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Russo-Ukraine War - 20 December 2023 - Day 665

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 recent weeks, Ukraine has mobilised a concerted effort to improve field fortifications as its forces pivot to a more defensive posture along much of the front line.

This follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's calls, from late November 2023, for faster fortification in key sectors. In one part of the project, Ukraine has worked to improve defences along its border with Belarus with dragon's teeth, razor wire, and anti-tank ditches as of mid-December 2023.

Russia continues local offensive options in several sectors, but individual attacks are rarely above platoon size. A major Russian breakthrough is unlikely and overall, the front is characterised by stasis.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 20, there were 89x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 5x missile and 31x air strikes, 53x 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 and 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. Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Khotin', Kostyantynivka, Volfyne (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Vovchans'k, Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 16x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka east of Petropavlivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area, Russian forces used air support in attempts to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 12x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), east of Terny and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk 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, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 13x Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 18x more attacks in the vicinities of Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary, with air support, launched 9x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Pobjeda 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 (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x Russian attacks west of Verbove and south of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Huliaipilske, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson (Kherson oblast), and Dniprovs'ke, Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). Also, the Russian invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast).

Russia did not abandon its intention to drive Ukrainian units from the left bank of the Dnipro, made 29x failed assaults. The attacks were repelled and Russian forces retreated having suffered major losses. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line, continuing to retain their positions and firing for effect on the Russian enemy.

During the day of December 20, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 16x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 1x strike on an air defense system. The air defense forces shot down 1x Kh-59 guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 6x artillery systems 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 five attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 115nd Mechanised Brigade and 95th Air Assault Brigade near Sinkovka and Terni (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled two attacks of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 180 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled one attack launched by assault detachments of the AFU 24th Mechanised Brigade close to Shumy (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, the Group's artillery and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware near Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 250 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, one tank, and three motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one Slovakia-made Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery system, one UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, two Msta-B howitzers, two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, one D-30 howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system were eliminated.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by artillery and heavy flamethrower systems inflicted losses on manpower of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade and 79th Air Assault Brigade near Elizavetovka, Vladimirovka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 110 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, and two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 14th National Guard Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, and 116th Mechanised brigade close to Verbovoye and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to up to 70 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, two D-20 howitzers, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, as a result of cohesive actions of units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery, the AFU losses amounted to up to 75 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two motor vehicles, two Msta-B howitzers, one Giatsint-B howitzer, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 127 areas during the day.

Air defence units intercepted one Ukrianian Air Force Mi-24 helicopter near Uglesborochnaya railway station (Donetsk People's Republic).

Five U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles were intercepted in the past 24 hours. Moreover, 32 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region), Staromikhailovka, Spornoye, Krasnogorovka, Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorovka and Nyrkovo (Lugansk People's Republic).

In total, 553 airplanes and 260 helicopters, 9,899 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,202 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,416 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 16,502 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.