December 11-18 live war map: Ukrainian forces barely get out of one encirclement as Russians set another

Despite the surge, the pace of the Russian offensive wasn’t remarkable, reflecting a lack of deep reserves to exploit breakthroughs. Instead, they’re relying on simultaneous pressure across as many sections as possible to strain Ukrainian reserves and gradually push back the Defense Forces.

Threat of encirclement in Makarivka and reevaluation of Ukraine’s counteroffensive

In the Berdiansk direction, battles surged to over 210 this week, setting a local record. Russian forces used their momentum to cross the Mokri Yaly River after retaking Blahodatne, wedging themselves between Makarivka and Storozhove. Ukrainian troops, who have held Makarivka for months, now face encirclement and are likely attempting to break free, as Russian attacks from another flank aim to cut off any retreat. The next defensive stand for Ukrainian forces is expected in Neskuchne, though the broader frontline suggests that heavy fighting for Velyka Novosilka will start soon. Russian forces are likely to attack this area from at least three sides. Losing Makarivka and Blahodatne would push Ukrainian troops back to their starting positions from last year’s counteroffensive.

Meanwhile, Russian forces are working to create conditions for an offensive from the north. After being pushed back from Novyi Komar last week, a Russian mechanized column advanced 3.5 km this week, securing the southern edge of the village. However, they failed to push across the Mokri Yaly River toward Novoocheretuvate due to a Ukrainian counterattack. Notably, counterattacks have become a key response to lost positions. Ukrainian forces have been relying on this tactic more frequently in recent weeks, signaling improvements in their capabilities.

In Kurakhove direction, Russia is forming new large encirclement

The Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite losses, managed to break out of the encirclement near the villages of Yelyzavetivka, Romanivka, and Hannivka. In Uspenivka, Ukrainian troops didn’t escape through the gray zone but through territory already controlled by Russian forces. Currently, Ukrainian forces are fighting rearguard battles and withdrawing from Trudove and Uspenivka, which is now half-occupied by Russian troops. The next line of defense is expected to be around the villages of Dachne and Yantarne, where Ukrainian forces aim to hold back the Russians as the battle for Kurakhove continues.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have taken control of Sukhi Yaly, Kostiantynopolske, and Zelenivka, reaching the Sukhi Yaly River along nearly its entire stretch from Kostiantynopolske to Zelenivka, creating a new 12-kilometer front line. This came after another Russian breakthrough, advancing almost 4 kilometers to Zelenivka, forcing a quick retreat by Ukrainian forces. Russian troops have also moved 3 kilometers closer to the Kurakhove-Zaporizhzhia road. Their aim is to cross the river between Zelenivka and Rozlyv, advancing toward the village of Ulakly to sever logistics to Kurakhove. With another group pushing from the north, attempting to cross the Vovcha River near Shevchenko, it’s clear that the Russians plan to create a larger encirclement around the defenders of Kurakhove.

Breakthrough of second defense line near Pokrovsk and counterattack by Ukraine

Gas supply to Pokrovsk was cut off recently, and civilians are being evacuated to prepare the city for defense. This week marks the first phase of fighting for Pokrovsk, though sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been entering the city for over a month.

Russian forces are pushing to align the front line from Shevchenko to Lysivka. Their biggest advance so far has been near Dachenske.

On the left flank, after capturing Novotroitske, Russian troops bypassed one of Ukraine’s defense lines. They then easily occupied Shevchenko, a town that was supposed to serve as a key stronghold for Ukrainian forces. However, Russian troops entered positions left unguarded after the command failed to deploy troops there. From Shevchenko, Russian forces launched an offensive on Pishchane, aiming to cut one of the two roads linking Pokrovsk to the west.

Ukrainian forces launched counteroffensives in three areas: Novotroitske, Shevchenko (from the north), and Pishchane. The counterattack near Novotroitske has stalled, but Ukrainian troops managed to push Russian forces back from Pishchane and reclaim parts of Shevchenko. Heavy fighting continues in these areas, with mixed outcomes.

For a week, Ukrainian forces have held their ground near Chumatske and Zoria despite repeated Russian assaults. However, further south, Russian forces have fully captured Sontsivka and are likely to push westward from there.

Chasiv Yar – battle for plant rages on

Heavy fighting continues in the city, but Russian forces have failed to transfer armored vehicles to the right-bank side. As a result, they are forced to rely solely on infantry assaults, currently focused on the refractory plant. Clashes are already happening within the plant’s territory, where Russian troops are attempting to breach from three directions. Facing stiff resistance, they are now trying to bypass the plant from the north, advancing a few hundred meters this week. Elsewhere, Ukrainian defenses remain unchanged.

Mega-attack on Siversk

In a surprising turn, Russian forces launched a massive offensive on the Siversk front, targeting all sectors. Over 90 combat engagements occurred in one week, with more than 50 recorded on December 14 alone. This is a sharp increase from the fall, where weekly skirmishes rarely exceeded 20 and recently dropped to just 1–2 per week. The sudden escalation stems from commanders in this sector misleading the Kremlin about non-existent victories. After a leadership shake-up last week, the new generals are trying to prove their worth but have achieved little. Despite concentrated attacks near Vyimka and south of Bilohorivka, Ukrainian forces have repelled most assaults, though fighting persists in some areas.

Battle of Oskil – Russian forces close in on Borova

On the bright side, Ukrainian defenders have successfully held back the Russian offensive from Pershotravneve to Kopanky for almost a month. However, to the north, Russian forces are advancing in three directions, cornering Ukrainian troops in Lozova and expanding the battle zone to Zelenyi Hai. This has brought them within 10 kilometers of Borova. A withdrawal from Lozova seems likely to avoid encirclement.

Meanwhile, a month has passed since Russian forces broke through to Oskil near Kruhliakivka and Kolesnykivka, but they have been unable to advance further. In fact, Ukrainian troops recently pushed them out of the forest near Kolesnykivka and forced a retreat from the village. This provides hope that the situation here could stabilize soon.

However, Russian forces have managed to secure positions on the right bank of the Oskil River, north of Kupyansk, near Masiutivka, Zapadne, and Dvorichna. They’ve expanded control along the river and are now approaching Dvorichna, where fighting has raged for over a week. Their clear objective is to establish a new bridgehead, aiming to launch an offensive on Kupyansk along the river’s right bank.

4th wave of counteroffensive in Kursk region

With a fivefold advantage and the involvement of North Korean soldiers, Russian forces launched another offensive across the entire perimeter of the Ukrainian bridgehead in the Kursk region. The most intense fighting has been near Darino, Novoivanovka, Pogrebki, and Plyokhovo. So far, our northern and western flanks have held strong. On the eastern flank, however, the Ukrainian Armed Forces had to pull back slightly in the area between Plyokhovo and Cherkasskaya Konopelka. Despite this, the Russians have failed to secure their position in the area, which has now turned into a contested gray zone.

"Hell" for Moscow

Ukraine has commenced mass production of the Peklo (Hell) missile, capable of striking targets over 700 km away. Currently, production is at 30 missiles per month, but plans are in place to increase this to over 3,000 next year.

Note: The maps were created using data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other verified open sources. They are approximate and only represent general trends in the combat zone.