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Russo-Ukraine War - 16 November 2023 - Day 631

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 UK Ministry of Defence reported that over the last week, Russian forces have continued attacks towards outlying villages of the contested town of Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. Russia is almost certainly attempting a pincer movement to encircle the town. Avdiivka has been fought over for nearly a decade and holds political importance to Russia given its proximity to Donetsk city.

Recent advances have likely brought Russian forces close to the Ukrainian-held Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, a sprawling industrial complex which produces coke and a variety of chemicals, occupies a key tactical position to the north of the town. The plant dominates the main road into Avdiivka and, if Russian forces were to secure it, resupplying the town would become increasingly difficult for Ukraine.

However, the industrial facility provides Ukraine with a localised defensive advantage and Russian forces will probably suffer significant personnel losses if they attempt to assault the facility.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of November 16, there were 62x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 9x missile and 31x air strikes, 26x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Moreover, the Russian Federation launched another air strike on Ukraine, using 18x Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. Air defense forces destroyed 16x attack UAVs.

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 its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Rrussia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Arkhypivka (Chernihiv oblast), Zarichchya, Chuikivka, Bachivs'k (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Vovchans'k, Ohirtseve, Nesterne, Dvorichans'ke (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted failed assault operations in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x attacks in the area. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensives (assaults). The invaders launched an air strike in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 18x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Dyliivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Markove, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.
Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted failed assault operations east of Stepove, Avdiivka, and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast), where the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 15x attacks. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Sukha Balka, Keramik, Tonen'ke, Avdiivka, Netailove, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Russian adversary made unsuccessful assaults with air support in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Ukrainian defenders repelled 15x attacks. The settlements of Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted assault operations near Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes near Urozhaine and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Bohoyavlenka, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Russian invaders made unsuccessful assaults near Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), where Ukrainian defenders 5x attacks. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novodarivka and Mala Tokmachka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Temyrivka, Poltavka, Hulyaipole, Novodanylivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: The settlement of Ivanivka, Bilozerka (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson suffered from Russian artillery shelling.

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 Russian occupation forces, exhausting Russian forces all along the front line.

During the day of November 16, Ukrainian Air Force launched 2x air strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian occupiers.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 6x artillery systems, 2x command posts and 2x ammunition depots 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 and artillery repelled three attacks of the AFU 32nd and 67th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka and Zagoruykovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 110 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units, as well as strikes of helicopters and artillery, repelled one attack of an assault detachment of the AFU 12th Azov Special Forces Brigade close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of enemy manpower and hardware near Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy losses were up to 175 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two pick-up trucks, and two U.S.-made M777 artillery system.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 14 attacks, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware close to Kleshcheyevka, Artyomovo, Georgiyevka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

In total, the enemy lost up to 240 troops killed and wounded, one tank, and three motor vehicles in this direction during the day.

In course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery gun, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems, three U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, as well as one MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Ugledar and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 70 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two pick-up trucks.

In course of the counter-battery warfare, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system and one UK-made FH70 howitzer were destroyed.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 33rd, 116th, and 118th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rabotino, Uspenovka, and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy's losses in this area amounted to up to 100 troops, two tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, as well as one Giatsint-B gun.

In Kherson direction, up to 70 Ukrainian servicemen and two motor vehicles were neutralised as a result of fire defeat during the day.

Also, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and Msta-B howitzer were hit during counter-battery warfare.

Operational-Tactical and Army Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces eliminated one command post of the AFU 128th Mountain Assault Brigade near Dmitrovo(Zaporozhye region), as well as manpower and military hardware in 132 areas.

Fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force close Krasnoarmeysk (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence systems have shot down two HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one U.S.-made JDAM aerial guided bomb.

In addition, 26 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Novoandreyevka, Lipovoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Mirnoye, Romanovskoye, and Pavlovka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 536 airplanes and 254 helicopters, 8,960 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 13,426 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,184 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,121 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 15,312 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.