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Russo-Ukraine War - 20 November 2022 - Day 270

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

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The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia's recent withdrawal from west of Kherson was conducted in relatively good order compared to previous major Russian retreats during the war.

During the retreat, vehicle losses were likely in the tens rather than hundreds, while much kit that was left behind was successfully destroyed by Russian forces to deny it to Ukraine.

This relative success is likely partially due to a more effective, single operational command under General Sergei Surovikin. However, the force remains riven by poor junior and mid-level leadership and cover-up culture. For example, in recent months two companies subordinate to the Eastern Military District fled after their commander was killed. Other officers likely lied in an attempt to cover up the incident.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the current day, units of the Defence Forces of Ukraine repelled the attacks of the Russian occupiers in the areas of the settlements of Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Spirne, Yakovlivka, Bakhmutske, Bakhmut, Opytne and Klishchiivka in the Donetsk oblast.

During the current day, Russian forces launched 2 rocket attacks on the civilian infrastructure of the city of Kupyansk and carried out about 10 MLRS attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops along the contact line.

In the Volyn, Polissya and Siverskyi directions, the situation remains without significant changes, no signs of the formation of offensive groups have been detected.

The Republic of Belarus continues to support the armed aggression of the russian federation against Ukraine, providing it with infrastructure, territory and airspace. Airplanes of the Air and Space Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation fly almost daily in the airspace of the Republic of Belarus. The MiG-31K aircraft, which takes off from the Machulyshchi airfield, is the carrier of hypersonic missiles "Kynzhal", capable of hitting objects throughout the territory of Ukraine. It is because of this that we are forced to announce an air alert so often in all regions of Ukraine.

In the border areas of Bryansk and Kursk regions, the Russian occupiers continue to maintain separate units of their troops.
In the Slobozhanskyi direction, Russian forces shelled the areas of Dvorichna, Ohirtseve, Strilecha, Staritsa and Chaykivka settlements of the Kharkiv oblast.
In the Kupyansk and Lyman directions, Russia is conducting defense on the captured lines, firing mortars, barrel and rocket artillery, in particular in the areas of Krokhmalne and Tabaivka settlements of the Kharkiv oblast; Novoselivske, Makiivka, Ploshanka and Nevske in the Luhansk oblast and Berestove in the Donetsk oblast.
In the Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Novopavlivka areas, Russian forces are concentrating their main efforts on conducting offensive operations. Conducts shelling from tanks and the entire range of artillery in the areas of Andriivka, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske, Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Vesele, Vremivka, Vuhledar, Klishchiivka, Mayorsk, Opytne, Rozdolivka, Paraskoviivka, Soledar, Spirne and Yakovlivka settlements of the Donetsk oblast.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Russian occupiers are defending themselves. The areas of Vyshchetarasivka, Hulyaipole, Dorozhnyanka, Zaliznychne, Novopil, Orihiv and Chervone settlements of the Zaporizhzhia oblast were affected by the Russian forces' artillery fire.
In the Kryvyi Rih and Kherson directions, Russia is conducting positional defense and improving fortification equipment. Directed fire from tanks, barrel and jet artillery in the areas of the settlements of Antonivka, Veletenske, Novokairy, Novotyahynka, Ponyativka, Tokarivka and the city of Kherson.
In the Kakhovsky district, the Russian occupiers continue to engage in looting and robberies. Local residents are deprived of personal cars, motorcycles and even bicycles.

Russia continues to suffer losses. So, about 100 wounded servicemen of the Russian occupation forces were brought to the city hospital of Skadovsk, in the Kherson oblast.

According to the updated information, fire damage was confirmed at the places of concentration of Russian manpower on November 19. The Russian invaders lost more than 100 people wounded in the settlements of Polohy, Kam'yanka, Mykhailivka (Vasylivskyi district) and Enerhodar of Zaporizhzhya oblast. About 20 units of military equipment of various types and 2 ammunition depots were also liquidated. In addition, a column of Russian equipment was destroyed near the village of Syrotyne, Luhansk oblast.

During the current 24 hours, the Ukrainian aviation made 6 strikes on Russian forces: 3 on the areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, and 3 on the positions of anti-aircraft missile systems. At the same time, units of missile forces and artillery of the Defense Forces hit 2 control points, an ammunition warehouse, an area for the concentration of personnel and anti-aircraft weapons, and 2 other important objects of the occupiers.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reports the defeat of the workshop of the Motor Sich plant in Zaporozhye, where aircraft engines for the enemy Air Force were produced. Also, over the past day, strikes were carried out on one command post of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), 62 artillery units and 153 areas of concentration of manpower and equipment.

Meanwhile, two HIMARS installations were hit in Kramatorsk, and four M777 howitzers, which were shelling the Belgorod region, were hit on the border of the Kharkov region. Air defense systems shot down six enemy drones and two Alder multiple rocket launchers.

On November 19 and 20, the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired a total of 23 shells at the Zaporozhye NPP, causing damage to special buildings and communications. Nevertheless, the radiation situation at the facility remains normal.

In this regard, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, called for the shelling to be stopped, "whoever is behind them," thus avoiding accusations against the Kyiv regime.

The situation in Donbass

The consequences of shelling Ilovaisk with three missiles from HIMARS rocket systems have been clarified. The blow was delivered at the local traction substation from Kurakhovo, where the 68th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is located. As a result, the station was damaged, there were no casualties.

The Ministries of Education and Science of the Russian Federation are discussing the creation of pedagogical universities of federal subordination in the newly annexed territories. Relevant decisions are planned to be made by the end of 2022 after discussions. The new structure will include colleges and advanced training institutes.