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Russo-Ukraine War - 06 December 2023 - Day 651

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 since mid-2023, Russia has almost certainly augmented Iranian-supplied Shahed one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAVs) with similar weapons made in facilities in Russia. Russia is now almost certainly attempting to incorporate improvements to the OWA UAV designs based on operational experience.

In late November 2023, a downed UAV was reported as being fitted with a Ukrainian SIM card and 4G modem. This is likely a Russian improvised modification to improve real-time guidance using cell towers to reduce reliance on satellite navigation. There is a realistic possibility that it is also attempting to mitigate Ukrainian electronic warfare measures.

Some other Russian-made OWA UAVs have likely to been given a black finish, making it harder to visually identify the incoming drones at night. Russia is increasingly employing OWA UAVs in large raids in an attempt to overwhelm Ukrainian air defences. However, Ukraine continues to successfully neutralise the majority of incoming weapons.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 6, there were 83x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile strikes, 71x air strikes, 65x 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 an air strike near Krasnyi Khutir (Chernihiv oblast). Around 40x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Plokhiv, Mykhal'chyna Sloboda (Chernihiv oblast), Chuikivka, Prohres, Baranivka (Sumy oblast), Zemlyanky, Kruhle, Okhrimivka, Bochkove (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Fyholivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Krokhmal'ne, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 6x attacks of the Russian invaders who, with air support, attempted to force Ukrainian units out of their positions in the area of Terny, Vesele, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Moreover, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Dibrova (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 10x attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Stupochky (Donetsk oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Min'kivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Ozarianivka (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 29x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, was making unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Also, Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Novokalynove, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Tonen'ke, Netailove, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian enemy, with air support, launched 13x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Paraskoviivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack near Novodonets'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 5x Russian attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 25x settlements, including Chervone, Novodanylivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, Kam'yans'ke, Plavni (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinity of the settlement of Krynky (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson and the settlement of Veletens'ke (Mykolaiv oblast).

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

During the day of December 6, Ukrainian Air Force launched 11x strikes on concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x strike on a command post, and 3x strikes on air defense systems.

Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x helicopter, 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x air defense system, 1x ammunition depot, and 2x 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 jointly with aircraft and artillery repelled five attacks of assault groups of the AFU 43rd, 60th mechanised, and 57th motorised infantry brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka (Kharkov region), and Lake Liman.
The enemy losses were more tup to 140 troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M199 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units jointly with artillery repelled an attack launched by the 5th National Guard Brigade of the AFU close to Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, air strikes were delivered at enemy manpower and hardware close to Serebryansky forestry. The enemy has suffered losses of up to 290 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, two Czech-made DANA self-propelled artillery systems in this direction.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces in close cooperation with aviation and artillery repelled two attacks launched by the AFU 81st Airmobile and 24th Mechanised brigades near Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Kirovo (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, strikes were delivered at enemy manpower and hardware near Kleshcheyevka, Mayorsk, Andreyevka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 300 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, two Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery systems, two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were neutralised.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, and artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 79th ad 72nd mechanised, and 128th Territorial Defence brigades near Novomikhailovka and Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Up to 165 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, two UK-made FH-70 howitzers, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one Grad MLRS launcher were neutralised.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of 33th, 65th, and 118th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rabotino and Lukyanovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 55 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, Russian troops, aviation, and artillery inflicted fire damage on the enemy close to Kachkarovka, Veseloye, and Gavrilovka (Kherson region). The enemy lost up to 80 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self propelled and one M777 artillery systems, one D-20 gun, as well as one electronic warfare station.

Operational-tactical and Army Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces hit command posts of the AFU 31st mechanised and 12th special forces brigades, an UAV command post of the 109th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, ammunition and fuel depots, as well as manpower and military hardware in 113 areas.

Russian air defence units shot down two Su-25 and one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Dobropolye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Kamyshevakha (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, 76 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Ilchenkovo, Novoye, Mirnoye, Peremozhnoye (Zaporozhye region), Sagi, Radensk (Kherson region), Vladimirovka, Kirillovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorvka and Shipilovka (Lugansk People's Republic), as well as eight HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one JDAM guided aerial bomb.

In total, 549 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,541 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,840 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,253 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 15,986 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.