Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 3 – 9 January 2026
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From 3 to 9 January, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out massive and four group strikes, which hit defence industry enterprises, power facilities, transport, airfield, and port infrastructure of Ukraine that supported the AFU, ammunition and POL depots, production and storage areas of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles,️ training centres for drone operators, temporary deployment areas of AFU formations and foreign mercenaries.
During the week, as a result of coordinated actions of the Sever Group of Forces’ units, Grabovskoye (Sumy region) was taken under control.
Russian troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades.
In Kharkov direction, Russian troops delivered strikes at formations of four mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, three territorial defence brigades, and one National Guard brigade.
In total, in the area of responsibility of the Sever Group of Forces, the enemy losses were more than 1,285 troops, 12 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, 82 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns. In addition, six electronic warfare and counter-battery stations, and 18 ammunition, POL, and materiel depots were neutralised.
During the week, units of the Zapad Group of Forces advanced into the depths of the enemy defences in Kharkov region and took control over Podoly (Kharkov region).
Russian troops hit manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, one air assault brigade, two assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and three National Guard brigades.
The AFU losses in this direction were more than 1,330 troops, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, 90 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns. In addition, two electronic warfare stations and 28 ammunition depots were neutralised.
As a result of decisive actions of the Yug Group of Forces’ units, Bondarnoye (Donetsk People’s Republic) was liberated.
Russian troops delivered strikes at formations of five mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade, one assault brigade, one mountain assault brigade, one airmobile brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, two territorial defence brigades, and two National Guard brigades.
In total, in the area of responsibility of the Yug Group of Forces, the enemy losses were more than 1,355 troops, four tanks, and 43 armoured fighting vehicles including three Western-made ones. In addition, 110 motor vehicles, 14 artillery guns, and 20 ammunition, POL, and materiel depots were damaged.
orne brigade, one assault brigade, two air assault brigades, three assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, two marine brigades, two territorial defence brigades, and three National Guard brigades.
Over the past week, the enemy losses in this direction were more than 2,805 troops, five tanks including one German-made Leopard tank, 54 armoured fighting vehicles, 68 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.
The Vostok Group’s units continued to advance to the depths of enemy defences. During the week, Zelenoye (Zaporozhye region) and Bratskoye (Dnepropetrovsk region) were liberated.
Russian troops hit three mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade, two assault brigades, four assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one marine brigade, and two territorial defence brigades.
The AFU losses in the area of responsibility of the Vostok Group of Forces were more than 1,680 troops, 31 armoured fighting vehicles, 58 motor vehicles, 10 field artillery guns, and two materiel depots.
Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one mountain assault brigade, one coastal defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades.
Over the past week, the AFU losses in this direction were up to 325 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 75 motor vehicles, six field artillery guns, six electronic warfare and counter-battery stations as well as six materiel depots.
Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces hit three MLRS combat vehicles including one Czech-made Vampire MLRS as well as four SAM systems including one German-made IRIS-T combat vehicle.
Air defence systems shot down 21 guided aerial bombs, 14 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, five Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 1,327 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost:
670 aircraft,
283 helicopters,
108,206 unmanned aerial vehicles,
645 anti-aircraft missile systems,
27,020 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles,
1,637 MLRS combat vehicles,
32,463 field artillery guns and mortars,
51,287 units of support military vehicles.