Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 9
Illustrative photo: Defense inflicts heavy losses on Russian forces (Getty Images)
Fighting remained extremely intense across multiple sections of the front on December 9, with Russian forces actively using aircraft, loitering munitions, and artillery in attempts to advance along several axes, according to an update from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Operational situation as of 10:00 PM Kyiv time
A total of 164 combat engagements were recorded since the start of the day. Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on Russian forces.
According to the command, Russian troops carried out 40 airstrikes, dropped 109 guided bombs, launched 3,313 loitering munitions, and conducted 2,994 attacks on Ukrainian positions and populated areas.
Northern and Eastern fronts
In the Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, one engagement took place. Russian forces dropped one aerial bomb and carried out more than 100 attacks.
In the Southern-Slobozhanskyi direction, Russian forces attempted two assaults near Prylipka and Izbytske.
In the Kupiansk direction, two attempts to advance toward Petropavlivka and Bohuslavka were recorded.
Lyman–Sloviansk sector
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian forces repelled 13 assaults near Hrekivka, Novyi Myr, Myrne, and in the areas of Stavky and Drobysheve.
In the Sloviansk direction, 11 attacks occurred near Yampol, Serebrianka, Siversk, Pereizne, and Fedorivka.
Donetsk region
In the Kramatorsk direction, two assaults were repelled near Tymchasovyi Yar and Bondarne.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, 18 clashes occurred; fighting continues.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces attacked 42 times. Preliminary data indicate 122 Russian personnel eliminated, including 87 irrecoverable losses, along with destroyed vehicles, motorcycles, UAVs, engineering equipment, and shelters.
Southern front
In the Oleksandrivka sector, 13 assaults were repelled near Zelenyi Hai, Yalta, Vorone, Vyshneve, Rybne, Yehorivka, Pryvolne, and toward Danylivka.
In the Huliaipole sector, 13 engagements were recorded; some clashes continue. No active engagements were noted in the Orikhiv direction.
In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian forces attempted unsuccessfully to advance near the Antonivskyi Bridge.
Ukrainian units withdrew from positions located 5–7 kilometers from Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi explained that an order for an organized pullback had been issued several days earlier.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian defense manufacturers stress the importance of resuming arms exports but warn that operating through foreign representatives could recreate outdated practices, leading to procedural delays, duplicated functions, and corruption risks.
