Overview
- Ukraine's General Staff reported 120 engagements since the start of Dec. 31 and said Russian forces carried out 46 airstrikes, dropped 94 guided bombs, used 4,659 kamikaze drones, and conducted 2,635 shellings.
- The heaviest fighting was on four axes: Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk, Oleksandrivka and Huliaipole, with 16, 27, 14 and 14 ground attacks reported respectively.
- Ukrainian units said they repelled many assaults on these fronts, with the evening update noting some engagements were still ongoing near Pokrovsk and Huliaipole.
- Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky has said Russia increased its grouping to about 710,000 troops for a strategic offensive.
- Local authorities estimate roughly 1,250 people remain in Pokrovsk, a key road and rail hub that has faced a prolonged encirclement threat.