Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 22

Enemy shelling

Russian forces launched 18 airstrikes on Ukrainian territory, using 29 guided aerial bombs. Additionally, Russians deployed 593 kamikaze drones and carried out 3,650 shelling attacks on Ukrainian military positions and civilian areas.

Frontline situation

In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops launched offensive operations near Hoptivka, Hlyboke, Vysoka Yaruha, Buhruvatka, and Starytsia. A total of seven clashes were recorded.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy conducted seven assaults on Ukrainian positions near Kucherivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Bohuslavka, Zahryzove, and Nova Krystynivka. Ukrainian defenders repelled five attacks, while two are ongoing.

In the Lyman direction, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions 36 times near Zelenyi Hai, Novoserhiivka, Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, Makiivka, Nadiia, Ivanivka, Terny, Toretsk, Hryhorivka, as well as toward Druzheliubivka, Dibrova, and Serebrianka. Ukrainian defenders are still fighting off eighteen assaults.

In the Siversk direction, the enemy launched 12 attacks during the day near Bilohorivka, Verkhniokamianske, Ivano-Daryivka, and Vyimka. One engagement is ongoing.

In the Kramatorsk direction, seven clashes were recorded near Vasiukivka, Chasiv Yar, and Stupochky. Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled four attacks, while three engagements are ongoing.

In the Toretsk direction, Russian troops launched seven assaults on Ukrainian defensive positions, focusing their efforts near Toretsk and Druzhba. Four clashes remain ongoing.

In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces have attempted to breach Ukrainian defenses 34 times near the settlements of Lysivka, Sukha Balka, Promin, Zelene, Ukrainka, Dachenske, Shevchenko, Novoukrainka, Pokrovsk, Novovasylivka, Novoyelyzavetivka, and Novoolenivka. Seven clashes are still ongoing.

"The enemy is suffering significant losses. Preliminary data indicates that 390 Russian personnel were neutralized in this direction today, 161 of whom were killed. Additionally, three vehicles and 15 communication systems were destroyed. A tank, two vehicles, and two enemy artillery units were also heavily damaged," the General Staff reported.

In the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces launched 26 attacks near Sonstivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, Yasynove, Dachne, and toward Andriivka. All these assaults have been repelled.

In the Vremivka direction, Russian forces carried out 36 offensive actions near Velyka Novosilka, Kostiantynopolske, Yantarne, Uspenivka, Rozlyv, Rozdolne, Novosilka, Blahodatne, Vremivka, and near the village of Bahatyr. Eight clashes are still ongoing.

In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attempted one assault near Novoandrivka.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian forces repelled three enemy attacks.

In Russia’s Kursk region, Ukrainian Defense Forces continue operations, where the enemy conducted 26 assaults on Ukrainian positions throughout the day. One engagement is still ongoing. Russians also carried out 432 shelling attacks.

In other directions, the situation has remained largely unchanged.

"Today, we want to highlight the soldiers of the 3rd Operational Assignment Spartan Brigade Petro Bolbochan, the 406th Separate Artillery Brigade named after Corporal General Oleksii Almazov, the 38th Separate Marine Brigade, the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade Sicheslav, and the 414th Separate Brigade of Unmanned Strike Aircraft Systems. They have been effectively neutralizing the enemy, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment," the General Staff concluded.

Notably, the number of clashes on December 21 was lower. A total of 186 combat engagements were recorded yesterday.

The enemy concentrated most of its assaults on Ukrainian positions in the Vremivka and Kursk directions.