Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 9
Illustrative photo: Defense inflicts heavy losses on Russian forces (Getty Images)
Ukraine’s Defense Forces repelled 165 attacks by Russian forces as of 10:00 PM on January 9. The Russian side employed missiles, aircraft, drones, and artillery; however, Ukrainian defenders inflicted significant losses, according to a report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As of the evening of January 9, 2026, Ukrainian forces continue to hold back the advance of Russian forces.
Over the past 24 hours, 165 combat engagements were recorded, including 2,795 attacks on positions and populated areas, 36 missile launches, and 72 guided aerial bombs. Russian forces also deployed 3,967 kamikaze drones.
In the North Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, Russian forces carried out more than 104 attacks, including the use of multiple launch rocket systems.
In the South Slobozhanskyi direction, nine attacks took place in the areas of Prylipka, Starytsia, Vovchansk, and Zelene.
In the Kupiansk direction, six assault attempts were recorded near Stepova Novoselivka, Bohuslavka, and Nova Kruhliakivka; two engagements are ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops repelled 14 assault actions near Novovodiane, Novoiehorivka, Kolodiazi, Drobysheve, and Myrne.
In the Sloviansk direction, Russian forces attacked Platonivka, while in the Kramatorsk direction they struck near Stupochky.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, 19 combat engagements occurred near Kostiantynivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Yablunivka, and Sofiivka.
The most intense fighting was reported in the Pokrovsk direction, where Russian forces launched 39 attacks near Razine, Shakhove, Nykanorivka, Rodynske, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kotlyne, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Novopavlivka, and Filiia. Ukraine’s Defense Forces eliminated 85 Russian personnel (including 60 irrecoverable losses), destroyed one tank, one multiple launch rocket system, 68 drones, and other enemy equipment.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, 18 attacks were repelled near Piddubne, Sosnivka, Vyshneve, Rybne, Yehorivka, and Krasnohirske. In the Huliaipole direction, 25 engagements occurred near Solodke, Huliaipole, Varvarivka, and Zelene.
Other directions, including Orikhiv and Prydniprovskyi, saw isolated, minor attacks.
Russian losses in war
According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost approximately 1,215,900 military personnel.
Over the past day alone, losses exceeded 1,000 personnel, and Ukraine’s Defense Forces also destroyed nearly 700 enemy drones.
