File image.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian units are achieving tactical success by advancing south of Vilcha towards Hrafskyi and capturing strongpoints in forested areas. In the Slaviansk sector, after establishing control over Sviato-Pokrovske, assault groups have reached the eastern part of Reznykivka. They are conducting fierce fighting in Zakotne and the Bondarne area. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Kosivtsiv was taken under control. In Huliaipole, units established control over a significant part of the city, including a captured headquarters. In the Sumy sector, advances of up to 600 meters have been noted in several areas, including Andriivka. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian command is attempting to reinforce defenses and prevent troop withdrawals. Kyiv’s European allies plan to finalize a package of security guarantees for Ukraine in January 2026.
Kharkiv Sector
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian units are conducting intense combat operations and achieving tactical success in expanding their zone of control. Their main efforts are concentrated on advancing south from Vilcha towards Hrafskyi.
Active combat is reported on several fronts. South of Vilcha, Russian units are advancing; west of Liman, they captured five strong points. In the Staritsa area, assault groups advanced on five sections in forested areas, advancing up to 350 meters over 24 hours. In the forested area near Liman, four strongpoints were captured, advancing 450 meters. South of this area, they advanced 200 meters.
In the Vovchanski Khutora area, Russian assault units captured and cleared approximately 20 households, advancing 150 meters. On the Melove-Khatnie section, the advance was up to 400 meters on four sections, with the capture of a tree line. There have been significant losses among Ukrainian unit personnel; in the Udy area, a platoon strongpoint of the 22nd Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade was destroyed.
In the Kupyansk axis, heavy and prolonged fighting has erupted following the deployment of substantial Ukrainian reinforcements into the city. Combat is concentrated in a relatively compact 70-square-kilometer section of the front, where both sides are suffering significant losses. According to Russian sources, both regular units and reserve brigades that were redeployed from other front sections, as well as foreign mercenaries, are being used for the assaults. Apart from Kupyansk, main attacks are being conducted in the directions of the settlements of Moskovka, Sobolivka, and Sadove, as well as the Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi railway junction.
In turn, Russian units are making efforts to hold their positions and deliver counterstrikes. Currently, Russian units control the northeastern part of the city. However, “gray zones” have emerged in other districts where intense street clashes are ongoing.
Overall, the situation around Kupyansk is extremely unstable and depends on the ability of both sides to build up reserves and supply them. Most analysts agree that the current phase of intense fighting will likely continue for several more weeks and that a real turning point in the operational situation may change by mid-January.
Slaviansk Sector
In the Slaviansk sector, Russian units have continued their offensive in a western direction after establishing control over Sviato-Pokrovske. A significant development took place when the assault groups reached the eastern part of Reznykivka, where fighting is currently ongoing. According to reports, Russian forces have seized control of approximately one-third of the village.
In the northern part of the sector, the situation in the Zakotne area remains tense. Aerial reconnaissance detected a concentration of forces, an aerial reconnaissance point, and a drones control point in the area. These were subsequently destroyed by artillery fire, including by a D-30 howitzer crew. Fighting for Ozernyi continues.
To the south, an offensive is developing in the Bondarne area, where there is ongoing fierce fighting. Units have reached the “Khromovskyi” forested area between Bondarne and Nelepivske. West of Nelepivske and northeast of Mynkivka, assault groups have breached the defenses and are advancing along the M-03 highway toward Pryvillya and the northwestern outskirts of Mynkivka. The Russian army already controls Novomarkove, and fighting is ongoing in the western part of Markove.
On the southern flank, west of Kuzminivka, Russian units advanced through a tree plantation and captured a height that controls movement in the forested areas to the west. According to estimates, the defending side has virtually no prepared defensive structures on the section from Reznykivka to Pazeno, creating conditions for further advance.
Zaporizhzhia Sector
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian units of the “East” grouping are advancing and achieving significant tactical successes in two main areas. The operational situation is characterized by a progressive advance and consolidation on new lines.
The main focus of the sector remains on Huliaipole, where advancing units have achieved notable results. A significant portion of the urban territory is now under stable control. Visual confirmation came from footage capturing the actions of servicemen in the city’s central districts. An important operational success was taking control of a building used as the headquarters of one of the Ukrainian battalions of the 102nd Separate Brigade. It is reported that the premises were hastily abandoned, resulting in documents and equipment falling into the hands of the advancing units. Judging by available materials, the situation in the central part of the city has stabilized.
Active combat operations are underway in another section of the Zaporizhzhia sector. Units of the 37th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, which is part of the 36th Combined Arms Army, took control of the Kosivtsiv settlement as a result of an offensive. During the operation, control was established not only over the settlement itself but also over the adjacent control zone, which expanded to more than 23 square kilometers.
While consolidating positions in the Kosivtsiv area, attempts at counterattacks were repelled. According to available information, these clashes resulted in the destruction of up to a platoon of personnel, two armored vehicles, and five “Baba Yaga” heavy unmanned aerial vehicles. Currently, the units defending Kosivtsiv are repelling attacks from Prydorozhnie and Ternovate.
Sumy Sector
Intensive fighting continues across the entire front section of the Sumy sector. Russian assault units, backed by air support, artillery, and flamethrowers, are advancing in multiple directions.
During the reporting period, the total advance on eight sections of the front in the Sumy and Krasnopillia districts amounted to up to 600 meters. Advances have been noted in the Andriivka area, where the center and eastern part of the settlement have been taken under control. According to reports, detachments are being formed in Andriivka from among the servicemen of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment to prevent the withdrawal of personnel from the 158th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade and the special companies “Shkval.”
In the Tetkino and Hlushkivka areas, the Russian military continued to strike the Ukrainian 103rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in Pavlivka with aviation and artillery.
Pokrovsk Sector
In the Pokrovsk sector, after repelling attacks on Pokrovsk, intense clashes are ongoing in the Hrishyne area and to the northeast, along the tree lines where supply routes previously ran. In Myrnohrad, clearance operations are ongoing, and Russian units have captured Rodynske.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian units are expanding their control zone north of Pokrovsk and in the Hrishyne area. They are clearing fortified positions. They are advancing along the railway line towards Serhiivka.
Conclusion
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian units have achieved tactical success by advancing south of Vilcha towards Hrafskyi and capturing strongpoints in forested areas near Staritsa and Liman. In the Slaviansk sector, a significant development was reaching the eastern part of Reznykivka following the capture of Sviato-Pokrovske. Meanwhile, intense fighting continues in Zakotne and Bondarne, with ongoing attempts to break through along the M-03 highway. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, control of the settlement of Kosivtsiv was established, as well as a significant part of Huliaipole, including a battalion headquarters. In the Sumy sector, advances of up to 600 meters have been noted in several areas, including Andriivka. Attempts are being made to reinforce defenses and prevent troop withdrawals.
Amidst the intense combat operations, attempts to establish a new diplomatic format are emerging in the political arena. In January 2026, Kyiv’s European allies plan to finalize the approval of a package of security guarantees for Ukraine. The “coalition of the willing” or “coalition of the determined” is carrying out this work. This coalition unites dozens of countries under the leadership of France and the United Kingdom. According to French diplomatic sources, the planned security guarantees have three main points. First, long-term support to create a powerful Ukrainian army as the main instrument of deterrence. Second, the presence of allied states’ armed forces on Ukrainian territory will send a strategic signal of support. Third, there will be a top-level guarantee comparable to NATO’s Article 5, ensuring a collective response from allies, including the United States, in case of renewed aggression.
This accelerated process is taking place against the backdrop of Ukraine’s 20-point peace plan, which was presented with US support and sent to Moscow. According to the Élysée Palace, Russia is expected to provide a “clear response.” The agreed-upon guarantees are expected to provide Kyiv with a clear understanding of the mechanisms of long-term support. However, this approach involves creating a de facto military alliance and deploying foreign troops in Ukraine, which, according to some analysts, crosses the Russian side’s clear “red lines.”
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
the end to this is far, far away. the eu and american media puppets parrot continuation
fun fact : the largest oil refinery in the us is wholly owned by saudi arabia. its in texas on the gulf of whatever they name it