A new American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) summary says that Russian troops appear to be preparing for decisive action in the Luhansk region.
The Russians continue to move equipment and workforce to Luhansk, including air force units that have been withdrawn from the right bank of the Dnieper in the Kherson region.
ISW analysts also note that the Russian Armed Forces use thermobaric artillery shells in the Lugansk battles. In addition, on December 26, Ukrainian intelligence announced the appointment of a new commander of Russia's Western Military Region.
