Russia advances toward Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, Ukraine makes progress near Kupiansk - Estonian intelligence

Russian forces continue their advance toward Pokrovsk and Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, while Ukrainian troops have achieved gains near Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, according to a Dec. 13 report by Estonia’s public broadcaster ERR, citing the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center.

Estonian intelligence, drawing from open-source data, reports that Russian forces have seized control of the village of Shevchenko, located approximately four kilometers (two miles) west of Pokrovsk.

For over a week, Ukrainian troops have been holding back Russian assaults along the Sukhi Yaly River, south of Kurakhove. Simultaneously, Russian forces are attempting to encircle the area from both the north and south. Despite these efforts, Moscow's troops are suffering heavy losses in the region. Over the past two weeks, an estimated 3,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, a figure expected to grow as the fighting around Pokrovsk intensifies.

Adverse weather conditions are favoring Ukrainian defenders. The report highlights that poor weather has significantly impeded Russian aviation and the movement of heavy equipment, preventing Russia from leveraging its full combat potential.

While Russia struggles to secure an operational breakthrough, it has intensified pressure on Ukrainian forces near Russia's Kursk Oblast. However, the Ukrainian defense faces less strain along other parts of the front.

In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian forces have reportedly succeeded in neutralizing two Russian bridgeheads that formed during attempts to cross the Oskil River. This victory underscores Ukraine’s ongoing resilience in key operational zones.

Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced on Nov. 29 that additional reserves, ammunition, weapons, and equipment would be dispatched to Ukrainian troops stationed near the embattled towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.

Meanwhile, Ukraine confronts the looming challenge of reduced U.S. military aid under incoming President Donald Trump. Outgoing President Joe Biden has pledged to expedite military support, with the Pentagon announcing on Dec. 7 a new weapons package worth nearly $1 billion.

Russians conducted one of the biggest attacks on the Ukrainian power grid

Russians launched 93 missiles and nearly 200 drones.

In particular, there was at least one North Korean missile. We managed to shoot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles shot down by F-16s. The Russians also used almost 200 drones in this attack. This is one of the largest strikes on our energy sector,” the President of Ukraine wrote.

Many energy facilities nationwide were severely damaged, and power outages were implemented in every oblast of Ukraine. The situation with power will remain difficult for at least one week.

Russia may launch Oreshnik ballistic missile on Ukraine this weekend

Russia is reportedly considering a second launch of its new intermediate-range ballistic missile, Oreshnik, targeting Ukraine this weekend, according to the Financial Times, which cited an unnamed U.S. National Security Council official.

The official stated on Wednesday that Moscow aims to use the weapon as a tool of intimidation against Ukraine and its allies, though emphasized that the Oreshnik "is not a game changer on the battlefield."

"As Putin has said publicly, Russia intends to launch another experimental Oreshnik missile at Ukraine, and it is possible that this could occur in the coming days," the source added.

This potential missile test underscores Russia's efforts to escalate psychological pressure amidst ongoing conflict.

Russia hit a civilian company in Kharkiv Oblast four people were injured

Russian forces launched an attack on the village of Myrne in the Berestyn district of Kharkiv Oblast on the morning of Dec. 13, injuring four people.

Oleh Syniehubov, Head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration informed via Telegram; Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office. Initially, Syniehubov reported that two individuals were injured, both employees at a civilian infrastructure facility. The attack also caused damage to several infrastructure sites.

Half an hour later, Syniehubov updated the casualty count, confirming that four people had been injured.

The Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office later clarified that Russian forces carried out missile strikes on a civilian company in the Berestyn district at approximately 7:45 a.m. Among the injured was a 60-year-old guard who has been hospitalized. Three additional victims, employees working near the targeted sites, also sustained injuries, including personnel from a nearby company.

Syniehubov emphasized that further details of the incident are still being confirmed.

Ukrainian forces resisting Russian encirclement attempts at 4 Donetsk Oblast villages

Ukrainian forces are actively repelling Russian assaults near Uspenivka, Hannivka, Trudove, and Romanivka in Donetsk Oblast, while taking measures to prevent encirclement, the Khortytsia group of forces reported on Dec. 13.

The statement comes amid growing concerns from analysts about the risk of Ukrainian units being encircled in the area. The Khortytsia group urged caution against "emotional interpretations" of the battlefield situation, warning that such reactions could exacerbate challenges and benefit Russian forces.

According to the official report, Ukrainian troops successfully repelled Russian attacks on the outskirts of multiple settlements. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi has previously described the ongoing Russian offensive as “one of the most powerful” since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Russian forces have made operational gains throughout autumn in southern Donetsk Oblast, particularly near Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, and Kupiansk, while simultaneously advancing within Russian territory in Kursk Oblast.

The DeepState monitoring group reported on Dec. 12 that Russian forces are intensifying their assault on Uspenivka, located 43 kilometers (26 miles) from occupied Donetsk. Russian troops have reportedly secured control over key routes between Uspenivka and Hannivka, posing a threat to Ukrainian units trapped in what is being referred to as the “Uspenivka pocket.”

The contested sector lies approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the front-line town of Pokrovsk and 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of occupied Vuhledar.