Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 8
The situation at the front remains extremely tense (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Since the start of January 8, 166 combat engagements have taken place on the front lines. The enemy is focusing its attacks on three directions in Donetsk and Kursk regions, reports from the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Enemy shelling
Russian forces carried out 31 airstrikes, dropping 48 guided aerial bombs (GABs). Additionally, the Russian army deployed 750 kamikaze drones and conducted over 3,800 shelling attacks on the positions of our forces and civilian settlements.
Frontline situation
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attacked the defensive positions of our troops near Vovchansk four times. Today, Ukrainian forces in this area neutralized 63 Russian soldiers, destroyed a tank, four vehicles, 33 drones, and three communication devices, and also damaged two vehicles and one piece of enemy special equipment.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy launched 12 assaults in the areas of Holubivka, Zahrizove, and towards Petropavlivka. Ukrainian defenders repelled ten attacks, while two more clashes are ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, throughout the day, Russian forces attacked Ukrainian positions near Nadiya, Kopanky, Novoiehorivka, Ivanky, and Terny 17 times. Three engagements are still ongoing.
In the Siversk direction, the enemy made two attempts to advance on the positions of our units near Bilohirivka during the day. These attacks were repelled by Ukrainian forces.
In the Kramatorsk direction, our defenders halted three offensive actions by the Russians near Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk direction, Defense Forces units repelled six attacks by the Russians near Toretsk and Dyliivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, since the start of the day, the Russian army attempted to breach our defense 27 times near the settlements of Myrolyubivka, Baranivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Zelene, Zvirove, Novyi Trud, Kotlyne, and Nadiivka. Four attacks are still ongoing.
Today, in this direction, 312 Russian soldiers were neutralized, and 154 of them were killed. Additionally, one armored fighting vehicle, eight units of automotive equipment, and four drone control antennas were destroyed. Our forces also damaged a tank and a vehicle of the Russian army.
In the Kurakhove direction, the enemy launched 32 attacks on our positions near Dachne, Kurakhove, Shevchenko, Petropavlivka, Slavyanka, and Yasenove. Twenty-nine of these offensive actions were stopped by the Defense Forces, and three attacks are still ongoing.
In the Vremivka direction, the Russian army carried out 13 offensive actions near Novosilka, Kostiantynopil, Yantarne, and towards Kostiantynopolske. Three clashes are currently ongoing.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, the Russian army suffered three defeats while attempting to attack the Ukrainian defense lines.
In the Kursk region, our defenders repelled 27 attacks by Russian forces, and fierce fighting continues.
No significant changes have occurred in other directions.
Russian shelling of Ukraine
Russian forces continue to heavily shell civilian settlements.
In the afternoon of January 8, the Russian army struck Zaporizhzhia with FAB-500 guided aerial bombs. As a result of the attack, many civilians were killed and injured.
Russian propagandists blamed the incident on the Ukrainian Armed Forces' air defense.
Additionally, Russian military forces shelled the village of Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region. As a result of the attack, civilians were trapped under the rubble of a residential building.
