It has been the 1405 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:
There have been 89 combat engagements along the entire front line.
Towards North Slobozhanske and Kursk, there has been one enemy attack since the beginning of the day, and the enemy has also carried out 47 shellings of our troops’ positions and populated areas.
Towards South Slobozhanske, the enemy attacked the positions of the Defence Forces nine times today near the settlements of Vovchansk, Starytsia and Prylipka, with two combat engagements still ongoing.
Towards Kupiansk, our defenders repelled four enemy offensives near the settlement of Pishchane and in the direction of Petropavlivka.
Towards Lyman, the aggressor attacked six times today in the areas of the settlements of Kolodiazi, Zarichne and in the direction of Yampil. Two combat clashes are currently ongoing.
Towards Sloviansk, our defenders repelled two attempts to advance in Dronivka. Mykolaivka was hit by a KAB air strike.
Towards Kramatorsk, no enemy offensive actions have been recorded at this time.
Towards Kostiantynivka, the enemy attacked the positions of our troops in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Shcherbynivka, Pleshchiivka, Yablunivka, Rusyne Yar, and towards Kostiantynivka and Sofiivka. The defence forces repelled 13 enemy attacks, and two more combat engagements are still ongoing.
Towards Pokrovsk, the enemy attacked the positions of our defenders 28 times today in the areas of the settlements of Pankivka, Chervonyi Lyman, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Novoeekonomichne, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetsk, Novoserhiivka and in the direction of Filiia. Fighting continues.
Towards Oleksandrivka, our defenders repelled eight enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Tovste, Oleksandrohrad, Verbove, and Rybne. One combat engagement is currently ongoing.
Thirteen combat clashes were recorded towards Huliaipole. The occupiers attacked in the areas of the settlements of Solodke, Huliaipole, and Bilohiria, and in some locations, the fighting continues to this day. Enemy aircraft struck the settlements of Barvinivka and Nove Pole.
Towards Orikhiv, the enemy has made one attempt to advance near Stepove and also struck the settlement of Orikhiv with KABs.
Towards Dnipro, two attempts to approach the positions of our units in the area of the Antonivskyi Bridge ended in failure for the invaders.
Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence, reported that in 2026, russia plans to mobilise 409,000 people. Contract soldiers remain the main source of replenishment for the russian army. At the same time, russia has problems with recruitment, so they periodically increase the level of one-time payments depending on the region. In 2025, the plan was to recruit 403,000 people, and this number was reached by the beginning of December.
The russians shot three soldiers of the Ukrainian Defence Forces south of Huliaipole. The incident took place on 20 December 2025. Soldiers from one of the mechanised brigades were supposed to take up positions that had been abandoned by another unit, but the enemy was already waiting for them there. This incident is yet another violation of the customs and rules of warfare and demonstrates the criminal nature of moscow military and political leadership.
Recent war events in the east of Ukraine
Kharkiv oblast
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the russians have attacked the positions of the Defence Forces near Vovchansk, Starytsia, and Prylipka nine times. As of 4pm, two battles are ongoing. Towards Kupiansk, the Ukrainian military repelled four attacks by the russian Federation near Pishchane and towards Petropavlivka.
The Centre for Countering Disinformation denied the latest russian claims of control over Kupiansk. According to the Centre, videos filmed from a drone are being circulated on Telegram channels, claiming that russian troops are moving through the streets of Kupiansk.
The day before, there were 1,230 combat clashes on the front line.
Towards Kupiansk, weather conditions may affect the combat situation. According to Viktor Trehubov, Head of communications for the Joint Forces Group, if the Oskil river freezes over, it will be easier for russian sabotage and small groups to cross the ice without using boats. He noted that it takes several days for ice to form, and the process is already underway.
Valeriia Chirina, Spokeswoman of Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, reported to Suspilne that 73-year-old woman who was injured by an FPV drone strike in Hroza, Shevchenkove communnity, was hospitalised in Kharkiv. The woman was diagnosed with an explosive injury to the chest.
Over the past week, at least 34 settlements in Kharkiv oblast, including Kharkiv city, have been hit by enemy strikes. Thirty-three people were injured as a result of the shelling, including a 9-month-old girl. Five people were killed.
The enemy actively used various types of weapons in Kharkiv Ooast:
▪️2 missiles (type to be determined);
▪️Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system missiles;
▪️10 guided aerial bombs;
▪️12 Geran-2 unmanned aerial vehicles;
▪️5 Lancet UAVs;
▪️11 Molniya UAVs;
▪️14 FPV drones;
▪️58 UAVs (type to be determined).
The civilian infrastructure of Kupiansk region was most affected, with 11 private houses, a civilian enterprise, 3 cars, farm buildings and garages damaged.
Significant damage was caused in Bohodukhiv region: 12 private houses, a farm building, a car and power lines.
In Kharkiv, the enemy damaged 11 apartment buildings, 3 private houses, 2 garages, vehicles, and power lines.
State Emergency Service units neutralised 261 enemy munitions.
Donetsk oblast
The “East” Operational Command denied the russian military command’s statement about the complete occupation of Rodynske. Fighting for the settlement continues.
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, russian troops carried out 14 assaults near Lyman over the past day. Russian occupiers attacked near Novoselivka, Zarichne, Myrne, and in the direction of the settlements of Lyman, Zakitne, Druzhliubivka, Dibrova, Ozerne, and Drobysheve.
The Defence Forces repelled 52 attacks towards Pokrovsk.
According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, russian occupiers allegedly shot two Ukrainian defenders near the village of Shakhove towards Pokrovsk. Russian troops took the fighters prisoner during the assault, forced one of them to partially undress, and then shot both of them. The case is being investigated as a war crime. Verkhovna Rada Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets sent letters to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations.
On 28 December, the police recorded 1,389 enemy strikes on the front line and residential areas.
Five settlements were under attack: Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Lyman, Sloviansk, and Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka.
Fifty civilian objects were destroyed, including 45 residential buildings.
The russians dropped three KAB-250 bombs on Sloviansk, killing a 51-year-old man and injuring four other civilians: a 78-year-old man and three women aged 74, 84 and 88. Forty-four private houses and four civilian cars were damaged.
In Lyman, a 46-year-old woman was wounded as a result of enemy shelling.
Russian troops struck Kramatorsk with a Gerbera-2 UAV, damaging a business.
In Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, a russian FPV drone damaged a private house.
Iryna Zhadan, an internally displaced person from Sloviansk, creates New Year’s decorations from clay in Kyiv — in the form of varenyky and houses with the names of Ukrainian cities. She interprets varenyky as a symbol of happiness, hospitality and the warmth of home, based on folk legends and traditions. For many displaced persons, the clay houses with city names have become a symbol of memory and hope for return. The craftswoman says that through her creativity, she tries to preserve Ukrainian identity and support those who have lost their homes.
In temporarily occupied Mariupol, the Russian “authorities” officially opened a “restored” drama theatre, which was built on the site of a building destroyed by the russian army. According to the city council, a concert and dance were held at the location where the russian army killed about 600 people in March 2022, attended by the leader of the “dpr” Pushilin, actor Mashkov and the mayor of St. Petersburg Beglov.
Luhansk oblast
Yesterday russians fired on our positions 15 times with mortars, twice with automatic grenade launchers, and nine times with FPV drones. Eighteen attacks were recorded in Lyman and Sloviansk, with combat operations affecting ten settlements.
The so-called “lpr” is becoming a refuge for russian officials involved in corruption cases: by agreeing to lower positions in the occupation administrations, they avoid trial. The latest example is the former minister of Perm oblast, who headed the press service in Siverskodonetsk; the case regarding his illegal enrichment has been suspended.
In Siverskodonetsk, heating was turned on without warning — for the sake of appearances in reports. Due to a lack of preparation, there were numerous burst pipes, and in many buildings, apartments were flooded from the top floors down.
What is happening now in the north of Ukraine
Kyiv oblast
Kyiv CMA said that the situation with heat supply in the capital, which deteriorated critically as a result of russian shelling on the night of 27 December, is stabilising. As of the evening of 28 December, heat had been restored to almost 400,000 apartments. Heat supply has also been restored to more than 3,500 buildings, including residential buildings and social infrastructure facilities.
DTEK stated that on 30 December, stabilisation schedules for power cuts will be in effect in Kyiv and the oblast. It is noted that emergency power cuts continue on the left bank of Kyiv. Emergency power cuts continue in Brovary and Boryspil regions.
Kyiv Regional Centre for Training the Population for National Resistance will conduct a free 4-week course for residents of the region. Classes will begin on 17 January. The programme includes 15 areas of training. Classes will be held every Saturday and Sunday for 6-8 hours in three districts. Anyone aged 18 or older can join for free.
Kyiv City Military Administration reported that as of November this year, 94% of preschool educational institutions in Kyiv have shelters. The number of places in shelters has increased by almost 48,000 compared to autumn 2022. More than 62,000 children receive preschool education, including more than 8,000 internally displaced children.
On 28 December, a rally was held in central Kyiv near the Central Universal Store in support of soldiers captured and missing on the front lines. The defenders’ relatives gathered to once again remind the authorities and society of the need to continue the fight for the return of Ukrainian defenders who are being tortured in russian prisons, and that those who are missing must be found and not forgotten.
Zhytomyr oblast
From 20 to 27 December, basic military training for civilians was conducted in Semenivka community. The training lasted 16 hours and included theoretical and practical classes on the basics of defence and security. The training was organised by the Department of Education, Youth and Sports of the Semenivska Village Council in cooperation with instructors from the 68th Separate Artillery Brigade.
Sumy oblast
Oleh Hryhorov, Head of Sumy Regional Military Administration, reported that on 29 December, the russian army attacked civilian infrastructure in Bezdrik community of Sumy region by two guided aerial bombs (KABs). As a result of the strike, a 60-year-old man was injured. Residential buildings were damaged in the community.
Over the past day, from the morning of 28 December to the morning of 29 December, russian forces carried out nearly 40 attacks on 24 settlements in 15 territorial communities of the oblast. The highest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used mortars, artillery, FPV drones, guided aerial bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). Air raid alerts in the region lasted a total of 3 hours and 36 minutes.
Consequences of russian strikes in the oblast as of the morning of 29 December:
- In Sumy region, a 55-year-old woman was injured as a result of an FPV drone attack. In Sumy community, a bread delivery truck, private residential buildings, and non-residential premises were damaged;
- In Esman community, a private residential house was destroyed.
Over the past day, local authorities, together with units of the State Emergency Service, the National Police, and public organizations, evacuated nine people from border communities.
The National Police informed that police officers from the special unit “White Angel” evacuated families with children from border communities. From Vorozhba community, law enforcement officers evacuated a mother with her three children—six-year-old triplets. From Krasnopillia community, they evacuated a 14-year-old boy together with his mother, ensuring their safe departure from a high-risk area.
Chernihiv oblast
Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, said that over the past week, from 22 December to 28 December, 94 russian attack drones were destroyed over Chernihiv oblast. During this period, three civilians were killed: a 63-year-old timber truck driver from Snovsk area, a 39-year-old civilian who was driving a passenger car in a village of Semenivka community, and an 80-year-old resident of Chernihiv. Another 13 people were injured: two residents of border areas and 11 residents of Chernihiv.
Due to damage to a critical energy facility in Ukraine, on 29 December electricity supply was cut off to consumers in three districts of Chernihiv region: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Koriukivka, and Chernihiv. This was reported by Chernihivoblenerho JSC.
Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment reported that during the day of 28 December, russian forces attacked three border communities of Chernihiv oblast: Semenivka, Horodnia, and Snovsk. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (11 explosions) and attacks with automatic grenade launchers (25 explosions), struck by FPV drones (23 explosions), and dropped an explosive device from a UAV (1 explosion). Eleven settlements came under fire.
The National Police informed that Police bomb disposal experts neutralized an unexploded warhead of a russian missile that was found in the yard of a private house in one of the villages of Kozelets community.
According to the State Emergency Service, during 28 December, sappers detected and destroyed three explosive ordnance items in Chernihiv oblasr. All hazardous items were removed and neutralized.
The Regional Military Administration announced that Chernihiv oblast received six generators with capacities of 100 and 250 kW from the Crisis Situation Center, with support from the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs of France. These alternative power sources will strengthen the energy resilience of the region’s communities.
Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine
Dnipropetrovsk oblast
Nikopol region. In the evening, the enemy struck Marhanets community by a drone.
Synelnykove region. As a result of a UAV attack in Dubovyky and Vasylkivka communities, damage was recorded. A lyceum caught fire and a private house was damaged.
Air defence forces destroyed 12 enemy UAVs.
Nikopol region. The enemy attacked Nikopol, Myrove and Pokrovske communities by drones and artillery. A fire broke out; a private house, an outbuilding and a garage were damaged.
Synelnykove region. The occupiers struck Pokrovske community by KABs and attacked Vasylkivka and Petropavlivka communities by UAVs. 2 men aged 44 and 63 were injured. Fires occurred. Private houses were burning; 11 private houses, a supermarket, a café, a non-operational building, 4 vehicles, gas pipelines and a power transmission line were damaged.
Air defence forces shot down 7 enemy UAVs.
Kirovohrad oblast
Kirovohrad oblast lost a serviceman, Roman Petrov, in the war. He was killed on 21 December 2025 near Osoiivka village in Sumy oblast. He was 49 years old.
Tetiana Riaboshapka, spokesperson for the Regional Police Department, reported that in Kirovohrad oblast, explosive ordnance disposal specialists neutralised the warhead of a russian drone discovered in an agricultural field near one of the settlements. The weight of the warhead exceeded 50kg.
Poltava oblast
4 soldiers from Poltava oblast were killed: Ruslan Vdovenko, Vladyslav Chudan, Volodymyr Plysa and Serhii Kulinich.
Ruslan Vdovenko was killed on 9 July 2025 while performing a combat mission near Serebrianka settlement in Donetsk oblast.
Vladyslav Chudan was killed on 18 April 2025 during combat operations near Slovianka settlement in Dnipropetrovsk oblast.
Volodymyr Plysa was wounded while performing combat missions in Donetsk oblast on 5 December 2025 and died in hospital on 24 December 2025.
Serhii Kulinich was killed while carrying out a combat mission.
Cherkasy oblast
The death of a serviceman from Zvenyhorodka, Vasyl Dovhan, was confirmed. Vasyl served in a self-propelled artillery battalion and had been listed as missing in action since 29 July 2025 after a combat mission near Udachne settlement in Donetsk oblast.
In Cherkasy, residents paid their final respects to fallen serviceman Vadym Vitrenko, who was killed in action in Donetsk oblast.
Uman Mayor Iryna Pletniova, informed that residents of Uman whose homes were destroyed or damaged as a result of a missile strike on the city during the daytime on 26 December have been allocated financial assistance. 2 households have already received UAH 200,000 each for fully destroyed housing and 7 households have received UAH 100,000 each for partially destroyed housing. An additional 121 households will receive compensation for housing damage, with amounts depending on the extent of the damage.
Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia oblast
Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, reported that today, 29 December, russian forces attacked Orikhiv with KAB bombs. One person was killed, and another was injured.
According to Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, yesterday, 28 December, the occupiers carried out 635 strikes on 18 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian forces conducted 10 airstrikes on Ternuvate, Zaliznychne, Vozdvyzhivka, Verkhnia Tersa, Varvarivka, and Rizdvyanka. 347 UAVs of various modifications, mostly FPV drones, attacked Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Solodke, Shcherbaky, Varvarivka, Dobropillia, and Bilohiria. Seven MLRS strikes hit Stepove, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Varvarivka, and Dobropillia. 271 artillery strikes were carried out on Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Huliaipole, Zaliznychne, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Solodke, Shcherbaky, Varvarivka, Dobropillia, and Bilohiria. Seven reports were received about damage to homes and infrastructure facilities.
According to the General Staff, as of 4pm, on 29 December, there were 13 clashes towards Huliaipole. The occupiers advanced in the areas of Solodke, Huliaipole, and Bilohiria, and in some locations the fighting is still ongoing. Since the beginning of the day the enemy made one attempt to advance near Stepove towards Orikhiv.
The analytical project Deepstate reported that on 20 December russian forces executed three Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered south of Huliaipole. On 29 December, 2025, the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor’s Office initiated a criminal case on the grounds of violations of the laws and customs of war combined with intentional murder.
The Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that on 20 December, 2025, in temporarily occupied Melitopol, an explosion occurred in an industrial zone used by russian forces for stationing equipment and storing ammunition. As a result, at least four russian servicemen were injured, and a military Ural truck was damaged.
Mykolaiv oblast
Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration reported that yesterday, 28 December, the enemy attacked Ochakiv community once with an FPV drone. There were no casualties.
Kherson oblast
Kherson Regional Military Administration reported that at noon russian occupiers shelled Dniprovskyi district of Kherson. As a result of the enemy strike, an elderly woman received fatal injuries.
Another woman who had been injured during a russian shelling of Kherson yesterday morning sought medical attention. The 53-year-old resident of Kherson sustained an explosive injury, wounds, and a fractured leg.
It was also reported that another resident of Kherson oblast was killed due to russian shelling. On 27 December, occupying forces shelled Stanislav, and an 81-year-old woman received fatal injuries.
Police of Kherson oblast reported that yesterday, 28 December, russian aggressors attacked civilian infrastructure in Kherson and Beryslav regions using artillery, MLRS, mortars, and various types of UAVs. The enemy attacked Kherson, Antonivka, Prydniprovske, Kizomys, Bilozerka, Romashkove, Yantarne, Veletenke, Dniprovske, Molodizhne, Zymivnyk, Stepanivka, Beryslav, Zolota Balka, Olhivka, Burhunka, Odradokamianka, Kozatske, and Vesele. Forty-two objects were damaged, including six apartment buildings, 27 private houses, a medical facility, critical infrastructure, four vehicles, and gas pipelines. One person was killed and ten were injured as a result of russian aggression.
According to the General Staff, as of 16:00 on 29 December, two russian attempts to approach Ukrainian positions near the Antonivskyi Bridge towards Kherson failed.
Pavlo Drohal, spokesperson for the 30th Marine Corps, reported that over the past week, Ukrainian defenders destroyed more than 2,400 russian drones. During this time, the russian army launched 2,731 UAVs on the right bank of Kherson oblast. According to his data, over the week russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure 511 times, carried out two airstrikes, and one missile strike. During this period, the occupiers lost 160 personnel and 152 units of weapons and equipment.
Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine
Volyn oblast
On the eve of the New Year holidays, 52 children from families of deceased and missing defenders of Ukraine were presented with holiday gifts from Ratnivka Village Council. Each child received gift certificates and sweets as a sign of care, attention and support.
Zakarpattia oblast
A fire broke out in a main gas pipe near the village of Rososh, Svaliavska community, at night. The State Emergency Service received a report on 29 December 29 at 05:29am. 21 rescuers and 7 pieces of equipment were involved in ensuring fire safety and preventing the spread of flames to the forest area. At about 07:15am, the gas pipeline valve was closed, as a result of which the burning process decreased. Emergency workers managed to prevent the fire from spreading further to residential buildings and other infrastructure facilities. The local population was not disconnected from the gas supply.
Ivano-Frankivsk oblast
Ivano-Frankivsk community sent 17 AUTEL drones and 133 batteries for them worth almost UAH 5m to the 109th Battalion of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade Edelveis.
Lviv oblast
To strengthen the defense capabilities of the 2nd Separate Galician Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, modern drones worth over UAH 1m were sent thanks to the cooperation of the Families of Fallen Heroes of Lviv Oblast public organization and business. Half of this amount was compensated from the regional budget.
Rivne oblast
The regional, district and all community budgets in Rivne oblast have been approved. The revenue part of the regional budget (excluding transfers) is UAH 1.8bn. Among the priorities are the defense and security component, the social sphere and education.
Ternopil oblast
In Ternopil, the awarding of state awards to the families of soldiers who were killed defending the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine took place. The event was attended by clergy, relatives and friends of servicemen who gave their lives for the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Khmelnytskyi oblast
Khmelnytskyi City Council reported that the community sent 9 electronic warfare systems worth UAH 2m to one of its units.
Chernivtsi oblast
A peaceful march in support of Ukrainian prisoners of war and missing defenders took place in Chernivtsi. Participants marched under the slogan Holidays without holidays. Relatives and friends of soldiers and concerned citizens joined the rally. They held national flags and posters with photos of the missing and captured defenders.
International support of Ukraine in the russian-Ukrainian war (russia’s invasion of Ukraine)
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President, met with Donald Trump, US President. They discussed a just peace and security guarantees.
The Italian Cabinet has approved a decree that continues to provide assistance to Ukraine. It allows for the continuation of the supply of military support.
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
