File image.
In the Izyum sector, fighting continues around Korovy Yar and Oleksandrivka. Russian assault groups have entered the eastern part of the settlement. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian units advanced along the line between Zahorne and Dorozhnyanka and captured Northal strong points. In the Kupiansk sector, assault operations are ongoing on the eastern bank of the Oskol River. The situation in the city itself remains difficult. In the Dobropillia sector, Russian units have reached Novyi Donbas, and fighting continues for control of the southern part of Toretske and Novopavlivka. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, Russian assault groups are advancing through forested areas and settlements and encountering resistance. During a discussion with MEPs of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine will have to make territorial compromises.
Izyum Sector
In the Izyum sector, intense combat operations are ongoing near Korovy Yar. During the assault, Russian troops entered Oleksandrivka and established control over its eastern and southern parts. Ukrainian troops are attempting counterattacks, and clashes in this area persist.
In terms of logistics, there was an incident in the area of the Oskol River where a strike was carried out on a crossing. According to local residents, the crossing itself was affected. Some sources report damage to two residential houses, though there were no casualties. Reserves and weapons are being transported across the Oskol River to the Korovy Yar and Oleksandrivka areas.
Dobropillia Sector
On the western flank, from Novoye Shakhtovo to Dorozhne, the frontline was straightened. The Russian army gained control of Ivanivka and Dorozhne. There were no significant changes in the Kucheriv Yar area; combat operations are positional, and positions are being targeted.
In the section from Sofiyivka to Pavlivka, the two logistics roads remain in the so-called gray zone. Ukrainian units control the airspace over this area, which significantly complicates supply. This section is an area where crossing is associated with high risks for both sides.
A bridgehead is being expanded on the opposite bank of the Kazenyi Torets River. Without control of the coastline, advancing north is extremely difficult because of resistance from shelters north of Toretske, where two powerful fortified points are located.
The motorized rifle units of the Russian 150th Division have taken control of Novopavlivka. Counterattacks are underway from Pavlivka, and counterbattles are ongoing. Footage has emerged from the same direction indicating that units have reached the Novyi Donbas settlement. However, the question of reliable consolidation at this position remains unanswered.
An extensive gray zone persists along almost the entire sector, part of which has existed since the advance toward Zolotyi Kolodets in August. Positions are heavily dispersed, and the northern part remains an active area for small groups.
Hirshyne continues to be an active combat zone, with fighting now ongoing on its outskirts. The central part of the settlement is being targeted by airstrikes. Current weather conditions also make it difficult to supply forward-deployed assault groups with drones.
Zaporizhzhia Sector
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, Russian “East” units advanced along the line between Zahorne and Dorozhnyanka, capturing Northal strongpoints near the railway.
These attacks allow for an approach to Zaliznychnyy from the south and limit the ability to infiltrate small groups into Huliaipole, where a presence was previously attempted to be demonstrated. There are also other reports about the approach to Zaliznychnyy, including from the direction of Huliaipole.
Weather conditions have significantly deteriorated along the entire sector and most of the front. Because of this, active operations have slowed; under the cover of snowfall, both sides are regrouping.
A separate issue is the shortage of shelters, which protect not only from weapons but also from weather conditions. Many positions become unusable during assaults, and holding them requires not only consolidation but also providing conditions for personnel in cold weather.
Kupiansk Sector
Heavy fighting continues in Kupiansk. Russian units, still lacking stable supplies, are repelling daily counterattacks and confronting the extensive use of drones.
Assault operations are ongoing on the eastern bank of the Oskol River in the direction of Petropavlivka, Kucherovka, and Podoly. In the Radkivka area, attempts to expand control of the isthmus are being thwarted. The situation is complex. The positions of the two sides are intermingled in places, and in some areas, the distance between them is reduced to 50-100 meters.
Under these conditions, it is premature to speak of a large-scale offensive. The process of stabilizing the frontline, fortifying captured territory, and targeting the Ukrainian forces’ positions and logistics routes is underway.
Sloviansk Sector
The pressure on Kryva Luka and Rai-Oleksandrivka continues. Units have pushed the Ukrainian forces to the westernmost part of Illichivka, where fighting and clearance operations are ongoing.
An offensive is developing from the direction of Zakotne and the cleared part of Illichivka towards Kryva Luka. In parallel, there is continuous fire impact on the chalk slope, where Ukrainian units maintain control of the dominant heights.
In the southern sector, Ukrainian forces have advanced south of the Sviato-Pokrovske settlement. There is fierce fighting in Reznykivka, and the southern flank is being straightened. There is heavy fighting for Nykyforivka, and attempts are being made to consolidate the southern part of the village. Drone operators are actively supporting the assault groups.
Combat operations continue in the area of the M-03 highway. Control has been established over a network of strongpoints near Minkivka and the M-03 highway. The offensive toward Holubivka and Fedorivka Druha is ongoing.
Sumy Sector
The “North” grouping’s assault units continue to advance deeper into the Sumy region, putting pressure on the defense. Aviation and strike drone crews are effectively targeting rear areas.
Advance has been noted in four subsectors in the Sumy district and in three in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance amounts to up to 500 meters. There have been no significant changes on the Tetkino and Hlushkivka parts of the front. The grouping’s artillery struck identified targets in the Ryzhivka settlement area.
Kharkiv Sector
Near Starytsia, Russian assault groups are advancing through two adjacent tree lines. They have advanced up to 100 meters in total. Strikes by heavy flamethrower systems destroyed the 127th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions.
In the forest southwest of Symynivka, they advanced 250 meters and captured two positions. Ukrainian units from the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade were deployed to the area. With the support of a special unit, they conducted two counterattacks.
In Volchanskiy Khutora, 11 homesteads and one strongpoint were captured, and the advance reached 250 meters. In the Khatnie area, assault groups advanced 800 meters along tree lines on nine subsectors. Strikes by heavy flamethrower systems destroyed the 3rd Separate Territorial Defense Brigade’s positions in the Oradne area.
Fighting continues in the Grafskoye settlement, where assault groups are advancing from the north, straightening the front line between Liman and the village. During the advance near Starytsia, part of the forest on the northern bank of the Vovcha River was cleared. The offensive is also underway in Volchanskiy Khutora, where farms on the western outskirts were seized, and an advance was made toward the built-up area to the north. Heavy flamethrower system crews are targeting positions.
In the Lyptsy area, FPV drone operators continue to destroy transportation on supply routes. Between Dvurechna and Kamenske, a significant advance was achieved, and the northern forested areas on the approaches to Kolodezne were captured. Additionally, assault groups continue to exert pressure on the approaches to Khatnie and Ambarne, and advances have been noted in the directions of Olkhovatka, Obukhivka, and Novovasylivka.
Conclusion
In the Izyum sector, Oleksandrivka and the approaches to Korovy Yar remain key points. Successes in these areas are met with constant counterattacks. The Dobropillia sector is characterized by fragmented control and extensive gray zones. The main struggle is for the settlements of Toretske, Novopavlivka, and Hirshyne. Logistics remain a vulnerable point for both sides. In the Zaporizhzhia sector, tactical successes are evident in the capture of strongpoints near the Zahorne-Dorozhnyanka railway, which creates preconditions for a further advance towards Zaliznychnyy. The Kupiansk sector is an area of intense urban combat and assault operations on the eastern bank of the Oskol River, where the frontline is unstable. In the Sloviansk sector, the focus is on straightening the frontline from Illichivka to Nykyforivka and advancing toward key transportation routes. In the Sumy and Kharkiv sectors, the tactic is to methodically push through defenses in forested areas and settlements such as Starytsia, Symynivka, and Volchanskiy Khutora. Both sides actively use artillery, aviation, and unmanned assets, striving to build up forces for counterattacks.
During a discussion with MEPs of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine will have to make territorial compromises.
On December 30, 2025, after a meeting with American President Donald Trump, Vladimir Zelensky refused to withdraw Ukrainian forces from the Donbas territory. “The third question is the sensitive issue of territory. Ultimately, only the Ukrainian government can decide on territory. But for the Ukrainian government to understand what they can accept in terms of a territorial compromise, it is critically important for them to know that the Russians will not attack Ukraine again in the future,” he said.
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