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Russo-Ukraine War - 19 December 2023 - Day 664

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 14 December 2023, the Russian Air Force highly likely carried out the first use of a AS-24 KILLJOY air launched ballistic missile since August 2023. Russia launched at least one missile into central Ukraine, likely targeting a military airfield.

One of the six 'super weapons' President Putin announced in 2018, KILLJOY has been ear-marked to play a major role in Russia's future military doctrine. In the Ukraine war, Russia has reserved the weapon for what it perceives as high value, well defended targets.

KILLJOY has almost certainly had a mixed combat debut. Many of its launches have likely missed their intended targets, while Ukraine has also succeeded in intercepting attacks by this supposedly 'undefeatable' system.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 19, there were 69x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 1x missile and 10x air strikes, 40x 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.

The operational situation in the east and the south of 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. More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Esman, Ulanove, Volfyne, Stepok (Sumy oblast), Hur'yiv Kozachok, Veterynarne, Starytsya, Vovchans'k, and Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled all of the Russian occupiers' attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area, Russian forces used air support in unsuccessful attempts to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 4x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and east of Terny (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 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 10x Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 22x Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 7x more attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Karlivka, Netailove, and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary launched 11x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Antonivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. The adversary fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors'ke, and Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 13x adversary attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, Russian forces used air support in attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Around 20x settlements, including Levadne, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, and Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at Kherson, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Tokarivka (Kherson oblast), and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

Russian forces did not abandon its intention to drive Ukrainian units from the left bank of the Dnipro, made 8x attempts to assault. The attacks were repelled and Russian forces retreated having suffered losses. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line, continuing to retain their positions and firing for effect on Russian forces. The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead.

During the day of December 19, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 6x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x command post, 3x artillery systems, and 4x 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 artillery repelled eight attacks of the AFU 14th and 60th mechanised brigades, as well as inflicted losses on units of the 115th Mechanised Brigade near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 60 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and one Msta-B howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled five attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th and 116th mechanised brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova and Petrovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 185 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled three attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade near Maryinka, as well as inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 28th, 42nd, and 93rd mechanised brigades close to Kurdyumovka, Andreyevka, and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 180 Ukrainian troops, three armoured personnel carriers, and four motor vehicles. In addition, in the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one Msta-B howitzer, two D-20 howitzers, two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer were eliminated.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled one attack and inflicted losses on units of the AFU 79th Air Assault Brigade near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 100 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one Msta-S howitzer, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled one attack launched by assault detachments of the AFU 14th National Guard Brigade and inflicted losses on manpower of the AFU 117th and 118th mechanised brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 80 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, as a result of artillery strikes at enemy deployment areas, the AFU losses amounted to up to 75 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and two Giatsint-B howitzers.

Operational-Tactical and Army Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one ammunition depot of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade, one Pelican air defence radar, as well as engaged manpower and military hardware in 112 areas.

Russian air defence units intercepted six Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Korsunka, Radensk, Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region), and Nesteriyanka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 553 airplanes and 259 helicopters, 9,867 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,177 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,397 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 16,453 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.