Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 31

Russian attacks

During the past 24 hours, there have been 42 military clashes. The enemy, in total, carried out 12 missile and 58 air strikes, including attacks with Shahed-136/131 strike drones, and launched 48 artillery strikes with rocket systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas.

As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population. Private residential and multi-apartment buildings, as well as other civilian and industrial infrastructure, have suffered destruction and damage.

Situation at the frontlines

The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains challenging.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains without significant changes. There are no signs of the formation of offensive groups. Identified units of the armed forces of Belarus are performing tasks in border areas with Ukraine.

In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy maintains military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage and reconnaissance activities, fires upon populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border of Ukraine.

Over 30 populated areas, including Khrinivka in the Chernihiv region; Ulytsia, Svarkove, Stukalivka, Basivka, Vysokе, Popivka in the Sumy region; Veterynarne, Kozacha Lopan, Ohirtseve, Vovchansk, Budarky, Bologivka in the Kharkiv region, have been subjected to artillery and mortar shelling by the enemy.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks by occupiers near Synkivka in the Kharkiv region. The enemy also carried out an aviation strike in the area of Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region. Approximately 10 populated areas, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region, came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy conducted assault operations near Makiivka in the Luhansk region. They carried out an aviation strike in the area of Serebrianske Forestry in the Luhansk region and in Hryhorivka, Riznikivka, Zvanivka, and Spirne in the Donetsk region. The enemy shelled with artillery and mortars more than 10 populated areas, including Nevske, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled 7 enemy attacks near Bohdanivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. Over 10 settlements, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region, came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 3 enemy attacks near Avdiivka and another 9 attacks in the area of Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to improve their tactical position. Approximately 10 settlements, including Berdychiv, Stepove, Avdiivka, Severne, Netailove, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

In the Maryinka direction, the Defense Forces continue to restrain the occupiers in the area of Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy, with the support of aviation, carried out 4 unsuccessful attacks on the positions of our defenders. The settlements of Maksymilianivka, Heorhiivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, Novomykhailivka, and Kostiantynivka came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, the Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Urozhaine in the Donetsk region. Approximately 10 settlements, including Vodiane, Vuhledar, Urozhaine, Makarivka, and Staromykhailivka in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to regain lost ground in the area of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Four attacks were repelled here. Over 25 settlements, including Levadne, Huliaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, and Pyatykhatky in the Zaporizhzhia region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

In the area of responsibility of the Operational and strategic grouping of troops Odesa in the Kherson direction, the enemy subjected Ivanivka, Sadove, Antonivka, and Kherson in the Kherson region to artillery shelling. Additionally, the enemy conducted aviation strikes in the areas of the settlements of Kachkariivka and Chervonyi Mayak in the Kherson region.

Ukrainian counteoffenisve

The occupiers persist in their intention to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro. In the past 24 hours, the enemy conducted 9 unsuccessful assault actions against the positions of our forces. However, our units continue to hold their ground, inflicting significant losses on the aggressors.

Enemy losses

Over the past 24 hours, the Defense Forces' aviation conducted strikes on 11 areas of concentration of enemy personnel. Missile forces units targeted three areas of concentration, affecting personnel, weaponry, military equipment, ammunition depots, and the enemy's command points.