• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Russo-Ukraine War - 10 December 2023 - Day 655

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 the night of 7 December 2023, the Russian Air Force conducted a major wave of strikes towards Kyiv and central Ukraine using its heavy bomber fleet, for the first time since 21 September 2023.

These aircraft, highly likely Tu-95 BEAR H, likely launched at least 16 air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) from their typical operating area over the Caspian Sea. The missiles were highly likely AS-23a KODIAK, Russia's premier ALCM. Russia has almost certainly been stockpiling these missiles for use in the winter campaign.

This was probably the start of a more concerted campaign by Russia aimed at degrading Ukraine's energy infrastructure. However, initial reports indicate the majority of these missiles were successfully intercepted by Ukrainian air defence. Despite at least one civilian reported killed, the damage currently appears to have been minimal.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 10, there were 82x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched 2x missile and 33x air strikes, 29x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or 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. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 25x settlements, including Khrinivka, Klyusy, Arkhypivka (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Prohres, Druzhba, Kruzhok, Hrabovs'ke, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Hrafske, Vovchans'k, Bochkove, and Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Tverdokhlibove (Luhansk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Terny, Vesele (Donetsk oblast), and Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Makiivka and Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Chasiv Yar and Toretsk (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 39x Russian attacks in the areas east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, south of Sjeverne, Tonen'ke, and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops in this area. The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Kalynove, Ocheretyne, Novopokrovs'ke, and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Keramik, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, Karlivka, Pervomais'ke, and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the Russian adversary launched 14x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled all of the Russian attacks. The Russian invaders attempted to force Ukrainian troops out of their positions in the areas south east of Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine, and Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Levadne, Malynivka, Verkhnya Tersa, Charivne, Novoandriivka, and Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces artillery shelled Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Antonivka, the city of Kherson (Kherson oblast), and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River and fire for effect at the Russian adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 1x 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 helicopters and artillery repelled three attacks of the AFU 57th Mechanised Infantry Brigade's assault groups near Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The enemy lost up to 30 troops, two motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces in close cooperation with artillery repelled one attack of the AFU 67th Mechanised Brigade's assault groups near Serebryansky forestry. The AFU 31st National Guard Brigade manpower suffered losses close to Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy lost up to 50 militants and two motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and heavy flamethrower systems repelled eight enemy attacks of AFU 112th territorial defence, 24th mechanised, 79th, 93rd air assault brigades near Kleshcheyevka, Kirovo, Maryinka, and Pobeda (Donetsk People's Republic). In addition, the Group's Forces inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower close to Artyomovskoye, Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka, Andreyevka, Kurdyumovka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic). The enemy losses were 300 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and three motor vehicles. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, two D-20 howitzers, one Akatsiya self-propelled system, and two D-30 howitzers were destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 79th air assault, 58th mechanised infantry, 102nd, 128th national guard brigades close to Novomikhailovka, Novodonetskoye, Nikolskoye, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonnoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were up to 80 servicemen and two motor vehicles. In the course of the counter-battery warfare, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack of the AFU 117th Mechanised Bragade's assault groups north of Novoprokopovka (Zaporozhye region). The enemy lost up to 50 troops, as well as one motor vehicle.

In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation, the AFU suffered losses near Gavrilovka (Kherson region). The enemy lost up to 60 militants, two motor vehicles, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system. Two Ukrainian servicemen surrendered.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces launched strikes at concentration areas of Katran and Omakha tactical groups, as well as fuel depot, manpower, and hardware in 128 areas during the day.

Six HIMARS MLRS projectiles and 20 UAVs were intercepted by Russian air defence units close to Alyoshka, Novaya Kakhovka, Kaira (Kherson region), Olshana (Lugansk People's Republic), Panteleymonovka, Pesky, and Trudovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

In total, 550 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,608 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,955 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,293 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,147 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.