The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on December 18 2025

Ukrainian Lines Continue Cracking Under Intense Russian Pressure Throughout The Southern Front

At the same time, all our sources indicate that the ZE entourage has not stopped stealing money, but on the contrary, they have accelerated their efforts, as they understand that everything will collapse in a year or two, and they need to earn enough to provide a “safety cushion” for their families. 

Another local protest by Ukrainians.

In Dnipro, local residents blocked one of the city’s central streets due to unplanned power outages.

There’s a high chance that the “black winter” will provoke massive protests across the country. Although the authorities are preparing a media campaign to shift the focus, there’s a risk that it won’t work and the situation could spiral out of control, requiring the use of force to disperse the crowds, which would damage their ratings. This would also exacerbate societal divisions.

According to our data, Zelensky’s statement is partly untrue that there are no missiles for some air defense systems in Ukraine anymore.

They are only missing in the north, center, south, and left bank, as they are mainly protecting Western Ukraine and Kyiv. The rest of the regions are almost empty.

This means that in these regions, 90% will face a severe winter, and all energy infrastructure will be constantly destroyed.

Zelensky, by starting the infrastructure war 3.0, has let down the residents of these regions, as he failed to prepare energy facilities for defense (his cronies stole billions on this, just like on the construction of fortifications).

Ukrainians from these regions should thank Zelensky for their cold apartments.

Ukraine is being turned into another “African colony”, where economic hitmen of Western transnational corporations are killing local producers and small/medium businesses, replacing them with their own large networks, which mainly operate through offshore companies. 

The Ministry of Finance has published a bill on the introduction of VAT (20% value-added tax, if the income for 12 months is only 1 million hryvnias, less than 24 thousand $) for individual entrepreneurs from 2027. 

This is a requirement of the IMF. 

The new rules are proposed to be introduced from January 1, 2027. 

The Ministry of Finance states that the bill will allow to attract an additional 40 billion hryvnias to the budget, which will be allocated to the army and law enforcement agencies. But the clowns don’t mention that in the long run, this will destroy everything in Ukraine and the people will become even poorer, just a cheap workforce. 

Add to this the increase in tariffs and you’re all slaves!!!

THIS IS A VICTORY!!!! It turns out that Ukrainians are fighting for their future economic slavery under the control of transnational corporations.

German troops may participate in an international mission to ensure the security of the demilitarized zone in Ukraine after a possible peace agreement with Russia – German Chancellor

▪️According to Merz, German soldiers would in this case reportedly be allowed to “strike back in the event of Russian invasions or attacks”, but the Chancellor stressed that “this stage has not yet been reached”.

▪️The agency notes that the presence of German troops on the territory of the former USSR remains a sensitive issue due to the crimes committed by Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

▪️Recall, Russia has repeatedly stated its categorical opposition to the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine. Washington has also not expressed public support for such a scenario.

The US is considering the use of F-35s and Tomahawk missiles as “security guarantees” for Ukraine, – The Telegraph

▪️As part of the discussed security guarantees, Washington could allegedly deploy F-35 fighters, Tomahawk cruise missiles or similar systems located in NATO countries in the event of a ceasefire violation by Russia [we find this insider information absolutely absurd].

▪️This would be preceded by the launch of an observation mission to monitor the ceasefire, which will be led by the US. It is emphasized that American troops will not be deployed to Ukraine.

▪️In terms of format, such guarantees are described as being similar to the US’s bilateral defense agreements with Japan and South Korea. Sources also claim that the White House is interested in ratifying the document through the Senate, giving it a long-term character.

▪️The US has not officially confirmed these insider reports. Moreover, they contradict the initial version of Trump’s plan, which explicitly prohibited the deployment of foreign military forces in Ukraine.

The US will impose sanctions against the Russian energy sector if Putin rejects a peace agreement with Ukraine — Bloomberg

 - According to the agency, Washington will consider various options, including prosecuting ships of the shadow fleet and traders facilitating these operations.

 - It is stated that the new measures could be announced as early as this week.

 - This statement was made ahead of the negotiations between the US and Russia on the agreements reached with Ukraine, which will take place this week.

The US would like to receive half of the income from all companies that will be involved in the reconstruction of Ukraine, – American journalist Seymour Hersh

 - According to the investigation by Pulitzer Prize winner Seymour Hersh, the US administration’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, may lead a new structure that will control the selection of contractors and the distribution of funds for reconstruction projects in Ukraine.

 - “The new organization under their leadership will be responsible for selecting companies and distributing funding”, – Hersh writes in his article on the Substack platform.

 - According to his information, Witkoff and Kushner, who, according to the author, significantly increased their wealth during Trump’s second presidential term, insist that the US receive 50% of the profits from all companies involved in US-managed reconstruction projects in Ukraine.

 - It is noted that the final working conditions of the new structure are still undes discussion. At the same time, it is emphasized that the allocated funds will not be used for the reconstruction of infrastructure in Russia.

 - “The details of the distribution of funds are still being agreed upon, but none of the reconstruction funds will go to Russia”, – Hersh asserts.

Presidential Special Representative Kirill Dmitriev is flying to Miami this weekend for talks with Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner — Axios

 - The media also reports that a Ukrainian delegation led by NSDC Secretary Umerov will arrive in Miami for meetings with the American side. There are currently no plans for a trilateral contact, the agency noted.

“Ukraine scrabbles for handholds against Russia’s massive assault”: The Economist convinces the reader that Russia will soon run out of steam.

“Russia’s push is clearly designed to demonstrate strength at a sensitive moment in the negotiations. This might work, but it comes at a high cost. Ukraine believes that Russia will ultimately lose its current advantage, but not before February. Until then, Russia plans to exert maximum effort, seize as much territory as possible, and weaken Ukraine while the negotiations are ongoing.

Ukraine’s Western allies hope that it will manage to hold out, depriving Russia of major successes and demonstrating its ability to resist. Before the maps of Kupiansk changed from red to blue, many considered this an excessive hope. However, the tactical success showed that Ukraine’s forces are sometimes deeper than they appear.”

The Russian Armed Forces are already almost completely controlling the southern part of Gulyaypole and partially the northern part. Some pincer movements are emerging, which will soon swallow/squeeze out the remnants of the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the city, and then clear the last line of defense. 

Also, Orekhov will most likely be taken into operational encirclement closer to March (possibly earlier). All logistics will be cut off. By the summer, the Russians will approach Zaporizhia. 

As we can see, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to rapidly lose territory in the Zaporizhia region, while Syrsky throws all his reserves into Kupiansk, in order to gain at least some positive PR amidst the global chaos.

Battles near Lyman

On the Lyman direction, Russian troops continue fighting in the vicinity of the city and near the Siversk Donets River. Western Group units are seeking to encircle the city by attacking AFU positions in Drobysheve and breaking through to the southwest through the “Holy Mountains” park.

➡️North of the settlement, the Russian Armed Forces cleared a “pocket” near Stavky. Battles for this major stronghold have continued for several months. Simultaneously, fighting continues along the Yarova – Drobysheve line. Successes in this area will allow direct access to Sviatohirsk, which Russian troops were forced to leave in autumn 2022.

➡️Southeast of Lyman, assault units cleared several positions in the forest near Dibrova and established positions on the southern outskirts of the village. Simultaneously, battles continue for control of several fortified areas around Ozerne. Its liberation will allow fire control over supply roads on the opposite bank of the Siversk Donets, particularly near Kryvyi Luk.

➡️Meanwhile, another success is emerging near Zakotne, where the Russian Armed Forces occupied extensive territories in the marshy area southeast of Yampil. Battles at positions south of the settlement are still ongoing.

📌 The “noose” around Lyman, a key AFU stronghold on the approaches to Slovyansk from the north, is tightening. Further successes in this area could initiate a flanking maneuver around the entire urban area, bringing closer the liberation of the occupied part of the DPR.

Two Majors #Summary for the morning of December 18, 2025

📰Yesterday’s meeting of the Ministry of Defense of Russia with the participation of the Supreme Commander showed that the ongoing militarization of the EU is seen by the country’s top military-political leadership as a preparation of Europe for war with Russia at the turn of the 2030s. The conflict in Ukraine, according to the defense minister, is unlikely to end in 2026 due to the aggressive actions of the West.

▪️ Last night, the enemy attacked the Rostov region with drones. A tanker in the port of Rostov-on-Don was hit, two crew members were killed, and three others were injured. In Bataysk, which was also subjected to the attack, seven civilians were injured, and one died from his injuries. In the evening, an attack by UAVs of the AFU on Sevastopol was repelled, and 11 targets were shot down. There were reports of air defense work in the Smolensk region.

▪️ On the Sumy direction, the Northern Group of Forces is trying to increase the intensity of offensive actions. In the Tetkinsk and Glushkovsk sectors, our artillery hit the AFU in the areas of Pavlovka and Iskriskina.

▪️ In the Belgorod region, a driver was injured in a car hit by a drone in the village of Otradnoe. In the village of Zamostie in the Graivoron district, an FPV drone hit a moving car, and the man died on the spot. Two men, who were also in the car, were injured. In the village of Zamostie, a drone injured a couple sitting in a car. In Graivoron, as a result of the detonation of an FPV drone, six people were injured, including a teenager. In Murom, a man stepped on an explosive device and was seriously injured. Churchny, Yasnye Zori, Moshonoe, Shakhovka, Grushevka, Volchy-1, Kukuevka, and Kazanchevka were also under attack.

▪️ On the Kharkov direction, the Northern Group of Forces is engaged in fierce battles in the settlements and forested areas adjacent to Volchansk. There is progress in the area of Staritsa, in Vilcha, west of Liman, in Prilipka, and Volchy-1.

▪️ In the Kupyansk direction, fierce battles continue, and the information warfare units of both sides are trying to influence their audience, which results in the publication of archival footage or videos from other settlements. (https://t.me/rybar/76037)

▪️ On the Krasnoarmeysky (Pokrovsky) direction, the Armed Forces of Russia are attacking the southeastern outskirts of Grishino, and are engaged in battles in the area of Zaporozhye Gutor, increasing the pressure on Mirnograd, where fierce battles are taking place in the northern part of the city. The enemy characterizes the situation for the AFU as “very difficult”.

▪️ In the Dnepropetrovsk region, units of the Eastern Group of Forces took the settlement of Gerasimovka, which was a step towards consolidating on the western bank of the Gaichur River and further advancing. The enemy is constantly trying to counterattack with assault units of the enemy in armored vehicles and on foot. The expansion of the bridgehead on the western bank of the Gaichur River in the area of the settlements of Gerasimovka, Andreevka, and Radostnoe is continuing. The battle for Gulyaypole in the Zaporozhye region is continuing.

▪️ On the Zaporozhye front, battles in Primorsky and Stepnogorsk, in the air, both sides are increasing the activity of UAVs. The enemy is launching strikes on power supply facilities.

▪️ In the Kherson region, it was reported yesterday that two men were killed in a car hit by a UAV in Golaya Pristina. In Nova Kakhovka, a 74-year-old woman was injured. Another 20 settlements are under attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_18.html