Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 16
Photo: Ukraine's forces successfully repel Russian attacks (Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces are effectively holding back the advance of the Russian army, with 98 combat engagements recorded across various directions. Ukrainian troops have repelled the majority of attacks, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
As of 04:00 p.m. on January 16, 2026, Russian forces continue their offensive on Ukrainian positions, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces are successfully containing the enemy.
A total of 98 combat engagements have been recorded, most of which have already been repelled by Ukrainian troops.
In the Northern-Slobozhanskyi and Kursk directions, there were two engagements. The enemy carried out three airstrikes, dropped three guided bombs, and conducted 81 shelling attacks, including eight from multiple launch rocket systems.
On the Southern-Slobozhanskyi direction, Ukrainian forces repelled three attacks, while five engagements are ongoing near Vovchansk, Chuhunivka, and Ambarne.
Active enemy attempts to advance were also reported in other directions:
Kupiansk: attacks toward Petropavlivka
Lyman: two attacks on Novovodiane and Kolodiazi
Sloviansk: two engagements near Dronivka
Kramatorsk: one attack toward Minkivka
Kostiantynivka: 15 attacks near Kostiantynivka and nearby villages, one engagement ongoing
Pokrovsk: 38 attacks, Ukrainian troops repelled 36
Oleksandrivka: four attacks repelled, one engagement ongoing
Huliaipole: 21 engagements, seven ongoing
Orikhiv: three breakthrough attempts, one battle ongoing
Prydniprovskyi: no enemy offensive actions recorded
Settlements affected by shelling include Bleshnia (Chernihiv region), Kucherivka, Rohizne, Ryzhivka, Bachivsk, Budky, and Iskryskivshchyna (Sumy region).
Russian losses in the war in Ukraine
British intelligence recently released new data on the scale of Russian army losses in the war against Ukraine, showing a sharp increase in human casualties amid Russia’s active offensives at the end of 2025.
According to operational data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, total Russian personnel losses have already reached approximately 1,220,950.
The General Staff also reports significant losses in Russian equipment. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 11,544 tanks, 23,899 armored combat vehicles, 36,024 artillery systems, and 1,600 multiple launch rocket systems have been destroyed.
