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Russo-Ukraine War - 14 December 2023 - Day 659

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 in early December 2023, the newly-formed 104th Guards Airborne Division (104 GAD) of the VDV (Russia's airborne forces) highly likely suffered exceptionally heavy losses and failed to achieve its objectives during its combat debut in Kherson Oblast.

The operation took place after the division joined Russia's Dnipro Group of Forces and its attempt to dislodge the Ukrainian bridgehead near the village of Krynky on the east bank of the Dnipro. 104 GAD was reportedly poorly supported by airpower and artillery, while many of the troops were highly likely inexperienced.

Following the incident, Russian 'milbloggers' called on the Dnipro Group of Forces Commander, Colonel General Mikhail Teplinsky, to resign. his is a blow to Teplinsky's reputation as one of the more capable Russian field commanders of the war: in his routine role he is also commanding general of the VDV.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 14, there were 82x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 4x missile strikes, 32x air strikes and 29x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian injuries. 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 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Yizdets'ke, Popivka, Atyns'ke (Sumy oblast), Vovchans'k, Veterynarne, Hur'iv Kozachok (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 13x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled an attack east of Terny (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Spirne, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Avdiivka axis: Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Ukrainian defenders repelled 19x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 17x attacks south of Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Stepove, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke, Karlivka (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinity of Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, with air support, launched 11x failed attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Russian adversary conducted no offensives. Around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 9x Russian attacks south of Pryyutne, west and northwest of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Mali Shcherbaky (Zaporizhzhia oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the settlement of Antonivka (Kherson oblast), the cities of Kherson and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krynky settlement (Kherson 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 14, Ukrainian Air Force launched 2x strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian invaders.

Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian occupiers.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems repelled five attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 60th, 115th mechanised brigades, as well as 57th Motorised Brigade near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 45 Ukrainian troops, one tank, and two armoured fighting vehicles.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 44th Separate Rifle Battalion close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 180 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, as well as one French-made CAEZAR self-propelled artillery system during the day.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled six attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th mechanised, 5th assault, and 112th territorial defence brigades close to Kleshcheyevka and Kirovo (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of the AFU 30th mechanised, 79th and 95th air assault brigades close to Kurdyumovka, Maryinka, Krasnoye, and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 265 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, three Msta-B howitzers, one D-30 howitzer were eliminated.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Air Assault Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, as well as two pickup trucks.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 33rd and 65th mechanised brigades close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU lost up to 45 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles during the day.

In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation, the AFU lost up to 40 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out missile artillery ammunition depots of the AFU 37th Marines Brigade and 65th Mechanised Brigade near Daryevka (Kherson region) and Volnyansk (Zaporozhye region), as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 128 areas during the day.

Air defence units intercepted three HIMARS projectiles over the past 24 hours.

In addition, 26 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Belogorovka, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic), Novaya Kakhovka and Tavriysk (Kherson region).

In total, 550 airplanes and 257 helicopters, 9,687 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,046 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,329 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,288 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.