Overview
- General Staff chief Valeriy Gerasimov said Russian forces are pressing an offensive on nearly all directions, claiming eight localities and more than 300 square kilometers taken since early January.
- Gerasimov reported ongoing fighting in Konstantinovka, the near-completion of operations in Kupyansk‑Uzlovy, advances by the West, South, Center, East, Dnepr and North groupings, and expanded security zones in Kharkiv and Sumy regions.
- Russia’s MoD said the Center grouping improved its tactical position and inflicted over 400 Ukrainian casualties in a day, while the Dnepr grouping reported up to 50 killed and strikes on targets in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.
- The MoD reported Grad launches and strike drones hitting Ukrainian positions set inside residential areas in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia, and the East grouping said it seized a Ukrainian command post in Huliaipole.
- Russian regions reported intensified cross‑border attacks and counter‑drone measures, including a drone‑danger regime and mobile internet limits in Penza, air defenses repelling strikes in Volgograd, more than 30 drones intercepted over Belgorod with one serious civilian injury, and 40 shellings plus 15 drones downed in Kursk; investigators also charged Ukrainian brigade commander Rostyslav Karpusha in absentia over Belgorod strikes on January 2 and 9.