergency Service reported that the attack caused a house fire, which was extinguished by rescuers.
At around 1pm, russian forces attacked Antonivka near Kherson by a drone, injuring a 38-year-old man who was hospitalised with blast injuries and a shrapnel wound to the arm.
Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, informed that russian forces targeted Bilozirka by artillery during the day, injuring 8 people, including 2 children aged 15 and 16. 2 men, aged 51 and 52, sustained concussions, blast injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Roman Mrochko, Head of the CMA, said that in Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, a drone attack on a car resulted in blast injuries and shrapnel wounds for the driver, who is now hospitalised.
Based on the information provided by the State Emergency Service, overnight, rescuers extinguished a fire caused by Russian shelling in Kherson.
According to the RMA, in the morning, russian forces shelled Dniprovskyi district of Kherson, injuring 1 person with blast trauma and a concussion.
As reported by the Southern Defence Forces, russian forces have been unsuccessfully attempting to gain control of Kozatskyi Island in Kherson oblast for several weeks. On 27 December, the enemy launched 3 assaults on the Dripro river delta area.
Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of the RMA, stated that yesterday, russian forces shelled residential areas in 35 settlements in Kherson oblast. The attacks damaged an apartment building, 8 private houses, a garage and cars, injuring 5 people.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
The Military Unit A4808 received 10 VRK-8 UAVs with a thermal imaging camera from Lutsk community.
Zakarpattia oblast
Zakarpattia oblast was the first of the country’s oblasts to participate in the implementation of a pilot project for the reintegration of Ukrainian children from residential institutions, who were evacuated abroad with the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The oblast received 137 minors who returned from Turkey. Now, with the help of psychologists and social work specialists, they are undergoing adaptation in one of the health and recreation facilities of the oblast.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, presented high state awards to soldiers of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade Edelveis. Petro Filiuk, junior sergeant of the 8th Separate Mountain Assault Battalion, received the Cross of Combat Merit.
Lviv oblast
Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded with the Golden Star of Heroes of Ukraine and Cross of Combat Merit state awards to the military for the titanic performance of combat tasks. Among them is Sergeant Svyatoslav Kolos, defender from Truskavets community, Drohobych region.
A Christmas and New Year art project was implemented in Lviv oblast. The program included 12 bright concerts, performances and master classes. Over 300 defenders took part in art therapy.
Rivne oblast
Barrier-free access for people with disabilities has been arranged in one of the largest residences of IDPs in Rivne. It is about a dormitory, which became a shelter for almost 90 people. A large part of them are elderly people, citizens with reduced mobility and people with disabilities.
Ternopil oblast
The 83rd Separate Battalion of the 105th Separate Territorial Defense brigade received 2 MAVIC 3T reconnaissance drones, 10 batteries for them, MAVKA and ALIENTECH signal amplification kits and car wheels from Ternopil community.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Khmelnytskyi City Council allocated one-time financial aid for 266 Khmelnytskyi residents in the amount of UAH 3.6m. Specifically, 43 families of fallen Heroes for over UAH 810,000, 31 military for rehabilitation for over UAH 460,000, 136 active military for various needs for almost UAH 1m, 8 households affected by terrorist attacks for over UAH 1m.
Chernivtsi oblast
For the family-type children’s home of the family of Nadiia Kudriavtseva, who was evacuated from Dnipro, housing was purchased in Bukovina at the expense of state subsidies. 7 children are raised in the family: a native daughter and 6 boys – foster children deprived of parental care.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Ukraine received $1bn from Great Britain and Japan. Funds received under the DPL program of the World Bank will be directed to strengthening the economy and financing priority expenditures in the social and humanitarian spheres.
Switzerland joined the new package of EU sanctions against russia and belarus. The Swiss government added that new sanctioned persons are also subject to a ban on entry and transit through the country.
Ukraine received liquefied natural gas from the USA for the first time. The DTEK Energy company received this gas at an LNG terminal in Greece. The agreement was concluded with the Venture Global American company until 2026.
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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