Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 18
Photo: frontline situation – latest update from the General Staff (t.me/GeneralStaffZSU)
Today, December 18, 2025, Ukraine recorded 98 combat clashes and numerous shellings by Russian forces. Enemy activity was reported on the border, northeastern and southern directions. The defense forces are repelling attacks and holding their defensive positions, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As of 4:00 p.m. Kyiv time, Russian forces have intensified combat operations on several fronts:
Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions: three combat clashes, 56 shellings of Ukrainian positions and settlements, including four from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). Communities affected include Volfyne, Ryzhivka, Rohizne, Holyshivske, Popivka, Budivelne, Malushyne, and Prohres in the Sumy region.
Southern-Slobozhanskyi direction: three enemy attacks repelled near Starytsia and Okhrimivka; one combat clash is ongoing.
Kupiansk direction: the enemy attempted to breach defenses near Kurylivka, Pishchane, Petropavlivka, and Kupiansk.
Lyman direction: four attacks near Chervonyi Stav, Novoiehorivka, and Zarichne; one battle is ongoing.
Sloviansk direction: two enemy attacks repelled in the areas of Serebrianka and Zvanivka.
Kramatorsk direction: no combat clashes recorded.
Kostiantynivka direction: 20 enemy assault actions; two combat clashes are ongoing in Kleban-Byk, Pleshchiivka, Rusyn Yar, Ivanopillia, Stepanivka, and Sofiivka.
Pokrovsk direction: 35 Russian attacks, with defense forces repelling 28; battles continue at seven locations (Chervony Lyman, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Kotlyne, Udachne, Molodetske, Filiia).
Oleksandrivka direction: nine assaults repelled, five combat clashes ongoing; an airstrike recorded near Lisne.
Huliaipole direction: seven attacks repelled, three combat clashes ongoing; airstrikes on Huliaipole and Ternuvate.
Orikhiv direction: one enemy attack on Novoandriivka; airstrikes on Balabyne and Malokaterynivka.
Prydniprovskyi direction: no combat clashes recorded.
The Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold their defensive positions and repel enemy attacks across all directions.
According to the General Staff, on December 17, 2025, Ukrainian forces recorded 87 combat clashes with Russian forces. The defense forces successfully repelled numerous attacks in the Southern-Slobozhanskyi, Lyman, Pokrovsk, and other directions.
On December 16, 278 combat clashes were recorded on the front. The heaviest enemy pressure was observed in the Pokrovsk direction, where Ukrainian troops successfully repelled over 80 attacks by Russian troops.
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, the Russian army suffered 950 casualties.
