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.
Since the beginning of the day, 98 combat engagements have been recorded, the enemy is actively operating in the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions. The defense forces are repelling attacks in several directions, and battles are ongoing in many locations.
President Zelenskyy stated that his address from Kupyansk influenced conversations with Americans and Europeans. He noted that his personal presence in the city refuted Putin's statements about the occupation of new territories.
President Zelenskyy held talks with Czech President Petr Pavel. The situation on the front, particularly the operation in Kupyansk, and defense support for Ukraine were discussed.
Russian Defense Minister Belousov is spreading false information about the occupation forces' control over Kupyansk. Most of the city is under the control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which continue to clear it of Russians.
Vladimir Putin claimed that the Russian army captured over 300 settlements in 2025 and accused the West of starting the war. Andrei Belousov stated that Russia allegedly captured Kupyansk, while Ukraine denied this.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Russia has increased its troops to 710,000 personnel for a strategic offensive in Ukraine. Ukrainian forces are successfully repelling attacks, regaining control over territories, and striking the aggressor's infrastructure.
Over the past day, 278 battles took place on the front line, which is significantly more than the day before. The largest number of enemy attacks, almost a third, fell on the Pokrovsk direction.
During the day, 255 combat engagements were recorded on the front line, with Russian troops concentrating their efforts on the Pokrovsk and Kupyansk directions. The enemy carried out 55 airstrikes and used almost 2,000 kamikaze drones.
Russian soldiers of the 1441st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Federation have begun to massively self-harm due to inadequate orders from the command on the Pokrovsk front. This is the only way to avoid being sent to the front line to perform suicidal tasks.
On December 16, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to restrain the massive onslaught of the occupiers. The highest intensity of assaults was recorded in the Pokrovsk, Kupyansk, and Lyman directions.
Over the past day, December 15, Russian troops lost 1,150 servicemen, 9 tanks, and 1 submarine. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 16.12.25 amounted to about 1,190,620 personnel.
Russian troops advanced in Huliaipole, Predtechyne, Shakhove, and Stepnohirsk. This is evidenced by data from the DeepState monitoring project.
Ukrainian partisans within the Russian forces report a tense situation between Russian army commanders and the high command due to the failure to implement combat plans, specifically regarding Kupyansk.
On December 13, 154 combat engagements were recorded at the front, with the most intense actions in the Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka, and Huliaipole directions. The enemy launched two missile strikes, 37 air strikes, and used 5,180 kamikaze drones.