War in Ukraine today: latest news, 31 Desember 2025 (photo)

It has been the 1407  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:   

The invaders continue to assault the positions of Ukrainian defenders. Since the beginning of the day, 58 combat engagements have been recorded.

From the territory of the Russian Federation, the enemy carried out artillery shelling of the areas around the settlements of Huta-Studenetska and Bleshniya in the Chernihiv region; Ulanove, Ryzhivka, Volfyne, Rohizne, Bobylivka, Budky, Nova Huta, Kucherivka, Bachivsk, Prohres, and Utskove in the Sumy region.

In the Northern Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, the enemy conducted 28 shelling attacks.

In the Southern Slobozhanskyi direction, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders five times near the settlement of Vovchansk and toward Obukhivka and Dovhenke.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled two enemy attacks toward Novoplatonivka and Bohuslavka.

In the Lyman direction, the invading army launched five attacks near Novoselivka and toward Stavky. The Defense Forces have already stopped one enemy advance attempt; fighting continues in four locations.

In the Sloviansk direction, the enemy attacked in the area of Serebrianka.

In the Kramatorsk direction, no enemy offensive actions have been recorded so far.

In the Kostiantynivka direction, the invaders attacked ten times in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Shcherbynivka, Torske, Rusyn Yar, and toward Sofiivka and Ivanopillia. One combat engagement is currently ongoing.

In the Pokrovsk direction, since the beginning of the day the occupiers have made 18 attempts to push Ukrainian defenders from their positions in the areas of Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia, and toward Nove Shakhove and Rodynske. Two combat engagements are ongoing.

Today, in the Oleksandrivka direction, the enemy attacked six times near Zlahoda and Rybne, and toward Andriivka-Klevtsove and Pryvillia; two engagements are currently ongoing.

In the Huliaipole direction, Ukrainian defenders have already stopped three enemy advance attempts in the areas of Huliaipole, Solodke, and Bilohiria, while eight combat engagements are still ongoing. Verkhnia Tersa was hit by an airstrike.

In the Orikhiv direction, no combat engagements have been recorded so far.

In the Dnipro River (Prydniprovskyi) direction, the enemy has not conducted offensive actions since the beginning of the day, but struck the settlement of Mykhailivka with guided aerial bombs (KABs).

No significant changes in the situation have been recorded on other sectors of the front.

Recent war events in the east of Ukraine

According to official data from regional administrations, less than 1% of Luhansk oblast and 30% of Donetsk,  remain unoccupied.

SBS commander, Robert Brovdi (Magyar), reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Special Forces struck russian military facilities in Donetsk, Luhansk oblasts and other occupied territories. In Luhansk oblast, an oil depot in Rovenky was hit, three deployment points of the Rubicon-D special forces unit, and two deployment points of russian military personnel from the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade and 589th Motorized Rifle Brigade in Selydove, Donetsk oblast.

Activists of the Yellow Ribbon movement from occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Sverdlovsk, Alchevsk and Perevalsk made New Year’s greetings.

Kharkiv oblast

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three russian assaults continue to be repelled near Kupiansk. In total, the occupiers attacked six times in the vicinity of Novoplatonivka, Bohuslavka, Kurylivka and Hlushkivka.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the russian army attacked the positions of the Defense Forces near Vovchansk, Obukhivka and Dovhenke, two more attacks were near Novoplatonivka and Bohuslavka.

There were 149 combat clashes in the oblast.

Towards Southern Sloboda, the enemy attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders eight times near the settlements of Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, Starytsia, Izbitske and Lyman.

Towards Kupiansk, there were four combat clashes near Bohuslavka, Pishchane and Shyikivka.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of the RMA, reports that the most difficult situation on the front in  Kharkiv oblast at the end of 2025 is towards Vovchansk, Kupiansk and Borova. During the year, the russian federation mainly struck the oblast with drones and guided aerial bombs, the targets included critical infrastructure facilities.

The press service of the 57th separate motorized infantry brigade named after Kostia Hordiienko Otaman reported that in Lyman, a russian was taken prisoner, who asked for this, writing on a piece of cardboard: “Please take me prisoner.” . It is said that the request of the occupier was noticed by the pilots of the Phoenix calculation using UAVs during combat work.

Viktor Kovalenko, Head of the RMA, russian troops attacked a passenger car with an FPV drone in the village of Odnorobivtsi, Zolochiv community. As a result of a direct hit, a 61-year-old woman fell out of the car and suffered a dislocated shoulder, and a 76-year-old man received shrapnel wounds to the face and shoulder. They were taken to the hospital. Also at 15:40, the russian federation dropped two GABs near the village of Baranivka, Zolochiv community.

City mayor Mykola Baksheyev, says that on the night of December 31, russian troops launched UAV strikes on a food industry enterprise in Zlatopil. An elevator was damaged.

Over the past day, 4 settlements in Kharkiv oblast were subjected to enemy strikes.

A 68-year-old man died as a result of shelling in Kivsharivka, Kupiansk community.

Andrii Kanashevych, Head of Kupiansk RMA, reports that as a result of a russian strike on the evening of December 30, a couple died in Lisova Stinka, Kurylivka community.

The enemy actively used various types of weapons in the Kharkiv region:

▪️2 GABs;

▪️1 UAV of the Geran-2 type;

▪️1 FPV-drone.

Civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed:

▪️In Kupiansk region, a private house, outbuildings (the village of Hrushivka), private houses (village of Vasylivka) were damaged;

▪️In Lozova region, a civilian enterprise (the city of Zlatopil) was damaged.

The transit evacuation point in Lozova accepted 50 people. 18 people remain. A total of 16,044 people have been registered at the Point since it began operating.

Donetsk oblast

Towards Pokrovsk, russian troops attacked 35 times. There were 43 battles the day before. The attacks were near the settlements of Rodynske, Chervonyi Lyman, Rivne, Pokrovsk, Mirnohrad, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia and towards the settlements of Sukhetske, Hryshyne and Novopavlivka.

Towards Konstantinivka, russian troops carried out 18 attacks, towards Lyman – 10.

The Omega Special Operations Center reported that in December this year, Ukrainian fighters destroyed russian soldiers who were hiding in a boiler room pipe in Rodynske.

Towards Pokrovsk, the defense forces denied Russian fakes about the “capture” of Kotlyne. The settlement is under the control of the 152nd separate chasseurs brigade, the positions have been held for almost a year.

The main events on the Eastern Front in 2025 include the battle for Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad, the withdrawal of the russian army to Dnipropetrovsk oblast, the operational encirclement of Kostiantynivka, and the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Siversk. The main threat is the increase in the range of strike drones.

On December 30, there were 1,437 enemy attacks on the front line and the residential sector.

7 settlements were under fire: the cities of Druzhkivka, Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, the villages of Oleksiivo-Druzhkivka, Novooleksandrivka, and Serhiivka.

10 civilian objects were destroyed, including 5 residential buildings.

Two civilians died in Kostiantynivka as a result of bombing and artillery strikes, and another person was injured. An apartment building was damaged.

In Oleksiivo-Druzhkivka, russian troops killed one person, wounded another, and damaged a private house.

In Kramatorsk, the occupiers attacked with a GAB-250 bomb and drones – a civilian was injured, 2 private homes were damaged.

In Serhiivka, an enemy FPV drone hit a car – one person was injured.

In Sloviansk, the enemy hit a drone – a private house was damaged.

On New Year’s Eve, Druzhkivka was left without water and electricity. This happened, according to the official website of Druzhkivka Military Administration, due to russian shelling – the main water pumping station was de-energized. Despite this, a Christmas market is operating in the city, which is attacked daily by russian drones, and people are preparing for the holidays.

The film “2000 Meters to Andriyivka” by Ukrainian director Mstyslav Chernov was included in the list of the best documentaries of the year according to the American publication Variety.

Luhansk oblast

Towards Lyman and Sloviansk, there were 13 enemy attacks near nine settlements. Mortars were used in four cases. 13 UAVs and FPV drones were directed towards the fortifications of Ukrainian defenders.

In the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk oblast, tariffs for a number of housing and communal services have been increasing since January 1. In particular, the payment for the maintenance of apartment buildings is increasing – on average by more than 11%, depending on the type of housing.

In Sievierskodonetsk, they are trying in every possible way to repair the centralized heating system during December, the restoration of which the occupiers have been indifferent to for the entire 3.5 years. As before, heating is available in some houses. In all others, the heat can be turned on for a maximum of one day, until residents report another outage. Some people’s batteries get warm once every four days.

What is happening now in the north of Ukraine

Kyiv oblast

According to the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, the enemy struck Bila Tserkva on the night of December 31. As a result of the attack, two people were injured: a man born in 1964 sustained shrapnel wounds to his arm and head, and a woman born in 1977 suffered an acute stress reaction. Both received the necessary medical assistance on site. Two multi-storey residential buildings were damaged in the city, with windows blown out and balconies destroyed.

Over the course of the week, emergency energy repair crews restored electricity supply to 356,500 households in 46 settlements across the oblast that had been affected by russian attacks. At the same time, restoration work is underway in areas that suffered the most severe damage. Emergency power outages are temporarily in effect on the left bank of the region.

According to DTEK, Vyshhorod has been fully re-energized following the massive russian attack on December 27. The city had been partially left without power for four days. Energy workers restored electricity to more than 9,000 households. During the shelling, a substation was heavily damaged, and restoration work continued non-stop.

The Regional Military Administration also reported that heat supply has been restored in the affected communities of the Obukhiv district.

The regional military administration announced that as of today, Kyiv oblast has sheltered more than 233,000 internally displaced persons.

The oblast continues to rebuild housing stock damaged and destroyed by russian shelling. About 90% of residents have already returned to their homes. This reflects the resilience of the region and the joint efforts of the state, local communities, and international partners.

There are 33 temporary accommodation facilities for internally displaced persons operating in Kyiv oblast. Seventeen of them are modular towns, while the rest are renovated social housing, some of which has been converted from non-residential to residential use. Currently, about 8,000 people are living in such conditions.

Zhytomyr oblast

Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) is resuming train services toward Korosten. After a russian Shahed drone caused a freight train and a passenger train to derail on December 22, trains were temporarily rerouted. Repair works have now been completed.

This year, more than UAH 2 billion from local budgets has been allocated to support defenders and territorial defense units, eliminate the consequences of enemy attacks, and assist veterans and internally displaced persons.

The Regional Military Administration reported that more than 100 support specialists are already working in the oblast, helping defenders return to civilian life. So far, they have processed nearly 8,000 requests and provided assistance to more than 2,500 defenders. As part of a state program, construction of a new regional veterans’ support center in Zhytomyr is ongoing. A total of 253 veterans and families of fallen Heroes have been provided with their own housing.

Zhytomyr oblast has become a new home for more than 72,000 people who fled russian bombs and missiles. New housing for internally displaced persons is actively being built in the oblast, ranging from modular towns to permanent residential buildings in Zhytomyr, Zviahel, and Andrushivka.

Sumy oblast

From the morning of 30 December to the morning of 31 December, russian forces carried out more than 30 attacks on 21 settlements across 11 territorial communities in the oblast. The highest number of attacks was recorded in Sumy and Shostka regions. The enemy used mortars, artillery, FPV drones, and guided aerial bombs. During the day, air raid alerts in the oblast lasted 13 hours and 13 minutes.

Consequences of russian shelling in Sumy oblast as of the morning of 31 December:

• In Chernihiv oblast, as a result of an enemy FPV drone strike on a civilian vehicle delivering bread, a 47-year-old resident of Shostka community was injured;
• In Znob-Novhorodske community, a private residential house was destroyed;
• In Seredyna-Buda community, an apartment was destroyed, and civilian infrastructure facilities, a household, and a vehicle were damaged;
• In Druzhba and Shostka communities, civilian infrastructure facilities were damaged;
• In Esman community, a vehicle was damaged;
• In Hlukhiv 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.

Chernihiv oblast

Chernihiv Border Guard Detachment reported that during the day on 30 December, russian forces attacked four border communities in Chernihiv oblast: Novhorod-Siverskyi, Semenivka, Horodnia, and Koriukivka. The enemy carried out mortar shelling (17 explosions), FPV drone strikes (20 explosions), and dropped explosive devices from UAVs (2 explosions). A total of 11 settlements came under fire.

In Chernihiv oblast, more than one thousand kilometers of national and local roads have been damaged as a result of hostilities. According to Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, 41 bridges sustained varying degrees of damage during the fighting, and more than 1,100 kilometers of national and local roads were damaged. As of 17 December, 2025, 34 bridges and 939 kilometers of roads have been restored.

Recent events in the central regions of Ukraine

Dnipropetrovsk oblast

Synelnykove region. The enemy struck Vasylkivka community with a UAV. Two men aged 84 and 52 were injured. Fires broke out. Two private houses were destroyed, six homes damaged, along with four cars, a shop, a gas pipeline, and a power line.

Nikopol region. Until late evening, the occupiers continued attacking Nikopol and Pokrovske community. They mainly used drones and also shelled the area with artillery. In the district center, a private house, a car, and a power line were damaged.

Air defense forces shot down eight enemy UAVs.

Vinnytsia oblast

It became known that six defenders from Vinnytsia oblast were killed: Vitalii Strohyn, Viktor Tyshkul, Hryhorii Kharytonov, Hennadii Nazarov, Ivan Skubenko, and Artur Shulumei.

Kirovohrad oblast

In Onufriivka town, Oleksandriia region, residents paid tribute to soldier Maksym Sych, who was killed in the war against russia. The 36-year-old serviceman had been considered missing since 21 March, and on 22 December DNA test results confirmed his death near Avdiivka in Volnovakha region of Donetsk oblast.

Polina Kravchenko, press officer of the regional Territorial Recruitment Center, reported that starting 1 January, changes to employee reservation (mobilization exemption) for enterprises deemed critically important to the economy and national defense will come into force. This also applies to enterprises in Kirovohrad oblast. Among the changes are higher salary requirements and a shorter period for confirming critical status.

Poltava oblast

In Poltava, residents paid tribute to Junior Sergeant Ihor Kulyk, who was killed on 18 October, 2024, in Donetsk oblast.

Soldier Volodymyr Pokatov from Lokhvytsia was also confirmed dead following DNA examination. He was killed on 16 May, 2024, while repelling russian armed aggression near Klishchiivka village in Donetsk oblast.

According to Poltava City Council’s Department of Education, since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 26 employees of general secondary education institutions in Poltava community have been mobilized to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Among the mobilized teachers are six women.

Cherkasy oblast

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the Order “For the Defense of Ukraine” to fallen serviceman Maksym Ptashnyk from Uman region. Maksym Ptashnyk was killed in Kharkiv oblast as a result of a missile strike. He was 34 years old.

Two veterans from Zolotonosha region received certificates for the purchase of their own housing. The recipients were Oleksandr Vozniuk and Andrii Pasokhin.

In 2025, 227 veterans were successfully employed in Cherkasy oblast — a 36% increase compared to the same period last year. Veterans most often find jobs as drivers, security guards, tractor operators, agricultural machinery operators, mechanics, and electricians.

Latest news from the front of the southern regions of Ukraine

Zaporizhzhia oblast

Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration reported that yesterday, 30 December, the occupiers carried out 697 strikes on 28 settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast. russian forces conducted 12 airstrikes on Zaporizhzhia, Voskresenka, Rizdvianka, Boikove, Orikhiv, Zaliznychne, and Sviatopetrivka. 457 UAVs of various modifications, mostly FPV drones, attacked Zaporizhzhia, Chervonodniprovka, Kushuhum, Balabyne, Veselianka, Novoslobodka, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Shcherbaky, Huliaipole, Verkhnia Tersa, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Bilohiria, Varvarivka, and Solodke. Five MLRS strikes hit Malokaterinivka, Zaporozhets, Mala Tokmachka, Bilohiria, and Varvarivka. 223 artillery strikes were carried out on Chervonodniprovka, Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, Stepove, Shcherbaky, Huliaipole, Novoandriivka, Novodanylivka, Mala Tokmachka, Charivne, Bilohiria, Dorozhnianka, Varvarivka, and Solodke. Fifty-three reports were received about damage to housing, vehicles, and infrastructure facilities. One man was killed, and three other people were injured as a result of enemy attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Zaporizhzhia region.

The Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine reported that despite constant attacks, russian forces were unable to establish full control over the settlement of Huliaipole. Ukrainian troops are detecting and destroying russian assault groups and conducting strike-and-search operations.

According to the General Staff, as of 16:00 on 31 December, Ukrainian defenders stopped three enemy attempts to advance in the areas of Huliaipole, Solodke, and Bilohiria, with eight more clashes still ongoing towards Huliaipole.

Civil-military cooperation officers presented commendations from the command of the 17th Army Corps to residents of Polohy region who support Ukrainian troops. The military also congratulated children from frontline settlements in Zaporizhzhia oblast on the New Year holidays, delivering sweets and gifts.

Mykolaiv oblast

Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration reported that yesterday, 30 December, the enemy attacked Kutsurub community four times with FPV drones. A private house in the village of Dniprovske was damaged. There were no casualties.

Odesa oblast

Odesa Regional Military Administration reported that on the night of 31 December, the enemy attacked Odesa using strike drones. The drones hit two high-rise buildings. Apartments on four floors in one of these buildings caught fire, and the facades were damaged. Six people were injured: three children and three adults. The youngest victim is only seven months old. Debris from a UAV fell on the vehicle yard of Nova Poshta’s sorting terminal. A total of 110 parcels worth 2.3 million hryvnias were destroyed by fire.

According to DTEK Odesa Grids, two energy facilities were attacked by russians. Overall, during December, 10 substations in Odesa and the region were damaged as a result of enemy shelling. Since the beginning of the year, russia attacked 25 energy facilities in the region.

As reported by the press service of the Southern Air Command, as of the morning of 31 December, air defense forces in southern Ukraine shot down or suppressed 65 Shahed-type UAVs, Herbera drones, and other models. Fifty-one drones were neutralized in Odesa oblast.

On 31 December, a memorial event titled “Bell of Remembrance” was held in Odesa to honor the defenders of Ukraine from Odesa oblast who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of Ukraine. Families of the fallen, veterans, volunteers, youth, clergy, and representatives of the authorities gathered near the “Fighters for Ukraine” memorial in the “Glory and Freedom” park. An interfaith prayer was held, followed by the laying of flowers at the monument.

Kherson oblast

Kherson Regional Military Administration reported that in Bilozerka, a 52-year-old man was injured as a result of an explosive device dropped from a UAV. The victim sustained a shrapnel wound to the face.

According to Kherson Regional Military Administration, at approximately 09:30, russian forces shelled Antonivka. An 80-year-old woman sustained blast injuries and shrapnel wounds to the torso, face, and leg.

Police of Kherson oblast reported that yesterday, 30 December, the enemy attacked Kherson, Antonivka, Kizomys, Sofiivka, Oleksandrivka, Prydniprovske, Bilozerka, Romashkove, Veletenke, Dniprovske, Molodizhne, Novodmytrivka, Poniativka, Sadove, Stanislav, Tomyna Balka, Shyroka Balka, Yantarne, Beryslav, Novoraisk, and Kalynivske. As a result of the attacks, 16 objects were damaged: three apartment buildings and seven private houses, critical infrastructure facilities, a police service vehicle and a civilian car, a truck, and an outbuilding. Five people were injured as a result of russian aggression.

Latest news for today in the western regions of Ukraine

Volyn oblast

This week, Novovolynsk lost 4 Heroes: Volodymyr Zavadskyi, Svyatoslav Vasiliuk, Yurii Katsevich and Yurii Denos. As a sign of worthy commemoration of the deceased, Novovolynsk community declared a day of mourning on 1 January.

Zakarpattia oblast

In the oblast, another 9, 000 internally displaced persons were registered during 2025. All of them are provided with housing and food. This year, the regional budget has allocated almost UAH 60m to support IDPs.

Ivano-Frankivsk oblast

Ivano-Frankivsk City Council has decided to pay out UAH 100,000 to soldiers released from captivity.

Lviv oblast

At the charity festival for children dancers Winter Fairy Tale of Truskavets, organized by the Yuventa Dance Studio dance club, over UAH 3,000 were raised to purchase a sitcom.

5 charity youth tournaments were held in the Sports Club Sportovets to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine (freestyle wrestling, swimming, tennis, volleyball, mini-football). Participants of the competitions provided charitable assistance for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the amount of UAH 65,600.

Rivne oblast

Since the beginning of the year, funds totaling UAH 184.16m have been allocated to 77 veterans to purchase apartments. Of these, 21 have already taken advantage of the opportunity and purchased housing.

Ternopil oblast

On New Year’s Eve, from 31 December to 1 January, the curfew in Ternopil community will not be canceled and will last from 00:00am to 05:00am. Public catering establishments will work until 11:00pm. Patrols by law enforcement officers will be increased on the streets of the city and community, and additional security measures will be taken.

Khmelnytskyi oblast

In 2025, material assistance from the budget of Khmelnytskyi community was received by people in need of expensive treatment, people with disabilities, etc. In 2025, this is almost 6,500 residents of the community for UAH 27m.

Chernivtsi oblast

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, awarded soldiers who were killed in battles for Ukraine. Soldier Vitalii Mihlazov was awarded with the III degree For Courage Order (posthumously).

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

Norway will finance a new arms package for Ukraine worth EUR 269m. The country’s government is also allocating funds to support Ukraine’s air defense system, a priority area of Norwegian military support to Ukraine. This includes the supply of S-300 surface-to-air missiles, the modernization of old MIM-23 Hawk missiles, the modification of Ukrainian air defense systems to use Western missiles (Franken-SAM), and the establishment of anti-aircraft missile production in Ukraine.

The Valsts Nekustamie ipašumi construction company reported that Latvia has completed the construction of a 280-km fence on the border with russia. The fence is located along the entire border. 

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Materials compiled by Tetyana Pidgorna, Olena Reka, Yana Hushchyna, Tamara Moshkovska, Sofia Ratynska, Ioanna Kryvenko, Helena Albahachiieva, Kristina Maknynia 

Translated by Tetyana Pidgorna, Yana Hushchyna, Alla Litrovnyk, Liudmyla Stadnykova, Ilona Korolevska, Tetiana Moiseienko, Marharyta Koval, Tetiana Kurbatova

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