Battle of attrition rages to hold key Ukrainian | Political News

The Ukrainian military has confirmed that it continues to defend a city close to a major battlefront, despite Russian propaganda claiming in any other case. 

The 1st Azov National Guard Corps announced in a Jan. 4 YouTube video that the protection of the city of Rodnynske in Donetsk Oblast continues, and Russian troops have been hit with a vital blow to their manpower and gear.

Azov accused Russian propagandists of spreading false claims about the standing of Rodynsyke. Edited supplies and manipulative messages are used by the enemy to create a misunderstanding of the settlement’s alleged seize, Azov added.

“As of Jan. 4, 2026, forces of the 14th Chervona Kalyna Brigade together with the 20th Lubart Brigade of the 1st National Guard Corps Azov and the 132nd Separate Reconnaissance Battalion of the Air physical attack Troops are holding defense within the settlement and on its approaches,” the navy said.

Azov said on Dec. 31 that Rodynske stays under Defense Forces control. It added that Russian troops, managing to infiltrate the city, are detected and eradicated by all accessible means.

Two days prior, Azov reported that Russia‘s military makes use of its regular tactic of infiltrating small infantry teams into settlements to create a narrative for social media. Russians then raise their flag on their territory.

On Dec. 10, news outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported that Rodynske is roughly 80% under Russian control.

Rodynske is positioned to the north of Pokrovsk, a key battleground in Donetsk Oblast and persistently one of the most energetic areas on the entrance line.

Rodynske has seen major skirmishes since the summer time of 2025, when Russian forces approached the large mine on the city’s jap outskirts. It is positioned along what was once the main Ukrainian logistic route into Pokrovsk, reviews Kyiv Independent.

This announcment from Ukranian navy forces comes after the Russian navy claimed on Dec. 28 that Huliaipole, which is positioned about 50 miles east of Zaporizhzhia had been taken over by Russian forces.

Col. Gen. Andrei Vanaev, Russian commander of the area, made the declare at a assembly attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Ivanaev told Putin that his forces had taken over 210 sq. kilometers of territory in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia areas since early December, reinforcing the Kremlin’s narrative that Russia will finally obtain its purpose of occupying 4 areas of jap and southern Ukraine, reviews GWN.

Ukrainian troopers stationed in the realm have described the scenario in the area as “intense,” as they’re vastly outnumbered by Russian forces.

The unofficial Ukrainian battle mapper Deepstate reported on Dec. 29 that Ukrainian troops continued to hold their positions in components of Huliaipole, but it was now a “gray zone,” with the Russians having “many times more personnel,” reviews GWN. Reinforcing positions in the city was tough because it was low-lying, Deepstate said.