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Russo-Ukraine War - 07 December 2023 - Day 652

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 on 1 December 2023, a new intake of Russian officers started their studies at the Russian General Staff Academy. The Russian MOD announced that over 60% of the intake has combat experience. Although it was not specified, the majority have likely gained this experience in Ukraine since 2022.

Students at the academy typically rank between Major and General-Major (equivalent to a one-star General in the NATO system) and are earmarked as having the potential for senior command.

While a high proportion of some specialists, such as pilots, deployed on operations in Syria, the Ukraine war means combat experience is now more widespread across this mid-level cadre of Russian officers. Over the coming years, this generation is likely to exert major influence over the future direction of Russia's military and whether it implements lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 7, there were 56x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile strikes, 39x air strikes, 27x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. The Russian occupiers launched another attack on Ukraine using 14x UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type, 12x Russian drones were destroyed. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian 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. Around 25x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Mykhal'chyna Sloboda (Chernihiv oblast), Fotovyzh, Vovkivka, Volfyne, Yastrubyne, Basivka, Mohrytsya (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Lyptsi, Starytsya, Okhrimivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled all attacks of the Russian invaders who attempted to force Ukrainian units out of their positions in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast). Moreover, Russian forces launched an air strike in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 19x attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Markove, Chasiv Yar, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 15x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, was making unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Tonen'ke, Karlivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, launched 5x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Hostre, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Staromaiors'ke, Urozhaine, Zelene Pole (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 6x Russian attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Kopani (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Levadne, Malynivka, Verkhnya Tersa, Charivne, Novoandriivka, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the settlements of Shlyakhove, Vesele, Mykolaivka, Tyahynka, 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 the Russian forces.

During the day of December 7, Ukrainian Air Force launched 5x strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian occupiers.

Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x electronic warfare station 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 helicopters and artillery repelled five attacks of assault groups of the AFU 41st mechanised and 57th motorised infantry brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Lake Liman.

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 75 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, four armoured personnel carriers, two pickup trucks, one German-made Panzerhaubitze self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M198 howitzer, and one D-30 gun.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units jointly with artillery repelled two attacks launched by the 24th Mechanised Brigade and 44th Separate Rifle Battalion of the AFU close to Dzerzhinsk and Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 280 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles were neutralised. Two U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery systems were hit during counter-battery warfare.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the 67th Mechanised Brigade (AFU) near Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost up to 175 Ukrainian personnel, as well as three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles during the day. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one D-30 howitzer, and one U.S-made M119 gun were hit.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by ground-attack aircraft, helicopters, and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 23rd mechanised, 58th motorised infantry, and 128th territorial defence brigades near Sladkoye, Nikolskoye, and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 160 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery struck clusters of manpower of the AFU 33th Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy's losses amounted to 60 troops, two motor vehicles, as well as two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

In Kherson direction, Russian troops, artillery fire, and air strikes defeated the enemy near Chervony Mayak (Kherson region). The enemy's losses in manpower amounted to up to 65 troops killed and wounded. In addition, two motor vehicles and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were hit.

Operational-Tactical and Army Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Groups of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hit command and observation posts of the AFU 67th mechanised, 100th territorial defence, and 12th special forces brigades near Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as ammunition and armament depots, manpower, and military hardware in 121 areas.

Air defence units shot down one Ukrainian Su-25 aircraft near Vesyolaya Gora (Donetsk People's Republic). Moreover, one HIMARS MLRS projectile and one HARM anti-radiation missile manufactured in the USA were intercepted.

In addition, 27 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Verkhnekamenka, Mankovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka and Soledar (Donetsk People's Republic).

In total, 550 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,568 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,870 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,268 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,011 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.