Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 29

Russian shelling

The Russian Federation continues to wage an aggressive war. Despite significant losses, it refuses to abandon plans for the complete occupation of Ukraine. The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of war, using terror tactics, targeting both military and civilian objects.

The enemy actively deploys tactical aviation and FPV quadcopters, conducts assault operations supported by armored vehicles, and has increased the number of airstrikes.

Last night, the enemy launched a massive missile strike on Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure, industrial, military, and civilian objects. The adversary deployed about 160 air attack assets: various types of missiles and strike UAVs. Ukraine's air defense forces managed to destroy 88 cruise missiles (X-101/X-555/X-55) and 27 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs.

The situation on the fronts

During the day, 31 combat engagements occurred. In total, the enemy delivered 134 missile strikes and 60 airstrikes, carried out 36 shelling incidents from reactive volley fire systems targeting our troop positions and civilian settlements. Unfortunately, due to Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties among the civilian population. Private residences, hospitals, and other civilian and industrial infrastructure have suffered destruction and damage.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains largely unchanged. There are no signs of forming offensive formations. Identified units of the Belarusian armed forces are performing tasks in border areas with Ukraine.

In the Siversk and Slobozhansk directions, the enemy maintains a military presence in border areas, conducts reconnaissance-diversionary activities, shells populated areas from Russian territory, and increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along Ukraine's state border. More than 20 settlements, including Krasni Lozy, Zaliznyi Mist in the Chernihiv region; Stepok, Zapsillia, Basivka, Popivka in the Sumy region; Udy, Huriv Kozachok, Krasne Pershe, Ambarne in the Kharkiv region, were shelled by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 7 enemy attacks in the vicinity of Synkivka in the Kharkiv region, where the enemy, with aviation support, unsuccessfully attempted to break through our troops' defense. Additionally, the enemy carried out an aviation strike near Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region. Around 10 populated areas, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, and Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region, came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy did not engage in offensive actions. They conducted aviation strikes in areas of Makiiivka, Nevskyi, and Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region, and in Terni, Serebrianka in the Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Nevskyi, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamyanske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region, were affected by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Bakhmut direction, Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack in the area of Andriivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy tried to regain lost ground. Approximately 10 populated areas, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and New York in the Donetsk region, were under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 3 enemy attacks in the areas of Stepove, Avdiivka, and another 12 attacks in the areas of Severne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in Donetsk region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to improve tactical positions. The enemy conducted aviation strikes in areas of Oleksandrivka and Novobakhmutivka in the Donetsk region. About 10 populated areas, including Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Severne, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region, were affected by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Maryinka direction, the defense forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Maryinka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy conducted 5 unsuccessful attacks on our defenders' positions. Populated areas in the Donetsk region, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobieda, Novomykhailivka, and Paraskeviivka, were under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive actions. Approximately 10 populated areas, including Vodiane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Urozhaine in the Donetsk region, were affected by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Defense Forces repelled an attack by the enemy west of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region. Over 25 populated areas, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, Kamianske, and Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region, were affected by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kherson direction, enemy artillery shelling affected Ivanivka, Antonivka, Novotiahynka in the Kherson region, and Solonchaky in the Mykolaiv region.

The advancement of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

The enemy persists in its intention to dislodge our units from the footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Within the day, the adversary attempted 9 unsuccessful assaults on our troop positions, but our units continue to hold the occupied positions and inflict significant losses on the enemy.

Enemy losses

During the day, the Defense Forces' aviation conducted strikes on 10 areas concentrated with personnel, weaponry, military equipment, and targeted 3 enemy anti-aircraft missile systems.

The missile troops' units struck 2 areas concentrated with personnel, weaponry, military equipment, 3 artillery assets, 5 ammunition depots, and an additional 2 other crucial targets of the enemy.