Day: December 26, 2024

An explosion was reported in Zaporizhzhia this evening, December 26. Earlier, an enemy missile was detected moving toward the city, reports Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

The official reported the explosion in Zaporizhzhia around 11:00 PM Kyiv time.

A few minutes earlier, Ukraine’s Air Force had issued a warning about the threat of Russian ballistic weapons being launched from the southern direction.

Military officials later confirmed tracking a missile moving toward Zaporizhzhia.

Following the explosion, Fedorov stated that a Russian missile attack was ongoing.

“Do not ignore safety rules,” he urged in an official statement.

Later, Ivan Fedorov, head of the Regional Military Administration, reported that Russian forces had struck the city of Zaporizhzhia. He noted that “the enemy is deliberately targeting the region’s industrial infrastructure.”

“At this time, there are no reports of casualties. The extent of the damage is being assessed,” he added.

Russian strikes on Zaporizhzhia

Zaporizhzhia, like other Ukrainian cities near the frontline, frequently faces Russian attacks. Enemy forces have used guided bombs, various types of missiles, and drones to target the city.

On December 20, Russian forces attacked Zaporizhzhia with drones. The strike injured four people, and a fire broke out in the city following the attack.

On December 10, Russian forces launched a missile strike on central Zaporizhzhia, hitting a private hospital. The medical facility was destroyed, and nearby buildings were also damaged.

Rescue operations continued in the city. According to the latest reports, the missile strike killed seven people and injured 22 others.

Earlier, on the evening of December 6, Russian forces carried out an airstrike on Zaporizhzhia. The attack caused a fire at a vehicle repair facility, resulting in casualties. Ten people were killed in the strike. The Regional Military Administration later released photos and videos showing the aftermath of the airstrike.

The number of combat engagements at the frontline has reduced considerably. 164 combat engagements have occurred since the beginning of the day on December 26 and as of the evening, compared to more than 210 the day before. Pokrovsk, Lyman, and Kurakhove were named as the hottest directions in terms of the intensity of Russian attacks, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The military command updated the operational situation at the front as of 10:00 PM on December 26 (Kyiv time).

Enemy shelling

Throughout the day, Russian forces carried out 35 airstrikes, utilizing 45 guided aerial bombs. They also launched over 700 kamikaze drone attacks. Additionally, the enemy conducted more than 4,600 shelling attacks on the positions of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Frontline situation

In the Kharkiv direction, two battles were recorded near Vovchansk and Starytsia. Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled both.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy made eight attempts to push Ukrainian forces out near Zapadne, Lozova, Kruhliakivka, Bohuslavka, and Nova Kruhliakivka. Four clashes are still ongoing.

In the Lyman direction, Russian forces launched 24 attacks, attempting to advance toward Kopanky, Cherneshchyna, Novoserhiivka, Platonivka, Zelenyi Hai, Druzheliubivka, Makiivka, Terny, Zarichne, Torske, and the Serebryansky forest. Airstrikes with 18 unguided rockets hit the settlements of Nadiia, Oleksandrivka, and Zelenyi Hai.

In the Siversk direction, Russian troops launched three unsuccessful assaults near Bilohorivka and Hryhorivka.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy conducted four unsuccessful attacks near Chasiv Yar, Stupochky, Bila Hora, and Oleksandro-Shultyne. The General Staff noted that the situation was under control, with Ukrainian forces holding their positions firmly.

In the Toretsk direction, Russian forces attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses 13 times in the areas of Diliivka and Toretsk. Ukrainian forces repelled all enemy attacks.

In the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy continues its intensive attacks. Russian forces have conducted 39 assault and offensive actions in this area.

According to the General Staff, the highest level of enemy activity remains concentrated in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Myroliubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Zelene, Dachsenske, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Pokrovsk, Novoolenivka, Vovkove, Shevchenko, and Novotroitske. Three engagements are still ongoing in the region.

“Our soldiers are making every effort to prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into Ukrainian territory,” stated the military command.

The General Staff also reported significant enemy losses in this direction. Since the beginning of the day, 312 Russian personnel have been neutralized, including 155 killed in action.

“In addition, our defenders destroyed one tank and six vehicles and disabled one enemy mortar,” the General Staff added.

In the Kurakhove direction, 23 combat clashes were recorded. The enemy remains highly active, attempting to advance near Petropavlivka, Slovianka, Andriivka, and Kurakhove. Ukrainian defenders repelled 18 attacks, and five battles are still ongoing.

“Today, in this direction, the enemy lost 78 personnel, including killed and wounded. One infantry fighting vehicle and a light armored multipurpose transporter were destroyed. Additionally, two enemy tanks sustained significant damage,” the General Staff stated.

In the Vremivka direction, Ukrainian forces stopped 15 enemy assaults near Yantarne, Vremivka, Kostiantynopol, Novyi Komar, and Kostiantynopolske. Nine battles are still ongoing.

In the Huliaipole direction, Russian forces did not conduct active operations.

In the Orikhiv direction, the enemy made one unsuccessful attempt to dislodge Ukrainian forces from positions near Novoandriivka.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three enemy attacks.

In Russia’s Kursk region, the General Staff also reported that the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue conducting operations. In this direction, the enemy launched 21 airstrikes, using 31 guided aerial bombs, and conducted 424 artillery strikes, including 18 from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

The General Staff added that there were no significant changes in the situation in other directions.

Earlier, Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Khortytsia operational-strategic group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stated that Russian forces are amassing forces for assaults in the Kurakhove direction. He noted that the enemy has increasingly started using anti-thermal imaging cloaks during nighttime operations.

As a reminder, according to the morning report of the General Staff on December 26, Russian forces suffered 1,540 personnel losses over the past day. Ukrainian forces also destroyed two tanks, 10 armored combat vehicles, 24 artillery systems, and additional enemy equipment.