On the 1,391st day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the war’s relentless grind showed no signs of abating, as new developments on the battlefield and in international diplomacy underscored the conflict’s complexity and human cost. Reporting from Kyiv, The Kyiv Independent and other outlets painted a picture of a war that, while stuck in a bloody stalemate in some regions, remains fiercely contested and deeply consequential for both sides.
Perhaps the most dramatic story emerged from Kupiansk, a city 104 kilometers east of Kharkiv that has become a focal point for Russian offensives since autumn 2025. According to Viktor Tregubov, head of communications for Ukraine’s Joint Forces, approximately 120 Russian troops remain encircled by Ukrainian forces as of mid-December. "As of late last week, our intelligence assessed about 40 active call signs on Russian radio channels in Kupiansk. Typically, that means one radio for three to four soldiers. So we estimate around 120 Russian troops remain encircled," Tregubov told The Kyiv Independent on December 15.
The situation for these Russian soldiers appears increasingly dire. Tregubov confirmed that while the troops are still receiving limited supplies via drone drops—an "air bridge" of sorts—the contents are sometimes more symbolic than practical. "Yes, that’s confirmed. In fact, there were ironic cases where they were being sent not food, but flags, so they could wave them and pretend everything was under control," he said. "Drones are dropping small payloads—food, water, or symbolic items—but you can't air-drop a new soldier." The implication is clear: morale is low, and the ability to continue fighting is dwindling.
This encirclement comes on the heels of a reported successful Ukrainian operation in the Kupiansk direction on December 12, aimed at stabilizing the front after a renewed Russian push. Since the fall, Moscow has intensified its efforts to recapture territory lost during Ukraine’s 2022 counteroffensive. Yet, as the winter deepens, the front lines remain largely static, with both sides relying heavily on drones and artillery to inflict damage and probe for weaknesses.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s use of advanced drone technology made headlines beyond the land battlefields. On December 15, Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced the first successful underwater drone strike using so-called Sea Baby naval drones against a Russian Varshavyanka-class submarine docked in Novorossiysk. The SBU reported that the submarine, which carries four Kalibr cruise missile launchers, suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of service. The vessel is valued at around $400 million, but due to ongoing international sanctions, replacing it could cost Russia up to $500 million. The SBU said the submarine had been relocated to Novorossiysk after previous Ukrainian surface drone strikes made Sevastopol, in occupied Crimea, too dangerous for the Russian Navy.
These high-profile operations come as public opinion in Ukraine remains resolute. A new poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology, published December 15, revealed that 75% of Ukrainians reject any peace plan that would require the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbas without robust security guarantees. Despite the toll of constant Russian attacks—especially on energy infrastructure—and mounting international pressure, 63% of those surveyed said they were prepared to endure the war "as long as necessary." This figure has ticked up slightly from 62% in September, suggesting that Russian military pressure and Western diplomatic efforts have done little to shake the Ukrainian public’s determination.
The same poll found that 72% of respondents would accept a peace deal that froze territorial control at the current line, provided it included strong security guarantees and did not require formal recognition of occupied territories as Russian. This position closely mirrors the official Ukrainian stance in negotiations with the U.S. and European partners. Domestically, 61% of Ukrainians said they still trust President Volodymyr Zelensky, despite the fallout from a recent major corruption scandal that led to the resignation of Presidential Office head Andrii Yermak. In a clear rebuke to external calls for early elections, only 9% of respondents wanted to hold elections before the end of hostilities—a nod to the challenges of conducting democratic processes amid war.
Support for Ukraine is not limited to words. Poland is considering sending six to eight MiG-29 fighter jets, scheduled for retirement by the end of December, to Ukraine. Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk told TVN24 on December 14, "They could either end up in a museum, be sold for scrap, or be sent to Ukraine and used to kill our enemies." The proposal, which could be discussed during President Zelensky’s planned visit to Poland on December 19, highlights the ongoing importance of military assistance. The jets, once decommissioned, cannot be used by the Polish Armed Forces under national law, making their transfer to Kyiv a practical option.
Even as Ukraine strikes at Russian military targets, it faces daily barrages itself. On the night of December 15, a drone strike damaged the Luch thermal power plant in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, which supplies about 10% of the region’s heat. Regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov reported "serious damage" to engineering infrastructure but said no injuries occurred. The attack was part of a broader overnight drone campaign that affected at least 12 Russian regions. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have intercepted 146 drones overnight, with an additional 16 shot down around 8:30 a.m. the following morning. In Rostov Oblast, local authorities reported damage to residential buildings and power lines, leaving several communities without water after pumping stations were shut down.
On the Ukrainian side, the cost in human life and suffering remains high. Over the past day, at least two people were killed and 21 others injured in Russian attacks, according to local authorities. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that Russia launched 153 drones overnight, with Ukrainian defenses intercepting 133. Yet, 17 successful strikes were recorded. Civilians were killed and wounded in Donetsk, Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, with Russian drones and glide bombs targeting everything from supermarkets to residential areas and critical infrastructure.
The scale of Russian losses, as reported by Ukraine’s General Staff on December 11, is staggering. Since the invasion began on February 24, 2022, Russia has lost approximately 1,189,470 troops, including 980 in just the past day. Equipment losses are similarly high: 11,412 tanks, 23,731 armored fighting vehicles, 70,005 vehicles and fuel tanks, 35,105 artillery systems, 1,570 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,261 air defense systems, 432 airplanes, 347 helicopters, 90,777 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.
As the war drags into another winter, the stories from the front lines, the shifting tides of diplomacy, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people all point to a conflict that is far from over. Each day brings new attacks, new losses, and new acts of defiance—reminders that, for now, peace remains elusive but hope endures.
