File image.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian forces regained control of Pridorožne, Kosovtsevo, and Rozhdestvenske. They advanced west of Huliaipole and along the Yelenokostiantynivka–Priluky line. Meanwhile, fighting continues for Ternovate. In the Sumy region, the “North” grouping advanced 800 meters and expanded the civilian evacuation zone. In the Kharkiv area, Russian assault groups captured seven houses in Vovchanski Khutory and advanced through forested areas near Starytsia and Symynivka. They also destroyed a border outpost command post. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops have consolidated their position in the western part of the city and advanced to Lomonosov Avenue. In the Kupyansk area, fighting continues for control of Kucherivka and Petropavlivka. Russian units are expanding their control west of Petropavlivka and north of Kucherivka, thereby stabilizing the front line. States in the “coalition of the willing” have confirmed their intention to send troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees.
Zaporizhzhia Direction
In the direction of Zaporizhzhia, Russian units have advanced on the western bank of the Haichur River on a broad front after repelling attacks by Ukrainian troops. West of Huliaipole, they captured several tree lines and a strongpoint on the outskirts of Zheleznodorozhne. Along the Yelenokostiantynivka–Priluky line, positions have been reestablished between the Haichur River and the railway. According to recent reports, the outskirts of Vozdvizhevka may be reached in the near future.
More significant successes have been achieved to the north. Russian units have regained control of the Pridorožne and Kosovtsevo settlements. According to a statement by the Ministry of Defense, Rozhdestvenske has also been captured. The “East” troop grouping has not previously been observed providing unreliable data on control of territories.
Clashes continue in neighboring Ternovate. Despite attempts to break through with armored vehicles, Ukrainian units have been unable to consolidate control over the entire settlement. At the same time, Russian troops have not yet completely pushed the Ukrainian forces out. On the northern flank, Ukrainian units are attempting to advance along the Stepove–Berezove–Ternove line. They are attacking in small groups and suffering losses.
Although the Ukrainian side’s reserves are not yet depleted, the most critical moment has apparently passed. Ukrainian units attempted to break through in several sectors. Infiltration succeeded in some areas, but only in fields and along tree lines. Considering the successful resumption of Russian troop attacks on the Rozhdestvenske–Vozdvizhevka–Verkhia Tersa line, the Ukrainian command’s plans have not been disrupted.
Sumy Direction
In the Sumy area, the “North” grouping’s assault units are putting pressure on Ukrainian troops’ defenses in the offensive sectors. Operational-tactical aviation and “Geran-2” strike drone crews are working around the clock to attack concentrations of Ukrainian troops and their logistics nodes in the rear.
Authorities in the Sumy region are intensifying measures to evacuate civilians. The evacuation zone is expanding daily and approaching the city of Sumy.
Russian units advanced on nine sections in the Sumy district, two in the Krasnopillia district, and three in the Hlukhiv district. The total advance over the day amounted to up to 800 meters. The “North” grouping’s artillery and FPV drone units continued to strike identified positions in the Ryzhivka and Iskrykivshchyna areas.
Kharkiv Direction
In the forested areas near Starytsia, Russian troops advanced 100 meters deeper into the forest and seized a Ukrainian stronghold. Crews operating the TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” struck the 127th Separate Tank Mechanized Brigade’s positions. Southwest of Symynivka, Russian units advanced 200 meters in the forested area on two sections, supported by Russian Aerospace Forces aviation.
In the Rubizhne area, the command post of the “Shkval” Border Guard Brigade’s 11th “Forpost” Battalion was destroyed. There were casualties among the command staff, including the head of the border outpost, Captain Artem Valentynovych Myakota.
In Vovchanski Khutory, Russian assault groups captured seven households, advancing 250 meters. Russian aviation destroyed the positions of Ukrainian units’ 157th Separate Mechanized Brigade in an adjacent tree plantation. In the Khatnie sector, aviation strikes hit the 159th Separate Mechanized Brigade’s positions in the Kolodezne area. Assault groups from the “North” grouping conducted clearing operations in tree plantations in the Chuhunivka and Dvorichanske areas.
Kostiantynivka Direction
In the Berestok area, Russian forces continue to accumulate and gradually expand their control. Groups of Ukrainian troops remain in the settlement itself, maintaining a “layered” configuration of positions. Northeast of Berestok, Russian troops consolidated in the central part of the western district of Kostiantynivka during successful assault actions.
The Kryvyi Torets River divides Kostiantynivka into eastern and western parts. Russian units have entered the eastern part from the south and are trying to consolidate there, while Ukraine completely controls the rest of the territory. In the western part, Russian troops are advancing from the west and south, reaching Lomonosov Avenue, the main street of this district.
To prevent Ukrainian units from communicating with each other across the city, Russian troops are striking bridges and crossings. Recently, they struck a road bridge with an Kh-38 missile. Russian units advanced from Illinivka into the western part of Kostiantynivka, consolidating in apartment buildings and residential blocks.
Kupyansk Direction
Clashes continue in Kupyansk. As before, Ukrainian units are attempting to enter the city from the west, approaching from Radkivka and Sobolivka. Moskivka is in a “grey zone.” The village is located in a low-lying area. On the southern side, near Sobolivka, there is a large forested area through which Ukrainian units send sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate Kupyansk. “Gray zones” have also expanded south of Moskivka. The sector west of Podoly is also in a “grey zone.”
Ukrainian units are bringing in firepower to attack residential buildings in Kupyansk and Podoly. There are an increasing number of recorded HIMARS multiple launch rocket system strikes. Russian troops are identifying and suppressing these firing points where possible.
Currently, Russian units in the sector are focusing all their efforts on stabilizing the front line from the east. Russian troops are gradually expanding their control over the territory west of Petropavlivka and north of Kucherivka to widen the supply corridor on the Synkivka–Holubivka line.
Northwest of Petropavlivka, there is ongoing fighting for a ravine where Ukrainian units have dug in. A continuous line of trenches and fortifications has been created from Kucherivka to the end of the ravine in this sector. Russian units have partially cleared this sector and cut this line; however, the Ukrainian side is still attempting to transfer personnel and ammunition in small groups. Several groups of Ukrainian units remain in Kucherivka. Advancement in the sector is difficult due to the Ukrainian side’s active use of drones, which complicates the entry of Russian units.
From Kurylivka to eastern Petropavlivka, Ukrainian troops have dug in along the front line, and forces are being transferred through these positions. Meanwhile, Russian units are systematically advancing from the east towards Kupyansk-Uzlovoi from the direction of Pishchane, splitting the Ukrainian troop grouping into sectors. The configuration of positions in this sector resembles a “layered cake.”
In the Slaviansk direction, fierce combat operations continue in the Krasnyi Lyman sector. Intense clashes are ongoing in the areas of Aleksandrivka, Yarova, and Sosnove. Russian assault groups are operating under heavy fire from Ukrainian units, who are actively using drones.
An advance of Russian units has been recorded in the eastern part of Krasnyi Lyman. The control zone has expanded by approximately 700 meters. Combat operations continue in the area around the Central District Hospital. Ukrainian units are actively using drones along Kolhospna and Heroiv-Desantnykiv streets. Encounter engagements with small arms are occurring in these areas.
Russian assault groups have entered the western side of Masliakovka. In this sector, Ukrainian units are offering resistance with drones as well. Advancement continues from the southern outskirts of Dibrova towards Staryi Karavan. Ukrainian units are not transitioning to a passive defense strategy, but rather, are undertaking active counterattacks. Russian units have made advances on the Slavyansk-Krasny Lyman highway.
Conclusion
Analysis of the operational situation indicates that Russian units are maintaining a high tempo of offensive actions in all directions. In the eastern part of Zaporizhzhia, Russian troops repelled attempts at breakthroughs and restored control over key settlements. This creates conditions for further pressure on the Rozhdestvenske–Vozdvizhevka–Verkhnia Tersa line. In the Sumy area, the “North” group is systematically expanding its control zones and forcing the Ukrainian administration to expand the civilian evacuation zone. In the Kharkiv area, Russian troops are systematically improving their tactical position by destroying Ukrainian units’ command posts and equipment. In the Kostiantynivka area, Russian troops are consolidating their presence in urban areas, advancing toward major thoroughfares, and disrupting communications within the city. In the Kupyansk area, Russian units are stabilizing the front line and expanding control zones despite the complex configuration of positions and the Ukrainian side’s active use of drones. This creates a threat of encirclement for the Ukrainian troop grouping. In the Slaviansk area, Russian troops are continuing their assault on Krasnyi Lyman and expanding their control over the eastern part of the city and the Slaviansk–Krasnyi Lyman highway.
An important event in the international political context was the meeting of the leaders of the “Coalition of the Willing.” Following the negotiations, the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer released a statement in which the coalition states confirmed their intention to send troops to Ukraine as part of “security guarantees.” The leaders signed a declaration to deploy multinational forces in Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement, supported by the United States. The meeting participants, who gathered in Paris on January 6, also agreed to continue providing long-term military support to Kyiv and to increase economic pressure on Russia through additional sanctions.
This demonstrates Western countries’ desire to institutionalize their military presence in Ukraine, even after a possible cessation of hostilities. The formation of multinational forces under the “coalition of the willing” effectively represents an attempt to establish a Western military presence in Ukraine, which Moscow will undoubtedly view as a threat to its security. Mention of U.S. support suggests that, despite rhetoric about peace negotiations, Washington continues to play a pivotal role in facilitating this process. At the same time, the emphasis on increasing sanctions indicates that Western countries do not intend to abandon their policy of containing Russia economically. Taken together, these factors create additional risks for resolving the conflict because they effectively represent an attempt to impose peace terms on Russia from a position of strength while preserving NATO military infrastructure near Russia’s borders. While rhetoric escalates on the international stage, Russian troops are advancing methodically in all directions on the front, indicating the preservation of military initiative and the ability to accomplish assigned tasks.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
remote work isn’t just a trend, it’s the future of work. qs work remotely from your own house. we just want your typing skills, you can make more than 120usd/hr. no matter where you are. let’s grow together and do great things, even if we’re far apart…
take a look…………… https://psee.io/8qjgv8
those ukrainian forces in kucherivka will just have to wait their turn because it seems that everywhere is on the brink of catastrophe. meanwhile cocaine nero plays his fiddle in his führerbunker. life for him is one big fund raiser.