Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 3

Russian shelling

The Russian Federation persists in waging an aggressive war. Despite significant losses, it remains committed to plans for the complete occupation of Ukraine.

The adversary continues to disregard the laws and customs of war, employing terrorist tactics, and targeting both military and civilian objects. The enemy actively utilizes operational-tactical aviation and FPV-type quadcopters, conducting assault actions with the support of armored vehicles.

Over the past day, there have been 47 combat clashes. In total, the enemy delivered 6 missile and 42 aviation strikes and conducted 18 shelling attacks from multiple rocket launchers on the positions of our forces and civilian settlements.

Unfortunately, due to Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties among the civilian population. Residential buildings and other civilian and industrial infrastructure have suffered destruction and damage.

The situation on the fronts

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

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, there have been no significant changes. There are no signs of the formation of offensive groups. Identified units of the Belarusian Armed Forces are performing tasks in border areas with Ukraine.

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

Aerial strikes occurred in the areas of the settlements Morokhovec and Kolodyazhne in the Kharkiv region. Enemy artillery and mortar shelling targeted over 20 settlements, including Tymonovychi, Arkhypivka, Leonivka, Kostobobriv, Hremyach of the Chernihiv region; Marchykha Buda, Volfyne, Kostiantynivka, Myropillia, Popivka of the Sumy region; Alisivka, Lyptsi, Lukyantsi, Staritsya, Zybino, Odradne of the Kharkiv region.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy did not engage in offensive actions. Aerial strikes were conducted near Petropavlivka, Kucheriivka, Podoliv, Berestove in the Kharkiv region, and Novoejorivka in the Luhansk region.

Approximately 10 settlements, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Ivanivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region, came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the occupiers did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. The enemy carried out aerial strikes in the area of Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region and Terniv, Spirne in the Donetsk region.

Over 10 settlements, including Nevske, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, and Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region, suffered from enemy artillery and mortar shelling.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled four attacks near Bohdanivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to improve tactical positions. The enemy conducted an aviation strike in the area of the settlement Pivnichne in the Donetsk region.

Over 10 settlements, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Mykolaivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York in the Donetsk region, were under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 9 enemy attacks in the areas of Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka, and another 19 near Sverne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. Here, the occupiers, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully attempted to improve their tactical position. The enemy also carried out an aerial strike near Olexandrivka in the Donetsk region.

Approximately 10 settlements, including Keramik, Novokalynove, Berdychiv, Semenivka, Avdiivka, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region, were shelled with artillery and mortars.

In the Maryinka direction, the Defense Forces continue to restrain the enemy in the areas of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy, with aviation support, made 11 unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical position.

Under artillery and mortar fire from the occupiers were Olexandrivka, Krasnohorivka, Heorhyivka, Pobeda, Novomykhailivka, Yelyzavetivka, and Katerynivka.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. Around 10 populated areas, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine in the Donetsk region, were hit by artillery and mortar fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Robotine in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to regain lost ground. The occupiers carried out an aerial strike in the area of the settlement Novodarivka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

More than 15 settlements, including Levadne, Huliaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, and Piatykhatky in the Zaporizhzhia region, were shelled with artillery and mortars.

In the area of responsibility of the OCU Odesa on the Kherson front, enemy artillery shelling affected Tomaryne, Novotiahynka, Sadove, Kherson, Chornobaivka, and Kizomys in the Kherson region.

Advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The enemy does not abandon the intention to eliminate our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro.

During the day, the enemy conducted 8 unsuccessful assault actions, but Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the enemy.

Enemy losses

During the day, the Defense Forces aviation struck 12 areas of enemy personnel concentration.

Missile troops units hit 3 air defense systems, 3 artillery systems, a radio-electronic warfare station, and an enemy control point.

It is worth noting that the total number of losses in the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion is 361,500 military personnel.