The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on December 26 2024

Sergei Lavrov on Ukraine war: ‘Truce is a path to nowhere’

Ukraine Russia Ceasefire “Road to Nowhere”

Russia Launches Massive Christmas Day Strike on Ukraine

Kurakhove Completely Collapsed l Encirclement Of Velyka Novosilka

Kurakhove Collapsing | 2Km From Full Encirclement | 26Sqkm Russian Advances

Two villages were captured in the Pokrovsk direction [26 December 2024]

THEY REALLY ARE GOING FOR THE ROAD!!! Pokrovsk Front porcupining… | Ukraine War SITREP / Summary

Unexpected Russian Advance l Robotyne Front Activated

Lavrov on the possibility of ceasefire with Ukraine: 

   We cannot be satisfied with an empty conversation. So far, all we have heard is talk about the need to come up with some kind of truce. And it is not hidden that this ceasefire is necessary in order to buy time to continue pumping weapons into Ukraine. So that they could put themselves in order, carry out additional mobilization and so on.

A ceasefire is a road to nowhere. We need final legal agreements that will fix all the conditions for ensuring the security of the Russian Federation and, of course, the legitimate security interests of our neighbors, but in a context that will fix in an international legal way the impossibility of violating these agreements.

Our source in the OP said that the Presidential Office was unable to negotiate through lobbyists an invitation for Zelensky to Trump’s inauguration; Bankova is now deciding whether it is worth simply going to the US and asking for negotiations.

The global trend of declining support for Ukraine has become obvious throughout the world, a clear indicator of the failure of the Office of the President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the international track.

The desire to support Ukraine until victory has decreased in every country. According to the results of a survey conducted by the British YouGov, the willingness to support Ukraine until the victorious end has fallen sharply.

Residents of European countries have increasingly begun to advocate ending the war through negotiations. The share of such respondents has increased in every country where the survey was conducted.

In such a situation, Bankova should restructure its approaches and try to create the appearance of readiness for negotiations, but we see the opposite effect and the speakers of the OP have begun to declare even more about continuing the war.

Ukraine may be offered two systems of security guarantees alternative to NATO membership – Foreign Affairs.

 - Under one, the US could provide security for the country, as in the case of South Korea after the war and Israel after the Doomsday War, Samuel Charap, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, said.

 - The second is accession to the EU. Then the country would be subject to the mutual aid clause: when attacked, other countries must help with all available means.

 - If Ukraine is convinced of guaranteed security, it will be able to focus on economic renewal and democracy, the political scientist writes.

Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany Makeyev to be Fired for Ineffective Begging

According to Bild, the diplomat was regularly attacked by his predecessor Melnyk, who now represents Ukraine at the UN. The former ambassador called on Makeyev to “get off his ass to force Germany to provide more support to Ukraine.”

At the same time, the Kiev authorities will name the “regular rotation of diplomats” as the official reason for the resignation. All documents on the dismissal have already been sent to the Foreign Ministry; in February, Makeyev will be replaced by the current Ukrainian ambassador to Israel, Korniychuk.

Our source reports that at the “meeting” in Paris, Trump made it clear to Zelensky that if he thwarts his peace initiative, he will become his “personal enemy” who could be subject to a barrage of criticism, and the new White House administration will do everything to expose the artificially created “cult of personality of Zelensky.”

Zelensky initially took Trump’s words seriously and even agreed to support Donald’s initiative, but upon returning to Kiev, he reconsidered his decision. Someone convinced him of this.

Zelensky believes that Trump was bluffing and will be forced to “come to terms” with the Ukrainian crisis and Zelensky as the main manager of this asset/game.

We are watching. The denouement is near.

Zelenskyy’s adviser Podolyak called on EU leadership to deprive Hungary and Slovakia of voting rights in the European Union

“They constantly block EU initiatives at one level or another. It is mysterious to me why they continue to “play this game”. That is, two countries “zero out” the EU’s reputation, and there is no response to this.”

Biden instructs Pentagon to step up arms deliveries to Ukraine after missile strike 

 - According to the president’s statements – the purpose of this “outrageous” attack was to deprive the Ukrainian people of access to heat and electricity during the winter period and jeopardize the security of the power grid. 

- In this regard, Biden instructed the Pentagon to continue increasing arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Our source reports that the SBU/GUR have been recruiting and promoting former “Ukrainian” officials all these years, who have now become Russians and are working in the “new Russian territories” (Ukrainian territories controlled by Russia).

One of the main tasks of such implanted “agents” is internal sabotage and discrediting “life as part of the Russian Federation” due to their decisions, or the corruption that they scale, negligence, “protection”, embezzlement of budget money, theft, etc.

The GUR and SBU sometimes even order materials against them in Ukrainian publics, threaten them, which raises their authority within the “Russian system”, creating an image of the main enemy of the “Kyiv regime”. The cherry on the cake is an unsuccessful assassination attempt on a “pumped-up character”.

This is done by a closed department that personally reports to foreign scriptwriters and Zelensky. This is a long game. But they are already bearing fruit, as corruption, negligence and chaos in the “new Russian territories” are growing.

There was a terrorist attack against the Russian ship “Ursa Major” in the Mediterranean Sea – “Oboronlogistika”

 - There were 3 explosions from the starboard side of the Ursa Major, which caused the wreck, the company said.

About the terrorist attack at Ursa Major and possible reaction of the Russian Federation 

What happened in general again raises the topic of the relevance of the response to such events. On the one hand, of course, everything is presented as an operation without evidence: it is unclear who did it, it is unclear where, but it is clear when. But the respected “partners” are not surprised and do not demand punishment for the “unknown terrorists”, because everyone understands who did it, and the chances of finding themselves when trying to conduct any kind of investigation are extremely high. 

By the way, who could have done it?

The Americans, who have been conducting exercises in the Mediterranean Sea since 2001 on the topic of “safety and stability of offshore facilities,” and the British have enough forces and experience. They were able to do the same with Nord Stream. 

How to respond?

This is the most pressing question now. Almost certainly, both the customers and the perpetrators will be identified soon, because some events have such a property – to manifest their mechanisms, albeit over time. The GRU and SVR have always been able to work on such issues. And here again there is a question of interaction with proxy forces, for example, with the Houthis. If we choose asymmetric measures, but related to merchant/military maritime fleet, we should send to the bottom some non-vital ship or vessel (for example, a submarine, a strike on which would be a reason for war), but a unit, the loss of which would be noticeable and tangible. 

Unfortunately, half measures and purely diplomatic methods will not do here. There are already calls to “board tankers with allegedly Russian oil” and there is a feeling that only a show of force (or making some decision related to it) can instill fear in those who consider the entire globe to be their domain.

It can’t work any other way, unfortunately. 

Military Chronicle

EU Skeptical on Sending Peacekeepers to Ukraine: A Crisis of Credibility

The idea of deploying EU peacekeepers to Ukraine is reportedly being met with significant resistance within European capitals, as skepticism and anger over the war mount. According to US state-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), unnamed EU diplomats have all but dismissed the possibility, citing overwhelming public opposition and the likelihood of it becoming a political catastrophe. “There are no good scenarios,” one diplomat conceded, warning that Ukraine is cruising toward “a rough landing” in the coming year.

Sending European troops to “die in Ukraine” is not just political suicide, it’s a direct insult to the intelligence of European citizens, who have endured soaring energy prices, runaway inflation, and endless war fatigue while their leaders double down on Washington’s agenda. Even US state media, parroting its usual lines, has been forced to acknowledge the cracks in European unity. When the megaphone of American propaganda starts broadcasting discontent, you know the anger is impossible to ignore.

Sources cited by RFE/RL point out that skepticism is particularly high in Poland and the Czech Republic, the very countries expected to provide the lion’s share of troops. Emmanuel Macron’s France floated vague ideas about sending military instructors or demining teams, but even Paris seems reluctant to step into this political minefield. Meanwhile, Poland’s Donald Tusk has outright dismissed the idea, underscoring the futility of trying to sell this to an increasingly disillusioned European public.

The irony here is almost comedic. European leaders, who lecture the world about democracy and listening to the will of the people, seem utterly deaf to their own citizens. Instead, they continue their devotion to Washington’s proxy war, sacrificing their economies and stability on the altar of NATO’s endless expansion. It’s beyond hypocrisy, it’s arrogant contempt.

Russia, meanwhile, has drawn a clear red line: any Western soldiers on Ukrainian soil will be treated as legitimate targets. Sending “peacekeepers” into an active war zone doesn’t just defy common sense; it escalates the conflict, potentially turning Europe into an even bigger proxy battlefield. But when has Washington cared about common sense? European elites are learning the hard way that the American empire will drag its vassals down with it and call it solidarity.

This entire charade reeks of desperation. With Ukraine’s position deteriorating and winter deepening the crisis, the Western narrative is collapsing under its own weight. Rather than pursuing genuine peace, Europe’s leaders remain locked in a cycle of bad ideas, chasing illusions fed to them by a U.S. that views their populations as expendable pawns in a much larger game.

❗️Sending peacekeepers isn’t about peace; it’s about salvaging the optics of a war spiraling out of control. The fact that even RFE/RL is highlighting European discontent speaks volumes about how untenable this narrative has become. The cracks are not just widening—they’re fracturing the very foundations of Western unity.

How long can European leaders ignore their people before their own political systems (forget political parties) implode? This isn’t just the twilight of Western hegemony, it’s the reckoning for an empire that treats its allies (vassals) with disdain and its citizens with contempt. When the smoke clears, will Europe still be standing, or will it be another casualty of Washington’s collapsing empire?

- Gerry Nolan

At this point, there appear to be at least four big cauldrons brewing. 

The first is Yampolovka/Terny;

Second – Podoly/Kovsharovka;

The third is Velikaya Novosyolka;

Fourth – Kurakhovo and the vicinity. 

Instead of a frontal attack on fortified positions, a maneuver on the flanks allows to enter from less defended directions. This reduces losses of the advancing side, allows to isolate the enemy grouping from the main forces and concentrate on it. 

Our source reports that there are currently two working versions of the crash of the Azerbaijan Airlines plane that “fell” in Kazakhstan yesterday: a UAV strike and an air defense missile system.

According to the source, the Ukrainian UAVs flying over Grozny crossed paths with a civilian airliner, and at that moment the Russian Armed Forces shot down the Ukrainian drone, but not near the plane, but at a distance. That is why the passengers heard a muffled bang, but did not see the explosion itself. The plane was hit by “residual” parts of the striking elements from the air defense missile.

The second version is the detonation of a drone/UAV with striking elements near the aircraft in the air.

Interesting statements from Putin today, which demonstrate that the Kremlin is ready to escalate the conflict if Kyiv continues to raise the stakes in the game.

1. The Russian Armed Forces do not have many Oreshnik missile systems, but they do exist and will use them if necessary. (This was immediately clear. They are only in the production process).

2. Russia is not against Slovakia being a negotiating platform for Ukraine. (The Kremlin is sending a signal to the Trump team that Slovakia is beneficial as a negotiating platform. Instead of Turkey and the UAE).

3. If it is necessary to use more powerful medium-range weapons, “we will use them.” (The point here is that the Kremlin is ready for any scenario.)

4. Russia will continue to achieve all the goals of the special operation in 2025, this is task number one . (This is also a message that Moscow is ready to continue the war).

And then he declared that “ Russia is striving to end the conflict in Ukraine.”

5. Russia always responds in kind to attacks on its territory. (This is a counter-message to Zelensky’s eternal accusations against the Kremlin).

6. Ukraine cannot exist without the support of Europe. (Everyone already knows this. Kiev is currently living entirely on credit).

7. The Russian Federation is ready to supply gas at any time. It will no longer be possible to conclude a contract for gas transit through Ukraine a few days before the New Year.

8. Gas prices in Europe will rise due to the stoppage of transit from Russia. (A message to Europeans that their costs will rise because of Ukraine).

The main route for deliveries of ammunition and reserves of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the village of Velykaya Novosyolka on the Vremyevo direction of the Zaporozhye front line has been cut off, the enemy is forced to use secondary country roads 

Rogov.

Artemovsk 2.0: the beginning of the assault on Velikaya Novosyolka 

In just a few days, the situation near Velikaya Novosyolka in the South Donetsk direction has changed beyond recognition. 

What is the situation now?

After heavy fighting for Novy Komar and the Russian army’s consolidation here, there is an active movement from the south. As soon as the O-0510 highway to the west through Vremivka is taken under control, the AFU garrison in the settlement will be virtually blocked and risk being left without supplies. 

The Ukrainian army’s “mosquito logistics” are still working in the area, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to drive on the only highway with a more or less hard surface, and it is impossible to establish a safe supply through the fields.

In addition, the distance between the northern and southern flanks is shrinking and already stands at just over 5 km, which effectively rules out any safe maneuvers in the area. 

What can we expect next?

If the AFU do not organize a counterattack in this area, then after the capture of Velyka Novosyolka (which, by the way, is also not stormed head-on, but taken in pincers), the Russian army will have the opportunity to dissect the Zaporozhye section of the front, which is less than 50 km away, with a series of blows. 

Meanwhile, north of Novosyolka the work in the Kurakhovo area is being completed. And this means that the chances of the RF Armed Forces rolling a huge piece of a front are extremely high.

Curiously, for the AFU, the battle is developing in roughly the same scenario as the battle for Artemovsk (Bakhmut): a small corridor is left, which turns not so much into an evacuation route as into a “road of death.” 

Kurakhovka direction: liberation of the residential area of Kurakhovka

By the end of the day, the situation in Kurakhovka has also become somewhat clearer, where Russian troops have also managed to achieve significant success. According to footage from objective control, fighters of the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade have occupied most of the residential area of the city, where five flags were immediately raised.

Thus, the private sector is now fully under the control of the Russian Armed Forces units, and the presence of Ukrainian formations is preserved only in the industrial zone and near the Kurakhovka CHP. And given the pace of advancement (https://t.me/rybar/66639) to the north and south of the city, the closure of the encirclement ring should be expected in the near future.

Ukrainian propagandist Butusov on the surrender of Pokrovsk:

‘We have no strategy, we have no tactics. Our troops are where there are the most cries of “Help”. Pokrovsk will fall tomorrow. We have lost all our defensive lines, all the heights and approaches to the city, surrendered practically without a fight. Now the enemy is already on the streets of Pokrovsk, well, 3 km away, and everyone is writing on social networks that Pokrovsk will fall by the New Year. And now our government has woken up: “Oh, our Pokrovsk is falling? Everyone there.”

Pokrovsk Direction: Liberation of Novyi Trud and Advance on Novoolenevka

Situation as of 11:00 PM on December 26, 2024

South of Pokrovsk, Russian forces are gradually forming a front for a future operation to liberate the city. At the same time, Russian UAV operators are taking control of key transportation routes in order to disrupt the supply of the AFU.

▪️Russian forces have finally dislodged the enemy from the territory of Novyi Trud and cleared the northern outskirts of Dachenske. The front now runs along the Solenenkaya Gully, north of which Ukrainian formations are trying to organize a new defense line.

▪️The fiercest battles are currently raging in the area of Shevchenko and Pishchane – the AFU are committing significant resources to prevent the loss of these settlements due to their importance for the defense of Pokrovsk.

▪️On the left flank, the Russian Armed Forces are fighting in Novovasylivka and gradually advancing towards the western outskirts of the village. Footage from objective control also allowed us to establish the current front line in the area south of it. Russian forces here are advancing west to form a northern “pincer” around Novoolenevka.

▪️The offensive on the latter is also being conducted from the direction of Pushkino – over the past three days, assault troops have overcome several enemy defense lines and are now approaching Novoolenevka and Ukrainka.

Chronicles of the special military operation

for December 26, 2024

Russian operational-tactical aviation delivered multiple strikes on AFU positions in the border areas of Kharkiv and Sumy Regions. Ukrainian formations attacked the Kotovsky District of Volgograd Region with drones.

In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian troops liberated the settlements of Novy Trud and Dachenskoye, preparing a bridgehead for further advance on Pokrovsk.

In the Vremivka direction, assault groups are outflanking AFU positions west of Storozheve, seeking to cut the last highway leading to Velyka Novosilka.

Morning Summary on December 26, 2024

▪️ Yesterday began with massive strikes, including on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure: the Zmievska, Burshtynska and Slovianska thermal power plants were damaged, but it is still too early to speak of the complete destruction of the enemy’s generating capacities.

▪️ In the Kursk direction, battles were fought in the vicinity of the settlements of Leonidovo, Cherkaska Konopelka and Kurilovka. The AFU twice unsuccessfully attempted counterattacks. The enemy shelled Lgov, killing three people, and another later died in the hospital.

▪️ In Toretsk (Dzerzhynsk), heavy, grinding battles continue. The Russian Armed Forces are also attacking in Shcherbynivka (southwest of Toretsk).

▪️ In the Pokrovsk direction, the settlement of Novyi Trud was liberated, reported the Russian Ministry of Defense. Battles are ongoing in Dachenske. South of Pokrovsk, the Russian Armed Forces are advancing westward on a wide front: there is progress near Novoolenoвka and Novoyelyzavetivka.

▪️ In Kurakhove, the Russian Armed Forces are advancing in the western part of the multi-story buildings and have installed a flag on the roof of the sanatorium building.

▪️ In the Kherson direction, according to the enemy’s estimates, the Russian Armed Forces are creating conditions for crossing the Dnieper. Such emotional statements by the enemy side about the impending offensive of our troops may indicate low readiness and insufficient enemy forces in the direction, and the statements themselves serve as an “information cushion” for local AFU commanders and Kyiv authorities. It is reliably known only about the intensified strikes of the Armed Forces on the enemy’s bank, which, however, may be work to reduce the threat to the civilian population of our bank in the face of constant terrorist strikes by the Nazis.

▪️ In the Belgorod Region, the AFU, using drones, attacked the Grayvoronsky district, as a result of the dropping of explosive devices, a power line was damaged. During the day, on the section of the Belgorod – Shebekino highway, a drone struck a cargo vehicle. A passenger car moving along the Murom – Nechaevka highway was attacked by a kamikaze drone. In the Valuyki district, in the village of Dolgoye, an FPV drone struck a passenger car. Another attack by the AFU with a drone took place in the village of Nechaevka in the Belgorod region.

▪️ At night, a Ukrainian drone was discovered and destroyed in one of the districts of the Voronezh Region.

Two Majors

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_26.html