What's New
Maps of the war in Ukraine show Russian advances as troops appeared to make gains into enemy territory on Christmas Eve.
These advancs stretch along the border of Russian-controlled land and show significant fighting occurred over the past 24 hours in the towns of Pokrovsk, Shevchenko, Vuhledar, and Velyka Novosilka, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Why It Matters
Russian officials have insisted that any negotiations with Ukraine must take into account Moscow's territorial gains made since the outbreak of the war in 2022.
In the past two months, Russia has continued its land attacks on Ukraine, which experts believe are being done in the hopes that a Donald Trump-negotiated ceasefire will result in them maintaining control over land it has gained.
The Christmas Eve advances are another push for Ukrainian land before the start of 2025.
The Russian Foreign Ministry has been contacted via email for comment.
What To Know
Christmas has not prevented Russia from continuing its attacks on Ukraine, as it also struck the city of Kharkiv with ballistic missiles on Christmas morning, injuring three people.
The strikes affected the Ukrainian power grid, which has already suffered severe damage from Russian strikes.
In a speech to the United Nations in September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the General Assembly that 80 percent of Ukrainian energy systems had been destroyed.
Ukrainian calculations allege that Russia has lost 779,320 troops since the outbreak of the war. These numbers cannot be independently verified by Newsweek. Russia rarely releases its own reports on personnel losses.
What People Are Saying
On the Kharkiv attacks on Christmas morning, Zelensky said in a statement: "Today, [Vladimir] Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine "
Ukrainian Ministry of Defense in a statement: "This Christmas morning, Russia is attacking Ukraine with its missiles and drones. Nothing sacred for the Russian terrorists."
The ISW in a statement: "A service member of a Ukrainian battalion operating in Kursk Oblast reported that the Russian command is committing several divisions-worth of elite units and is using all available weapons to maintain a high pace of assaults in the area."
Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date.
Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles,… pic.twitter.com/GMD8rTomoX
What Happens Next
President-elect Trump has said he wants to end the conflict within the first 24 hours of his presidency. This may result in a demilitarized zoneacross new Russia-Ukraine borders.
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