Overview
- Ukraine’s General Staff reported 278 combat engagements over the previous 24 hours, including 82 Russian assaults on the Pokrovsk axis, and 87 clashes by mid‑afternoon on December 17 with 31 attempts there repelled.
- Ukrainian forces reported heavy enemy losses around Pokrovsk, citing 220 Russian personnel neutralized on December 16 and a further 78 on December 17, along with destroyed tanks, armored vehicles and drones.
- Ukrainian commanders say they control nearly 90% of Kupiansk and continue clearing operations, as ISW details a Russian information campaign disputing Ukrainian advances and minimizing setbacks.
- U.S. and European negotiators in Berlin largely agreed on two security texts—one setting principles akin to mutual‑aid guarantees and a second operational plan detailing European forces in Ukraine and expanded U.S. intelligence support—though Russia is not party and Moscow has publicly rejected key elements.
- Partners at the latest Ramstein meeting announced significant commitments, including roughly $5 billion for Ukrainian defense production and about $5 billion for U.S. arms purchases in 2025, plus national pledges such as Germany’s €11.5 billion earmarked for 2026 and additional air‑defense and drone funding from multiple countries.