Claims from the russian military commanders on the December 11, 2025, that the russian Ground Forces have taken complete control of the Ukrainian town of Siversk, northern Donetsk, are likely inaccurate. The russian Ground Forces are continuing efforts to infiltrate Siversk, taking advantage of foggy conditions, and have likely taken positions in the centre of the town, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.
Ukrainian forces likely continue to contest western parts of the town. Siversk has long been an objective for russian forces, which have mounted several failed assaults on the town. Siversk has screened the larger remaining Ukrainian-held Donetsk cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence Confirms Vladimir Putin's Claim of Capturing Pokrovsk Is Almost Certainly False
This follows other almost certainly inaccurate russian claims that the russian Ground Forces had taken complete control of the Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk. Ukrainian forces likely continue to retain a limited capability to launch small-scale raids into the northern part of the city, contesting full russian control, and delaying russian efforts at consolidation.
Russian forces continue to sustain heavy casualties in intensive operations across the front line, and have likely sustained approximately 395,000 casualties (killed and wounded) so far in 2025.
As Defense Express previously reported, russia is continuing its concerted deep strike campaign against Ukrainian energy critical national infrastructure, almost certainly seeking to cause a humanitarian crisis amongst Ukraine's civilian population over winter.
Read more: UK Defense Intelligence: russia Seeks to Freeze Ukraine Into Crisis
