As fighting continues in Pokrovsk and Kupyansk, Russia bears down on Ukraine’s main remaining Donbas strongholds. Meduza analyses the latest from the front. Despite the typical winter lull, Russian forces are conducting offensives on multiple fronts, with Ukrainian troops engaged in regrouping and counterattacks. Key developments include Ukrainian withdrawals south of Kostiantynivka and from Myrnohrad, redeploying forces to counter a major Russian offensive in Zaporizhzhia. Meanwhile, Russian advances continue near Siversk and Lyman, and efforts are underway to encircle Ukrainian units in Kupyansk.

• January 2026 sees Russian offensives and Ukrainian counterattacks continuing on several front sections, deviating from typical winter regrouping.
• Ukrainian forces have withdrawn from near Kostiantynivka and Myrnohrad, redeploying some troops to Hulyaipole to counter a large-scale Russian offensive.
• Russian forces are assembling for an offensive against the Kramatorsk–Sloviansk agglomeration and are advancing along the Siverskyi Donets River.
• In Kupyansk, Ukrainian forces have split a Russian bridgehead, but Russia is attempting to reconnect encircled units and cut off Ukrainian forces.
• Russian troops have captured Hulyaipole in the Zaporizhzhia region and are establishing bridgeheads on the western bank of the Haichur River, likely aiming for Orikhiv.