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Russo-Ukraine War - 12 January 2024 - Day 688

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 Ukrainian forces operating on the east bank of the Dnipro River have been using First Person View Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (FPV-UAVs) fitted with munitions to target Russian Forces.

The FPV-UAVs are being used in conjunction with artillery to target Russian Forces' vehicles, with a Russian military blogger estimating 90 per cent of Russian military equipment in the Krynky sector has been destroyed.

Russia's inability to counter the FPV-UAVs is likely due to a shortage of Russian Electronic Warfare capability in the area.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 12, there were 68x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 2x missile and 43x air strikes, carried out 25x 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 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. Russian forces launched an air strike near Vovchans'k (Kharkiv oblast). More than 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Sosnivka, Karpovychi, Semenivka, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Marchykhyna Buda, Iskryskivshchyna, Basivka, Pokrovka, Ryasne, Velyka Pysarivka (Sumy oblast), Hur'iv Kozachok, Udy, Zybyne, Budarky, Dvorichans'ke (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x attacks in the vicinity of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x assaults near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast), Hryhorivka, Vesele (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. The vicinities of settlements of Novojehorivka (Luhansk oblast), Zelena Dolyna, Kolodyazi (Donetsk oblast) were under air strikes. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x 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 in the vicinities of Andriivka and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Bohdanivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x Russian attacks near Avdiivka, and 16x more attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of the settlements of Oleksandropil', Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 15x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults south of Zolota Nyva and west of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x assaults near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to regain lost ground. Around 20x settlements, including Zaliznychne, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Novoandriivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Zolota Balka, Tyahynka, Ivanivka (Kherson oblast), as well as Dmytrivka, Ivanivka, Yaselka (Mykolaiv 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 8x unsuccessful assaults. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line and keep inflicting significant losses on the Russian enemy.

During the day of January 12, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 21x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 4x air defense systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 6x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x command post, 1x artillery system, 2x air defense systems, 1x ammunition depot, 1x radar station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the period from 6 to 12 January 2024, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have inflicted 50 group strikes with long-range maritime and airborne high-precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles and UAVs, at Ukrainian military-industrial complex facilities that manufacture, upgrade and repair aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, armoured vehicles, missile launchers and artillery systems.

In addition, the locations of the AFU units, nationalist formations, and foreign mercenaries were hit. The purpose of the strikes has been achieved. All the assigned targets have been engaged.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line in several sectors, and repelled 27 attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 32nd, 43rd, and 115th mechanised, 57th mechanised infantry, 25th airborne, and 95th air assault brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka Peschanoye, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

The enemy has suffered losses of more than 585 troops, three tanks, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, 11 field artillery guns, as well as one Grad MLRS vehicle.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units, aviation, and artillery have launched strikes at clusters of manpower of AFU 63rd, 66th mechanised, 100th, 125th Territorial Defence, 5th, 13th National Guard brigades close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), Torskoye, Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy has lost up to 995 troops killed and wounded, five armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns.

In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces supported by air and artillery fire have repelled six enemy attacks. Fire was also launched at units of AFU 22nd, 28th, 42nd, 93rd mechanised, 3rd, 5th, 92nd assault, and 112th Territorial Defence brigades near Krasnoye, Kurdyumovka, Antonovka, Bogdanovka, Kleshcheyevka, and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were more than 1,785 servicemen, five tanks, 20 armoured fighting vehicles, including two Bradley IFVs and five Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, 63 motor vehicles, as well as 14 field artillery guns.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces have repelled seven enemy attacks. Air strikes and artillery fire hit AFU units near Novomikhailovka, Paraskoviyevka, Pavlovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

Over the week, the enemy has suffered losses of up to 850 troops, three tanks, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, 22 motor vehicles, 15 field artillery guns, as well as one Grad MLRS vehicle.

In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces' units have taken more advantageous lines and positions, and also repelled one attack of the 3rd Operational Brigade's assault group of Ukrainian National Guard close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). In addition, fire damage was inflicted on personnel and military hardware of AFU 117th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault, 14th, 15th National Guard brigades near Malaya Tokmachka, Verbovoye, Novoprokopovka, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy has lost up to 230 servicemen, three tanks, 10 armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns.

In Kherson direction, the enemy's attempts to cross the Dnepr River to land on the left bank and islands were thwarted by preventive actions of the Russian Armed Forces.

Aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 35th, 38th Marines, 121th Territorial Defence brigades near Mikhailovka, Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Sablukovka, and Kacharovka (Kherson region). The AFU lost up to 275 troops killed and wounded, one tank, 21 motor vehicles, 15 boats and seven field artillery guns as a result of the actions of the Russian troops.

Over the past week, 48 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered, 35 of them in Kupyansk direction.

Russian Aerospace Forces and air defence units have shot down Su-25, Su-27 aircraft, as well as one Mi-9 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force. In addition, 35 HIMARS and Uragan MLRS projectiles, six Neptune anti-ship missiles, two MALD guided aerial missiles, and 161 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down during the week.

Operational-Tactical and Missile Troops of the Russian Groups of Forces destroyed two P-18 radars for detecting and tracking air targets, 10 ammunition depots, and one electronic warfare station.

In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,620 unmanned aerial vehicles, 447 air defence missile systems, 14,578 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MRLS, 7,694 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,345 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.