Russian strikes caused significantly more civilian casualties in Ukraine in 2025 compared to previous years.
Russia dramatically increased the size, scale, and destructiveness of its strike packages throughout 2025, which likely contributed to the increase in civilian casualties.
Russian forces conducted a series of missile and drone strikes against Ukraine on the night of January 12 to 13 that significantly damaged energy infrastructure throughout Ukraine and hit a postal terminal in Kharkiv Oblast.
Russia continues to scale up the production and innovation of inexpensive strike drones that have succeeded in generating favorable battlefield effects for Russian forces.
Russian forces are struggling with other technological aspects of the battlespace, however, including with the effectiveness of some guided artillery munitions.
Western sanctions on aircraft components will likely continue to constrain Russia’s ability to produce military aircraft.
Ukrainian forces continued their long-range strike campaign against Russian defense industrial and energy assets.
Unidentified drones struck multiple oil tankers off the Russian coast in the Black Sea.
The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) reportedly dismissed Russian Navy Deputy Commander for Coastal and Ground Forces Lieutenant General Sukhrab Akhmedov.
Russian forces recently advanced near Borova, in the Kostyantynivka-Druzhkivka tactical area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, January 13, 2026 | ISW
