Russian Offensive Marketing campaign Evaluate, December 18, 2024
Angelica Evans, Christina Harward, Nicole Wolkov, Nate Trotter, Olivia Gibson, William Runkel, and Frederick W. Kagan
December 18, 2024, 7:15pm ET
Click on right here to look ISW’s interactive map of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This map is up to date day-to-day along the static maps provide on this document.
Click on right here to look ISW’s interactive map of Ukraine’s offensive in Kursk Oblast.
Click on right here to look ISW’s 3-d management of terrain topographic map of Ukraine. Use of a pc (now not a cell software) is strongly beneficial for the use of this data-heavy software.
Click on right here to get admission to ISW’s archive of interactive time-lapse maps of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those maps supplement the static control-of-terrain map that ISW produces day-to-day via appearing a dynamic frontline. ISW will replace this time-lapse map archive per month.
Word: The information cut-off for this product used to be 2:00 pm ET on December 18. ISW will duvet next stories within the December 19 Russian Offensive Marketing campaign Evaluate.
Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a chemical plant in Rostov Oblast on December 18. Ukrainian Heart for Countering Disinformation Head Lieutenant Andriy Kovalenko reported that unspecified actors struck the Kamensky Chemical Plant and that the plant produces rocket gas, explosives, and ammunition parts and disposes of spent rocket programs.[1] Performing Rostov Oblast Governor Yury Slyusar claimed that Russian forces downed 10 missiles over Rostov Oblast, and Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces used Hurricane Shadow or ATACMS missiles within the strike.[2] Russian resources amplified pictures purportedly appearing Russian air defenses downing the missiles, and a Russian insider supply claimed that Ukrainian forces additionally focused the Taganrog Metallurgical Plant.[3]
Ukraine’s Eu allies proceed to supply financial and protection commercial beef up to maintain Ukraine’s battle effort. German palms producer Rheinmetall introduced on December 17 that the corporate will provide Ukraine with 9 million euros ($9.34 million) value of 155mm propellant price modules of more than a few sorts in January 2025.[4] Rheinmetall will ship tens of hundreds of propellant fees as a part of the contract and could also be making plans to supply unspecified artillery ammunition and convey and ship an unspecified selection of Lynx infantry combating cars to Ukraine someday. World propellant price shortages could also be restricting Ukraine’s talent to supply ammunition regionally, and the supply of extra modules will most probably beef up Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to enlarge its home ammunition manufacturing functions.[5] The Eu Fee reported on December 18 that it distributed just about 4.1 billion euros ($4.25 billion) value of grants and loans to Ukraine as a part of the second one fee of the Eu Union’s (EU) Ukraine Facility program.[6] Reuters reported on December 17 that an unspecified supply mentioned that NATO just lately started overseeing coordination of Western army help to Ukraine.[7]
Russian Leader of the Common Workforce Military Common Valery Gerasimov closely inflated alleged statistics about Russian territorial beneficial properties in 2024. Gerasimov claimed on December 18 that Russian forces seized more or less 4,500 sq. kilometers in 2024.[8] ISW has noticed affirmation that Russian forces have handiest seized 3,306 sq. kilometers in 2024, on the other hand. Gerasimov’s exaggerated figures distinction with Russian Protection Minister Andrei Belousov’s extra correct statements to the Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) board assembly on December 16. Belousov claimed, for instance, that Russian forces’ moderate day-to-day price of advance is set 30 sq. kilometers.[9] ISW noticed geolocated proof to evaluate that Russian forces complicated at a price of more or less 27.96 sq. kilometers in step with day in November 2024.[10] Belousov additionally claimed that Russian forces have seized more or less 99 p.c of Luhansk Oblast, 70 p.c of Donetsk Oblast, more or less 74 p.c of Zaporizhia Oblast, and more or less 76 p.c of Kherson Oblast.[11] ISW assesses that Russian forces occupy more or less 99 p.c of Luhansk Oblast, 66 p.c of Donetsk Oblast, and 73 p.c of Zaporizhia and Kherson oblasts every.
The Russian Federal Safety Carrier (FSB) introduced on December 18 that Russian government detained the suspect who planted the improvised explosive software (IED) that killed Russian Nuclear, Organic, Chemical Protection Forces (NBC) Head Lieutenant Common Igor Kirillov and his aide, Main Ilya Polikarpov, in Moscow on December 17.[12] The FSB claimed that the alleged culprit is a 29-year-old citizen of Uzbekistan who claimed that Ukrainian particular services and products recruited him to put an IED planted in an electrical scooter close to Kirillov’s place of dwelling in alternate for cash and permission to reside within the Eu Union.[13] The Uzbek Embassy in Moscow mentioned on December 18 that it’s involved with Russian legislation enforcement to elucidate details about the alleged suspect.[14] ISW can not independently ascertain if the suspect used to be fascinated with Kirillov’s and his assistant’s loss of life. Russian milbloggers seized at the suspect’s Central Asian origins to name for harsher migration rules and restrictions towards migrants.[15] Russian milbloggers’ hyperfocus at the alleged culprit’s ethnic origins highlights the polarizing debate over the position and remedy of migrants and ethnic minorities in Russian society, suggesting that the Kremlin is an increasing number of suffering to foster civic Russian nationalism and painting Russia as inclusive and harmonious multicultural nation.
Key Takeaways:
Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a chemical plant in Rostov Oblast on December 18.
Ukraine’s Eu allies proceed to supply financial and protection commercial beef up to maintain Ukraine’s battle effort.
Russian Leader of the Common Workforce Military Common Valery Gerasimov closely inflated alleged statistics about Russian territorial beneficial properties in 2024.
The Russian Federal Safety Carrier (FSB) introduced on December 18 that Russian government detained the suspect who planted the improvised explosive software (IED) that killed Russian Nuclear, Organic, Chemical Protection Forces (NBC) Head Lieutenant Common Igor Kirillov and his aide, Main Ilya Polikarpov, in Moscow on December 17.
Russian forces just lately complicated close to Kupyansk, Kreminna, and Pokrovsk.
The Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) is an increasing number of tricking conscripts into signing army carrier contracts to battle in Ukraine most probably to be able to generate extra attack forces and handle the pace of Russian offensive operations in Ukraine.
We don’t document intimately on Russian battle crimes as a result of those actions are well-covered in Western media and do indirectly impact the army operations we’re assessing and forecasting. We can proceed to guage and document at the results of those prison actions at the Ukrainian army and the Ukrainian inhabitants and in particular on fight in Ukrainian city spaces. We completely condemn Russian violations of the rules of armed struggle and the Geneva Conventions and crimes towards humanity even if we don’t describe them in those stories.
Ukrainian Operations within the Russian Federation
Russian Primary Effort – Jap Ukraine (constituted of 3 subordinate primary efforts)
Russian Subordinate Primary Effort #1 – Push Ukrainian forces again from the global border with Belgorod Oblast and solution to inside tube artillery vary of Kharkiv Town
Russian Subordinate Primary Effort #2 – Seize the rest of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into jap Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
Russian Subordinate Primary Effort #3 – Seize everything of Donetsk Oblast
Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis
Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Marketing campaign
Russian Mobilization and Power Technology Efforts
Russian Technological Diversifications
Actions in Russian-occupied spaces
Vital Task in Belarus
Ukrainian Operations within the Russian Federation
Combating endured in the principle Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast on December 18, however there have been no showed advances. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces complicated close to Kruglenkoye (southeast of Korenevo), Plekhovo (south of Sudzha), Russkoye Porechnoye, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye (either one of north of Sudzha).[16] The commander of a Ukrainian platoon working in Kursk Oblast mentioned that Russian forces are attacking in small and massive infantry teams however are the use of much less apparatus because of Ukrainian first-person view (FPV) drone moves.[17] Components of the Russian “Arbat” Particular Function Battalion (Donetsk Other people’s Republic [DNR] “Pyatnashka” World Volunteer Brigade, 51st Blended Palms Military [CAA]) are reportedly working close to Plekhovo; parts of the 56th Airborne (VDV) Regiment (seventh VDV Department) are reportedly working close to Novoivanovka (southeast of Korenevo); and parts of the 1434th “Akhmat-Chechnya” Regiment are reportedly working within the Sudzha route.[18]
Russian resources proceed to keep away from acknowledging the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk Oblast and to query endured Western stories that North Korean forces are working within the house. The Ukrainian Safety Carrier (SBU) mentioned on December 18 that radio intercepts point out that North Korean forces suffered a minimum of 220 casualties over the process an unspecified “few days” of attacks in Kursk Oblast.[19] The New York Occasions reported on December 17 {that a} senior Pentagon professional mentioned that Ukrainian forces have killed or wounded “a number of hundred” North Korean infantrymen in Kursk Oblast and that North Korean forces would not have enough fight enjoy.[20] A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger puzzled the veracity of Western reporting and claimed on December 18 that there’s no pictures “unmistakably” appearing captured or killed North Korean forces close to Kremyanoye (east of Korenevo) and Plekhovo.[21] ISW continues to evaluate that the Kremlin will most probably proceed to keep away from reporting at the deployment of North Korean forces in Kursk Oblast as doing so would tacitly recognize that Russia wishes overseas troops to recapture its personal territory and invalidate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claims that the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast ended in top Russian recruitment charges.[22]
Russian Primary Effort – Jap Ukraine
Russian Subordinate Primary Effort #1 – Kharkiv Oblast (Russian function: Push Ukrainian forces again from the global border with Belgorod Oblast and solution to inside tube artillery vary of Kharkiv Town)
Russian forces just lately marginally complicated within the Kharkiv route amid endured offensive operations within the house on December 18. Geolocated pictures printed on December 18 signifies that Russian forces just lately marginally complicated in central Vovchansk (northeast of Kharkiv Town).[23] Russian forces endured attacking close to Vovchansk on December 17 and 18.[24] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked north of Kharkiv Town towards Hlyboke (north of Kharkiv Town), and a Ukrainian battalion commander mentioned on December 17 that Ukrainian forces just lately received a foothold close to Hlyboke.[25] The battalion commander additionally warned that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance teams are disguising themselves in Ukrainian uniforms to penetrate Ukrainian devices, which quantities to perfidy and constitutes a contravention of the rules of battle.[26]
Russian Subordinate Primary Effort #2 – Luhansk Oblast (Russian function: Seize the rest of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into jap Kharkiv Oblast and northerly Donetsk Oblast)
Russian forces just lately marginally complicated within the Kupyansk and Kreminna instructions amid endured offensive operations alongside the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on December 18. Geolocated pictures printed on December 18 signifies that Russian forces just lately marginally complicated in southern Dvorichna (north of Kupyansk) and east of Terny (northwest of Kreminna).[27] A Russian supply claimed on December 18 that Russian forces driven Ukrainian forces again roughly 5 kilometers from Tabaivka and progressed positions close to Lozova (each southeast of Kupyansk).[28] ISW has now not noticed visible affirmation of this declare, on the other hand. Russian forces endured attacking northeast of Kupyansk close to Petropavlivka; southeast of Kupyansk close to Lozova; southwest of Svatove close to Novoyehorivka, Hrekivka, and Makiivka; west of Svatove close to Nadiya and Zelenyi Hai; northwest of Kreminna close to Terny and Yampolivka; and southwest of Kreminna within the Serebryanske woodland house on December 17 and 18.[29] A Ukrainian battalion commander reported on December 17 that Russian forces have used just about 100 armored and evenly armored cars close to Kruhlyakivka (southeast of Kupyansk) during the last two and a part weeks (since more or less December 1) and that Ukrainian forces destroyed 90 of those cars.[30] The battalion commander mentioned that Russian forces entered Kruhlyakivka, however that Ukrainian forces avoided Russian forces from advancing towards Kolisnykivka (north of Kruhlyakivka). A Ukrainian drone group commander working within the house noticed that Russian forces habits day-to-day infantry attacks within the Kupyansk and Lyman instructions.[31] Russian drone operators from the Russian twenty seventh Motorized Rifle Brigade (1st Guards Tank Military [GTA], Moscow Army District [MMD]) are reportedly working close to Kupyansk.[32]
Russian Subordinate Primary Effort #3 – Donetsk Oblast (Russian function: Seize everything of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)
Russian forces endured offensive operations within the Siversk route on December 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces carried out offensive operations close to Siversk itself, northeast of Siversk close to Hryhorivka, and east of Siversk close to Verkhnokamyanske on December 17 and 18.[33] The commander of a Ukrainian battalion working within the Siversk route reported that Russian forces took good thing about deficient climate stipulations to habits an attack involving about 60 team of workers, buggies, armored team of workers carriers, and bikes at the evening of December 17 to 18.[34] The commander mentioned the Russian forces just lately higher the selection of guided waft bomb moves from 14 to 16 moves right through an unspecified earlier week to over 30 moves this week.[35] An officer in a Ukrainian brigade working within the Siversk route reported on December 18 that Russian forces had been exhibiting the next degree of coaching and coordination between devices, which the officer attributed to contemporary command adjustments within the third Blended Palms Military [CAA, formerly 2nd Luhansk People’s Republic Army Corps [LNR AC]).[36]
Russian forces endured offensive operations close to Chasiv Yar on December 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian forces carried out offensive operations in and close to Chasiv Yar itself, north of Chasiv Yar close to Hryhorivka, and south of Chasiv Yar close to Bila Hora and Stupochky on December 17 and 18.[37] Russian milbloggers claimed that combating for the Refractory Plant in central Chasiv Yar is ongoing however that the configuration of Russian and Ukrainian positions inside the plant is unclear.[38] Components of the Russian “Hispaniola” Volunteer Brigade (Russian Volunteer Corps) and the 98th Airborne (VDV) Department are reportedly working close to Chasiv Yar.[39]
Each Ukrainian and Russian forces just lately complicated close to Toretsk amid endured Russian offensive operations within the house on December 18. Geolocated pictures printed on December 18 signifies that Ukrainian forces just lately regained misplaced positions in southern Shcherbynivka (west of Toretsk).[40] Further geolocated pictures printed on December 18 signifies that Russian forces marginally complicated west of Nelipivka (south of Toretsk).[41] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces complicated against the Tsentralna Mine in central Toretsk, however ISW has now not noticed affirmation of this declare.[42] Russian forces carried out offensive operations close to Toretsk itself, west of Toretsk close to Shcherbynivka, and north of Toretsk close to Dyliivka on December 17 and 18.[43] Ukrainian Luhansk Team of Forces Spokesperson Main Anastasiya Bobovnikova reported on December 17 that combating continues for the Tsentralna Mine and the within reach heights on the waste tons.[44] Bobovnikova mentioned that it’s too early to mention that Russian forces have entered the mine. Components of the Russian ninth Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st CAA, previously 1st Donetsk Other people’s Republic’s [DNR] AC) are reportedly working close to Toretsk.[45]
Russian forces just lately complicated close to Pokrovsk amid endured offensive operations within the house on December 18. Geolocated pictures printed on December 18 signifies that Russian forces just lately complicated close to the railroad line north of Novyi Trud (south of Pokrovsk).[46] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized part of Dachenske (south of Pokrovsk) and complicated close to Novoolenivka (south of Pokrovsk), in a space 2.3 kilometers vast and 1.35 kilometers deep close to Ukrainka (south of Pokrovsk), alongside a entrance as much as 800 meters vast west of Novotroitske (southwest of Pokrovsk), and as much as Vovkove (southwest of Pokrovsk).[47] ISW has now not noticed affirmation of those claims, on the other hand. A Russian supply claimed that Russian forces are advancing from Novotroitske (southwest of Pokrovsk) against Novovasylivka (west of Novotroitske) however that it’s unclear if Russian forces had been in a position to safe a foothold.[48] Some Russian resources claimed that Russian forces have began attacks on Pishchane (southwest of Pokrovsk and northwest of Shevchenko) and complicated to the agreement’s outskirts, however every other Russian supply claimed that details about Russian positions in Pishchane is unconfirmed.[49] One Russian milblogger claimed on December 18 that Ukrainian forces counterattacked close to Shevchenko.[50] Russian forces endured offensive operations east of Pokrovsk close to Myrolyubivka and Promin; southeast of Pokrovsk close to Lysivka and Sukhyi Yar; south of Pokrovsk close to Dachenske, Zelene, Novyi Trud, Novooleksiivka, and Pushkine; and southwest of Pokrovsk close to Novoolenivka, Novovasylivka, Novopustynka, Pishchane, Novotroitske, Solone, Shevchenko, Novoyelyzavetivka, and Ukrainka on December 17 and 18.[51] Ukrainian Donetsk Oblast Army Management Head Vadym Filashkin reported on December 18 that Russian forces are more or less 3 kilometers clear of Pokrovsk and that Ukrainian government have evacuated all kids and their households from the town.[52]
Russian forces endured offensive operations within the Kurakhove route on December 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Ukraine’s Khortytsia Team of Forces reported that Ukrainian forces have been not able to carry some positions at the southeastern outskirts of Sontsivka (northwest of Kurakhove) after Russian assaults within the house.[53] The Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) claimed on December 18 that Russian forces seized Stari Terny (northwest of Kurakhove), even if ISW assesses that Russian forces seized Stari Terny as of December 6.[54] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized the rest a part of Sontsivka and complicated in Kurakhove, west of Sontsivka and Zorya (northwest of Kurakhove), between Sontsivka and Berestky (northwest of Kurakhove and southeast of Sontsivka), and against Dachne.[55] A Russian milblogger claimed that parts of the Russian 114th Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st CAA) are advancing in Shevchenko (northwest of Kurakhove).[56] ISW has now not noticed affirmation of those claims, on the other hand. A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian positions southwest of Stari Terny are not up to one kilometer from Dachne, however ISW has handiest noticed geolocated proof to evaluate that Russian forces close to Stari Terny are more or less 2.2 kilometers from Dachne.[57] Russian forces endured attacking close to Kurakhove itself; northwest of Kurakhove close to Stari Terny, Sontsivka, and Petropavlivka; and west of Kurakhove close to Dachne on December 17 and 18.[58] Components of the Russian fifth Tank Brigade (thirty sixth CAA, Jap Army District [EMD]) and thirty third and 255th motorized rifle regiments (either one of the 20 th Motorized Rifle Department, eighth CAA, Southern Army District [SMD]) are reportedly working within the Kurakhove route.[59] Components of the Russian 68th Tank Regiment (one hundred and fiftieth Motorized Rifle Department, eighth CAA, SMD) are reportedly working close to Kurakhove, and drone operators of the Russian thirty ninth Motorized Rifle Brigade (68th AC, EMD) are reportedly working close to Ostrivske (northeast of Kurakhove).[60]
Russian forces endured offensive operations within the Vuhledar route on December 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces working northwest of Vuhledar complicated against Kostyantynopil and Ulaky (east of Kostyantynopil) and are one kilometer from Kostyantynopil and 3 kilometers from Rozlyv (southwest of Kostyantynopil) and that Russian forces seized Zelenivka and Hihant (each southeast of Kostyantynopil) and complicated one kilometer deep and a couple of.5 kilometers vast close to Zelenivka.[61] Russian milbloggers claimed that the Russian 255th Regiment (twentieth Motorized Rifle Department, eighth CAA, SMD) participated within the seizure of Uspenivka and that Russian forces additionally just lately seized Kostyantynopolske (each north of Vuhledar).[62] Russian forces endured attacking northwest of Vuhledar close to Kostyantynopolske, Sukhi Yaly, Zelenivka, Rozlyv, and Yantarne on December 17 and 18.[63] Components of the Russian 1472nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (68th Military Corps [AC], EMD) are reportedly working close to Kostyantynopolske.[64]
Russian forces endured offensive operations close to Velyka Novosilka on December 18 however didn’t make any showed advances. Ukraine’s Khortytsia Team of Forces reported on December 18 that Ukrainian forces have been not able to carry some unspecified positions following Russian assaults close to Novyi Komar (north of Velyka Novosilka).[65] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized Novyi Komar and Makarivka (south of Velyka Novosilka) and complicated north of Makarivka and in a space 1.5 kilometers via one kilometer close to Storozheve (south of Velyka Novosilka).[66] A Russian supply claimed that Russian forces crossed the Mokri Yaly River whilst attacking Storozheve.[67] ISW has now not noticed affirmation of those claims, on the other hand. Russian forces carried out offensive operations close to Velyka Novosilka itself; south of Velyka Novosilka close to Storozheve and Blahodatne; southeast of Velyka Novosilka close to Novodarivka; east of Velyka Novosilka within the route of Temyrivka and Novopil; north of Velyka Novosilka close to Novyi Komar; and northeast of Velyka Novosilka close to Rozdolne on December 17 and 18.[68] A Russian supply claimed that Ukrainian forces are counterattacking close to Velyka Novosilka.[69] Components of the Russian fortieth Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet, EMD) are reportedly working close to Novyi Komar, and snipers of the fifth Tank Brigade (thirty sixth CAA, EMD) are reportedly working close to Velyka Novosilka.[70]
Russian Supporting Effort – Southern Axis (Russian function: Handle frontline positions and safe rear spaces towards Ukrainian moves)
Russian forces endured attacks in western Zaporizhia Oblast close to Novoandriivka (northwest of Robotyne) and Novodanylivka and within the route of Orikhiv (each north of Robotyne) on December 17 and 18 however didn’t make showed advances.[71] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces complicated to the jap outskirts of Bilohirya (northeast of Robotyne), however ISW has now not noticed affirmation of those claims.[72] Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported on December 18 that Russian forces endured to habits reconnaissance for long term attacks within the Hulyaipole and Orikhiv instructions.[73]
Russian resources, together with Zaporizhia Oblast career head Yevgeny Balitsky, claimed on December 18 that Ukrainian forces introduced 4 most probably Hurricane Shadow missiles at occupied Berdyansk and Tokmak, Zaporizhia Oblast however didn’t strike the meant goals.[74]
Russian forces endured attacks within the Dnipro route, together with in east (left) financial institution Kherson Oblast, on December 17 and 18 however didn’t make showed advances.[75]
Crimean career officers claimed on December 17 and 18 that Russian government are in a position to disconnect the cell web in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea without a complicated caution at any time because of unspecified “safety considerations.”[76] Sevastopol career governor Mikhail Razvozhayev mentioned that citizens are in a position to ship textual content messages and make calls within the tournament of an web outage. A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger claimed that Russian government most probably wish to block cell web get admission to in occupied Crimea so as to save you Ukrainian drones that use native SIM playing cards from placing their meant goals and Ukrainian partisans from reporting at the aftermath of Ukrainian drone moves.[77]
Russian Air, Missile, and Drone Marketing campaign (Russian Goal: Goal Ukrainian army and civilian infrastructure within the rear and at the frontline)
Russian forces carried out a chain of drone moves on Ukraine at the evening of December 17 to 18. The Ukrainian Air Power reported that Russian forces introduced 81 Shahed drones and different sorts of drones from Bryansk, Kursk, and Oryol oblasts and Millerovo, Rostov Oblast.[78] The Ukrainian Air Power reported that Ukrainian forces downed 51 drones over Poltava, Sumy, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhia oblasts and that 30 drones have been “misplaced” because of Ukrainian countermeasures.
Russian Mobilization and Power Technology Efforts (Russian function: Amplify fight energy with out carrying out basic mobilization)
The Russian Ministry of Protection (MoD) is an increasing number of tricking conscripts into signing army carrier contracts to battle in Ukraine most probably to be able to generate extra attack forces and handle the pace of Russian offensive operations in Ukraine. Radio Unfastened Europe/Radio Liberty’s Tatar-Bashkir Carrier Idel Realii reported on December 18 that the oldsters of Russian conscripts serving in a Russian army unit in Chebarkul, Chelyabinsk Oblast wrote an attraction to put up to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s Direct Line engagement on December 19, claiming that the Russian army has coerced and compelled their kids into signing Russian army carrier contracts.[79] Russian opposition outlet Mobilization Information reported on December 18 {that a} Russian conscript from Pskov Oblast just lately died in occupied Zaporizhia Oblast because of unknown reasons.[80]
Russian Leader of the Common Workforce Military Common Valery Gerasimov mentioned on December 18 in a briefing to overseas army attaches that the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) is completing forming its first S-500 air protection device regiment.[81] Gerasimov added that the Russian army could also be finishing assessments of Prince Pozharsky Borei-A category nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine and that the Russian army plans so as to add two further Borei-A category submarines to the Russian Army via 2028.[82]
Ukrainian army observer Petro Chernyk mentioned on December 18 that Ukrainian forces have broken and destroyed as much as 28 Russian floor ships for the reason that get started of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.[83] Chernyk added that Ukrainian forces have broken and destroyed 10 of the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s (BSF) 15 touchdown ships however that the BSF nonetheless has 20 Kalibr cruise missile carriers in carrier. Chernyk additionally mentioned that destroying landing-class ships is especially necessary as a result of Russia is dependent upon those ships to move provides to occupied Crimea, and Russia is not in a position to development landing-class ships. Ukrainian Army Spokesperson Captain 3rd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk reported in February 2024 that the BSF had virtually 80 items of naval fight apparatus initially of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.[84]
Russian Technological Diversifications (Russian function: Introduce technological inventions to optimize programs to be used in Ukraine)
Not anything vital to document.
Actions in Russian-occupied spaces (Russian function: Consolidate administrative management of annexed spaces; forcibly combine Ukrainian voters into Russian sociocultural, financial, army, and governance programs)
ISW isn’t publishing protection of actions in Russian-occupied spaces as of late.
Vital job in Belarus (Russian efforts to extend its army presence in Belarus and additional combine Belarus into Russian-favorable frameworks)
Not anything vital to document.
Word: ISW does now not obtain any categorised subject matter from any supply, makes use of handiest publicly to be had knowledge, and attracts broadly on Russian, Ukrainian, and Western reporting and social media in addition to commercially to be had satellite tv for pc imagery and different geospatial records as the foundation for those stories. References to all resources used are equipped within the endnotes of every replace.
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