Breakthrough In Huliaipole: Russian Army Bypasses Ukraine’s Defenses

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Russian assault groups crossed the Haichur River from the «Bochany» district and advanced into Huliaipole’s central quarters. Russian units established control over Yunakivka in Sumy. The European Union has decided to freeze Russian assets on its territory indefinitely.

Zaporizhzhia Sector

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian units have built on their success in the Huliaipole area. After breaching the city’s defensive formations, groups crossed the Haichur River from the Bochany district and advanced into the city center, including the 1905 and Shevchenko streets areas near the hospital and market. Combat is ongoing in the Spartak district near the district administration building.

There has been an intensification of responsive actions on the northern flank of the sector. Formations were detected near Orestopil attempting to push units back to the Danilivka–Vyshneve–Stepove–Malievka line to prevent consolidation to the south.

Russian units have consolidated their positions on the eastern outskirts of Huliaipole. They took control of a strongpoint among low-rise buildings and established control over territory in the Marfopol–Zatishshia–Vysoke triangle.

Sumy Sector

Despite a general shift in focus, combat operations have not ceased in the Sumy sector. The main area of activity is the Andriivka–Oleksandrivka sector, where Russian units advanced on seven sections of the front with artillery support. They advanced a total of more than 900 meters.

Several Ukrainian assault groups attempted to advance toward Oleksandrivka but were repelled by intense fire. A similar attempt to advance in the Andriivka area was also thwarted. Strikes by Russian TOS-1A flamethrower systems hit positions in Mala Korchakivka and Sadky. Artillery and FPV drone operators struck positions in the Pavlivka and Iskryskivshchyna areas.

Changes have also been noted on other sections of this sector. Units advanced through tree lines in the Kondrativka area, pushing Ukrainian units back toward Andriivka. Fighting continues in this area. In the Varachyno area, Russian units are advancing south of the settlement. Full control has been established over Yunakivka, where Ukrainian fighters were previously present on the southern outskirts. Fighting continues in the forests east of the settlement. The advance from Oleksandrivka and along the Syniak River north of Andriivka threatens control of important logistical routes from Pysarivka to Sumy.

Kharkiv Sector

Main activity on the Kharkiv sector continues south of Vovchansk. Russian units are achieving success in the Liman area and are advancing into the Vilcha and Prylypka settlements. Tactical successes are also being noted in the Khatnie axis. Aviation and heavy rocket artillery are being used extensively for support.

Units advanced 350 meters in the eastern part of Vilcha, capturing 18 residential properties. In the tree lines south of Liman, the daily advance was up to 300 meters. In Prylypka, four buildings were captured with an advance of 100 meters.

Siversk Sector

Following the establishment of control over Siversk on the Siversk sector, main efforts are concentrated on clearing its western outskirts. The city’s administrative territory also includes the chalk quarry to the west, which is located on elevated ground where fortified positions have been established. Currently, Russian units are approaching this unified fortified area from three directions.

Fierce fighting is ongoing from the north near Zakotne, where the most extensive and well-fortified Ukrainian defensive line is located. From the south, Russian forces are advancing in the Sviato-Pokrovske and have captured part of the strong points on the northern heights, although Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions there. From the east, attacks are being conducted from Siversk towards the chalk quarry. The Russian army controls all main logistics routes, including the T-05-13 highway and dirt roads, complicating the transfer of resources.

Dobropillia Salient

On the Dobropillia salient, Russian units are conducting mop-up operations. In Sofiivka, the western part of the village is being cleared, and drones are being used extensively. Clearing operations in the area south of Sofiivka are also nearing completion.

In Sukhetske, units are conducting clearing operations. In the Suvorovo area, meanwhile, drone operators are striking the remaining groups of Ukrainian fighters. The Russian army controls the settlement of Nikanorivka, while fighting continues on the eastern outskirts of Novoye Shakhove.

Conclusion

The operational situation on the main sectors is characterized by the achievement of key tactical objectives and the transition to new stages of the offensive. The most significant result was establishing control over the city of Siversk. This allowed efforts to shift to assaulting a powerful, fortified area on the adjacent heights (Zakotne, the chalk quarry, and Sviato-Pokrovske) from three sides. This methodically created a threat of encirclement for the defending formations.

In the Sumy sector, the most extensive and successful advance in recent times has been observed. Assault groups have deepened their position along the front by more than 900 meters, taking control of Yunakivka and posing a direct threat to critical logistical routes near Andriivka. The tactic remains the same in the Kharkiv sector and the Dobropillia salient: systematic, step-by-step advancement with the clearing of settlements (Vilcha, Liman, and Sofiivka) and the expansion of control over territory.

The overall strategy effectively combines decisive breakthroughs in urban areas (Siversk and Huliaipole) with large-scale, forceful pressure on stretched sectors of the front (the Sumy sector), systematically depleting reserves and degrading the defensive system.

As of December 12, 2025, the operational situation near Huliaipole is evolving quickly. Russian units have launched an active assault on the city limits, employing infiltration tactics by small groups that were previously tested successfully in Pokrovsk. According to reports from multiple sources, assault companies advanced into the central part of the city on the night of December 12, including the area around the central hospital and market. They captured an area of approximately two square kilometers south of the Yanchur River. Simultaneously, control was established over the city’s key entrances and exits, and farms and warehouses on the northeastern outskirts were captured, cutting off the garrison’s rear supply. The Ukrainian army attempted counterattacks, including using armored vehicles to break through to the city. However, these attacks were repelled.

There is a high likelihood that the city will be taken in the near future, but the success of the assault depends on several key factors. The main problem for Ukrainian units is the rapidly deteriorating situation. Since November, Russian troops have advanced eight to nine kilometers along the front on the approaches to the city. Sources indicate a crisis in command and a loss of combat capability in some Ukrainian units, including the 102nd Territorial Defense Brigade and the 125th Mechanized Brigade. These units have suffered heavy losses and logistical issues. The outcome of the fighting will depend on the Russian side’s ability to turn tactical successes of small groups into a large-scale offensive supported by artillery and drones. It will also depend on the degree of exhaustion of the defenders and their ability to receive reinforcements to hold the second defense line behind the Haichur River. If this line is breached, the Russians will have operational space to advance further towards Orikhiv and Zaporizhzhia.

Alongside operational changes on the battlefield, diplomatic and financial confrontations are intensifying. On December 12, the European Union decided to freeze Russian assets located on its territory indefinitely, abandoning the practice of extending the freeze every six months. The total value of the frozen funds is estimated at approximately 210 billion euros. These measures are intended to preserve funding for Ukraine. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that confiscating assets would have negative consequences. The Russian government is preparing a package of retaliatory measures.

In response to the EU’s actions, the Central Bank of Russia announced its intention to file a lawsuit against the Belgian depository Euroclear, where most of the assets are held, for damages in the Moscow Arbitration Court. The lawsuit is based on the depository’s actions, which deprived the Central Bank of the ability to dispose of its funds, as well as on the European Commission’s plans to use the funds without Russia’s consent. On the same day, Belgium, where Euroclear is based, voted to freeze assets in the long term. Several other EU countries, including Italy, Bulgaria, and Malta, believe the final decision to use these funds for a loan to Ukraine should be made at the EU summit on December 18–19. Thus, financial instruments have become a new front in the confrontation, directly linked to the prospects for continuing the conflict.

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