President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, comrades,
Today, we will hold a regular meeting on the developments in the special military operation zone. Our meeting is taking place right before the New Year when we traditionally sum up the results.
During the expanded meeting of the Defence Ministry Board, the Defence Minister spoke in detail about the results of the outgoing year 2025, and the Chief of the General Staff did the same.
Today, we will focus on the current state of affairs along the line of contact, discuss the results of our work, hear reports by commanders of groups of forces on the results of accomplishing objectives by your military units and formations, and talk about short-term plans.
As we always do at such meetings, I would like to ask the Chief of the General Staff to report on the overall situation along the entire front line.
Mr Gerasimov, the floor is yours.
Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
The Joint group troops are advancing along almost the entire front. Military units and formations are defeating the enemy and advancing deeper into its defences.
In December, over 700 square kilometres of the territory and 32 population centres were liberated, which is the highest monthly advance tallied in the outgoing year. In all, 6,640 square kilometres of territory and 334 population centres came under our control this year.
The enemy is not undertaking any active offensive actions. Its main efforts are focused on strengthening its defences, and it is attempting to slow the pace of our advance by carrying out counterattacks in certain sectors and through mass use of drones.
The North group of forces continues to expand the safety zone in the border areas of the Sumy and Kharkov regions. In December, following the liberation of Volchansk, control was established over five localities in these regions. Simultaneously with the execution of combat missions, engineer units of the group are clearing the Sudzha, Glushkovo, and Korenevo districts in the Kursk Region of mines. Units of the Korean People’s Army have provided significant help in this regard.
Formations of the West group of forces continue defeating enemy formations east of Kupyansk on the left bank of the Oskol River. The territory controlled by the encircled Ukrainian grouping on the left bank has been reduced by more than half. Today, Boguslavka and Dibrova have been fully liberated. In the Krasny Liman and Rubtsy sectors, military units and formations of the West group are actively advancing inside the city of Krasny Liman. The destruction of enemy formations encircled in Drobyshevo continues. The Russian troops control more than half of the localities.
After liberating Seversk, the troops of the South group of forces are advancing along a wide front toward Slavyansk and continue liberating Kostantinovka.
Having liberated Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov, the Centre group troops are advancing along a wide front. North of the Krasnoarmeysk-Dimitrov agglomeration, in Grishino, we have taken control of the entire southeastern part of the settlement.
At the same time, the group troops are successfully creating a safety zone in the Dnepropetrovsk Region. About half of Novopavlovka has been liberated; street fighting continues in Novopodgorodnoye.
The East group of forces continues to advance in the Zaporozhye Region on the western bank of the Gaichur River, moving deeper into the enemy defences.
The troops of the Dnieper group of forces are advancing towards the city of Zaporozhye. Lukyanovskoye has been liberated; the liberation of Primorskoye is nearing completion, and street fighting is underway in Orekhov.
Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
The execution of missions to liberate the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, will continue as planned.
This concludes my report.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Mr Gerasimov.
Just the other day, the day before yesterday, on December 27, we held a working meeting to review in detail the situation along the directions of operation of the Centre and East group of forces.
Following the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov, the Centre group of forces is completing the elimination of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group encircled there and is, at the same time, conducting an offensive towards the state border, the border of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The situation is also developing favourably in the combat zone of the East group of forces in the Zaporozhye Region. After crossing the Gaichur River, this group breached the enemy defences and is advancing at a good pace towards Zaporozhye.
In December, the group liberated over 200 square kilometres of territory and ten population centres, including the city of Gulyaipole.
Let us now discuss other directions and discuss the situation in those sectors. We will begin with the north and then move south.
I give the floor to Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov. Please.
Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
After the liberation of the Kursk Region, the North group of forces focused heavily on expanding the safety zone on Ukrainian territory along the borders of the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
In the course of offensive operations, military units and formations of the group took control of over 940 square kilometres of border areas in the Sumy and Kharkov regions and liberated 32 population centres. In the Sumy Region, 18 population centres were liberated, including two in December. In the Kharkov Region, during combat operations in December, five population centres were taken under control. In total, since the beginning of the Russian offensive, 14 population centres have been liberated. The largest of them is the district centre, the city of Volchansk.
Vladimir Putin: What is the total length of the line of operations to create these safety zones?
Yevgeny Nikiforov: In the Sumy Region, the safety zone is more than 16 kilometres in depth and 60 kilometres along the front. At the same time, the forward units are less than 20 kilometres away from the regional centre. In the Kharkov Region, the safety zone extends up to 15 kilometres in depth and more than 130 kilometres along the front line.
Vladimir Putin: You mentioned the capture of Volchansk. When did that happen?
Yevgeny Nikiforov: We took it in November.
Vladimir Putin: How do you assess the significance of taking this city?
Yevgeny Nikiforov: The liberation of Volchansk significantly expanded the length of the safety zone and ensured the advance of the group southwards.
Vladimir Putin: Good. Mr Nikiforov, this is a very important task, as it ensures the security of Russia’s border regions. In 2026, this work certainly needs to be continued. I would like to thank you for the results, you and all personnel.
Mr Kuzovlev, the West group of forces is operating effectively, and the Chief of the General Staff reports regularly. We also met recently, and you briefed me on the situation in your sector. I would ask you today to provide a detailed report on the results of combat missions in this area.
Please, proceed.
Colonel General Sergei Kuzovlev: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
In the Krasny Liman sector, combat missions are being carried the 25th Army forces. Currently, units of the 67th Motor Rifle Division have entered Krasny Liman from several directions and are engaged in combat operations in the neighbourhoods. They are advancing westward, systematically clearing pockets of resistance in the enemy’s strongholds. The 164th and 169th motor rifle brigades and the 11th Tank Brigade have secured the main road axis of Krasny Liman – Zakotnoye – Seversk, thereby cutting off the enemy group’s primary supply routes.
During the combat operations, the community of Dibrova has been liberated. Part of the forces has advanced to the northern outskirts of Ilyichevka settlement and is currently engaged in street battles to liberate it from the enemy.
Simultaneously, assault units of the 25th Army are developing their offensive westward, currently advancing through the forested areas of the Holy Mountains National Park, thereby expanding the zone of control along the Seversky Donets River.
Vladimir Putin: I would like to highlight the successful operations on the Krasny Liman axis; they are important. Of course, the liquidation of this group in the north must be completed – we discussed this as well, and I recall precisely, on the left bank. How many enemy forces remain there, according to our estimates?
Sergei Kuzovlev: In the Boguslavka axis, we are completing the destruction of enemy forces in the 6th Army’s sector, and approximately 10 battalions remain in the 1stArmy’s sector. That is slightly over 2,500 combatants.
Vladimir Putin: The numbers are gradually dwindling; recently, you reported 3,500, correct? You reported that. You have also just noted that the enemy’s attempts to hinder our operations inside Kupyansk must, naturally, be resolutely thwarted.
I know that you are taking the necessary measures.
Sergei Kuzovlev: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, on the Kupyansk axis, the liquidation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces formations encircled east of Kupyansk is being conducted in accordance with the plan approved by the General Staff. Currently, our forces are destroying units of the 14th Mechanised Brigade in the area of the communities of Podoly and Kupyansk-Uzlovoy. The operation is in its final stages.
We plan to completely block part of the enemy group in January-February.
Vladimir Putin: Good. Thank you very much.
I also extend my best wishes and gratitude to the personnel of the group.
Mr Medvedev, the South group of forces is operating confidently and effectively. How is the situation progressing in your area?
Lieutenant General Sergei Medvedev: Comrade Commander Supreme-in-Chief,
After liberating Seversk, the 3rd Army continues to carry out its missions in the western direction, with the primary focus towards Slavyansk, without slowing the pace of advance.
At present, the envelopment of Svyato-Pokrovskoye from the north and south has been secured and completed. On the northern flank, units have reached Zakotovo; on the southern flank, they have reached the eastern outskirts of Bondarnoye. Combat missions in the direction of Seversk are ongoing.
Vladimir Putin: What is the current situation in Konstantinovka?
Sergei Medvedev: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, in Konstantinovka, units of the 3rd Army Corps continue to mop up the northeastern outskirts of the city. The Stroysteklo plant has been taken under control, and operations to liberate the Konstantinovka Metal Works are ongoing.
Vladmir Putin: Approximately, what percentage of the city is currently under our control?
Sergei Medvedev: Up to 45 percent, Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief. If we take the northeastern outskirts, then about 40 percent.
Vladmir Putin: We fully understand that the liberation of Seversk and the effective operations in Konstantinovka are creating conditions for further offensive actions and for taking control of the entire Slavyansk–Druzhkovka–Kramatorsk agglomeration, as well as the enemy’s defensive line as a whole. In coordination with the West and Centre groups of forces, this opens the way to complete liberation of Donbass. This is a strategically critical area, and your pace of advance is excellent.
I have already had the opportunity to speak with your subordinates. Please, once again convey my gratitude and best wishes to them for their successful performance.
Sergey Medvedev: Yes, sir.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Teplinsky, your group is positioned directly opposite a fortified area the enemy created many years ago. Nevertheless, you continue to carry out active operations in this direction.
How do you assess the overall situation?
Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief,
The Dnepr group of forces, overcoming the enemy’s prepared defensive lines, is advancing toward the city of Zaporozhye. Stepnogorsk, which served as the enemy’s main defensive stronghold on the way to the regional centre, has come under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. The liberation of Lukyanovskoye has been completed today. The operation to take Primorskoye is nearing completion.
Combat operations are currently underway in the city of Orekhov, in Novoandreyevka, Novoyakovlevka, Belogorye, and Pavlovka settlements.
Over the past two months, the group has liberated five localities. At present, units of the group continue offensive operations in the Zaporozhye Region. Forward units are about 15 kilometres away from the southern outskirts of Zaporozhye. This concludes my report.
Vladimir Putin: Fifteen kilometres?
Mikhail Teplinsky: Yes, approximately 15 kilometres to the outskirts.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Teplinsky, I would also like to note your soldiers and commanders’ effective and successful actions. Please, convey my best wishes to them.
Mikhail Teplinsky: Yes, sir.
Vladimir Putin: We are fully aware that the enemy forces positioned opposite you have been preparing their defences in this area for many years, and we know how difficult the conditions are. Nevertheless, you are successfully accomplishing the tasks assigned to the group. In the short term, it will be necessary to continue the offensive in coordination with the East group in order to liberate Zaporozhye. Thank you very much.
Mikhail Teplinsky: Yes, sir.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Belousov, would you like to add anything?
Defence Minister Andrei Belousov: Yes. Everything is proceeding according to plan and at a fast pace.
In fact, as reported by Mr Gerasimov, progress is ahead of the initially projected schedule. In December, we have achieved the highest operational tempo of the entire year.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
Comrades,
The liberation of Donbass, the Zaporozhye Region, and the Kherson Region is being carried out in stages, in accordance with the plan for the special military operation. Our groups of forces are advancing confidently, breaching the enemy defences. Units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are retreating along the entire line of contact.
The commanders of the groups reported on the current situation, and I ask you to continue to carry out the tasks of the special military operation strictly in line with the concepts and plans of the General Staff.
I would once again like to express my gratitude to all Russian servicemen currently performing combat missions along the entire line of contact, across the front.
Undoubtedly, the decisive role in the successes of the Russian Armed Forces at the front belongs to our soldiers and officers. In liberating the land of Donbass, they display courage and heroism, risking their lives daily.
I would like to address them directly and emphasise the following.
Comrades,
You are setting a true example of service to the Fatherland, service to the Motherland, fulfilling your combat missions for the benefit of our great Russia.
I thank you for your valiant service to the Fatherland and wish you a happy upcoming New Year.