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Russo-Ukraine War - 24 November 2023 - Day 639

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 Russian forces in Ukraine continue to suffer mass casualties from Ukrainian long-range precision strikes well behind the front line. On 10 November 2023, likely over 70 Russian troops were killed in a strike on a convoy of trucks 23km behind the front line in the village of Hladkivka, Kherson Oblast.

Subsequently, on 19 November 2023, a strike on Russian troops attending an award ceremony or concert in Kumachove, 60km inside Russian-controlled territory, likely caused tens of casualties. Ukraine has also suffered similar incidents: a Russian ballistic missile killed 19 members of Ukraine's 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade at a medal ceremony on 3 November 2023.

Deployed soldiers are typically well aware of the ranges of their adversary's weapons systems. However, faced with the reality of very long combat deployments, commanders face an acute dilemma. They must balance the best practice of keeping the troops dispersed, and less vulnerable to strikes, and the day-to-day requirement to gather units together to conduct administration and to maintain morale.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of November 24, there were 68x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 5x missile, 17x air strikes, 27x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Moreover, on the night of November 24, the Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. All Russian drones were shot down. Russian attacks have unfortunately resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. Private residential buildings as well as other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

The operational situation in eastern and southern 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 Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 15x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Yanzhulivka, Arkhypivka (Chernihiv oblast), Znob-Novhorods'ke, Basivka, Yunakivka (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Vovchans'k (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted assault operations in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast), and Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast), where Ukrainian defenders repelled 13x attacks. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at the settlements of Syn'kivka, Kucherivka, Pershotravneve, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Krokhmal'ne (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Vyimka, Vesele, Pereizne, Fedorivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 10x Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Pivdenne, New York (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assault operations with air support east of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled more than 30x attacks. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Keramik, Avdiivka, Tonen'ke, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: Russian forces made failed assaults with air support in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x attacks. Around 10x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Kukharivka, Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no assaults. Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces made 5x attempts to regain lost ground near Robotyne and Novopokrovka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), to no success. More than 20x settlements, including Luhivs'ke, Novodanylivka, Novoandriivka, Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky, Lobkove, Plavni (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Novoberyslav (Kherson oblast). the settlements of Dudchany, Beryslav, Vesele, L'vove, Ivanivka, Chornobaivka, Komyshany (Kherson oblast), the city of Kherson, and the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) 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.

Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their ground on the left bank of the Dnipro River (Kherson oblast), and continue to inflict fire on the Russian forces.

On Kup'yans'k axis, some servicemembers of the Russian occupation forces complain about constant losses in manpower due to unsuccessful offensives and claim their unwillingness to continue assaults. It has been observed that the "quality" of the recruits is extremely low - mostly elderly people addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling. There is a perception among the military personnel of the Russian occupation forces that the leadership deliberately sends them on "meat assaults" with no regard for losses.

Also, according to available information, in the temporarily occupied Mariupol, russian soldiers, recruited in prisons, killed their commander because of his constant threats, abuse and murder of their fellow service members.

Moreover, on the Svatove axis, it is noted unsatisfactory combat service support of the occupiers' units. In particular, servicemen of a Russian unit report a poor supply of cold-weather gear, food, water, etc.

During the day of November 24, Ukrainian Air Force launched 9x strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian occupiers.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x logistics center of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the period from 18 to 24 November 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation inflicted 31 group strikes with high-precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on the military airfield infrastructure, arsenals, storage sites for artillery ammunition, weapons and military hardware, as well as enemy POL bases. In addition, temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian troops, Azov nationalists, and Foreign Legion were defeated.

All the assigned targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line in several sectors and repelled 13 AFU attacks. Air strikes and artillery fire inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 14th, 43rd, 53rd, and 67th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka, Zagoruykovka, Kislovka, and Kupyansk (Kharkov region). The enemy losses were more than 305 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems repelled ten attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 5th National Guard Brigade, 12th Special Operations Brigade, 24th, 47th, and 67th mechanised brigades. In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of the AFU 31st National Guard Brigade, 117th and 125th territorial defence brigades close to Torskoye, Krasny Liman, Serebryanka, and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses totalled over 740 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, six armoured fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles, and 3 field artillery guns.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces repelled 22 enemy attacks and inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware near Mariynka, Kurdyumovka, Vasyukovka, Artyomovsk, Andreevka, and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were more than 1,680 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, four tanks, ten armoured fighting vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, and 14 field artillery guns.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions, as well as repelled two enemy attacks. Air strikes and artillery fire inflicted losses on units of the AFU 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 79th Assault Brigade, as well as 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades close to Novomikhailovka, Staromayorskoye, Nikolskoye, Shevchenko, Novodonetskoye, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 625 Ukrainian troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, as well as 13 field artillery guns.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces engaged in intensive defence, during which repelled 11 attacks of the AFU units near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). Moreover, the Russian Armed Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 71st Jaeger Brigade, 82nd Assault Brigade, 33rd, 65th, and 118th mechanised brigades near Malaya Tokmachka, Uspenovka, and Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses totalled over 435 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three tanks, 21 armoured fighting vehicles, 22 motor vehicles, and four field artillery pieces.

In Kherson direction, the enemy units made unsuccessful attempts to land infantry groups on islands and the left bank of the Dnepr. As a result of preventive actions by the Russian forces and artillery fire assaults, the AFU have lost up to 405 Ukrainian troops, 11 field artillery guns, 12 boats, and 26 motor vehicles. In addition, units of the AFU 32nd and 57th mechanised brigades have been hit near Tyaginka, Tokarevka, and Sadovoye (Kherson region). In addition, 39 Ukrainian servicemen have surrendered in this direction during the week.

Operational-Tactical and Missile Troops of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed one radar of Ukrainian S-300 air defence system and two U.S.-made counterbattery radar stations AN/TPQ-50.

The Black Sea Fleet's naval aircraft destroyed 12 AFU uncrewed surface vehicles in the Black Sea waters heading towards the Crimean peninsula.

Air defence units shot down one MiG-29 aircraft and one Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force. Air defence units shot down 15 HIMARS and Olkha MLRS projectiles, two Neptune anti-ship missiles, and 176 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, 537 airplanes and 255 helicopters, 9,165 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,586 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,185 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,166 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 15,572 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.