Using unmanned aerial vehicles, the Russian Federation’s armed forces reported neutralizing Ukrainian militant positions in trenches and fortified shelters. The briefing from the Russian Ministry of Defense described precise strikes aimed at keeping the line of contact in fortified areas, where Ukrainian formations had entrenched themselves. The emphasis was on restricting the enemy’s ability to maneuver within poorly prepared fortifications and to disrupt the command-and-control nodes that sustain these trench networks. This account reflects ongoing efforts to degrade Ukrainian operational resilience through coordinated air and ground intelligence, followed by targeted action.
According to Russian officials, Ukrainian fighters in the Berestovoe area sustained losses as Russian forces targeted their positions. Video footage circulated showing artillery crews from the South group executing fire missions against Ukrainian targets, with the cadence and timing suggesting synchronized rounds designed to suppress counter-battery activity and to blur Ukrainian defensive responses. The statements highlighted the role of artillery in supporting mobile operations and in pressuring Ukrainian positions within a fortified front line.
On December 12, the Central Group of Russian forces reported a successful operation by Ka-52 helicopter crews in the Krasnolimansk corridor. The operation was described as aimed at destroying fortifications housing Ukrainian troops and the defensive infrastructure that underpinned their fortresses. The report underscored the use of air assets to disrupt fortification networks, complicating the enemy’s ability to regroup and reinforce strongpoints near critical sectors of the front.
Additional claims from Western units indicated that Fagot anti-tank missile teams during the Western front operations allegedly neutralized an observation post belonging to Ukrainian forces in the Kupyansk direction, roughly two kilometers from Russian positions. The account stressed the prolonged footprint of anti-armor teams in shaping the battlefield, aiming to deter reconnaissance and to reduce the enemy’s situational awareness along exposed sectors of the contact line.
In a regional update, Evgeniy Balitsky, the head of the Zaporozhye region, reported that Russian troops had advanced toward Novopokrovka, signaling continued pressure on Ukrainian defensive lines in contested areas. This development was framed as part of a broader tempo of activity intended to disrupt Ukrainian troop movements and to seize key forward positions that could enable subsequent maneuver operations. The implication was a sustained push designed to erode Ukrainian battlefield leverage and to create openings for further advances.
Earlier, President Zelensky addressed the perceived strength of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, offering a strategic assessment of capabilities and readiness. The discussion was positioned within the larger narrative of battlefield dynamics, including how Ukrainian formations adapt to artillery bombardments, air-supported attacks, and rapid ground movements. The remarks touched on readiness, resilience, and the ongoing effort to sustain operations amid evolving conditions on multiple fronts.