Russian Main Effort: Eastern Ukraine
Russian Subordinate Main Effort #1
Russian objective: Push Ukrainian forces back from the international border with Belgorod Oblast and approach to within tube artillery range of Kharkiv City.
Russian forces continued offensive operations in northern Kharkiv Oblast on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced west of Lyman, east of Vilcha, and in southern Vovchanski-Khutory (all northeast of Kharkiv City).[21]
Russian forces attacked northeast of Kharkiv City near Vovchansk, Vilcha, Lyman, and Synelnykove and toward Izbytske on December 6 and 7.[22] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Vilcha and Prylipka (northeast of Kharkiv City).[23]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian Anvar Spetsnaz Detachment (possibly referring to the BARS-25 Anvar volunteer detachment) are reportedly striking Ukrainian positions in Kharkiv Oblast’s border areas.[24] Elements of the 128th Motorized Rifle Brigade (44th Army Corps [AC], Leningrad Military District [LMD]) are reportedly operating in Vovchansk.[25]
Russian forces continued offensive operations northeast of Velykyi Burluk near Ambarne and Khatnie and southeast of Velykyi Burluk near Dvorichanske and toward Kolodyazne on December 6 and 7 but did not advance.[26]
Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2
Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and encircle northern Donetsk Oblast
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Kupyansk direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces seized Kucherivka (just east of Kupyansk).[27] Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov credited elements of the Russian 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment (68th Motorized Rifle Division, 6th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Leningrad Military District [LMD]) and 1486th Motorized Rifle Regiment (comprised of mobilized personnel, reportedly of the 6th CAA, LMD) with the claimed seizure of Kucherivka.[28] A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced in central Kupyansk.[29]
Russian forces attacked near Kupyansk itself, west of Kupyansk near Sobolivka, east of Kupyansk near Petropavlivka, and southeast of Kupyansk near Pishchane on December 6 and 7.[30]
Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets reported on December 6 that Russian forces are struggling to make advances in the Kupyansk direction and that Russian military command likely left elements of the Russian 68th Motorized Rifle Division (6th CAA) to hold seized positions and attack within and around Kupyansk as the 1st Guards Tank Army (GTA) (Moscow Military District [MMD]) no longer has sufficient forces to attack Kupyansk and the bridgehead on the Oskil River.[31] Mashovets stated that Russian forces are having significant difficulties providing logistics to their forward units as Ukrainian forces heavily target Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) through the Kindrashivka-Kalynove-Holubivka-Radkivka (all north of Kupyansk) corridor. Mashovets noted that the 68th Motorized Rifle Division and elements of the 1st GTA, likely its 27th Motorized Rifle Brigade, are having significant problems with combat capabilities within Kupyansk and in adjacent areas north of the city.
Order of Battle: Mashovets reported that elements of the Russian 121st and 122nd motorized rifle regiments (both of the 68th Motorized Rifle Division) are attacking in Kupyansk and toward Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi (south of Kupyansk).[32]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Borova direction on December 7 but did not advance.
Russian forces attacked northeast of Borova near Kolisnykivka and southeast of Borova near Hrekivka and Tverdokhlibove and toward Novoserhiivka on December 6 and 7.[33]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 1st GTA are reportedly striking Ukrainian vehicles near Borova.[34]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Slovyansk-Lyman direction on December 7 but did not advance.
Russian forces attacked near Lyman itself; northwest of Lyman near Derylove, Drobysheve, Novoselivka, Yarova, and Serednie and toward Oleksandrivka; north of Lyman near Novyi Myr and Stavky; northeast of Lyman near Myrne; and east of Lyman near Zarichne on December 6 and 7.[35]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 144th Motorized Rifle Division (20th CAA, MMD) are reportedly operating in the Lyman direction.[36]
Russian Subordinate Main Effort #3
Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas, and advance into Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Siversk direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Assessed Russian infiltrations: Geolocated footage published on December 6 shows a Russian servicemember operating in eastern Siversk and Russian forces raising a flag atop a building in central Siversk during what ISW assesses were Russian infiltration missions that did not change control of terrain or the forward edge of battle area (FEBA).[37]
Unconfirmed claims: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced in northeastern and southern Siversk, west of Platonivka, in eastern Zakitne (both northwest of Siversk), northwest of Ozerne (northwest of Siversk) and south of Svyato-Pokrovske.[38]
Refinement of areas under Russian claims: Geolocated footage published on December 6 shows elements of the Russian 88th Motorized Rifle Brigade (3rd Combined Arms Army [CAA], formerly 2nd Luhansk People’s Republic Army Corps [LNR AC], Southern Military District [SMD]) striking a Ukrainian-occupied building in northeastern Svyato-Pokrovske (southwest of Siversk) — an area in which Russian sources previously claimed Russian forces maintained a presence.[39]
Russian forces attacked near and within Siversk itself; northwest of Siversk near Yampil, Zakitne, and Dronivka; northeast of Siversk near Serebryanka; and southwest of Siversk near Fedorivka and Vasyukivka and toward Pazeno and Nykyforivka on December 6 and 7.[40] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Ozerne and Nykyforivka.[41]
A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces have physical and fire control over the southern portion of the T-0513 Lyman-Soledar highway that passes through Svyato-Pokrovske and fire control over the northern portion of the road.[42]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 16th Spetsnaz Brigade (Russian General Staff’s Main Directorate [GRU]) are reportedly conducting reconnaissance in forested areas near Dibrova (northwest of Siversk).[43] Elements of the 7th Motorized Rifle Brigade (3rd CAA) are reportedly operating near Siversk.[44] Molniya drone operators of the 6th Motorized Rifle Brigade (3rd CAA) are striking Ukrainian forces in Siversk.[45]
Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area.
Assessed Ukrainian advances: Geolocated footage published on December 7 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in northwestern Ivanopillya (south of Kostyantynivka).[46]
Unconfirmed Russian advances: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces seized Sofiivka (southwest of Druzhkivka), advanced to the outskirts of Pryvillya and Minkivka (both northeast of Kostyantynivka) and advanced near Rusyn Yar (southwest of Kostyantynivka).[47] Russian milbloggers also claimed that Russian forces advanced in central Virolyubivka (north of Kostyantynivka), entered northern Bezimyane, and seized Klynove (both immediately west of Virolyubivka).[48] These claims are consistent with the Russian Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) December 5 claim that Russian forces seized Bezimyane and Klynove.[49] ISW continues to assess that the Russian MoD made this claim as part of a wider Russian effort to aggrandize Russian advances for informational and political purposes and has observed Russian forces using similar tactics, such as raising flags during infiltration missions that do not change the control of terrain or the FEBA, to claim false advances for informational effects.[50]
Russian forces attacked near Kostyantynivka; north of Kostyantynivka toward Virolyubivka; northeast of Kostyantynivka between Novomarkove and Minkivka; southeast of Kostyantynivka near Oleksandro-Shultyne; south of Kostyantynivka near Shcherbynivka and toward Berestok, Pleshchiivka, and Ivanopillya; southwest of Kostyantynivka near Yablunivka and toward Stepanivka; and southwest of Druzhkivka near and toward Sofiivka and Novopavlivka on December 6 and 7.[51] A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Klynove and Bezimyane.[52]
Russian milbloggers claimed on December 7 that Ukrainian forces destroyed a Ukrainian-held dam along the M-03 Slovyansk-Bakhmut highway on the northeastern outskirts of Pryvillya (northeast of Kostyantynivka) to flood areas in which Russian forces are attempting to advance and extend logistics.[53] Geolocated footage published on December 7 shows the destruction of a bridge along the M-03 highway northeast of Pryvillya.[54] The destruction of the dam could impede Russian advances east in the direction of Khromivka (northeast of Pryvillya).
Order of Battle: First-person view (FPV) drone operators of the Russian 13th Rusichi Assault Detachment of the 1194th Motorized Rifle Regiment (4th Motorized Rifle Brigade, 3rd CAA, SMD) are striking Ukrainian positions in Ivanopillya.[55] FPV drone operators of the 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th CAA, SMD) are reportedly striking Ukrainian positions near Sofiivka.[56] Drone operators of the 58th Separate Spetsnaz Battalion (unofficially designated the Okhotnik [Hunter] Spetsnaz Detachment) (51st CAA, formerly 1st Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] AC, SMD) are reportedly striking Ukrainian positions near Kostyantynivka.[57]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Dobropillya direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces seized Nove Shakhove and advanced into southern Toretske (both east of Dobropillya).[58]
Russian forces attacked east of Dobropillya near Toretske and Nove Shakhove and toward Novyi Donbas on December 6 and 7.[59]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Pokrovsk direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: The Russian MoD claimed that Russian forces seized Rivne (immediately east of Pokrovsk).[60] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced west of Pokrovsk, in southern Hryshyne (northwest of Pokrovsk), north of Udachne (southwest of Pokrovsk), and in central Myrnohrad (east of Pokrovsk).[61]
Russian forces attacked northwest of Pokrovsk near Hryshyne; north of Pokrovsk near Rodynske and toward Bilytske; northeast of Pokrovsk near Chervonyi (Krasnyi) Lyman and Novoekonomichne; east of Pokrovsk near and within Myrnohrad; and southwest of Pokrovsk near Kotlyne, Udachne, and toward Molodetske on December 6 and 7.[62]
The Ukrainian Operation Task Force East reported on December 6 that Ukrainian forces continue operations to identify and eliminate Russian forces in Pokrovsk and prevent Russian forces from further entering Myrnohrad.[63] The Ukrainian Operation Task Force East stated that Ukrainian forces continue organizing additional logistics routes into Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad.
Order of Battle: FPV drone operators of the Russian 80th Sparta Separate Reconnaissance Battalion (51st CAA) are reportedly interdicting Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) into and in Myrnohrad.[64] FPV drone operators of the 132nd Motorized Rifle Brigade (51st CAA) are reportedly intercepting Ukrainian drones near Myrnohrad.[65]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Novopavlivka direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces advanced northwest of Filiya (south of Novopavlivka) and north of Ivanivka (southwest of Novopavlivka.[66]
Russian forces attacked near and within Novopavlivka itself and south of Novopavlivka near Yalta and Dachne on December 6 and 7.[67]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Oleksandrivka direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed on December 7 that Russian forces advanced north of Ivanivka (northeast of Oleksandrivka).[68]
Russian forces attacked northeast of Oleksandrivka near Ivanivka and Zelenyi Hai; east of Oleksandrivka near Oleksandrohrad; and southeast of Oleksandrivka near Verbove, Vorone, Stepove, and Sosnivka on December 6 and 7.[69] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Tykhe (east of Oleksandrivka on the southern bank of the Vovcha River) and Hai (south of Oleksandrivka).[70]
A Kremlin-affiliated Russian milblogger acknowledged that Ukrainian counterattacks pushed Russian forces from Tykhe but claimed that Ukrainian forces do not control the settlement.[71]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 91st Separate Rifle Regiment (29th CAA, Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly striking Ukrainian armored vehicles in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.[72]
Russian Supporting Effort: Southern Axis
Russian objective: Maintain frontline positions, secure rear areas against Ukrainian strikes, and advance within tube artillery range of Zaporizhzhia City
Russian forces recently advanced in the Hulyaipole direction.
Assessed Russian advances: Geolocated footage published on December 7 indicates that Russian forces recently advanced on the eastern outskirts of Dobropillya (north of Hulyaipole).[73]
Assessed Russian infiltrations: Geolocated footage published on December 7 shows Ukrainian forces striking a Russian-occupied building in eastern Hulyaipole after what ISW assesses was a Russian infiltration mission that did not change control of terrain or the forward edge of battle area (FEBA).[74]
Unconfirmed claims: Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces advanced up to the Haichur River in eastern Hulyaipole and also advanced in southeastern Hulyaipole, in Varvarivka (north of Hulyaipole) and Zarichne (north of Hulyaipole on the west bank of the Haichur River).[75]
Russian forces attacked near and within Hulyaipole itself; north of Hulyaipole near Varvarivka, Danylivka, and Dobropillya and toward Zelene; and northeast of Hulyaipole near Krasnohirske, Pryvilne, Solodke, Rybne, Uspenivka, Pavlivka, and Zlahoda on December 6 and 7.[76] Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked near and within Dobropillya and near Hulyaipole.[77]
A Russian milblogger claimed on December 7 that Ukrainian forces continue to be able to use the T-0401 Hulyaipole-Pokrovske highway to transport supplies and reserves to Hulyaipole despite regular Russian drone strikes along the road.[78] The milblogger noted that Russian forces do not yet have fire control over the road. Another Russian milblogger claimed that the number of guided glide bomb strikes that Russian forces are currently conducting against Hulyaipole is comparable to the number used against Avdiivka in 2023-2024.[79] Russian forces notably employed mass glide bomb strikes to tactical effect in their seizure of Avdiivka in February 2024.[80]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 37th Motorized Rifle Brigade (36th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Eastern Military District [EMD]) are reportedly operating in Dobropillya.[81] First-person view (FPV) drone operators of the 14th Separate Engineering Brigade (EMD) are reportedly mining Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) and then striking Ukrainian vehicles along the roads near Hulyaipole.[82] Drone operators of the 14th Spetsnaz Brigade (Russian General Staff’s Main Directorate [GRU]) are reportedly striking Ukrainian armored vehicles in Terenuvate (northwest of Hulyaipole).[83] Elements of the 57th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (5th CAA, EMD) are reportedly operating near Hulyaipole.[84]
Russian forces continued offensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast on December 7 but did not advance.
Russian forces attacked southwest of Orikhiv near Novoandriivka and west of Orikhiv near Stepnohirsk, Prymorske, and Stepove on December 6 and 7.[85]
Order of Battle: Drone operators of the Russian 108th Airborne (VDV) Regiment (7th VDV Division) are reportedly operating in the Zaporizhia direction.[86] Drone operators of the 247th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division) are reportedly striking Ukrainian armored vehicles in the Zaporizhia direction, and air defense elements of the 11th Separate VDV Brigade are reportedly using FPV interceptor drones to destroy Ukrainian reconnaissance and strike drones in the Zaporizhia direction.[87]
Russian forces continued limited ground operations in the Kherson direction on December 7 but did not make confirmed advances.
Unconfirmed claims: A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces seized Borshchovyi, Vilkhovyi, and Zabych islands and advanced south of Yanarme and Berehove (all southeast of Kherson City).[88]
Russian forces attacked east of Kherson City near the Antonivskyi Bridge on December 7.[89]
A Russian milblogger denied reports that Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups entered Prydniprovske (east of Kherson City on the west [right] bank of the Dnipro River).[90]
Order of Battle: Reconnaissance elements of the Russian 215th Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the 98th VDV Division are reportedly targeting Ukrainian communications equipment in the Kherson direction.[91]
