Zelenskyy calls situation on eastern front painful and noted Ukrainian brigades' success 

Zelenskyy said this in a video message.

"Bakhmut, Kreminna and other areas in Donbas, which now require maximum strength and concentration. The situation there is difficult, acute. The occupiers are using all the resources available to them - and these are significant resources - to squeeze out at least some advance. And I thank all our guys who hold their positions firmly, stand strong, and who nevertheless find opportunities not only to not lose anything but also to drive the occupiers out, to "subtract" them," Zelenskyy said.

• On December 8, the head of Severodonetsk RA Roman Vlasenko called Kreminna a springboard for the further liberation of the Luhansk region.

• On December 21, the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Serhiy Haidai, said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had gained a foothold in Bilohorivka and were successful from Svatove to Kreminna. 

• On December 24, Gaidai stated that the Russian forces had removed the occupation administration from Svatove. 

• On December 26, Gaidai said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were fighting the occupiers near Kreminna, and the Russian command had moved to the occupied Rubizhne.