Russia-Ukraine war map, December 9, 2024: Russians attack Kurakhove and Pokrovsk

Ukraine-Russia War Map update as of 9th of December, 2024

The command of the Russian invading forces is trying to gradually push back the Ukrainian forces in the area of Kurakhove. The main tactic is to gradually cut off individual sections of the bridgehead instead of launching a massive attack.

This decision is likely due to the limited resources and reserves of the Russian invaders, as well as the gradually increasing level of resistance from the Ukrainian defense forces in this area of the front line.

Kurakhove

Russian troops are attempting to advance towards Kurakhove and to the south of the town. Russian invaders took control of Trudove. The Ukrainian Armed Forces units are gradually withdrawing to new defensive lines through Uspenivka, according to the DeepState map.

Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 40 attacks near Sontsivka, Staryi Terny, Maksymilianivka, Dachne, Kurakhove, Katerynivka, Yelizavetivka, Hanivka, Antonivka, and Uspenivka.

• Units of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division, the 15th Brigade, and the 90th Tank Division (four out of five regiments) are advancing from the north and northeast.
• Brigades of the 51st Army, including the 5th, 110th, and 114th Brigades, are advancing from the east.
• Units of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division, 39th Brigade, and a tactical group of the 18th Division are operating from the southeast.
• From the south, the 36th Brigade is leading the offensive, supported by individual units of other formations.

Pokrovsk

In the Pokrovsk sector, the Russian army is conducting offensive operations near the villages of Shevchenko and Novyi Trud along the railway line from Kurakhove. The Russian invaders also made progress in the Pushkine area, which is situated to the south of the main offensive direction.

Russian troops continue to advance into Toretsk; the city is in ruins. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are not holding their positions at any cost but are conducting deterrent actions.

This will continue unless reinforcements arrive. In the Toretsk sector, eight Russian attacks occurred in the vicinity of Toretsk, Diliyivka, Leonidivka, and Shcherbynivka.

Russian airborne troops suffered significant losses during their attacks on Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation.

Lyman

Russian troops conducted 28 attacks near Bohuslavka, Druzhelyubivka, Kopanka, Zelenyi Hai, Zarichne, Terny, Yampolivka, Hrekivka, Nadiya, and Makiivka.

Kupiansk

There were 8 Russian attacks near Pishchane, Kolisnykivka, Lozova and Zahryzove reported and repelled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Russian missile and drone attacks

In the night of December 9, Russian troops launched 2 missiles, 14 attacks with 25 guided aerial bombs, used 1,599 kamikaze drones, and fired over 3,000 times, 92 of which were from MLRS, the Ukrainian Army reported.

Russian aviation conducted guided missile strikes on Novoandriivka and Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukrainian strikes at Russian military positions

The Ukrainian Defense Forces’ missile troops and artillery struck one area where personnel, weapons, and military equipment were concentrated, as well as two ground control stations for UAVs.

Assessments and forecasts

The Russian offensive, despite tactical successes, has lost its consistency. Individual breakthroughs do not translate into operational achievements due to resource depletion and heavy losses.

The invaders’ advance in many areas appears to be slow, which makes it possible to organize counterattacks and stabilize the defense.

The Russian military leadership is likely to focus on further attempts to capture Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka. They may also change attack directions based on winter campaign results.

The high concentration of Russian invading forces on this section of the frontline indicates the importance of the region for their plans. However, limited reserves may lead to a change in priorities.

Losses of the Russian invading army

On December 8, the Ukrainian Defense Forces neutralized 1,220 Russian servicemen, of which 540 were irretrievable and 680 were sanitary losses, according to the statement of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The Ukrainian side also reported that they destroyed 18 armored combat vehicles, 3 artillery systems, 22 tactical UAVs, 2 cruise missiles, 24 vehicles, and 1 unit of special equipment of the Russian invading forces.