Russian troops push for foothold near Shevchenko village in Donetsk Oblast

Russian troops attempted to improve their tactical position north of Novoolenivka and northeast of Sosnivka on Dec. 11 but suffered losses and were forced to retreat after intense attacks near Voznesenka, Sontsivka, and Hrodivka, according to Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational and Strategic Grouping of Troops.

Voloshyn also reported that Russian forces attacked Ukrainian fortifications west of Vidrodzhenskaya and south of Novotroitsky, destroying two positions and losing one in the process. Efforts are underway to restore these positions.

Fighting continues on the southwestern outskirts of Shevchenko, where Russian troops are attempting to gain a foothold and infiltrate with sabotage and reconnaissance groups.

The Defense Forces’ strategic defense operation aims to exhaust the enemy, destroy its resources, and preserve Ukrainian personnel, Voloshyn said. "The enemy must be stopped as much as possible and the front line stabilized," he added.

On Dec. 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was briefed by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi on the situation at the front and Russian losses, with the hottest combat zones identified as Pokrovske and Kurakhiv.

Forbes military columnist David Axe reported December 9 that a Russian tank division is advancing on Pokrovske in Donetsk, though it is not as strong as it may appear.