Russians' destruction rate has increased significantly

Due to the fact that the Russians spent the entire month of December in meat-grinder-style assaults, it became a record month for the destruction of enemy manpower and equipment. Thus, almost 30 thousand Russian troops were eliminated during the month, which is the largest number since the beginning of the war.

Another absolute record is 931 vehicles and 140 various special equipment units being destroyed.

419 tanks is not an absolute record, but the second result since the beginning of 2022. The 715 destroyed armored combat vehicles complement the picture of Russian wheeled vehicles elimination.

Russian army wants to nullife Ukrainian counteroffensive results in Tokmak sector

Russian paratroopers increased pressure on Ukrainian forces, who stopped their offensive at the "Robotyne ledge" and moved to defense. The Russian troops managed to push Ukrainian forces back from the once lost first line of defense to the west and north of Verbove. The Ukrainian Armed Forces also had to retreat from areas east of Novoprokopivka and west of Robotyne. The invading Russian army continues to advance on Robotyne, trying to recapture the village. At the same time, they are attacking north of Kopany, posing a threat to Ukrainian troops at this bridgehead. Thus, the enemy is focused on completely eliminating the results of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Tokmak direction. If successful, they are likely to take on the de-occupied territory in the Berdiansk direction.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to expand their control area by several square kilometers near Kamianske in the Melitopol direction.

Russian offensive stalled in Donetsk and Avdiivka areas

Ukrainian forces managed to stop the Russian rapid advance near Novomykhailivka and Pobieda. Despite the fact that Novomykhailivka is now semi-surrounded, its defense will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to prepare new defensive redoubts to deter the advance to Vuhledar's rear, which the Russian army has been actively planning for two years.

Despite the actual Marinka loss, the Russians have not been able to break through to Kurakhove on the march, as they claimed. They are currently stuck in the destroyed town ruins and in vain attempts to advance on Heorhiivka.

The Russian troops are suffering the biggest losses near Avdiivka, which they have been trying to surround for three months. Their main attacks are concentrated to the north of the city. The Russians are trying to move away from the railway embankment near the villages of Stepove and Berdychi. Despite some localized Russian successes in this area, the Ukrainian Armed Forces carry out regular counterattacks and push the Russians back to the railroad, and mostly simply eliminate them when they try to escape. The village of Stepove has become a gray zone, which is not controlled by anyone, but the Russians cannot pass it either, as they are caught in Ukrainian defenders' crossfire. On the southern flank, the Russians managed to advance several hundred meters north of Vodiane. Meanwhile, along with the attacks, the enemy is trying to regroup its units, and it is likely that the Russians will change their tactics.

Map of battles of Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar: week update

As in late 2022, in December, the invading Russian forces intensified their offensive in the Bakhmut direction. The main targets are the villages of Ivanivske, Bohdanivka and Klishchiivka. Success in these areas will allow Russians to get close to the fortified area in Chasiv Yar. The most difficult situation is currently in the area of Bohdanivka, where the Russian troops managed to break through to the northern outskirts of the village. However, fighting continues here with varying success.

A separate 11th paratrooper brigade has been assigned to storm Ivanivske. So far, they have not made any progress in a week. The situation is similar in Klishchiivka. The Ukrainian Armed Forces have taken over the dominant heights and are regularly repelling Russian advance attacks. However, the Russian offensive continues and the situation is consistently difficult.

Russian missile terrorism has failed

In 5 days, the terrorist country launched more than 350 drones and missiles at Ukraine. The Ukrainian air defense system shot down 159 cruise missiles and 173 Shaheds. The Russians did not achieve a single strategic goal. Instead, their stockpile at this rate will be enough for 2-3 more massive attacks. For example, at the end of December, Russia managed to accumulate about 230 Kh-101/555/55 missiles, 152 of which it has already launched at Ukraine. There are still about 190 Kalibr missiles left, but the terrorists have never launched more than more than 20 of them at a time before. And this winter they have hardly used them at all. The reasons are not known. After all, despite the Russian missile carriers' fleeing from Crimea to Novorossiysk, they can launch this type of missile from there. However, they do not do so en masse. Perhaps there are some unforeseen issues.

The maps are based on information received from the Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces, as well as other open and verified sources. At the same time, the maps are not as accurate as possible and only conditionally reflect trends in the battle zone.