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Russo-Ukraine War - 15 December 2023 - Day 660

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 heavy fighting continues for control of the destroyed town of Marinka and its surrounding areas in south-eastern Ukraine. Russia has likely further reduced the small pockets of Ukrainian controlled territory remaining within the town boundary.

One of Russia's operational objectives in the area is likely to secure the 00510 and N15 highways to eventually advance further west towards the town of Kurakhove.

Despite its incremental advances, a major, operationally significant Russian breakthrough in this sector remains highly unlikely.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 15, there were 82x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile strikes, 11x air strikes and 17x 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. Today, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 1x Kh-59 guided missile.

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 Krasnyi Khutir, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Kruzhok, Volfyne, Pokrovka (Sumy oblast), Chervona Zorya, Kozacha Lopan', Luk'yantsi, Zelene (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Kup'yans'k, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 5x attacks east of Terny, Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast) and Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 15x attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, 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 17x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 12x attacks east of Stepove, south of Sjeverne and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Sukha Balka, Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke, 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), Russian forces, with air support, launched 12x failed attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast) were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x attacks in the vicinity of Staromaiors'ke (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 7x Russian attacks west of Novopokrovka and south of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Novodanylivka, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky, Plavni (Zaporizhzhia oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the settlements of Krynky, Ivanivka, Tyahynka, Antonivka (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson.

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 15, Ukrainian Air Force launched 7x strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the Russian invaders.

Ukrainian missile troops hit 4x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 2x ammunition depots of the Russian occupiers.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the period from 9 to 15 December 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 40 group strikes by precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles at the AFU military airfield infrastructure, arsenals, artillery ammunition, weaponry, and hardware.

In addition, temporary deployment areas of AFU units, Azov nationalists formations, as well as Foreign Legion units, have been struck. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line and repelled 27 AFU attacks. Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 113th Territorial Defence Brigade, 57th Motorised Rifle Brigade, 14th, 21st, 41st, 43rd, 60th, and 115th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka, Yagodnoye, Petropavlovka and Kupyansk (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses over the week amounted to up to 425 Ukrainian troops, five tanks, including one Leopard tank, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 11 attacks launched by AFU assault detachments. In addition, manpower clusters of the AFU 24th, 63rd, 67th mechanised brigades, as well as 1st, 5th, and 31st Ukrainian national guard brigades were struck near Kirovsk, Torskoye, Yampol, and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses over the week amounted to up to 1,100 Ukrainian troops, four tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery improved the situation along the front line and repelled 49 AFU attacks. In addition, AFU manpower and hardware was struck near Artyomovskoye, Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,580 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two tanks, 16 armoured fighting vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, and 31 field artillery guns.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled two enemy attacks. Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on units of the AFU 58th Motorised Rifle Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Novomikhailovka, Ugledar, Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 600 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, and 11 field artillery guns.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces engaged in active defensive operations and repelled eight enemy attacks near Rabotino and west of Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). In addition, manpower and hardware of the AFU 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 33rd, 65th, 117th, and 118th mechanised brigades were struck near Malaya Tokmachka, Novodanilovka, and Novoandreyevka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 335 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, 19 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns.

In Kherson direction, all AFU attempts to land sabotage and reconnaissance groups on the islands and the left bank of the Dnepr were thwarted. Aviation and artillery delivered strikes at units of the AFU 35th, 36th, 37th marines brigade, as well as 124th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kherson, Berislav, and Tyaginka (Kherson region).

As a result of pre-emptive actions by Russian troops, the AFU lost up to 290 Ukrainian troops, 18 motor vehicles, 17 boats, and nine field artillery guns.

Air defence units intercepted one Ukrainian Air Force Mi-8 helicopter near Tyaginka (Kherson region). One Tochka-U tactical missile, two S-200 anti-aircraft guided missiles, 17 HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 119 unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted during the week.

During the week, 82 Ukrainian servicemen were captured and voluntarily surrendered, 25 of them in the past 24 hours alone.

In total, 550 airplanes and 258 helicopters, 9,696 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,078 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,188 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,338 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 16,336 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.