Zelensky: Among civilians kidnapped by Russians in Sumy region were children
Ukrainian military forces in the Sumy region refrained from destroying Russian forces in order not to endanger the civilian population remaining in the border village.
War
Border battles continue in Hrabovske, Sumy region - AFU
Ukrainian defense forces continue to fight Russian occupiers in the area of the village of Hrabivske in Sumy region, while the enemy, taking advantage of its proximity to the border, has evacuated civilians from the village.
Zelensky: About 1,100 Russian troops in Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces hold defense
Ukrainian forces continue to hold the front under control, maintaining their positions, fending off Russian attacks, and achieving tactical gains in specific areas.
AFU showcase ground robot holding frontline position for 45 days
The Third Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released a video showing how a ground robotic system held a frontline position for 45 days without losing a single soldier.
Civilians injured, homes damaged in Nikopol district amid Russian attacks
Russian forces attacked Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk region throughout the day, damaging homes and injuring three people.
Zelensky reviews candidates for key Air Command “South” post
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said following a meeting of the Staff that several candidates have already been proposed for the position of commander of Air Command “South,” and a decision is being prepared.
War update: 100 clashes on front lines, fiercest battles are in Pokrovsk sector
Since the beginning of the day, 100 combat engagements have been recorded on the front, with fighting ongoing across seven sectors. The enemy continues to exert pressure on the Pokrovsk sector.
For Europe, deterring Russia means investing more in NATO – Norway’s Chief of Defence
Europe will become stronger if it consistently pursues defense-strengthening goals within NATO.
People gathered in church: Tregubov explains how Russians relocated civilians from settlement in Sumy region
Viktor Tregubov, Head of the Communications Department of the Joint Forces Task Force, explained how Russian occupiers abducted civilians in the Sumy region: people were gathered in a church and later taken to the territory of Russia.
DIU drones strike Russia’s Tamanneftegaz Marine Oil Terminal
On the night of December 22, unmanned aerial vehicles operated by the Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine struck the Tamanneftegaz Marine Oil Terminal in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
Russian army strikes Donetsk region more than 1,600 times in 24 hours
Russian troops struck the Donetsk region 1,627 times over the past 24 hours, damaging five civilian objects.
Eirik Kristoffersen, Norway Defense Chief
Peace has to be on Ukraine’s terms, otherwise it's not a lasting peace
Series of explosions rocks Mariupol
A series of explosions has been reported in two districts of temporarily occupied Mariupol.
Russian troops shell Sumy community, damaging houses and power lines
Russian troops attacked the Sumy community with multiple launch rocket systems, damaging residential buildings and power lines.
DIU: Russia adapts Molniia drone for aerial reconnaissance
Russia has adapted the Molniia strike drone for aerial reconnaissance.
Containers with flour and oil catch fire at port of Pivdennyi due to Russian shelling
On the night of December 22, the Russian army attacked the port and energy infrastructure of Odesa region, setting fire to containers with flour and oil.
Russian attack sparks fires at energy facilities in Odesa region, fertilizer warehouses damaged
In Odesa and the Odesa region, a massive Russian attack sparked fires at energy infrastructure facilities and damaged warehouse buildings storing fertilizers and agricultural machinery.
Enemy strikes over 80 times in nine communities in Sumy region in 24 hours
Russian troops carried out more than 80 strikes on 20 settlements in nine territorial communities of the Sumy region between the morning of December 21 and the morning of December 22.
DIU: Russian Su-30 and Su-27 fighter jets destroyed at Lypetsk airfield
On the night of December 20-21, two Su-30 and Su-27 fighter jets burned at a Russian military airfield near Lypetsk.
Air defense forces destroy 58 of 86 Russian drones since yesterday evening
Air defense forces destroyed 58 drones used by Russian troops to attack Ukraine since last night, with enemy strikes recorded at 12 locations.
Russian army shells two settlements in Kharkiv region in past day, causing damage
Over the past day, the Russian army launched rocket salvo attacks on two settlements in the Kharkiv region.
War update: 223 clashes along frontline over past day, Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka sectors see fiercest fighting
On December 21, Ukrainian Defense Forces recorded 223 combat engagements with Russian invaders along the frontline.
Russian strikes hit 31 settlements in Kherson region: one dead, three injured
Over the past day, Russian forces used drones, artillery, and aircraft to strike 31 settlements across Kherson region, killing one person and injuring three others.
Russia’s war casualty toll in Ukraine up by 1,120 over past day
Total combat losses of Russian forces in manpower from February 24, 2022 to December 22, 2025 have reached approximately 1,197,860 personnel, including 1,120 eliminated over the past day.
Russians shell Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, causing fires and damage
Russian forces shelled four districts of Dnipropetrovsk region overnight, sparking fires and causing destruction.
Critical infrastructure damaged in Odesa due to Russia’s nighttime attacks
In Odesa, a critical infrastructure facility was damaged as a result of two nighttime enemy attacks, leaving part of one of the city’s districts without electricity.
Occupiers begin selling tickets at Mariupol Drama Theater, site of mass killing of civilians
Russian occupiers have begun selling tickets for performances at the Mariupol Drama Theater, the site of the mass killing of civilians.
21 December 2025
Russian drone strike leaves two wounded in Kherson
In Kherson, two people were injured as a result of a Russian drone strike.
War update: 200 clashes on front line, most active Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka sectors
There were 200 combat engagements on the front line, more than 70 of them on the Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka directions.