The Russian-Ukrainian War of 2022 (News and battle updates only)

East Zaporozhye - 07.12.2025

"The situation in the East Zaporozhye direction as of 17:00 /Moscow time/ December 7, 2025

Units of the "East" group have consolidated their position inside Huliaipole. Despite Ukrainian attempts to prevent Russian stormtroopers from reaching the outskirts of the city, the Russian Armed Forces are already advancing on its territory. At the same time, Russian troops expanded their zone of control to the northeast of the city and the assault detachments are fighting their way to the Haichur River.
To the north, Far Eastern troops are gradually advancing toward the P-85 highway. The enemy still maintains the ability to transport reserves and supplies to Huliaipole along this route, despite regular drone attacks. However, as they consolidate their positions, the Russian Armed Forces will gain direct fire control over this route.
Meanwhile, on the northern flank, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are launching counterattacks. Through flanking attacks, they managed to push Russian units out from the territory of Tykhe. However, Ukrainian control over this village is out of the question - the enemy infantry groups that broke through were suppressed by Russian drone operators and effectively cut off from supplies on the southern bank of the Vovcha River.
This localized attack was intended both to create another "flag victory", and to draw away the Russian reserves, however the Armed Forces of Ukraine failed to achieve significant success and effectively sent their assault groups on a "one way trip", without slowing down the pace of Russian offensive on Huliaipole."

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East Zaporozhye - 09.12.2025

"The situation in the East Zaporozhye direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ December 9, 2025

While everyone's attention is focused on the battle for Huliaipole, the "East" group continues to liberate the southern Dnipropetrovsk region.
Units of the 36th Motor Rifle Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces established control of Ostapivske, from where the enemy had previously counterattacked toward Danylivka and Nechaivka. Having exhausted their forces in the offensive, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were unable to hold Ostapivske. Thus, Russian units expanded their bridgehead north of the Yanchur River.

Furthermore, a further advance along the P-85 highway to the north is becoming even more likely, especially since the enemy is actively thinning its own troops. Now, the "East" group faces the possibility of another battle between two rivers - this time between Yanchur and Vovcha.
Meanwhile, the southern flank remains the site of heavy fighting - crews of TOS flamethrowers of the 35th Army are burning out the enemy in the center of Huliaipole. Interestingly, rumors have recently surfaced online about Russian troops allegedly losing control over the city center - even though it is currently being softened by artillery. According to our information, this was due to the virtual successes that some ostensibly pro-Russian websites are attributing to the Russian Armed Forces for the sake of hype. In reality, this only serves to undermine the situation, giving enemy propaganda the opportunity to claim that Russian attacks, which never happened, have been repelled."

Siversk - 11.12.2025

"The situation in the Siversk direction as of 15:00 /Moscow time/ December 11, 2025

Russian troops have established control over the last of the old Ukrainian fortresses: soldiers of the 3rd Combined Arms Army raised flags and banners in several parts of Siversk, confirming its complete liberation.

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After securing the center of the town, assault detachments crossed the Bakhmutka River and quickly drove the enemy out of the western part. In particular, the Russian Armed Forces established control over the territory of the Siversk brick factory, where the enemy had previously established numerous temporary storage facilities and field warehouses in its basements, but after the collapse of the defenses in the city center, the Armed Forces of Ukraine retreated from here as well.
Pockets of Ukrainian defenders may still remain in the western part of Siversk; however, they are not offering organized resistance. And, it is quite likely that the Russian Ministry of Defense will soon officially announce the liberation of the city.
Following the loss of Siversk, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are attempting to quickly establish a new defensive line near the heights in the Zakitne-Reznikivka area - their goal is to establish fire control over the roads out of the city and slow the advance of the Russian Armed Forces westward toward the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration. Therefore, it is likely that after the end of the fighting in Siversk, attention of the Russian Armed Forces will shift to the flanks. Recently, the Russian Armed Forces launched an attack south of the city with the goal of establishing control over Vasyukivka and Petrovskoe, also located on the heights. Meanwhile, in the north, the Platonivka sector remains consistently active, offering a convenient line for an advance toward Reznikivka, perpendicular to the enemy's new line of fortifications."

Sumy - 12.12.2025

"The situation in the Russian borderland as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ December 12, 2025

Despite a significant shift in the media attention to other areas, fighting continues in the Sumy Oblast, where Russian units are conducting daily attacks in the border area.
The assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have captured forest belts near Kindrativka, pushing the enemy back to Andriivka, and fighting continues for the village itself. Ukrainian counterattacks have been unsuccessful at this line, as well as in the neighboring Varachyne, where Russian forces were able to advance south of the village.
Furthermore, Yunakivka, where until recently an enemy presence remained on the southern outskirts, has been finally captured. Fighting continues in the forests to the east.
Given the statements about the need for a "buffer zone," it is possible that hostilities in Sumy Oblast will increase. This is especially true since the enemy maintains a relatively high density of personnel in this area, thereby threatening the border villages of the Kursk Oblast."

Kupyansk - 12.12.2025

"The situation in the Kupyansk direction as of 18:00 /Moscow time/ December 12, 2025

When we wrote about the announced liberation of Kupyansk, we cautiously doubted some of the statements about the situation in this area - because we were assuming the current scenario, implemented by the enemy.
Taking advantage of some not entirely truthful statements, the enemy first knocked out one of the defensive positions, and then the so-called Ukrainian President Zelensky "personally arrived" on the outskirts of the city, passing by the "liberated" Sobolivka.

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Coordinates: 49.69306371, 37.58546770
The fact that Russian units were never established in Sobolivka did not prevent it from being officially "liberated". The neighboring Moskovka and Sadove were also not under the control of the Russian Armed Forces.
And even though the footage of Zelensky wasn't filmed today and was likely "stored" for just such occasion, it's hard to refute it, even if it's work of a neural network. Still, there was no Russian control over the stele area, and the nearest Russian positions are a kilometer away. As part of a planned information campaign, the Armed Forces of Ukraine released later a video of a city "sweep".
To complete the picture, Zelenskyy should also visit Kucherovka, Petrovpavlivka, and Kurilovka, which were similarly "liberated", though only in name. Pishchane, unlike the aforementioned towns, was actually captured and lost.
At the same time, there was no liberation Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi. The enemy still traveled there through Sadove. What, who, and why reported the grossly distorted information to the Russian President, which was the basis for the announcement of the liberation of Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, is a question with an asterisk.
Now, as we feared when describing the situation, the enemy has taken advantage of the gift from the authors of the false reports, which reached the highest levels. And pro-Ukrainian media outlets have had the opportunity to mock the invitations of foreign journalists to Kupyansk. And thus, the enemy has gained the opportunity to cast doubt on the other successes of the Russian Army, which were voiced at the highest levels.
Although Vovchansk has indeed been liberated, as was Pokrovsk, and in Myrnohrad, the "cauldron" is about to swallow the remnants of the Ukrainian garrison. And while the Russian Armed Forces are storming Huliaipole and Kostiantynivka, liberating village after village, all that will be talked about now is Kupyansk, lost for the second time. And the course of negotiations is still determined by the situation on the ground. And it will be on the ground that the next false statements will have to be corrected."

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A close up view of the area where Zelensky reportedly filmed the on the southern outskirts of Kupyansk next to the stele. It is clear by this video that the area is a total kill zone for drones and most specifically the entire drone tunnel has been destroyed which was not the case when Zelensky filmed.
We need to do better with our propaganda so it lasts longer than a single day.

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"PR campaigns by the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kupyansk

Amid recent events, the situation around Kupyansk is rife with rumors. The enemy is attempting to maintain control of narrative around the city and regularly releases archival footage of the battles for the city to the media.
One such video captures the work of assault detachments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They are said to have broken through, all the way to the Oskil River, completely cutting off supply routes for the Russian Armed Forces, and are fighting "in the north of the city".

However, the footage also captures the entrance stele to Kupyansk, located in the south of the town.
Coordinates: 49.675222, 37.611799
In reality, this stele was destroyed before November 11, as confirmed by objective footage of a destroyed M113 armored personnel carrier near the stele. A month later, Russian soldiers posted footage of a drone flight over the area, showing the same APC near the broken entry sign, which is intact in the Ukrainian video. The remaining events depicted in the video also occurred no later than 2-3 weeks ago. This means the footage is a pre-prepared, canned story, at least a month old.
What we reported regarding the situation in the Kupyansk direction is happening. The enemy has taken advantage of the opportunity provided by the authors of false reports about the cleanup operations in Kupyansk, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are releasing footage from one to one and a half months ago with the aim of misinforming the public and creating chaos in the Russian command.
The actual situation in the city remains tense, with neither side able to seize the initiative in the fighting. Against this backdrop, it is important to keep a cool head and remember to verify the accuracy of published data."

East Zaporozhye - 12.12.2025

"The situation in the East Zaporozhye direction by the end of December 12, 2025

Heavy fighting continues along the entire front line in the East Zaporozhye direction.
More evidence of intense Ukrainian counterattacks has emerged on the northern flank,. The presence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been recorded in the vicinity of Orestopil. Ukrainian forces are attempting to push Russian units back to the Danylivka-Vyshneve-Stepove-Maliivka line.
One of the tasks of the Ukrainian command is to prevent Russian troops from holding a bridgehead south of the Vovcha River and advancing toward Pokrovske and further into the Dnipropetrovsk region. To this end, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting regular sorties with small assault groups.
Meanwhile, on the approaches to Huliaipole, Russian units have successfully cleared a pocket in the Marfopil-Zatyshshya-Vysoke triangle. At the same time, Russian fighters have consolidated their positions on the eastern outskirts of the city, taking control over one of the Ukrainian strongholds established in a low-rise building.
The situation inside Huliaipole remains extremely tense. The offensive is proceeding at a far from easy pace, and the enemy is putting up fierce resistance after the redeployment of reserves. However, Russian soldiers are persistently pushing the front westward."

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East Zaporozhye - 14.12.2025

"The situation in the East Zaporozhye direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ December 14, 2025

After a short lull, the "Far Eastern Express" continues to move westward.
Some time ago, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces repelled the enemy from Varvarivka on the left bank of the Haichur River.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine tried for a long time to prevent the loss of control of this village and redeployed units from the 225th Assault Regiment, which has been acting as a "firefighting" brigade in recent months. However, they were unable to stabilize the situation: Russian drone operators isolated the enemy infantry from supplies, after which the remnants were finished off by the "Eastern" stormtroopers. Several strongholds further south also came under Russian control.
At the moment, Russian stormtroopers are attacking toward neighboring Olenokostiantynivka/Yelenokonstantinovka to establish a bridgehead on the right bank of the Haichur River. This will allow them to penetrate the Ukrainian defensive line built along the river and continue their offensive further west, bypassing the Huliaipole fortified area.
In Huliaipole itself, the enemy has already managed to deploy reinforcements and form a new defensive line along the river, slowing the advance of the Russian Armed Forces. A breakthrough north of the city will again force the Armed Forces of Ukraine to disperse their few combat-ready reserves along the front line."

Kharkov - 17.12.2025

"The situation in the Burluk direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ December 17, 2025

In the Burluk direction, following the recent liberation of Vovchansk, Russian forces continue to build on their success, advancing on the outskirts of the city.
To the southwest of Vovchansk, an offensive is underway through the Tatar Forest. Russian units are fighting for the small village of Prylipka and are also advancing in the vicinity of Lyman, which recently came under Russian control. The fighting is also shifting toward Hrafske, another small village located on the banks of the Seversky Donets River.
Part of the village of Vilcha has come under Russian control, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine now maintain a limited presence only on its southwestern outskirts. The enemy's situation is deteriorating - the road through Lyman has been cut, and supplies and rotations are routed through forest belts, vulnerable to Russian UAV strikes.
Further east, Russian units, having secured Vovchansk, have begun attacking toward Vovchanski Khutory and have already secured the western outskirts of the village. Ukrainian forces had previously launched counterattacks from there, using this village to accumulate reserves.
The Milove-Odradne line remains stable. Fighting is taking place here in forest belts and ravines, conducted by small assault groups. There have been no reports of advances from here.
A series of localized Russian successes near Vovchansk allows them to develop an offensive operations deep into the Ukrainian defenses. And since the enemy has redeployed some of its units, which have already suffered losses, to the neighboring Kupyansk direction, the pace of the occupation of the border territory in the Kharkov Oblast may well accelerate."

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Kupyansk - 17.12.2025

"The situation in the Kupyansk direction by the end of December 17, 2025

The Kupyansk controversy continues. While heavy fighting rages in the city, media outlets on both sides are trying to hijack the narrative, alternately claiming control of most of the city.
Objective footage from the town is rare and delayed, with the most recent footage from the enemy dating back to early December. Meanwhile, the Russian Armed Forces are publishing videos confirming Ukrainian presence inside the city. For example, Ukrainian soldiers have been spotted near the city administration building. The enemy is advancing from the south and west. The situation in Kindrashivka remains uncertain - the Armed Forces of Ukraine claim to have captured it, although they provide no evidence.
Meanwhile, some Russian media outlets have, for some reason, attempted to stage a ridiculous "anti-crisis" operation by publishing footage of supposedly "Russian soldiers walking through Kupyansk". However, western OSINT resources discovered that the footage was taken in the village of Tavilzhanka, 20 km northeast of Kupyansk.

It's easy to imagine how such denials, along the lines of "everything is fine, Kupyansk is under control," are perceived. Especially given the reputation of the "West" group, whose statements have been repeatedly questioned (as it now turns out, with absolute justification).
The situation in the Kupyansk sector is yet another clear example of the problems that can result from exaggerating successes. And the price of this approach with "liberated" villages is always the lives of Russian fighters. Moreover, the deception always ends the same way: the real situation is revealed sooner or later. And depending on the scale of the disaster, heads may start rolling - the "South" group won't let you lie."

Lyman - 18.12.2025

"The situation in the Lyman direction as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ December 18, 2025

In the Lyman direction, Russian troops continue fighting in the vicinity of the regional center and along the Seversky Donets River. Units of the "West" group are attempting to take the town in a pincer, attacking Ukrainian positions in Drobysheve and breaking through in the southwest through the Holy Mountains National Park.
On the northern flank, Russian forces have cleared a pocket near Stavky. Fighting for this major stronghold has been ongoing for the past several months. Simultaneously, fighting continues along the Yarova-Drobysheve line. Success in this sector will allow the Russian Armed Forces to reach Svyatohirsk, which they were forced to abandon in the fall of 2022.
On the southern flank, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have cleared several more positions in the forests near Dibrova and have also consolidated their positions on the southern outskirts of the village. Simultaneously, fighting continues for control over several fortified areas near Ozerne, the liberation of which will allow the Russian Armed Forces to gain fire control over Ukrainian supply roads on the opposite bank of the Seversky Donets, particularly near Kryva Luka.
Meanwhile, another success has emerged near Zakitne, where Russian forces have occupied vast territories in the marshy area southeast of Yampil. Fighting continues at positions south of the village.
The noose around Lyman, a key stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the approaches to Slavyansk from the north, is tightening. Further successes in this area could pave the way for flanking of the entire agglomeration, bringing the liberation of the occupied part of the DPR closer."

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Siversk - 16.12.2025

"The situation in the Slavyansk direction as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ December 16, 2025

After the battle for Siversk ended, Russian units concentrated their efforts on clearing the northern flank. Mine No. 6, which had been under fire for the past several months, came under Russian control - a group of Ukrainian soldiers holding one of the buildings was initially attacked by drones, and later, Russian stormtroopers from the 70th Motor Rifle Brigade entered the facility. The wavering enemy was finished by UAV operators.
Before the Russian Armed Forces launch a further offensive on Slavyansk, they still need to clear the outskirts of Siversk, organize logistics in the recently liberated city, and evacuate civilians. Furthermore, Russian troops will need to consolidate their positions on the heights near Sviato-Pokrovske, which will allow UAV operators to establish favorable positions for strikes against Ukrainian logistics as far as the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.
In addition, it will be necessary to advance in the neighboring Lyman direction, successes in which in the past laid the “foundation” for the liberation of Siversk."

Pokrovsk - 18.12.2025

"The situation in the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad direction as of 17:00 /Moscow time/ December 18, 2025

The assault on the Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad agglomeration overshadowed the events on the flanks of the front. Meanwhile, Russian troops have launched there attacks after a long period of defensive fighting.
Recently, the Russian Armed Forces regained full control over Pankivka, the outskirts of which had been the scene of fierce clashes for over a month. And subsequently launched a mechanized attack toward Kucheriv Yar - a group of light vehicles managed to penetrate more than two kilometers into the enemy's defenses, but were hit by enemy drones, and the assault force dispersed into the surrounding forest belts.
At the same time, on the opposite flank, the assault detachments of the "Center" group continued their attacks from Molodetske and broke through to Novopidhorodne, where they managed to consolidate their positions on the southeastern outskirts of the town and are now gradually amassing in the built-up area with the aim of continuing the advance toward its center.️ The deployment of reinforcements is facilitated by a network of trenches and forest belts between both settlement, which partially conceal Russian infantry groups from enemy reconnaissance drones. However, the situation remains challenging, as the Armed Forces of Ukraine often resort to remote mining and demolition of buildings, seeking to reduce the number of potential hiding places for the attackers."

East Zaporozhye - 15.12.2025

"The situation in the East Zaporozhye direction by the end of December 15, 2025

Units of the "East" group are building on their success on the western bank of the Haichur River. Stormtroopers from the 36th Motor Rifle Brigade of the 29th Army crossed the river and took control of the village of Pishchane in the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a major defensive stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this sector.
As a result of the fighting, a stable bridgehead was established, and the enemy suffered significant losses: units of the 92nd Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, numbering up to two platoons, along with equipment and more than two dozen Baba Yaga heavy-lift drones, were destroyed. The capture of Pishchane opens the way for further advancement into the region.
At the same time, the offensive on the Hulyaipole fortified region continues. Attempts by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to maneuver their reserves are being thwarted by UAV strikes: operators from the 57th Motorized Rifle Brigade destroyed an M113 armored personnel carrier, while drone operators from the 14th Special Forces Brigade disrupted a rotation by destroying two enemy pickup trucks.
The Russian Aerospace Forces are systematically targeting Ukrainian positions in Hulyaipole, depriving the enemy of cover and the ability to stabilize their defenses. The formation of a bridgehead beyond Haichur and the pressure on the city are forcing the Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to disperse their already limited reserves, weakening the entire frontline.
And as evidenced by the enemy's loss of control over the northern part of Hulyaipole, the situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine is deteriorating daily. Meanwhile, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces are already operating in the south of the city.
At the same time, ending the battle for the Haichur-Yanchur interfluve will free up reserves to both escalate the assault on Hulyaipole and push north into the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Meanwhile, the enemy risks losing, if not the southern Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, then the occupied portion of Zaporozhye Oblast."

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East Zaporozhye - 17.12.2025

"The situation in the East Zaporozhye direction as of 13:00 /Moscow time/ December 17, 2025

The Ukrainian defenses along the Haichur River are gradually crumbling. Soldiers from the 36th Motor Rifle Brigade of the "East" group have driven the enemy from the Harasymivka area, expanding their bridgehead on the west bank of the river.

Units of the 110th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, after an unsuccessful attempt to regain lost positions, retreated toward the Nove Pole-Ternuvate line. Moreover, the enemy's "firefighting" brigade, the 225th Separate Rifle Regiment, failed to participate in the battle for the village - the Ukrainian command regularly redeploys this assault regiment to various sectors of the front for counterattacks or "flag-attacks". However, even such infantry is prone to running out of troops.
The Russian Armed Forces are currently advancing toward Bratske and Andriivka, located north of Harasymivka. The fiercest fighting in this area will likely be over a large stronghold between these villages, control of which will help secure supply routes.
On the opposite flank, Russian forces are clearing the eastern part of Hulyaipole and attempting to enter the city center. Ukrainian forces are counterattacking, with the aforementioned 225th and 425th Assault Regiments, north of the town - the enemy is seeking to regain control of the P-85 highway to the recently liberated Varvarivka, with the goal of cutting off one of the routes Russian forces use to get into Hulyaipole and outflanking Russian assault forces operating in its eastern part."

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Zaporozhye - 17.12.2025

"The situation in the Zaporozhye direction by the end of December 17, 2025

In the Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops continue to engage in heavy fighting on the approaches to Orikhiv and have also made significant advances in the vicinity of Stepnohirsk.
Russian units still maintain a foothold on the southern outskirts of Novodanylivka and Mala Tokmachka. However, claims about the liberation of these towns have not been confirmed.
Meanwhile, there have been successes on the western flank: Russian units were able to advance near Stepove, taking several forest belts, and also broke through the front near Stepnohirsk. While heavy fighting continues in Prymorske, Russian stormtroopers have established control over virtually the entire territory of Stepnohirsk and have begun attacking further north and toward Lukyanivske. Taking advantage of the enemy's defensive line, soldiers from the 7th Airborne Division and other units were able to capture a chain of enemy strongholds east of Stepnohirsk. The enemy has also been dislodged from their positions near the solar power plant and on the approaches to the abandoned Stepnohirsk mining and processing plant.
The situation along the entire front remains tense. The enemy has deployed UAV operators and is attempting to cut off the expanding salient near Stepnohirsk. However, if the captured strongholds are held, this will create the opportunity to subsequently expand the salient and pose a threat from the west. This will worsen the Ukrainian position, given that their defense in the east relies on Hulyaipole, which is rapidly losing its strategic importance."