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Russo-Ukraine War - 27 January 2024 - Day 703

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 Russia continues its offensive across multiple axes, in line with its strategic objective to capture the Donbas. Russian forces have seized the hamlets of Krokhmalne, Kharkiv on 21 January 2024 and Vesele, near Bakhmut on 18 January 2024; however, these are strategically insignificant. Vesele had a pre-war population of 102 and Krokhmalne, 45. This represents a continuation of Russia's minor incremental gains whilst Ukraine focuses on active defence.

The assessed main priority for Russian forces is the city of Avdiivka. The Russians are mounting a three-pronged attack to encircle the city from the south and north, and also fighting on the outskirts of the eastern quarter of Avdiivka city itself. Russian forces have suffered heavy personnel and armoured vehicle losses, frequently caused by Ukrainian uncrewed aerial vehicle munitions. Russian forces are reportedly attempting to bypass Ukrainian fortifications by entering the city edges via service tunnels; this is a method of infiltration they have been attempting since October 2023.

Ukrainian counter-attacks are holding Russian forces from progressing further within the city. As the main supply route remains intact, and Ukrainian forces make local counter-attacks, Avdiivka is likely to remain in Ukrainian control over the coming weeks.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 27, there were 64x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 1x missile strike and carried out 35x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Residential private and apartment buildings 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 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Yeline, Bleshnya, Karpovychi, Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Chuikivka, Iskryskivshchyna, Andriivka, Volodymyrivka, Basivka, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Ohirtseve, Vovchans'k, Budarky, Kolodyazne (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x assaults in the vicinities of Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x assaults near Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast) and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Karmazynivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Dibrova, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. 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 8x attacks near Stepove, Avdiivka, and 12x more attacks near Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 10x failed attempts to improve its tactical situation. The settlements of Maksymil'yanivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka 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 Vodyane, Vuhledar, Bohoyavlenka, Staromaiors'ke, Zelene Pole (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Lobkove (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 vicinities of settlements of Beryslav, Antonivka, Dniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast) as well as Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). On top of that, Russian forces launched MLRS strikes at the vicinities of Ivanivka and Antonivka (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 1x unsuccessful assault on positions of Ukrainian troops.

During the day of January 27, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 4x Russian concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x artillery system, 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 repelled five attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 32nd mechanised, 103rd territorial defence brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 25 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Force repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the 63rd Mechanised Brigade and the 44th Rifle Battalion of the AFU close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, strikes were delivered at AFU manpower and hardware near Kirovsk (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy has lost up to 100 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by artillery repelled two enemy attacks close to Shumy and Bogdanovka, and inflicted fire damage on AFU manpower and hardware near Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka, Andreyevka, Georgiyevka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 250 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled four attacks of assault groups of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priutnoye (Zaporozhye region), as well as inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware close to Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost up to 115 troops, three motor vehicles, as well as two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade close to Rabotino and Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy has lost up to 20 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, and two motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Akatsiya and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed.

In Kherson direction, as a result of actions of the Russian Group of Forces, the enemy has lost up to 15 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

In addition, four Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed during counter-battery warfare.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one S-300 SAM system close to Cherkassy region, POL bases and air-delivered ordnance depots near Kirovograd and Dnepropetrovsk regions, as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day.

Air defence systems have intercepted seven HIMARS and Vampire MLRS projectiles during the day.

In addition, 28 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Zolotaryovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Spornoye, Belogorovka, Kleshcheyevka, Nikolayevka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Kazachyi Lageri, Novaya Myachka, and Peschanovka (Kherson region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,283 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,805 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,210 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,881 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 17,940 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.