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Russo-Ukraine War - 22 December 2023 - Day 667

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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 22, there were 60x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 1x missile and 33x air strikes, launched 23x 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. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Kostobobriv (Chernihiv oblast). Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Karpovychi, Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Basivka, Zapsillya (Sumy oblast), Udy, Veterynarne, Vovchans'k, Mala Vovcha, Zemlyanky, Topoli (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (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 Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. 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, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 8x Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Also, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Katerynivka and Toretsk (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 17x Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 16x more attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Lastochkyne settlement (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Keramik, Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Lastochkyne, Yasnobrodivka, Netailove (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary, with air support, launched 4x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. Also, the Russian occupiers launched air strikes near Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Kostyantynivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian attack west of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Bohoyavlenka, Prechystivka, Prechystivka, Blahodatne, Rivnopil'(Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled all adversary attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Robotyne and Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 2x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson and the settlements of L'vove, Tyahynka, Ivanivka (Kherson oblast), as well as the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). Also, the invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast).

Russia did not abandon his intention to drive our units from the left bank of the Dnipro, made 17x 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 Russian forces.

During the day of December 22, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 12x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment. Also, Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 3x Su-34 fighter-bombers.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 4x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot and 2x command posts of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the period from 16 to 22 December 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation inflicted 39 group strikes with high-precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles on the military airfield infrastructure, air navigation aids, POL bases storage sites for artillery ammunition, weapons and military hardware of the enemy .

Moreover, drone-launching and -training centres, command and control posts and deployment areas of AFU troops, foreign mercenaries, and nationalist formations were hit. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled 53 enemy attacks. The 14th, 43rd, 60th, 115th mechanised and 95th Air Assault brigades of the AFU were defeated by air strikes and artillery fire close to Sinkovka and Olshana (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses amounted to more than 355 Ukrainian troops, four tanks including two Leopard tanks, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces with support of aviation and artillery fire repelled 13 attacks of assault groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In addition, the 24th, 63rd, and 116th mechanised brigades of the AFU and the 12th special brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard were engaged close to Chervonaya Dibrova, Petrovskoye, and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic) and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

During the week the enemy lost up to 1,155 troops killed and wounded, one tank, 19 armoured fighting vehicles, 21 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns.

In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces, supported by air and artillery fire, improved their position along the front line in certain areas. They repelled 43 attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU's 24th Mechanised and 79th Air Assault Brigades near Shumy, Belogorovka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic). Fire was also launched at units of the 28th, 30th, 42nd, 93rd mechanised and 57th motorised infantry brigades of the AFU near Kurdyumovka, Kleshcheyevka, Krasnoye, and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Enemy losses in this direction over the past period were over 1,610 killed and wounded, three tanks, 17 armoured fighting vehicles, one HIMARS launcher, 24 motor vehicles, and 44 field artillery guns.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled ten enemy attacks. Air strikes and artillery fire hit units of the AFU's 58th motorised infantry, 72nd mechanised, 79th air assault, 127th and 128th Territorial Defence brigades near Novomikhailovka, Urozhaynoe, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoe (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were more than 670 troops, two tanks, six armoured fighting vehicles, 19 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Armed Forces continued active defence, repelling six enemy attacks near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). Fire damage was inflicted on personnel and military hardware of the 33rd, 65th, 116th, 117th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, 82nd airborne, and 14th National Guard battalions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Novodanilovka, Malaya Tokmachka, Nesteryanka, and Novoprokopovka (Zaporozhye region).

Enemy losses were up to 390 troops killed and wounded, one tank, five armoured fighting vehicles, 19 motor vehicles, and ten field artillery guns.

In Kherson direction, all the attempts launched by the enemy sabotage groups to land on the islands and on the left bank of the Dnieper River were thwarted. Air strikes and artillery fire defeated units of the AFU 36th and 37th Marine brigades close to Tyaginka and Belozerka (Kherson region).

The AFU lost up to 510 troops killed and wounded, one tank, 37 motor vehicles, 24 boats and 20 field artillery guns as a result of the actions of the Russian troops in this direction.

Russian air defence systems shot down four enemy airplanes during the week: one Su-27, two MiG-29, and one Su-25; as well as three helicopters: two Mi-24 and one Mi-8 of the Ukrainian Air Force. They also intercepted one ATACMS operational-tactical missile, 30 projectiles of HIMARS, Uragan, and Olkha multiple launch rocket systems, three JDAM guided bombs, and 259 unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, 554 airplanes and 261 helicopters, 9,955 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,251 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,447 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,572 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.