Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 17
Photo: Ukrainian defense forces repel Russian attacks (t.me/GeneralStaffZSU)
Today, December 17, 2025, Ukrainian forces recorded 87 combat engagements with the Russian army. Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled multiple attacks in the Southern-Slobozhanskyi, Lyman, Pokrovsk, and other directions, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the operational summary as of 4:00 p.m., enemy activity was distributed as follows:
Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions: 3 combat engagements and 60 attacks on Ukrainian positions and settlements, including 7 attacks with multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
Southern-Slobozhanskyi direction: Defense forces repelled 4 attacks near Lyman, Odradne, Dovhenke, and Izbytske; one combat engagement is ongoing.
Kupiansk direction: no enemy offensive actions recorded.
Lyman direction: The Russian army carried out 7 attacks in the areas of Novovodiane, Kolodiazi, Drobysheve, Novoselivka, and Cherneshchyna; one battle is ongoing.
Sloviansk direction: 3 enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Serebrianka, Siversk, and Pereizne, with one combat engagement ongoing.
Kramatorsk direction: no combat engagements recorded.
Kostiantynivka direction: 14 enemy assault actions in the areas of Oleksandro-Shultyne, Kleban-Byk, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Kostiantynivka, and Sofiivka.
Pokrovsk direction: 31 enemy assault attempts; 23 attacks have been repelled, fights continue in 8 locations.
Oleksandrivka direction: 5 assaults were repelled, and 4 combat engagements are ongoing. Airstrikes hit Pidhavrylivka and Bratske.
Huliaipole direction: 6 attacks were repelled, and 2 combat engagements are ongoing. An airstrike hit Sviatopetrivka.
Orikhiv direction: two assault attempts near Plavni. Guided bomb airstrikes hit Zaporizhzhia and Kushuhum.
Prydniprovskyi direction: no combat engagements recorded.
Settlements in the border areas of the Sumy region – Ryzhivka, Neskuchne, Sydorivka, Volfyne – were hit by enemy artillery.
On many fronts, fighting continues, but the defense forces are successfully holding back the enemy and maintaining control over key positions.
The past days and weeks have also been marked by numerous artillery strikes and assaults on key directions.
The systematic work of Ukrainian troops in defending settlements and positions helps minimize civilian casualties and maintain control over strategic territories.
According to the General Staff, on December 16, there were 278 combat engagements on the front. The heaviest enemy pressure was observed in the Pokrovsk direction, where Ukrainian forces successfully repelled more than 80 attacks by Russian forces.
Recently, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi reported that Ukrainian units continue to hold the northern part of Pokrovsk. The battle for the city is ongoing.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces have lost approximately 1,730 soldiers. Ukrainian forces destroyed 33 artillery systems and more than 160 drones.
