MoD Russia

❗️European patrons of Kiev remain committed to escalating the conflict 💬 Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation General of the Army Valery Gerasimov:

A key factor in forming the military and political situation is the crisis in Ukraine, which is taking place in the form of Western proxy war against the Russian Federation. This war is being waged by the hands of the Ukrainian people. Ordinary Ukrainians are becoming increasingly disillusioned with the actions of the authorities due to the situation at the front, the increase in the number of irretrievable losses, the degradation of the economy, the increase in tariffs for housing and communal services, and increasing corruption in government. As a result, about nine million people have left the country since the beginning of servicemen. Since the beginning of the year, the number of mobilised monthly has fallen from 28,000 to 14,000 people in November, which is shaping a steady downward trend in the number of Ukrainian troops. The desertion takes on a mass character. According to official data merely up to 30,000 people voluntarily leave their place of service every month. At present, more than 160,000 criminal cases have been opened against this category of military personnel of the AFU. The European patrons of Kiev remain committed to escalating the conflict. At the same time, their involvement in the confrontation with Russia in the Ukrainian direction creates risks of a global nature.

#tomilitaryattachés 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🌐 Aggravation of the situation in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region

The situation in Latin America is developing against the backdrop of the attempt by the United States to achieve unconditional dominance in the region. The most disturbing situation has arisen around Venezuela, where Washington has set itself the goal of removing the country's legitimately elected president from power. In addition, actions to block maritime traffic and aviation flights in the region are carried out in contravention of international law. The situation in the Asia-Pacific region is on a steady rising tensions trend. It is also critically influenced by the activities of the West, which are based on the strengthening of the military presence, and the development of a network of American-centric alliances (QUAD, AUKUS, JAPHUS, Triple Alliance). Washington does not abandon its intentions to deploy medium-range missile weapons in the region, as well as to develop a missile defense system.

#tomilitaryattachés 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🌐 Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation General of the Army Valery Gerasimov about the situation in the Middle East and Africa

The situation in the Middle East remains likely to escalate further. The main factor that determines the stability of the region remains the resolution of the conflict over the Gaza Strip. We hope that the efforts made by the United States and its partners will help reduce the terrorist threat and military confrontation between Israel and Palestinian organisations. The situation on the African continent remains difficult. Internal armed conflicts are continuing and crisis phenomena are intensifying in almost all regions of Africa. The main reason for the worsening situation is the irresponsible actions of the collective West, which still considers the region exclusively as a source of strategic raw materials, and the aspirations of local governments for independent policies as a threat to their interests.

#tomilitaryattachés 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

❗️Under the pretext of the so-called 'Russian military threat,' the alliance significantly increased its military presence close to our borders 💬 Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation General of the Army Valery Gerasimov:

Under the pretext of the so-called 'Russian military threat,' the alliance significantly increased its military presence close to our borders. The scale and intensity of operational and combat training continue. Measures are being taken to increase the efficiency of the deployment of reinforcement troops. This year, a large-scale exercise called 'The Protector of Europe' was held in which not only the countries of NATO were involved but also off-block states – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, and Kosovo's security forces. In the course of this mission, significant troops were deployed to the Russian borders, working on various options for the use of ground formations. A Baltic Guard mission has been deployed in the Baltic Sea zone, which is aimed at impeding the movement of Russian vessels in violation of international maritime law. All these factors do not contribute to increased safety on the European continent, which has become the scene of the West's confrontation with our country.

#tomilitaryattachés 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

📄 General of the Army Valery Gerasimov about the collapse of the arms control system

The complete collapse of the arms control system has an impact on global security. At present, the START Treaty, which ends on 5 February next year, is nominally in force. After that date, there will be no restrictions in this sphere. Russia's initiative to stick to the restrictions provided for in the treaty for another year, subject to similar actions by Washington, remains unanswered. We take into account the U.S. position on the likely resumption of nuclear tests. We are committed to our obligations under the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. However, in the event that the American side resumes these tests, adequate retaliatory measures will follow. The situation with the deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in the world is clearly illustrated by the lack of restrictions in the field of offensive weapons. After the U.S. withdrawal from the MLRS Treaty, the possibility of deploying mobile missile systems with a range of more than 1,000 km in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region is being actively explored. This creates a new level of instability, triggers a local arms race. As a response in August of this year, Russia ended its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles.

#tomilitaryattachés 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🌐 Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Valery Gerasimov: Collective West is the main source of increasing military threats to Russia's security

At the moment, the military and political situation is marked by increased global competition and further escalation of international tensions. The main source of the rise of military threats to the security of the Russian Federation is the collective West, which does not abandon the assigned target to inflict a strategic defeat to Russia during the special military operation through comprehensive support of Ukraine's military capabilities. Political statements by a number of European leaders reveal the idea of prolonging hostilities that, in their opinion, will deplete our country and enable NATO to rebuild a 'war machine' for imminent direct confrontation with Russia. The objectives of this information campaign are to increase military expenditure and actively militarise public order in Europe. The growth of NATO's military capabilities and activity along the Russian borders presents a long-term challenge to our country's interests in the Western strategic direction. NATO's intention to the militarisation of Europe was established during the summit in June of this year in The Hague. The decisive pursuit by our nation of its national interests, including during the special military operation, has led to serious geopolitical changes. At the moment, the authority of international organisations has grown significantly. Their main task is to promote equitable economic development as the foundation of a new system of global security. First of all, the authority of BRICS, SCO, and CSTO is increasing. This fact consolidates multipolarity in the modern world. Our country's strategic partners – China and India – play a significant role in the international arena. The role of the countries of the Global South and ASEAN in world affairs has grown. Today, multipolarism has become an objective reality.

#tomilitaryattachés 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

⚡️ Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation First Deputy Russian Defence Minister General of the Army Valery Gerasimov held a briefing for military attachés of foreign states. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎮 The Rubikon Centre's FPV drones hit motor vehicles, artillery guns, ground-based robotic systems, communication system elements, firing positions, temporary deployment areas of the AFU, as well as enemy UAVs in the special military operation zone. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🤝 Servicemen of the 27th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade (Zapad Group of Forces) provided assistance to two civilians of Kupyansk who were trying to leave the city on their own. 🎮 During a monitoring flight, an FPV drone pilot detected two civilians moving in a direction away from the city. After making sure that the UAV belonged to the Russian Armed Forces, they signaled that they were not dangerous and asked for help. 📍 FPV drones immediately delivered a radio and a note detailing how to conduct negotiations with a description of the safe route. Then they were escorted to the evacuation point. ⚡️ After arriving at the evacuation point, the rescued civilians were provided with medical care. Russian servicemen also provided them with dry, clean clothes. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎮 Our drones burn down enemy hardware: Zapad Group's drone operators thwart an AFU counter-attack attempt west of Kupyansk 🎯 Drone pilots recorded movement of the AFU hardware in Petrovka (Kharkov region) west of Kupyansk. 💥 The coordinates of the targets were transmitted to the strike UAV teams, which destroyed several pickup trucks and Humvee armoured vehicles along with the personnel. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎖🎖 by Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 18 December 2025 Part 2 (👉 see Part 1) ↗️ The Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. Russian troops inflicted damage on formations of one assault brigade, two assault regiments of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade have been hit close to Andreyevka, Gavrilovka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Gulyaypole, and Kosovtsevo (Zaporozhye region). ▪️ Up to 245 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and three materiel depots have been neutralised.   💥 Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on units of one mountain assault brigade and one coastal defence brigade of the AFU close to Tyaginka, Nikolskoye and Dneprovskoye (Kherson region). ▪️ Up to 70 troops, 21 motor vehicles, two field artillery guns, including one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and two materiel depots have been destroyed. ✈️ Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted damage on energy infrastructure in the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, long-range attack drone teams and storage areas, as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed groups and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas.   🎯 Air defence systems shot down 216 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.   📊 In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost: ▫️ 669 aircraft, ▫️ 283 helicopters, ▫️ 103,758 unmanned aerial vehicles, ▫️ 640 anti-aircraft missile systems, ▫️ 26,591 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, ▫️ 1,633 MLRS combat vehicles, ▫️ 31,994 field artillery guns and mortars, ▫️ 49,358 support military vehicles. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎖🎖 by Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 18 December 2025 🪖 The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.   💥 Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on units of one jaeger brigade of the AFU and one national guard regiment near Alekseyevka, Ryzhevka, Varachino, and Shostka (Sumy region). 🔥 In Kharkov direction, units of two mechanised brigades of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade have been hit near Prilipka, Vilcha, Stary Saltov, Veliky Burluk, and Volchanskiye Khutora (Kharkov region). ▪️ The enemy lost up to 150 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, eight motor vehicles, two artillery guns, two electronic warfare stations, and an Israeli-made RADA radar station.   💥 The Zapad Group's units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU and one national guard brigade near Blagodatovka, Podoly, Kovsharovka, Boguslavka, Kupyansk-Uzlovoy, Nechvolodovka (Kharkov region) and Krasny Liman (Donetsk People's Republic). ▪️ The AFU losses amounted to up to 200 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two Turkish-made Cobra armoured fighting vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, and two ammunition depots.   📍 The Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Strikes were delivered at formations of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, two mountain assault brigades of the AFU, one marine brigade, and one national guard brigade have been hit close to Reznikovka, Zakotnoye, Kirovo, Minkovka, Konstantinovka, and Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic). ▪️ The enemy has lost more than 195 troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, including two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers, two electronic warfare stations, and three ammunition depots.   💥 The Tsentr Group's units continued to neutralise the encircled AFU formations in Vostochny and Zapadny districts of Dimitrov (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian troops are mopping up the AFU scattered groups in the settlements of Rodinskoye and Svetloye (Donetsk People's Republic). ⚡️ Attempts of the AFU assault groups to break through forest belts from the direction of Shevchenko to the northern outskirts of Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk People's Republic were thwarted. In addition, 42 militants and 14 pieces of military hardware were neutralised. 🔥 Russian troops engaged manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one airmobile brigade, one infantry brigade, one air assault brigade, two assault regiments of the AFU, one marine brigade, two national guard brigades, and one Azov Special Operations Brigade close to Kutuzovka, Sergeyevka, Grishino, Volnoye, Toretskoye, Belitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Novopavlovka, and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region). ▪️ The enemy losses amounted to more than 545 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 10 motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. 👉 See Part 2 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

💥 Tsentr Group's T-72B3M tank of the 506th Poznansky Guards Motorised Rifle Regiment eliminated by indirect fire an AFU assault group attempting to rotate. 📍 Grishino, Krasnoarmeysk direction 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🪖 Assault detachments of the Vostok Group of Forces continue to advance in forest belts near Gulyaypole, depriving the enemy of the ability to hold the occupied areas. 💥 Before launching active actions, the Vostok Group's attack UAV operators hit the enemy's positions. At the same time, reconnaissance drone operators constantly monitor forest belts, detecting shelters and movement of the enemy, as well as adjusting the actions of our servicemen. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

00:00 Artillerymen of the 27th Motorised Rifle Division (Tsentr Group of Forces) hit the AFU manpower and hardware in Krasnoarmeysk direction. 00:22 The Vostok Group's Grad MLRS crews wiped out fortified positions with the Ukranian nationalists in several areas of Gulyaypole. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

📆 Top News Today ▫️ Expanded meeting of Defence Ministry Board was held in Moscow under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin ▫️ During Expanded meeting of Defence Ministry Board, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov summed up the results of the fulfilment of tasks in ten priority areas established at the previous meeting of the Board and recorded the tasks for the following year. ▫️ Following Expanded meeting of Defence Ministry Board, Vladimir Putin presented the Hero of Russia Gold Star medals to participants in the special military operation who liberated Seversk. ▫️ The Vostok Group of Forces' units continued to advance into the depths of enemy defences and liberated Gerasimovka (Dnepropetrovsk region). ▫️ Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation inflicted fire damage on an assembly and testing centre of uncrewed surface vehicles of the AFU, transport infrastructure facilities that supported the Armed Forces of Ukraine, assembly centres of long-range attack drones as well as temporary deployment areas of the AFU and foreign mercenaries. ▫️ The Russian Defence Ministry shows the footage of a D-30 howitzer, a Fagot ATGM, artillerymen, and UAV teams in action. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎮Unmanned Systems Forces' drone operators hit enemy positions in all directions 00:00 The Dnepr Group of Forces' UAV teams of the Novorossiysk Airborne Formation hit AFU manpower and hardware in Zaporozhye region. 00:21 UAV operators of the Vostok Group of Forces detected routes of movement of enemy' hardware and organised remote demining of roads in areas of possible breakthrough as well as neutralised enemy armoured vehicles close to Gulyai-Pole in Zaporozhye region. 00:55 UAV teams of the Sever Group of Forces destroyed an AFU Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems in Sumy region. 01:16 The Vostok Group of Forces' drone operators launched an attack on an enemy AS-90 self-propelled artillery system in Dnepropetrovsk region. 01:41 The Tsentr Group of Forces' UAVs hit firing positions and eliminated manpower that deployed in an AFU fortified stronghold in Krasnoarmeysk direction. 02:06 FPV drone operators wiped out a motor vehicle, an ATV as well as an enemy shelter with manpower inside. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

🎮 The Rubikon Centre's UAV operators hit enemy hardware, artillery systems, ground-based robotic systems, communication systems, and UAVs in the special military operation zone. ➡️01:21 A Lancet loitering munition team destroyed a RADA radar near Krolevets in Sumy region. #Rubikon 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

00:00 The Zapad Group of Forces' artillerymen thwarted AFU attempts to approach liberated Kupyansk. 00:20 The Tsentr Group of Forces' soldiers wiped out an AFU command post with a Krasnopol-M2 high-precision projectile in Krasnoarmeysk direction. 00:34 The Vostok Group of Forces' servicemen destroyed strongholds of the AFU in Gulyai-Pole. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry

💥 A Fagot ATGM crew of the Vostok Group of Forces eliminated manpower and a stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine equipped in a forest belt near Gulyai-pole in Zaporozhye region. 🔹 Russian Defence Ministry