Russian Forces Tighten the Noose Around Myrnohrad

THE BRIEFING 

Here’s what’s happening in geopolitics today.

Today’s headlines span grief, unrest and high-stakes politics, from a moving paddle-out memorial at Bondi and a tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, to fresh violence on the streets of Bangladesh following the death of a youth protest leader.

We also track Europe’s latest multibillion-euro financial commitment to Ukraine and a major update in the investigation into the Brown University shooting.

In this deep dive, we examine the battle for Myrnohrad — how Russia’s methodical clearing operation unfolded, and whether Ukraine’s decision to hold the city delivered meaningful operational delay or merely accelerated manpower losses.

THE LAST 24 HOURS IN GEOPOLITICS 

1. Thousands gather at Bondi Beach for memorial paddle-out
Thousands of surfers, swimmers and beachgoers gathered at Bondi Beach in Sydney for a paddle-out memorial to honour the 15 people killed in Sunday’s terror attack during Hanukkah celebrations, forming large circles on the water in a display of solidarity and remembrance. The early-morning tribute included moments of silence and supported prayers from members of the Jewish community as crowds turned out to stand with victims, survivors and first responders. The event was organised rapidly by local groups and drew international attention as a symbol of unity and resilience following one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in decades.
read more 

2. Former NASCAR drive Greg Biffle & members of his family die in plane crash
Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and members of his immediate family were among seven people killed when a Cessna 550 business jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning, local police and officials confirmed. Biffle, 55, his wife Cristina, their young son Ryder and daughter Emma were aboard the plane, along with three other passengers, and all seven occupants died in the crash, which erupted into flames on impact. The former driver, who had a storied NASCAR career with more than 50 wins and later engaged in humanitarian efforts, was mourned by the motorsport community as investigators from the FAA and NTSB begin probing the cause.
read more

3. Violence erupts in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader
Violence has erupted across Dhaka and other major cities in Bangladesh after the death of 32-year-old youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in the 2024 pro-democracy student uprising who succumbed to injuries sustained in an assassination attempt while campaigning for a parliamentary seat. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding justice, with clashes leading to arson attacks on major newspaper offices and other buildings as security forces were deployed to restore order. The unrest underscores deep political tensions ahead of the February 2026 national elections, with protests reflecting broader anger at the interim government and concerns over stability.
read more

4. EU leaders agree on 90 billion-euro loan to Ukraine
European Union leaders agreed on Friday to provide Ukraine with a €90 billion interest-free loan covering its military and economic needs for 2026–27, a measure aimed at keeping Kyiv solvent amid its ongoing war with Russia. After marathon talks in Brussels, the EU pivoted away from an earlier plan to fund the package using frozen Russian assets, instead deciding to raise the money through joint borrowing backed by the bloc’s budget, with Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic exempted from financial liability. Zelenskyy welcomed the guarantee of funding, even as discussions continue on how to potentially use immobilised Russian assets to repay the loan in the future.
read more

5. Suspected gunman in Brown University shooting found dead
The man believed to be responsible for the Brown University mass shooting that killed two students and wounded nine others on December 13 was found dead Thursday night in a storage facility in Salem, New Hampshire, having died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. Identified as 48-year-old Portuguese national Claudio Neves Valente, the suspect was also linked by investigators to the fatal shooting of a MIT professor in Brookline, Massachusetts, two days after the campus attack. Authorities believe he acted alone, but his motive remains unclear, and investigators are continuing to piece together how and why the incidents unfolded.
read more

DAILY DEEP DIVE

Myrnohrad In Freefall? Let’s Find Out…


In the Dobropillya direction, Russian forces are finalising clearing operations in Myrnohrad, as organised Ukrainian resistance has largely collapsed across multiple sectors of the city.

In the northwestern sector, Russian units fully captured the suburb of Svitle and pushed into the Veselyi District, rapidly overrunning the area before breaking through into the northwestern industrial zone. Advancing further, Russian forces moved through the Brianka District toward the city centre, while parallel elements entered northern streets from the railway depot, expanding pressure from multiple axes.

In the city centre, Russian troops advanced from the 40th District, capturing the City Central Hospital along with adjacent high-rise residential buildings. Additional units cleared surrounding low-rise neighbourhoods and seized key civic landmarks, including the stadium and the Palace of Culture. Fighting is now concentrated in western residential areas as remaining Ukrainian positions are reduced.

In northern Myrnohrad, following earlier infiltrations, Russian forces secured the Tsentralna Mine, its terykon, and the City Council building, consolidating control over key infrastructure and observation points. Heavy fighting continues in the northeastern Svetlyy District, where several dozen Ukrainian troops remain cut off inside high-rise buildings and have yet to be fully cleared.

 Worth it?

Myrnohrad as a Delay Position
Myrnohrad has clearly slowed Russian momentum north of the Dobropillya salient, absorbing significant manpower, time, and resources. The dense urban terrain forced Russian forces into methodical clearing operations rather than rapid exploitation, temporarily blunting advances toward broader operational objectives.

Was the Defence Worth the Cost?
This delay raises a critical question: was holding Myrnohrad justified?
Many pro-Ukrainian analysts argue the defence imposed disproportionate manpower losses on Ukrainian units, particularly as Russian forces steadily gained ground regardless. With Ukrainian formations increasingly isolated and cut off, the battle risks being viewed less as a delaying success and more as an attritional loss without decisive strategic payoff.

Impact on the Dobropillya Salient
Russian consolidation inside Myrnohrad has temporarily reduced pressure on the Dobropillya salient, which earlier posed a serious threat to the defensive network often referred to as the Donbas Line. While this has bought Ukraine limited time elsewhere, it has not eliminated the underlying risk; once consolidation is complete, Russian forces are likely to refocus northward with improved positions and logistics.

Rare Modern Siege
Myrnohrad represents one of the first true sieges in recent phases of the war. Unlike previous urban battles where Russia often left escape corridors open, Ukrainian units here appear largely encircled. According to Ukrainian sources, only one partially operable road remains, and its status is uncertain.

Outlook
With clearing operations nearing completion, Myrnohrad’s fall appears imminent. The key question now is not territorial control, but whether the delay achieved meaningful operational effects elsewhere, or merely accelerated Ukrainian force depletion in the Donbas theatre.

Sources:
News/Journal sources available upon request, not shown to maintain visual integrity of page.

TWEET OF THE DAY

Interesting.

TODAY IN HISTORY

(December 19, 1946): The Viet Minh, a Vietnamese independence group founded by Ho Chi Minh, launched a guerrilla war against French forces in Vietnam, in response to a French naval bombardment of Haiphong several weeks earlier that had killed thousands of civilians.