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Russo-Ukraine War - 03 January 2024 - Day 679

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 since 29 December 2023, Russia has increased the intensity of its long-range strike operations against Ukraine. Its forces have committed a significant proportion of the stock of air launched cruise missiles and ballistic missiles they had built up over recent months.

The recent strikes likely primarily targeted Ukraine's defence industry. This contrasts with its major attacks last winter which prioritised striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Russia appeared set to restart this campaign by hitting energy sites in early December 2023.

These new operations suggest at least a temporary change of approach in Russia's use of long-range strikes. Russian planners almost certainly recognise the growing importance of relative defence industrial capacity as they prepare for a long war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 3, there were 47x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 6x missile, 42x air strikes, carried out 18x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have wounded civilians. Residential buildings, other civilian and industrial infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

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. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Morokhovets' and Kolodyazne (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Tymonovychi, Arkhypivka, Leonivka, Kostobobriv, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Marchykhyna Buda, Volfyne, Kostyantynivka, Myropillya, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Alisivka, Lyptsi, Luk'yantsi, Starytsya, Zybyne, Odradne (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Podoly, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) and Novojehorivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Russian occupiers did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Spirne (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 4x attacks near Bohdanivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve its tactical position in that area. The Russian invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Pivnichne settlement (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Mykolaivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x Russian attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 19x more attacks in the vicinities of Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical position in that area. Russian forces launched an air strike near Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Keramik, Novokalynove, Berdychi, Semenivka, Avdiivka, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian adversary, with air support, made 11x attempts to improve their tactical situation. Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Yelyzavetivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x Russian attack near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The attack was as an unsuccessful attempt to regain lost ground in that area. Russian air strikes hit Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Mali Shcherbaky, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), suffered from Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the adversary fired artillery at Tomaryne, Novotyahynka, Sadove, Kherson, Chornobaivka and Kizomys (Kherson oblast).

Russia does not abandon its intention to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Thus, during the day of January 3, the Russian occupiers made 8x failed assaults. However, the Ukrainian troops continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the Russian enemy.

During day of January 3, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 12x concentrations of Russian troops.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x anti-aircraft missile systems, 3x artillery systems, 1x electronic warfare station and 1x command post 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 one attack of assault groups of the AFU 115th Mechanised Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower near Ivanovka and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy's losses amounted to more than 35 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units and artillery hit clusters of AFU manpower and hardware near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy has lost up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by operational-tactical aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Bogdanovka, Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka Andreyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses in this direction amounted to more than 310 Ukrainian military personnel, one tank, two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers, as well as one electronic warfare station.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units, aviation, and artillery repelled three attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, enemy manpower and hardware have been hit near Novomikhailovka and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 115 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pick-up trucks, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower of AFU 65th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault brigades close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, and Lukyanovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on AFU manpower one the right bank of the Dnepr River near Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Sadovoye, and Tokarevka(Kherson region).

Up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher, and one D-20 howitzer were destroyed.

Missile Troops and Artillery, as well as UAVs of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged one hangar with aircraft munitions, one ST-68 radar station for detecting and tracking low-altitude targets, deployment points of foreign mercenaries and the Kharkovshchyna national formation close to Kharkov, 89 artillery units in firing positions, manpower, and military hardware in 134 areas.

Air defence forces have intercepted eight Tochka-U missiles, two S-200 anti-aircraft missiles converted to hit ground targets, as well as 34 HIMARS, Olkha, and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day.

In addition, 15 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Energodar, Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region), Zolotaryovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Gorlovka, Peski, Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region).

In total, 565 airplanes and 263 helicopters, 10,367 unmanned aerial vehicles, 446 air defence missile systems, 14,447 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,194 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,618 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,040 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.