At a meeting with the military, Putin heard about the "liberation" of 334 settlements and the advance to Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Orikhove. He also ordered the expansion of the "security zone" until 2026.
The Russian Ministry of Defense continues to claim control over Kupyansk, distributing videos that actually prove the retreat of Russian troops. The Armed Forces of Ukraine control about 90% of the city, refuting the statements of Russian propaganda.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported 38 airstrikes and 2,539 shellings of Ukrainian troop positions. In the Pokrovsk direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine neutralized 146 occupiers.
Fierce fighting continues in Huliaipole, with part of the city under the control of Russian troops. The occupiers are actively storming positions, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are holding a significant part of the city, inflicting tangible losses on the enemy.
Russian troops in Kupyansk are surrounded and have no prospects of de-blockade. Enemy forces are concentrated on the left bank of the Oskil River, and not in the city itself.
Over the past day, 160 combat engagements took place at the front, which is a third less than the day before. The most tense situation was observed in the Pokrovsk, Huliaipole, and Kostiantynivka directions.
The Institute for the Study of War predicts that the Russian armed forces will not be able to create a strategic reserve, which will force them to advance slowly at the current pace in 2026. The limitations of Russia's available military force are a significant factor preventing rapid advancement.
The Russian dictator stated that the issue would be resolved by military means if Ukraine does not seek peace on the Kremlin's terms. The Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Valery Gerasimov, reported on advances in Donbas, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense once again disseminated information about the alleged transfer of Kupyansk under the control of Russian troops. This happened after Russian military bloggers and Z-channels reported the loss of positions.
Since the beginning of December 26, 112 combat engagements have been recorded on the front. Border settlements of Sumy and Chernihiv regions continue to suffer from artillery shelling from the territory of the Russian Federation.
The prosecutor's office sent to court the case against 18 people involved in the torture of more than 90 civilians in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region. From March to September 2022, a torture chamber operated in the Kupyansk district police department, where people were held in inhumane conditions.
Since the beginning of the day, 61 combat engagements have taken place at the front. The enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka, and Oleksandrivka directions, having carried out 49 shellings.
In Kharkiv region, a mother was served with a notice of suspicion for malicious non-fulfillment of parental duties after her 6-year-old daughter sustained severe injuries during shelling in Kupyansk. The woman left the child in an active combat zone, despite mandatory evacuation.
Over the past day, 151 combat engagements took place on the front, with the hottest spots being the Pokrovsk and Huliaipole directions. The invaders launched 1 missile and 80 air strikes, used 3 missiles and dropped 193 guided aerial bombs.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have regained control over most of Kupiansk, pushing the occupiers to the northeastern outskirts. Russian Z-channels report on the critical condition of their units, and the Center for Countering Disinformation confirmed the success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Ukrainians on Christmas, emphasizing that Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on the same date, as one big family. He noted that everyone has one dream - peace and victory, as well as the day when everyone will gather at home in the first peaceful year.
Over the past day, 126 combat engagements took place on the front, with the highest activity in the Pokrovsk, Huliaipole, and Kostiantynivka directions. The enemy launched two missile and 65 air strikes, using 39 missiles and 160 guided aerial bombs.
In the Kharkiv region, a junior medical brother of the Chuhuiv branch of forensic medical examination was exposed for appropriating mobile phones of fallen Ukrainian soldiers. He has been notified of suspicion of theft committed under martial law, repeatedly.
Over the past day, 190 combat engagements took place, the enemy is actively using equipment and aviation. The most difficult situation is in the Pokrovsk direction, where 56 attacks have been recorded.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there are about 1,100 Russians in Pokrovsk, Donetsk region, and about 100 in Kupyansk, Kharkiv region. He noted that Ukrainian troops are holding their positions despite significant pressure from Russia.
Since the beginning of the day, 93 combat engagements have taken place at the front, with the enemy being most active in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions. In the Siversk-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, one enemy attack occurred, and the enemy carried out 49 shellings, four of which were from MLRS.
Ukrainian forces advanced in the central part of Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast, as confirmed by geolocated video footage from December 20. Russian forces intensified activity in Sumy Oblast but did not achieve confirmed progress.
On December 20, 235 combat engagements were recorded at the front. The enemy launched 70 air strikes, dropping 166 guided bombs, and carried out 3609 shellings.
Since the beginning of December 20, 220 combat engagements have been recorded on the front. Russian invaders launched 42 air strikes, dropping 101 guided bombs, and used 1684 kamikaze drones.
Over the past day, 165 combat engagements were recorded on the front line, the enemy launched three missile and 55 air strikes. The hottest situation is in the Kostiantynivka, Huliaipole, and Pokrovsk directions.
On December 19, the Russian army lost at least 1090 servicemen, 37 artillery systems, and 1 armored combat vehicle. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 20.12.25 amounted to about 1,195,610 personnel.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation at the front, calling it "difficult" due to the increasing number of Russian troops. He noted that Kupyansk, which he recently visited, remains under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite enemy pressure and problems with missile supplies.
As of 4:00 PM on December 19, 52 combat engagements were recorded at the front. The enemy is showing the greatest assault activity in Donetsk Oblast, terrorizing the border areas of Sumy Oblast with artillery shelling.
Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky commented on the decision of the new commander of the 125th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade to transfer incompetent officers to the infantry. This decision was called a practical implementation of the reforms that Biletsky emphasized in an article for The Economist.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was asked various questions during the "direct line" – from absurd and funny to quite serious ones.
