Summary of the Day:
Russian forces launched a major mechanized assault near Siversk on December 14, deploying approximately 400 troops and 30 armored vehicles in a three-pronged attack. While achieving marginal advances near Vesele, Ukrainian forces ultimately repelled the assault using drones, artillery, and close combat. The operation showed improved Russian coordination between assault units, communications, and drone operations, possibly due to recent command changes.
North Korean forces operating in Kursk Oblast are experiencing severe integration problems with Russian forces. A significant friendly fire incident resulted in North Korean troops killing eight Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz battalion personnel due to language barriers. Ukrainian Military Intelligence reports the combined Russian-North Korean force has lost 200 personnel, with Ukrainian drones successfully targeting North Korean positions.
Russia is consolidating its military presence in Syria, negotiating to maintain up to 3,000 personnel at Port Tartus and Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia while withdrawing from other bases across the country. Russian forces have already pulled out from Tiyas Air Base near Palmyra and bases in Manbij and Kobani, with their last major northern base in Qamishli likely to be abandoned. Personnel at remaining bases are experiencing supply issues, particularly with food and water, suggesting logistical challenges in this military reorganization.
Russian sources continue to report problems with military training and instruction quality, indicating ongoing systemic issues in force preparation despite tactical improvements seen in recent operations.
Picture of the Day:
Scouts of the Plast National Scout Organization carry the Bethlehem flame of peace during an air alert at a railway station bomb shelter in Kyiv. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images)
Beyond Ukraine – The March Towards World War
The shifting Russian military presence in Syria signals a significant change in Middle Eastern power dynamics, as forces pull back from remote areas to their western coastal bases, accompanied by anti-Assad armed groups, according to Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (GUR). While Russia appears to be negotiating to maintain its strategic naval base at Port Tartus and air operations at Hmeimim Air Base in Latakia, with Turkey’s Defense Minister offering support for consolidation only at these locations, the reported reduction to just 3,000 personnel, coupled with logistical challenges like food and water shortages at remaining bases, could weaken Russia’s military influence in the region. The continued presence of Russian warships Admiral Golovko and Admiral Grigorovich near Port Tartus suggests Russia intends to maintain some level of naval power projection in the Mediterranean, though at a reduced capacity.
Russian troops have already withdrawn from Tiyas Air Base near Palmyra, and bases in Manbij and Kobani in northern Syria, with their last major northern base in Qamishli likely to be abandoned due to pressure from Turkey and local Syrian groups. This scaling back of Russia’s Syrian footprint may create security vacuums in areas where Russian forces previously maintained control, potentially destabilizing the delicate balance in Syria and affecting regional security dynamics, international peacekeeping efforts, and the broader stability of the Middle East.
In a critical development threatening regional stability and democratic values, Georgian opposition leaders Nika Melia, Tina Bokuchava, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Zaza Tavadze have appealed to the EU regarding the country’s political crisis, expressing grave concerns about pro-Russian presidential candidate Mikhail Kavelashvili and the actions of Georgian Dream party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. Their joint letter highlights Kavelashvili’s role in the controversial foreign agents’ law and anti-Western propaganda, while calling for new elections under an improved electoral system and requesting specific EU interventions including the release of detained politicians and activists, targeted sanctions against democracy undermining officials, visa restrictions for Georgian Dream officials, and declaring Ivanishvili’s regime illegitimate.
The international response has been significant, with Lithuania and Estonia imposing sanctions on Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other government officials, expanding their sanctions to include 17 and 14 officials respectively, while the United States has implemented visa bans on approximately 20 Georgian individuals. The situation has sparked widespread protests after Georgian Dream suspended the EU accession process until 2028 and imposed overseas voting restrictions, resulting in over 220 people being arrested and many injured during police crackdowns using tear gas and water cannons. Pro-EU President Salome Zourabichvili has pledged to remain in office until a legitimate parliament is elected, receiving support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who condemned the Ivanishvili government’s undermining of Georgia’s democratic aspirations during their December 7 meeting.
In a significant development affecting global diplomacy, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell has been named as President-elect Trump’s “special missions envoy,” focusing on hot spots including Venezuela and North Korea. Grenell, known for advocating a “peace through strength” approach, has previously expressed controversial views on the Ukraine conflict, including support for Elon Musk’s contested peace proposal and suggestions for creating “autonomous zones” in Ukraine. While Grenell was considered for the U.S. Ukraine peace envoy position, that role went to Keith Kellogg, who experts view as less radical. This appointment raises questions about future U.S. diplomatic approaches, particularly regarding Ukraine, as Grenell has advocated for delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership and supports stronger pressure tactics in peace negotiations. The scope and impact of this unprecedented diplomatic role remains undefined but could significantly influence international peace efforts.
The Path to Peace
Hungarian officials claim President Zelensky rejected Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s proposal for a Christmas ceasefire and prisoner exchange. According to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Russia showed openness to the proposal, but Zelensky “forcefully but politely” declined to discuss it. However, Zelensky’s advisor Dmytro Lytvyn denied that Orbán had ever approached Ukraine with such a proposal. Hungary, which maintains close ties with Moscow and has opposed EU sanctions against Russia, says it presented the plan to Russian President Putin, though Hungarian officials made no mention of direct discussions with Zelensky about the proposal.
In a concerning development for regional peace, Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has suggested Ukraine may need to accept territorial losses to achieve peace, advocating for immediate negotiations ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration. This position aligns with Prime Minister Robert Fico’s pro-Russian stance, who has already halted military aid to Ukraine and accepted an invitation to Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations in May 2024. Both Slovak leaders oppose Ukraine’s immediate NATO accession, with Fico openly criticizing EU leadership’s support for Ukraine. These developments signal a potential shift in European unity regarding Ukraine support, particularly as Trump’s approaching presidency may influence peace negotiations dynamics.
Pope Francis sparked controversy during Sunday prayer by referring to Russia and Ukraine as “brothers,” echoing rhetoric previously used by the Kremlin to justify its invasion. The Pope’s comments, made during a visit to Corsica, follow his earlier controversial remarks that encouraged Ukrainians to negotiate for peace. While he called for a global Christmas ceasefire, Russian forces continue to intensify their offensive operations in eastern Ukraine. The Pope’s statement comes as Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches its third year, marking a decade since Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and the Crimean Peninsula.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked in Ukraine’s Kursk Oblast on December 15 but failed to make confirmed advances. Russian military bloggers claimed advances near the settlements of Cherkasskoye Porechnoye and from Plekhovo toward Kurilovka, both in the Sudzha area.
North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast are experiencing significant difficulties working with Russian forces due to language barriers. A recent friendly fire incident resulted in North Korean troops killing eight Chechen “Akhmat” Spetsnaz battalion personnel. Ukraine’s Military Intelligence reports that the combined Russian-North Korean force has lost 200 personnel, with Ukrainian drones successfully targeting North Korean positions. These communication problems and high casualties are likely to continue hampering Russian military operations in the region.
An explosion on December 14 damaged a railway track near Ulyanovsk City, Russia, according to Ukraine’s Military Intelligence. The track, located near the Sviyaga River and Ulyanovsk Motor Plant, was reportedly used for Russian military logistics.
Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov reported that Russian forces intercepted two Ukrainian drones over Grozny, Chechnya, while a third drone allegedly struck a Chechen special police unit base in the city. Video footage claims to show the drone attacks on Grozny.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked near Kharkiv City targeting areas near Vysoka Yaruha, Lyptsi, Vovchansk, and Tykhe, but failed to make any advances. A Russian military blogger reported that Ukrainian forces launched a counterattack near Hlyboke, north of Kharkiv City.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces attacked along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line without confirmed advances. Russian military bloggers claimed several advances, including the capture of Dvorichna and progress near Zelenyi Hai, but these claims remain unverified. They also reported withdrawing from positions near Novomlynsk while maintaining presence near Masyutivka. Russian forces continued attacks near multiple settlements including Zahryzove, Lozova, Pershotravneve, Hrekivka, Makiivka, and Terny. A Ukrainian commander reported that Russian forces are focusing on pushing Ukrainian troops from the eastern bank of the Oskil River with high-intensity assaults, resulting in significant casualties.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces launched a major mechanized assault near Siversk, Ukraine on December 14. The attack involved about 400 Russian troops using 30 armored vehicles, along with smaller vehicles. Russian forces attacked from three directions around Siversk, making small advances near Vesele. While Russian forces briefly penetrated some Ukrainian defensive positions, Ukrainian forces ultimately repelled the assault using drones, artillery, and close combat. The fighting marked a significant increase in military activity in the Siversk area, with Ukrainian officials reporting 55 combat engagements on December 13.
Despite some improvement in Russian assault tactics near Siversk, significant challenges remain. The recent attack showed better coordination between assault units, communications, electronic warfare, and drone operations – areas where Russian forces have historically struggled. This improved performance may be linked to recent command changes, following earlier failed assaults that led to the removal of several brigade commanders. There are conflicting reports about whether 3rd Combined Arms Army Commander Major General Dmitry Ovcharov has been replaced by Major General Alexei Kolesnikov, who reportedly has moved to a new position.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces attacked Chasiv Yar and nearby Stupochky but failed to make confirmed advances.
Toretsk
Russian forces advanced in western Toretsk along Volodina Street and continued attacks near Shcherbynivka. Fighting continues around the Tsentralna Mine’s waste heaps in central Toretsk, where Russian forces struggle to secure positions in destroyed buildings. A Ukrainian officer reported Russian forces are using ATVs within Toretsk but heavy equipment on its outskirts, with Russian casualties reportedly fifteen times higher than Ukrainian losses.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces advanced near Pokrovsk taking control of areas east of Ukrainka and reportedly capturing Shevchenko, though the exact frontline situation remains unclear. Russian forces claimed to have seized Pushkine and reached Pishchane’s outskirts. They conducted attacks near multiple settlements including Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Sukhyi Yar, Dachenske, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Novoolenivka, Petrivka, Novotroitske, and Ukrainka.
Kurakhove
Russian forces attacked near Kurakhove claiming to reach Mechnikova Street, though this remains unconfirmed. They conducted operations near Kurakhove and the settlements of Stari Terny, Sontsivka, and Zorya. Ukrainian military officials reported that Russian forces are conducting both day and night attacks, with increased frequency during frozen ground conditions, using small mechanized columns.
Andriivka
Russian forces advanced northeast of Vuhledar moving across fields northwest of Uspenivka and crossing the O0515 Kurakhove-Velyka Novosilka highway. They claimed to have captured Veselyi Hai and to be conducting operations in Uspenivka and Hannivka. Russian forces attacked near multiple settlements including Yelyzavetivka, Trudove, Kostiantynopolske, Sukhyi Yaly, Rozlyv, and Zelenivka, while Ukrainian forces reportedly counterattacked near Kostiantynopolske.
Velyka Novosilka
Russian forces attacked near Velyka Novosilka without confirmed advances. They claimed to have crossed the Mokri Yaly River near Blahodatne and advanced toward the Velyka Novosilka-Hulyaipole highway. Fighting resumed in Novyi Komar, with Russian naval infantry reportedly advancing and repelling Ukrainian counterattacks. Russian forces conducted operations near multiple settlements including Rozdolne, Storozheve, Makarivka, Neskuchne, Novodarivka, Novopil, and Novosilka. They reportedly used tanks with protective plating and electronic warfare systems at the front of their columns.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian intelligence agencies successfully destroyed a Russian fuel supply train in occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast on December 14 through a coordinated operation near the village of Oleksiivka, where Ukrainian saboteurs first planted explosives on the railway tracks to derail a 40-tank fuel train, then struck it with HIMARS rockets, preventing Russian forces from salvaging the fuel and destroying both the locomotive and all fuel tanks, thus disrupting a key Russian supply line from Crimea to Zaporizhzhia Oblast. While no active fighting was reported in western Zaporizhia Oblast today, Ukraine is strengthening defenses around the city of Zaporizhzhia as concerns grow about potential Russian offensive actions in the region, with Russian forces also intensifying efforts along the eastern front, particularly near Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed a Russian Tor air defense system and a Terek radar system in southern Ukraine on December 14. While Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks in the Dnipro direction in Kherson Oblast, they failed to make any advances.
Ukraine News
Russia launched a large-scale overnight attack against Ukraine using 108 drones and an S-300 missile launched from several Russian regions. Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted 56 drones across multiple regions, while 49 drones failed to reach their targets. The attacks resulted in damage to an infrastructure facility in Mykolaiv City and a sports complex in Kharkiv City was hit by an Iskander-M missile.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 0 INJURIES: 2
Russian forces launched an overnight drone and missile attack on Mykolaiv, Ukraine on December 15. While Ukrainian air defense shot down four drones over the region, one drone struck the city, damaging infrastructure and injuring two civilian workers.
Ukraine’s Allies
In a significant policy development, Germany’s ruling Social Democratic Party (SPD) has officially opposed sending Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine, according to a leaked draft of their February election program. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has consistently refused to provide these missiles to Ukraine, citing concerns about potentially drawing Germany into the conflict, despite similar weapons being provided by other allies like the US and UK. This stance contrasts with opposition leader Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), who supports providing the missiles to Ukraine for targeting Russian military bases. Both parties maintain their commitment to continuing diplomatic, financial, humanitarian, and military support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression.
Russia News
A potential leadership conflict has emerged in Moscow as President Putin reportedly canceled a state award for Intelligence Chief Sergei Naryshkin, possibly due to Syria’s deteriorating situation under the Assad regime. This suggests disagreements within Russia’s top leadership about their Middle East strategy.
Two Russian tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, each carrying 4,000 tons of fuel oil, sank in the Kerch Strait during severe weather, with Russian emergency services evacuating 13 sailors from Volgoneft-212 and reporting one fatality, while Greenpeace Ukraine warns of potentially serious environmental consequences, comparing it to a 2007 Black Sea spill that caused damage lasting over a year. The 50-year-old vessels, which had been modified in the 1990s from full tankers to “river-sea” vessels by welding bow and stern sections together, split in half due to structural failures according to Russian media, with Dr. Paul Johnston of Greenpeace Research Laboratories noting that heavy fuel oils could cause significant shoreline damage if they reach the coast.
Russian War Losses (Today/Total)
Troops +1070
763510 |
Tanks +12
9563 |
Artillery +23
21151 |
Arm. Veh. +29
19736 |
Aircraft 
369 |
Heli
329 |
Ships
28 |
Russia Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
Russian military trainers are facing criticism from within their own ranks. Military bloggers, including a former Storm-Z instructor, report that many instructors lack recent combat experience and are teaching outdated methods. They also note that soldiers who previously worked for private military companies have trouble adjusting to regular military command, often viewing themselves as superior to others. The critics point out that junior officers receive tactical training but no leadership instruction, highlighting ongoing problems in Russia’s military training system.
Russia has reportedly modified a Su-57 fighter jet with a new flat thrust-vectoring engine nozzle, like those used on F-22 fighters to reduce radar and infrared signatures. According to a Russian military blogger, these nozzles were likely produced using 3D printing technology.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com