Russian President Vladimir Putin has tasked his troops in Ukraine with seizing control of the Donetsk region by the end of the year, the Institute for the Study of War said. Russian forces are likely to intensify attacks in Bakhmut and Avdiivka. The Kremlin announced on December 17 that Putin worked at the joint headquarters of the services of the Russian Armed Forces throughout the day, heard reports on the progress of the “Special Military Operation” in Ukraine, and held a meeting with the joint headquarters and a separate meeting with commanders. Later, Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected the country's troops involved in Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine. "The head of the Russian military flew around the areas of deployment of troops and checked the advanced positions of Russian units in the zone of the special military operation. Shoigu spoke with troops "on the frontline" and at a "command post."

Russia is redeploying and withdrawing some of its troops from Nova Kakhovka located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River. However, according to analysts, the move is aimed to draw Russian troops away from the range of Ukraine’s artillery and lure Ukrainian troops to cross the river and fall into a trap.

American officials found out that the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Valery Gerasimov, was planning a trip to the front lines, but withheld the information from the Ukrainians, worried that an attempt on his life could lead to a war between the United States and Russia, the New York Times reported.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Belarus on Monday for talks with his counterpart and ally Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarus leader’s office said. Moscow and Minsk have committed to a wide range of programmes for economic and defense cooperation. According to the statement, "the two Presidents will give priority to security issues and exchange views on the situation in the region and the world", but did not mention Ukraine.