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Russo-Ukraine War - 07 January 2024 - Day 683

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 Rosgvardia, the Russian National Guard, is bolstering its resources and personnel as a result of upheavals in Russia's internal security scene from the war in Ukraine.

Elements of private military company Wagner Group came under Rosgvardia from October 2023, followed on 3 January 2024 by the Donetsk People's Republic's (DNR) "Vostok" Battalion. Moscow has also been advancing its efforts to dissolve the DNR's "Kaskad" group, which specialises in drone operations, and subordinate parts of it to Rosgvardia.

In July 2023, the Russian State Duma authorised Rosgvardiya to employ heavier weaponry. New capabilities, along with its augmentation with experienced veterans from other groups, will likely represent a significant increase in combat effectiveness.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 7, there were 29x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 6x missile and 40x air strikes, carried out 21x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential and apartment buildings, and other civilian 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. Around 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Buchky, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Iskryskivshchyna, Mefodivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Vovchans'k, Potykhonove (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 2x attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched an air strike near Berestove (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults east of Terny (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack in the vicinity of Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Druzhba settlement (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x Russian attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 11x 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 improve its tactical situation. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Novokalynove, 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 and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary, with air support, made 3x failed attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The adversary fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x assault west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Ol'hivske, Poltavka, Chervone, Bilohir'ya, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson (Kherson oblast), as well as Dmytrivka, Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). The occupiers launched air strikes near the settlements of Respublikanets, Chervonyi Mayak, Zmiivka, Krynky (Kherson oblast).

Russian forces 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 2x unsuccessful assaults. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line and keep inflicting significant losses on the Russian enemy.

During the day of January 7, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x concentrations of Russian troops. Also, Ukrainian air defense forces shot down 1x Kh-59 air-launched guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post, 1x ammunition depot, 1x artillery system of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, as a result of active actions by units of the Zapad Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, four attacks by assault groups of AFU 32nd, 43rd, 115th mechanised and 95th airborne brigades have been repelled close to Sinkovka and Ivanovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, manpower of 103rd and 105th brigades of the Territorial Defence of Ukraine have been eliminated near Kislovka and Melovoye (Kharkiv region).

The enemy losses were over 50 enemy soldiers, two infantry fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, have hit manpower and hardware concentration areas of the 100th Territorial Defence of Ukraine and the 5th Brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy losses were up to 55 servicemen, as well as 4 motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, by coordinated actions, in cooperation with artillery, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, have defeated manpower and hardware of the 3rd Assault Brigade, the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade, 22nd, 24th, 28th, 42nd, 67th, and 93rd mechanised brigades of the AFU, and the 112th Territorial Defence Brigade near Bogdanovka, Artyomovskoye, Krasnoye, Kleshcheevka, Andreevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were more than 300 servicemen killed and wounded, four armoured fighting vehicles, and 20 motor vehicles.

In addition, in the course of counter-battery warfare, one French-manufactured Caezar self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-manufactured M119 howitzer, and one AFU ammunition depot have been hit.

In South Donetsk direction, as a result of competent actions by units of the Vostok Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, manpower of the 79th Air Assault Brigade, the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade have been eliminated close to Novomikhailovka, Staromayorskoye, Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 130 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

In the course of counter-battery warfare, three Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, two British-manufactured FH-70 howitzers, two D-30 guns, two Rapira anti-tank guns, and one AFU ammunition depot have been hit.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, supported by Operational-Tactical Aviation and artillery, have defeated manpower concentration areas of 3rd and 14th operational brigades of the National Guard of Ukraine, 68th jaeger, 65th, 118th mechanised and 128th mountain assault brigades of the AFU close to Pyatikhatki, Verbovoye, Rabotino, Novopokrovka, and Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 40 servicemen, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have defeated manpower and hardware of 35th and 38th brigades of the AFU Marine Infantry and the 121st Brigade of the Territorial Defence on the right bank of the Dnepr River close to Ilyinka (Dnepropetrovsk region), Lvovo, Zolotaya Balka, Ivanovka, Sablukovka, and Mylovoye (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were more than 35 soldiers, three motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station.

Missile Troops and Artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed ammunition depot near Koblevo (Nikolayev region), 109 artillery units in firing positions, manpower, and military hardware in 117 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down the Ukrainian Air Force's one Su-25 aircraft near Dnepropetrovsk and one Su-27 aircraft near Krivoy Rog (Dnepropetrovsk region).

14 projectiles of HIMARS, Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems and six Neptun anti-ship missiles have been intercepted.

In addition, 38 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Gorobyevka (Kharkov region), Spornoye, Peski, Gorlovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Belogorovka, Lisichansk, Kremennaya, Makeevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Kharkov, Orlyanskoye, and Pologi (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,526 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 air defence missile systems, 14,506 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,201 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,656 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,170 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.