Overview
- The General Staff reported 209 combat clashes on Dec. 28, with 52 Russian assaults repelled on the Pokrovsk front alongside heavy use of guided bombs, artillery and thousands of drones.
- Ukraine’s 7th Rapid Response Corps says northern Pokrovsk remains under firm control, Russian pushes west toward Hryshyne are being blocked, and Myrnohrad faces a difficult defense reinforced by Air Assault and Marine units.
- Southern Defence Forces report that a significant part of Huliaipole remains under Ukrainian control despite fierce street fighting and repeated assaults, with Russia leveraging superiority in manpower and munitions.
- Task Force East says Russia has not secured full control of Rodynske, Ukrainian units are constraining advances in central Pokrovsk, and logistics to Myrnohrad remain complicated but are being strengthened.
- Prosecutors opened a war-crimes probe after two unarmed Ukrainian POWs were executed near Pokrovsk as regional officials detailed fresh civilian casualties, while Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed capturing Dibrova and large Ukrainian losses that Kyiv and ISW characterize as exaggerated propaganda.