The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has provided updated analysis on the intensifying military situation in Ukraine, emphasizing persistent combat activity along the front lines as Russian forces ramp up their operations. Recent insights detail new combat maps and highlight significant maneuvers by Russian troops, particularly asserting control around key regions.
According to ISW’s findings, Russian troops have made advancements particularly noticeable southeast of Daryino and north of Kruglenko, both locations corresponding to strategic efforts of the Russian military to extend their territorial gains as the conflict evolves.
Despite these efforts, reports indicate mixed results. The Russian forces have been pushing along the front line from Kupyansk to Svatove since December 21, but they have not achieved any confirmed advancements. The lack of strategic success reflects on the struggles faced by the Russian military to translate intentions on the battlefield effectively.
The defense of the Bakhmut area, particularly facing off against Russian advances near Soledar, remains fierce. Progress has been similarly stymied, with reports confirming continued assaults by Russian forces but no actual territorial gains to show for these efforts.
The situation has been equally dynamic southwest of Pokrovsk, where Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) have successfully regained positions lost to Russian advances. Geolocation footage has revealed evidence of intense combat eruptions, pointing to the high-pressure environment faced by both militaries.
Military analysts from ISW are noting how recent Russian tactics increasingly involve motorized assaults, which are sometimes underscored by substantial artillery support. Notably, there have been instances of attempts to launch attacks using civilian vehicles, indicating logistical challenges and possible equipment shortages for the Russian troops, as stated by multiple analysts.
On December 20, 2024, during telereports, Vladislav Voloshin, spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces of Ukraine, commented on the heightened operations. He noted, "The most active area of the front is the so-called Vremivske direction, where the enemy has carried out nearly four dozen combat engagements during the last day." His statements capture the urgent atmosphere on the frontlines and the pronounced efforts of Russian forces attempting to seize the pivotal location of Velika Novosilka.
These engagements have kept Ukrainian defense strategies under constant re-assessment, as Voloshin outlined the enemy's approach, stating they aim to exhaust Ukrainian forces by increasing their attacks day and night. The UAF, securing their positions, continually faces Russian efforts to encircle and disrupt their logistics, particularly concerning the Kurekhiv area.
Recent insights suggest the Ukrainian military is also adapting, utilizing insight gained from the battlefield to adjust strategies and preparation. The emphasis on night operations due to new drone and night vision capabilities has marked a shift, as the Russian military seeks to maintain pressure alongside robotic support and bombings.
Throughout the engagement, Ukrainian forces have engaged actively, inflicting significant losses on their enemy. Voloshin highlighted, "Despite inflicting heavy losses, the enemy does not abandon its storming actions." This stark observation sheds light on the brutal stamina of the armed confrontation and the dire stakes for both sides involved.
The ISW report and continuous updates convey the current dynamics shaping the conflict, underpinning the importance of detailed combat maps and reports to gauge the unsettling developments on the ground. With fighting remaining intense, particularly over contested territories, military analysts suggest observers remain vigilant about forthcoming moves as both Russian and Ukrainian forces recalibrate their tactical plans.
The backdrop of the situation paints a challenging picture for military planners on both sides, ensuring the broader geopolitical impact remains under scrutiny as the conflict enters another phase of hostility.
