Updates on the Situation in Ukraine
December 22, 2025
Frontline Update
December 20, 2025
- The most intense fighting is in the Pokrovsky direction, where russian troops have launched 60 attacks, carried out 42 airstrikes, dropped 101 guided bombs, and deployed 1,684 kamikaze drones.
- Active combat also continued on the Kostiantynivka, Lyman, Sloviansk, Kupiansk, Southern Slobozhanskyi, Huliaipole, and Orikhiv axes, where Ukrainian forces successfully repelled the majority of enemy attacks.
Power Outages in Ukraine
December 10–21, 2025
- russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure continue across Ukraine, causing widespread power outages.
- Odesa region hardest hit: on 13 December 2025, the most massive attack on the region’s energy system occurred since the start of the war – 10 substations were taken out overnight, leaving 100% of Odesa and surrounding areas without electricity, as well as disrupted internet and communications.
- Residents experienced blackouts lasting 3-4 days, with some still affected.
- On 19 December, over 73,000 people remained without electricity in Odesa; repairs continued under ongoing missile and drone attacks.
- Sumy region and other northern/eastern areas also experienced temporary blackouts due to russian drone and missile attacks.
- Authorities implement rolling outages to stabilize the grid, prioritizing essential services and alternative routes.
- Overall, Ukraine’s energy system remains under stress, with continued risk of outages across multiple regions.
Russian Attacks on Odesa Region
December 18–20, 2025
- russian forces attacked key infrastructure in Mayaky village (Odesa region) over several days, including a vital bridge leading to Bessarabia near the Moldova border.
- A woman was killed and three of her children were injured.
- Traffic on the Odesa – Reni route is heavily disrupted.
- Authorities are assessing the bridge damage and planning restoration; alternative routes provide logistics and border connections.
- December 19–20, 2025: russian strikes on port infrastructure in the Odesa region killed eight people and injured 27 others.
Russian Attacks in Sumy Region
December 10–21, 2025
- On 12 December, russian forces struck a sports complex in Shostka with two Shahed drones while children were training.
- All were evacuated safely, no injuries reported; the facility sustained damage.
- Throughout mid-December, persistent shelling and drone strikes targeted multiple settlements, damaging homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, causing disruptions and civilian casualties.
- On 20–21 December, russian forces crossed the border near Grabovske and forcibly evacuated over 50 civilians to russia, mainly older men and women.
- Authorities maintain protective measures and monitoring, while attacks and provocations continue to threaten residents and local infrastructure.
Strike on Fastiv Train Depot
December 5–6, 2025
- December 5: russian forces attacked the suburban train depot in Fastiv (Kyiv region), targeting critical rail infrastructure.
- As a result, 27 train carriages were destroyed, including three modern electric trains.
- The depot and station suffered heavy damage, causing significant disruption to commuter services and local mobility.
- Reconstruction is estimated to cost around 100 million UAH.
Photo: https://lb.ua/
Strike on Turkish Cargo Vessel
December 12–13, 2025
- russian forces attacked a Turkish-owned cargo ship near Odesa, damaging the vessel and causing a fire.
- All crew were evacuated safely; one person was injured..
- The vessel, carrying goods including humanitarian cargo, was anchored in port when hit.
- The incident raised strong concerns from Turkey about maritime safety and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
Agricultural News
Drone Strike Damages Farm in Chernihiv Region
December 16, 2025
- On the night of December 16, a russian UAV struck a farm in Zhernivka village, Novhorod-Siverskyi district.
- The impact caused a fire on the roof of a cattle barn.
- According to rescuers, 5 head of cattle were killed, and agricultural machinery was damaged.
Export
December 12, 2025
Total Ukrainian exports of grains and legumes in the 2025/26 MY reached 13.3 mln tons, which is 6 mln tons, or 31% less than last season.
- Wheat: 7.5 mln tons – 1.6 mln tons less than last year (-18%)
- Barley: over 1.2 mln tons -36% less than the same date last season
- Rye: 0.2 K tons – dozens of times less than last year’s 10.8 K tons.
- Corn: 4.4 mln tons – 1.8 times less than last season.
- Flour: 29.3 K tons – 16% less than last year.
Russian Attacks Limit Ukraine’s Sea Grain Exports
December, 2025
- russian strikes damaged Black Sea ports and energy infrastructure.
- Several grain export terminals were forced to suspend operations.
- Ports are operating at only ~20% of capacity.
- By mid-December, 359 K t of wheat were exported out of 1 mln t contracted.
- Exports remain constrained by power outages and rail logistics disruptions.
Ukrainian Sea Corridor
December 16
- Since its launch, over 98 mln tons of agricultural products have been transported through the Sea Corridor
- Nearly 7 K vessels have transited the route.
- Ukrainian grain supplies reached 55 countries worldwide.
- The corridor remains a critical and economically vital route for North African countries.
Rail Grain Exports in Early December
December 16
- In the first 10 days of December, 872.3 K tons of grain were exported by rail.
- Total rail grain transportation amounted to 940.3 K tons, 2.8% higher than in November.
- At the same time, grain loadings on the rail network fell to 784.9 K t.
- This volume is 6% lower than in December last year.
Harvesting
December 11
- As of December 11, grain and legume crops were harvested from an area of 10.8 mln ha (92.4%).
- Total production reached 55.5 mln tons, with an average yield of 5.15 tons/ha.
- Wheat: 5.05 mln ha (98.4%), ~23 mln tons, 4.55 tons/ha.
- Barley: 1.36 mln ha (98.2%), 5.4 mln tons, 3.98 tons/ha.
- Peas: 275.1 K ha (99%), 672.5 K tons, 2.44 tons /ha.
- Corn: 3.66 mln ha (83.1%), ~25.4 mln tons, 6.94 tons/ha.
- Buckwheat: 59.4 K ha (96.7%), 82.7 K tons, 1.39 tons/ha.
- Millet: 35.8 K ha (88.4%), 62.1 K tons, 1.74 tons /ha.
- Sunflower: 4.8 mln ha (92.9%), ~9.1 mln tons, 1.88 tons/ha.
- Soybeans: 2.0 mln ha (97.8%), 4.8 mln tons, 2.37 tons/ha.
- Sugar beets: 197.2 K ha (99.1%), 10.7 mln tons, 54.38 tons/ha.
- Rapeseed: 1.3 mln ha (100%), 3.3 mln tons, 2.63 tons/ha.