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Russo-Ukraine War - 12 October 2023 - Day 596

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]

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of October 12, there were 55x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 2x missile and 55x air strikes, more than 20x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

The operational situation in east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues to shell Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. The Russian invaders launched air strikes near Popivka and Seredyna-Buda (Sumy oblast). About 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Bleshnya, Buchky (Chernihiv oblast), Mefedivka, Seredyna-Buda, Fotovyzh, Chuikivka, Stepok (Sumy oblast), Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, and Veterynarne (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers repelled 4x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka and 8x attacks near Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian adversary fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Kam'yanka, Dvorichna, Ivanivka, and Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka, Novolyubivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Spirne, Vesele, and Sivers'k (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defense forces repelled 4x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Makiivka (Luhansk oblast) and Serebryanske forestry (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Spirne, Rozdolivka, and Verkhn'okam'yans'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders are bravely holding the line, repelled 7x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Avdiivka and 7x more attacks near Lastochkyne, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke, and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Novokalynove, Keramik, Stepove, and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Stepove, Avdiivka, and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: during the day of October 12, Ukrainian defense forces successfully repelled about 10x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, and Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast), were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near Novomykhailivka and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Zolota Nyva, and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost position in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupants launched an air strike near Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, P'yatykhatky, and Stepove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at Antonivka, Bilozerka (Kherson oblast), the city of Kherson, and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian defense forces continue their offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensive (assault) operations on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, exhausting the Russian forces all along the front line.

During the day of October 12, Ukrainian Air Force launched 12x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 2x air strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post and 9x artillery systems of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled seven counter-attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 4th Tank Brigade, 14th, 32nd, and 115th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka (Kharkov region), and Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, Russian units inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 14th Mechanised Brigade and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Kupyansk and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

The enemy has lost up to 105 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled howitzer, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters, artillery repelled three attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 21st and 67th mechanised brigades close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, as well as two D-30 howitzers.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled three attacks of AFU assault detachments near Kleshcheyevka and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Ground-attack aircraft launched strikes at manpower and hardware of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 53rd, 93rd, and 110th motorised brigades close to Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Kurdyumovka, Avdeyevka, and Mariynka (Donetsk People's Republic).

?? During the day, the enemy lost more than 340 Ukrainian troops killed and injured, one tank, five armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one French-made Caesar self-propelled howitzer, two D-20 howitzers, and one D-30 howitzer were neutralised.

In addition, three AFU ammunition depots were destroyed close to Avdeyevka, Orlovka, and Latochkino (Donetsk People's Republic).

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted loses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 58th Motorised Brigade and 79th Airborne Brigade near Urozhaynoye and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 165 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS combat vehicle, one M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery howitzer were neutralised.

In Zaporozhye direction, two attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 23th and 65th mechanised brigades near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by competent actions of the Russian units, air strikes, and artillery fire during the day.

The enemy lost up to 30 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, and one U.S.-made M119 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, up to 50 Ukrainian troops, 11 motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised during the day.

In addition, one electronic warfare station, as well as one ammunition depot, were neutralised close to Berislav (Kherson region).

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 129 areas during the day.

One military hardware depot was destroyed near Ismail (Odessa region).

An AFU hangar with landing boats was wiped out close to Solonzhaki (Nikolayev region).

Air-delivered ordnance depots of the Ukrainian Air Force were destroyed at Mirgorod airfield (Poltava region) and Dnepr airfield (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Air defence units intercepted six U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day.

?? Moreover, 39 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were downed close to Spornoye, Peski (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorovka, Nyrkovo (Lugansk People's Republic), Novofedorovka, Romanovskoye, Gulai Pole (Zaporozhye region), Nikolayevka, Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region).

In total, 488 airplanes and 250 helicopters, 7,748 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 12,528 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,163 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,738 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 14,115 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.