TSAMTO, December 30th. On December 29, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Armed Forces Vladimir Putin held a meeting, during which he heard reports from Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov and commanders of military groups on the situation in the SVR zone.
Below, the transcript of the open part of the meeting is provided by the Kremlin's press service.
Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, dear comrades!
Today we will hold a regular meeting on the development of the situation in the special military operation zone. Our meeting is taking place on the eve of the New Year, which is the time when the results of the work are traditionally summed up.
During an expanded meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Defense, the Minister of Defense elaborated on the results achieved in the outgoing year 2025, and the Chief of the General Staff also did this.
Today, we will focus on the current state of affairs on the line of combat contact, talk about the results of the work, hear reports from the commanders of the groups of troops on the results of the tasks performed by your subordinate formations and military units, and discuss plans for the near future.
But first, as we do all the time when holding meetings of this kind, I would like to ask the Chief of the General Staff to report on the general situation on the entire front line.
Please, Valery Vasilyevich.
Vladimir Gerasimov: Comrade Supreme Commander!
The troops of the Combined Group are attacking along almost the entire front. Formations and military units, defeating the enemy, successfully advance deep into its defenses.
In December, more than 700 square kilometers of territory and 32 settlements have already been liberated, which is the highest monthly progress rate for the entire outgoing year. This year, a total of 6,640 square kilometers of territory and 334 settlements have passed under our control.
The enemy does not take any active offensive actions. His main efforts are focused on strengthening his defenses, and he is trying to slow down the pace of our offensive by conducting counterattacks in certain areas and using massive drones.
The North group of troops continues to expand the security zone in the border areas of Sumy and Kharkiv regions. In December, following Volchansk, control was established over five settlements in these regions. Simultaneously with solving combat missions, engineering units of the group are conducting mine clearance in the Sudzhansky, Glushkovsky and Korenevsky districts of the Kursk region. The units of the Korean People's Army provided great assistance in this matter.
Formations of the Zapad group continue to defeat enemy formations east of Kupyansk on the left bank of the Oskol River. The territory controlled by the encircled AFU group on the left bank has been reduced by more than half. Today, the liberation of the settlements of Boguslavka and Dibrova has been completed. In the Krasnolimansky and Rubtsovsky directions, formations and military units of the Zapad group are actively advancing in the city of Krasny Liman. The destruction of enemy formations surrounded in Drobyshevo continues. More than half of the settlements are controlled by Russian troops.
After the liberation of Seversk, the troops of the southern group are advancing on a wide front in the direction of Slavyansk, continuing the liberation of Konstantinovka.
Formations and units of the Center group of forces, after the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov, are developing an offensive on a wide front. North of the Krasnoarmeysko-Dimitrovskaya agglomeration and in Grishino, the entire southeastern part of the settlement came under our control.
At the same time, the group's troops are successfully creating a security zone in the Dnipropetrovsk region. About half of the settlement of Novopavlovka has already been liberated, and street fighting is underway in Novopodgorodnoye.
The Vostok group of troops continues to develop an offensive in the Zaporizhia region on the western bank of the Gaichur River deep into the enemy's defenses.
The troops of the Dnepr group are advancing towards the city of Zaporizhia, the Lukyanovskoye settlement has been liberated, the liberation of Primorsky is coming to an end, and street battles are underway in Orekhovo.
Comrade Supreme Commander!
The tasks of liberating the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions will continue in accordance with the plan.
The report is finished.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you, Valery Vasilyevich.
Just the day before, the day before yesterday, on December 27, we held a working meeting, during which we discussed in detail and analyzed the situation in the areas of action of the "Center" and "East" groups.
After the liberation of Krasnoarmeysk and Dimitrov, the Center group of troops completes the liquidation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces group encircled there and at the same time develops an offensive towards the state border, the borders of the Donetsk People's Republic.
The situation in the combat zone of the Vostok group in the Zaporizhia region is also developing favorably. The group's troops, having crossed the Gaichur River, broke through the enemy's defenses and are developing an offensive towards Zaporizhia at a good pace.
In December, the group liberated more than 200 square kilometers of territory, ten settlements, including the city of Gulyai-Pole.
Now let's talk about other areas and discuss the situation in these areas. Let's start from the north, then go south.
I give the floor to Colonel General Evgeny Valeryevich Nikiforov. I ask you to.
Yevgeny Nikiforov: Comrade Supreme Commander!
After the liberation of the Kursk region, the North group of troops focused its main efforts on expanding the security zone on the territory of Ukraine along the borders of the Belgorod and Kursk regions.
During the offensive, military units and formations of the group took control of over 940 square kilometers of the border territories of Sumy and Kharkiv regions, and liberated 32 settlements. 18 settlements were liberated in the Sumy region, including two in December, and five settlements were taken under control in the Kharkiv region during the fighting in December. A total of 14 have been liberated since the beginning of the offensive by Russian troops. The largest of them is the regional center – the city of Volchansk.
Vladimir Putin: And what is the total length of the work line for the creation of these security zones?
Yevgeny Nikiforov: In the Sumy region, the security zone is more than 16 kilometers deep and 60 kilometers along the front. At the same time, the advanced units are less than 20 kilometers away from the regional center. In the Kharkiv region, the security zone is up to 15 kilometers deep and over 130 kilometers along the front.
Vladimir Putin: You mentioned the capture of Volchansk. When did this happen?
Yevgeny Nikiforov: We took it in November.
Vladimir Putin: How do you assess the significance of taking this settlement?
Yevgeny Nikiforov: The liberation of Volchansk significantly expanded the length of the security zone and ensured the advance of the group of troops in the southern direction.
Vladimir Putin: Good. Evgeny Valerievich, this is a very important task, as it ensures the security of Russia's border regions. We certainly need to continue this work in 2026. I want to thank you for the results, you and the entire staff.
Sergey Yuryevich, the Zapad group is working effectively, and the Chief of the General Staff reports regularly. We also met not so long ago, you reported to me about what is happening in your area. I would like to ask you to report in detail today on the results of the combat missions in this area.
You are welcome.
Sergey Kuzovlev: Comrade Supreme Commander!
Formations of the 25th Army perform combat missions in the Krasnolimansk area. Currently, units of the 67th Motorized Rifle Division regiments have entered Krasny Liman from several directions and are currently fighting in urban areas. The units are moving in a westerly direction, consistently clearing out pockets of resistance in enemy strongholds. The 164th, 169th motorized rifle and 11th Tank brigades captured the main Krasny Liman–Zakotnoye–Seversk highway, thus cutting off the main supply routes of the enemy group.
The settlement of Dibrova was liberated during the fighting. Part of the unit's forces entered the northern outskirts of the village of Ilyichevka and are currently engaged in street battles to liberate the village from the enemy.
At the same time, the assault units of the 25th Army are developing an offensive in a westerly direction, currently advancing through the forests of the Holy Mountains National Park, thus expanding the control zone along the Seversky Donets River.
Vladimir Putin: I would like to draw your attention to the successful work in the Krasnolimansk area, which is important. Of course, it is necessary to complete the liquidation of this group in the north, we also discussed this, I remember perfectly well, on the left bank. How many enemies are there left, according to our calculations?
Sergey Kuzovlev: Directly in the Boguslav direction, we are completing the destruction of the 6th Army, and about 10 battalions remain in the 1st Army. This is just over 2.5 thousand combat units.
Vladimir Putin: It's melting away gradually, we just recently reported that there were 3,500, right? You reported. And we have already said that attempts by the enemy to prevent the development of the situation in Kupyansk itself must also, of course, be resolutely suppressed.
I know that you are taking the appropriate necessary actions.
Sergey Kuzovlev: Comrade Supreme Commander, in the Kupyansk direction, the liquidation of the Armed Forces formations that are surrounded east of Kupyansk is being carried out in accordance with the plan approved by the General Staff. Currently, our troops are destroying units of the 14th mechanized brigade in the area of the settlements of Podoli and Kupyansk-Uzlovaya. The completion is final.
We plan to complete the remaining blocking of a part of the enemy's group in January-February.
Vladimir Putin: Good. Thank you very much.
And also the best wishes and words of gratitude to the personnel of the group.
Sergey Viktorovich, the Southern Group of Troops is working confidently and efficiently. How is the situation developing in your area now?
Sergey Medvedev: Comrade Supreme Commander!
With the liberation of the settlement of Seversk, the 3rd Army, without slowing down the pace of the offensive, continues to carry out tasks in a westerly direction with the main direction towards Slavyansk.
They have now taken control, completed coverage from the north and south, taken control of the settlement of Svyato-Pokrovskoye and reached the settlement of Zakotovo on the northern flank. And on the southern flank, they reached the eastern outskirts of the settlement of Bondarnoye. We continue to carry out tasks in the direction of Seversk.
Vladimir Putin: What is the current situation in Konstantinovka?
Sergey Medvedev: In Konstantinovka, Comrade Supreme Commander, formations and units of the 3rd Army Corps continue to sweep the northeastern outskirts of the settlement, have taken control of the territory of the Stroysteklo plant and are continuing to liberate the Konstantinovsky Metallurgical Plant.
Vladimir Putin: How many percent of the city is already under our control?
Sergey Medvedev: Up to 45 percent, Comrade Supreme Commander. If we take the northeastern outskirts, then about 40 percent.
Vladimir Putin: We all understand perfectly well that the liberation of Seversk and the effective work in Konstantinovka allow the troops to create conditions for the development of a further offensive and the capture of the entire Slavyansk-Druzhkovsko-Kramatorsk agglomeration and the capture of the entire enemy defense line, as well as in cooperation with the Zapad and Center troops to completely liberate the territory of Donbass. This is the most important direction. You're showing a good pace.
I've already had the pleasure of talking to your subordinates. Once again, send them my best wishes and thanks for their successful work.
Sergey Medvedev: There is.
Vladimir Putin: Mikhail Yuryevich, your group is located directly opposite the fortified area that the enemy created long ago. Nevertheless, you are actively working in this area as well.
How do you assess the overall situation?
Mikhail Teplinsky: Comrade Supreme Commander!
The Dnepr group of troops, overcoming the prepared lines of the enemy's defense, is attacking in the direction of the city of Zaporizhia. The city of Stepnogorsk, which was the main hub of the enemy's defense in the direction of the regional center, came under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. The liberation of the Lukyanovskoye settlement has been completed today. The capture of Primorsky is coming to an end.
Fighting is underway in the city of Orekhov, in the settlements of Novoandreevka, Novoyakovlevka, Belogorye, and Pavlovka.
Over the past two months, five settlements have been liberated by a group of troops. Currently, the group's compound continues to conduct offensive operations in the Zaporizhia region. The advanced units are located at a distance of about 15 kilometers from the southern outskirts of the city of Zaporizhia. I've finished my report.
Vladimir Putin: What is it, 15 kilometers?
Mikhail Teplinsky: Yes, about 15 kilometers to the outskirts.
Vladimir Putin: Mikhail Yuryevich, I also note the effective and successful actions of your fighters and commanders. And I ask you to convey my best wishes.
Mikhail Teplinsky: There is.
Vladimir Putin: We understand and are aware that the enemy, who is directly in front of you, has been preparing for defense there for many years. And we know what a difficult situation there is. Nevertheless, you manage to solve the tasks facing the grouping. Of course, in the near future it is necessary to continue the offensive together with the Vostok group to liberate Zaporizhia.
Thank you very much.
Mikhail Teplinsky: There is.
Vladimir Putin: Andrey Ramovich, would you like to add something?
A.Belousov: Everything is going according to plan, very dynamically.
I would even say that Valery Vasilyevich reported ahead of the pace that was originally planned. Indeed, in December we reached the highest pace for the entire year.
Vladimir Putin: Thank you.
Dear comrades,
The tasks of liberating Donbass, Zaporizhia and Kherson regions are being carried out in stages, in accordance with the plan of a special military operation. The troops of the groups are confidently moving forward, breaking into the enemy's defenses. Ukrainian Armed Forces units are retreating everywhere, along the entire line of contact.
The commanders of the groups of troops have now reported on the situation, and I ask you to continue carrying out the tasks of the special military operation in accordance with the plans and plans of the General Staff.
I would like to express my gratitude once again to all Russian servicemen currently performing combat missions on the line of contact, on the front line.
Of course, the decisive role in the successes of the Russian Armed Forces at the front belongs to our soldiers and officers, who, liberating the land of Donbass, show courage and heroism on a daily basis, risking themselves.
I want to address them directly and emphasize.
Dear comrades,
You certainly serve as an example of serving the Fatherland, serving the Motherland, working and fulfilling your military tasks for the benefit of our great Russia.
Thank you for your valiant service to the Fatherland and wish you a Happy New Year.
