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Russo-Ukraine War - 05 December 2023 - Day 650

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 recent weeks Russian forces have made creeping advances through the ruins of Marinka, a town in Donetsk Oblast. Russia now likely controls most of the built-up area. However, Ukrainian forces remain in control of pockets of territory on the western edge of the town.

Marinka has been on the front line since 2014. With a pre-war population of 9000, it is comprehensively ruined– drone footage suggests that the vast majority of buildings have been reduced to rubble.

Russia's renewed efforts against Marinka are part of Russia's autumn offensive which is prioritising extending Russia's control over the remaining parts of the Donetsk Oblast – highly likely still one of the Kremlin's core war aims.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 5, there were 70x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 4x missile strikes, 53x air strikes, 59x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential buildings as well as other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

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. The Russian invaders launched air strikes near Kostobobriv (Chernihiv oblast) and Novodmytrivka (Sumy oblast). Around 15x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Kostobobriv, Khrinivka, Mkhy (Chernihiv oblast), Popivka, Bachivs'k, Hrabovs'ke (Sumy oblast), Nesterne, Kozacha Lopan', Bilyi Kolodyaz', Vovchans'k (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Novoselivs'ke (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 13x attacks in the area of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), and Terny, Spirne, Vesele, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces with air support attempted to force Ukrainian units out of their positions. The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka, New York (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 23x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, northeast of Berdychi, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces with air support was making unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Also, the invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Oleksandropil' and Novobakhmutivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Novokalynove, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, launched 13x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Antonivka, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack south of Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled all Russian attacks west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian adversary launched an air strike near Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Chervone, Bilohir'ya, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: the occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Tyahynka and Krynky (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery at the cities of Kherson and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

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

During the day of December 5, Ukrainian Air Force launched 15x strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 4x strikes on command posts, and 3x strikes on air defense systems of the occupiers. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 1x russian Su-24M bomber.

Ukrainian missile troops hit 6x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x command post, 1x ammunition depot, 2x electronic warfare stations, and 11x 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 three attacks of assault groups of AFU 43rd mechanised, 57th mechanised infantry brigades near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on clusters of AFU manpower and hardware close to Peschanoye, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Nevskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

Up to 35 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units, aviation, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 63rd, 66th mechanised brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled four enemy attacks and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Bogdanovka, Kleshcheyevka, and Toretsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost up to 270 Ukrainian personnel, as well as two armoured fighting vehicles.

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, as well as 102nd, 128th territorial defence brigades near Novomikhailovka, Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region).

During the day, a total of 245 Ukrainian troops, four armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces repelled one attack by the AFU 117th Mechanised Brigade's assault group close to Uspenovka (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, air strikes and artillery fire struck the personnel and hardware of the 65th Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino amd Dorozhnyanka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 50 servicemen, four armoured fighting vehicles, four pickup trucks, and one Giatsing-B gun.

In Kherson direction, as a result of the Russian Group of Forces actions, artillery, and aviation, the AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, one M-109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

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 103 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down two MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Shirokoye (Dnepropetrovsk region) and Bereznigovatoye (Nikolayev region), as well as one Mi-8 helicopter close to Peschanoye (Kharkov region).

In addition, 74 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Sergeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Spornoye, Yalynskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Chubarevka, Tokmak (Zaporozhye region), Novaya Kakhovka, Ivanovka (Kherson region), as well as one HARM anti-radiation missile.

In total, 547 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,465 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,807 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,187 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,234 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 15,939 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.