The 305th day of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is underway, with ongoing front-line developments reported by wPolityce.pl. The daily account provides continuous updates on events across the country.
READ MORE: A daily account of the war
Sunday December 25, 2022
2:15 pm. A second air raid siren sounded in Ukraine during the day.
An all-country air raid alert was issued as Russian MiG-31K fighters reportedly departed from airports in Belarus, according to news portals.
Belarusian monitoring channels claimed that MiG-31K aircraft took off from Machuliszcze and Baranowicze, capable of carrying Kinzhal missiles with a range that covers the entirety of Ukraine. An alert is triggered each time such flights occur.
According to the Belarusian Hajun Channel, an A-50 early warning aircraft used by Russia to reconnoitre Ukrainian air defenses also flew from Machuliszcze.
14:10. Russia reportedly lost about 102,050 soldiers in Ukraine.
From February 24 onward, estimates indicate Russian losses at approximately 102,050 personnel, along with hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft systems, aircraft, helicopters, drones, naval assets, and support equipment.
2:00 PM. Three Russian missiles struck Kramatorsk.
Oleksandr Honcharenko, head of the regional government, stated that three rockets hit the industrial area of Kramatorsk. Preliminary information indicated no casualties.
1:45 PM Medals of “NATO Ammunition Fragments”
In a report from the Telegram channel “Ostrozhno, Moscow,” medals awarded at a children’s karate festival were described as made from fragments of NATO ammunition. Symbols associated with hostility were reportedly included, and the medals were described as produced by Donetsk blacksmiths using shell fragments from NATO ammunition allegedly used to shell Russian cities.
13:20. The church in Kisielewka was destroyed by Russian shelling.
The sole Orthodox church in Kisielewka, a village in the Kherson region, was destroyed during shelling and the 4th Hague Convention protecting sacred sites during armed conflict was cited by Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov in comments emphasizing disregard for religious sanctity by Russian forces.
– noted in statements attributed to the defense ministry.
1:00 pm. Britain donated 900 generators to Ukraine
The United Kingdom has provided more than 900 generators and 15,000 units of extreme-weather equipment to Ukraine, including cold-weather clothing and special tents, according to Ukrinform.
12:45 p.m. Advisor to the mayor of Mariupol: Russians are moving equipment and soldiers
Russians are transferring substantial equipment from Russia via Mariupol toward Berdyansk and Melitopol, as reported by a Mariupol mayoral adviser. The movement involved additional equipment cascading through Manhush, with other units redeployed from Urzuf toward the south of the Zaporizhia region.
The Ukrainian authorities in Mariupol indicated that units from Urzuf and Russian territory are being redeployed toward Berdyansk, while previously stationed matériel in Ahrobaza and Manhusz were integrated into the columns.
12:30 p.m. Head of a major Russian shipyard dies
Alexander Buzakov, chief executive of a prominent Saint Petersburg shipyard known for non-nuclear submarines capable of Kalibr missile launches, died suddenly on December 24 after eleven years in leadership. The report has attracted attention in regional media.
12:15 p.m. Russia transfers reserves to Berdyansk and Melitopol
According to Strana, citing Petro Andrushchenko, an adviser to the exiled Mariupol mayor, reserves are being moved to Berdyansk and Melitopol as part of ongoing redeployments.
12:00 a.m. Ukraine tests readiness to counter subversive activity
In Kyiv, the armed forces’ readiness to counter sabotage groups was evaluated today. Residents heard explosions linked to the training exercise, according to authorities.
11:30 a.m. Putin’s arguments questioned
Vladimir Putin stated that Russia cannot be as cynical as the West regarding Ukraine, a remark cited by RIA Novosti. He asserted the uniqueness of the Russian people and the nation’s history as context for current events.
10:45 a.m. A nationwide air raid alarm was canceled
The morning air raid alert across Ukraine was canceled after a MiG-31K took off from a Belarusian airport, a move traditionally triggering alerts elsewhere in the country.
10:30 a.m. 16 killed in Kherson region over 24 hours
Kherson and surrounding areas saw 16 deaths and 64 injuries due to shelling in the past day, including casualties among emergency service personnel. Authorities said the toll rose as the day progressed, with ongoing danger in the region and heightened calls for evacuation to safer areas.
10:20 a.m. Air alert ends, with exceptions
The nationwide air raid warning concluded with exceptions for Crimea and parts of Luhansk Oblast that remain under occupation.
10:10 a.m. More shelling reported
The Donetsk region reported renewed shelling around the city of Wuhledar and its outskirts, with no casualties at that moment, according to the regional administration.
9:10 a.m. Air raid alarms nationwide
Early sirens were heard across Ukraine, with ongoing reports of an aviation alert tied to a MiG-31K capable of carrying Kinzhal missiles, taking off from a Belarus airport.
9:00 a.m. 51 thousand investigations into Russian war crimes
Ukrainian police said more than 51,000 criminal proceedings have begun in connection with alleged war crimes by Russian forces, with about 168 cases per day noted in a ten-month review. Authorities reported seizures and substantial quantities of ammunition and explosives during demining operations.
8:35 a.m. Slower Russian tempo near Bakhmut
ISW analysts noted a slowdown in Russian advances near Bakhmut, with Ukrainian forces potentially compelling the attacker to pause temporarily. The assessment cited private military groups and battlefield dynamics as factors in recent days.
The report described a possible strategic pause as Russia seeks to sustain momentum or gain a tactical edge in surrounding areas, while observers noted a challenging path to maintaining offensive tempo in the region.
6:50 a.m. Black Sea fleet expansion
Ukraine’s navy reported an increase to four Kalibr-capable ships in the Black Sea, with the broader fleet numbering fourteen warships, including surface and submarine units armed with missiles. The message warned of possible sea-based missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.
0:00. Kherson casualty toll rises to ten
The Kherson regional authorities confirmed ten fatalities and dozens of injuries from an attack on the city center, with officials urging blood donations and evacuation to safe areas as power and heat supplies remain inconsistent in the region. The overall impact from today’s strikes was being assessed, with authorities indicating continued risk in the area.
In summary, the day’s reporting highlights renewed front-line bombardments, troop movements, and civilian humanitarian concerns as the conflict continues to unfold across multiple fronts, as tracked by independent outlets and corroborated by official statements. [Citation: wPolityce]