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Russo-Ukraine War - 28 December 2023 - Day 673

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 25 December 2023, the Russian Navy's Ropucha class Landing Ship Tank (LST) Novocherkassk was completely destroyed following a Ukrainian strike while alongside at the port of Feodosia, on the south coast of Russian-occupied Crimea.

Open source evidence suggests it is highly likely the vessel was carrying explosive cargo when it was hit, causing a large secondary explosion. The incident takes the number of LSTs Russia has lost since the invasion to three: the Saratov sank on 24 March 2022, while the Minsk was functionally destroyed in dry dock on 13 September 2023. Two additional LSTs have likely been damaged.

Russia likely planned to use its LST force to launch significant amphibious assaults during the invasion and it doubled the number of these vessels in the Black Sea during the build-up to the war. As the war has dragged on, the ships have been more commonly employed in providing logistical support. This is a significant role because it augments the vital and relatively fragile road and rail connection of the Crimea Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of December 28, there were 42x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 2x missile and 40x air strikes, carried out 33x 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, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

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 Klyusy, Leonivka, Buchky (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Studenok Volfyne, Myropillya, Uhroidy, Ryasne, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Vovchans'k, Mala Vovcha, Budarky, Kam'yanka (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 12x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Petropavlivka and Hlushkivka (Kharkiv oblast). 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. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Nevs'ke, Novolyubivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Kolodyazi, Yampolivka, Sivers'k, Spirne, Pereizne (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, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks of the Russian adversary near Bohdanivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made failed assaults to breach Ukrainian defense. Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Ivanivske, Kalynivka, Stupochky (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 10x more attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, conducted unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Ocheretyne, Berdychi, Stepove, 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 and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces, conducted 2x failed attacks on Ukrainian positions. The settlements of Hostre, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The Russian invaders launched an air strike near the settlement of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). The adversary fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Blahodatne, Urozhaine, Makarivka, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x Russian attacks near Robotyne and south of Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary, with air support, made failed attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. More than 20x settlements, including Levadne, Poltavka, Zaliznychne, Mala Tokmachka, Shcherbaky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Russian adversary fired artillery at the settlements of Zolota Balka, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Novotyahynka, Kherson, Sofiivka and Stanislav (Kherson oblast).

The Russian occupiers do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, Russian forces made 13x unsuccessful assaults. The attacks were repelled and the Russian forces suffered significant losses. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line, continue to retain their positions and fire for effect on the Russian enemy.

During the day of December 28, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 17x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 2x strikes on air defense systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 4x artillery systems and 2x 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 aviation and artillery repelled six attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 30th, 43rd, and 60th, mechanised, 57th motorised infantry, 10th mountain assault, and 95th air assault brigades near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy's losses amounted to 55 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces supported by artillery and heavy flamethrowers repelled three attacks launched by AFU 24th, 63rd mechanised, and 5th National Guard brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 210 Ukrainian troops, one tank, four infantry fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles were neutralised. U.S.-made M109 Paladin and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were hit during counter-battery warfare.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd, 28th mechanised brigades, and 92nd Assault Brigade close to Andreyevka and Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 239 Ukrainian personnel, three tanks, two armoured fighting vehicles, as well as five pick-up trucks. In counter-battery warfare, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, one Msta-B howitzer, three D-20 guns were eliminated.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by artillery and aviation inflicted losses on enemy manpower of the AFU near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 115 Ukrainian troops and three pick-up trucks. In counterbattery warfare, the Russian troops wiped out one U.S.-made М198 and one UK-made FH-70 howitzers, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces supported by air strikes and artillery fire defeated a cluster of manpower and hardware of the enemy near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 80 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two pick-up trucks.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Msta-B howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers were eliminated.

In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian troops supported by artillery, the AFU lost up to 60 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles.

During the counter-battery warfare, the following artillery pieces were hit: one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, two Msta-B howitzers, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged a POL depot for AFU's military hardware, manpower and hardware in 138 areas during the day. Fighter jets of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down one Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force close Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russian air defence means have shot down two Su-25 airplanes of Ukrainian Air Force near Novogrigorovka (Zaporozhye region) and Tokarevka (Kherson region). In addition, seven HIMARS MLRS projectiles were intercepted. In addition, 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Novodruzhesk, Verkhnekamenka (Lugansk People's Republic), Aleksandrovka, Verkhnetoretskoye, Staromikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Verbovoye and Pshenichnoye (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 563 airplanes and 262 helicopters, 10,154 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 14,355 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,189 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,550 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 16,785 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.