Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 2

Russian forces continue to assault the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are disrupting the enemy’s plans, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to military officials, there have been 72 combat engagements since the start of the day.

“Border settlements continue to suffer from cynical shelling from the territory of the Russian Federation, including Bachivsk and Porozok in the Sumy region, as well as Tymofiivka in the Kharkiv region. The enemy also launched airstrikes using guided bombs on the areas of Taratutyne and Pokrovka in the Sumy region,” the General Staff explained.

Frontline situation

In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian forces repelled two attacks near Vovchansk.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy conducted three assaults near Zapadne, Dvorichna, and Kruhliakivka. One clash has ended, while two others are ongoing. Guided bomb airstrikes targeted Pishchane and Ivanivka.

In the Lyman direction, the enemy launched ten attacks near Nadiia, Makiivka, Terny, Hryhorivka, and the Serebrianskyi Forest. Seven attacks were repelled, and three battles are still underway.

In the Siversk direction, the enemy aviation struck Dronivka, Pazeno, and Siversk, using four guided aerial bombs.

In the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian defenders are successfully countering attempts by Russian forces to advance near Chasiv Yar and toward Stupochky.

In the Toretsk direction, the enemy launched four attacks near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Two assaults ended unsuccessfully for the Russian army, while two battles are ongoing. Kostiantynivka was struck by three guided aerial bombs.

In the Pokrovsk direction since the start of the day, Russian forces have attempted 20 assaults to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from positions near Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Novyi Trud, Pishchane, Shevchenko, Uspenivka, Solone, and Novovasylivka.

Ukrainian forces repelled 18 attacks, while two clashes are underway. Yablunivka was hit by an airstrike.

In the Kurakhove direction, Russian troops attacked 13 times near Kurakhove and Shevchenko. 11 battles have been completed, and two more are still ongoing.

In the Vremivka direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian positions 13 times near Yantarne, as well as in the directions of Kostiantynopil and Novosilka. Airstrikes were launched in the areas of Ulakly, Andriivka, and Novopil, using four guided bombs and unguided air-to-surface missiles.

In the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces continued shelling Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure. Airstrikes with unguided air-to-surface missiles targeted Mali Shcherbaky and Piatykhatky.

In the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian forces launched two unsuccessful assaults on Ukrainian positions. The situation remains under control.

In the Kursk region, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy attack, with two additional engagements ongoing. Meanwhile, Russian forces conducted five airstrikes on their own territory, deploying five guided bombs.

Russia’s losses

On January 1, Russian forces suffered significant losses on the battlefield. Ukrainian defenders eliminated 1,370 enemy personnel, four tanks, 13 armored vehicles, 20 artillery systems, 69 tactical UAVs, 54 vehicles, and three units of specialized equipment.

Additionally, the missile forces and artillery units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck four areas of enemy troop and equipment concentrations, as well as two Russian air defense systems.