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Russo-Ukraine War - 29 January 2024 - Day 705

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 from 24 February 2022 to 25 January 2024, Russian Ground Forces (RGF) likely lost approximately 2,600 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and 4,900 other Armoured Combat Vehicles (ACVs) in Ukraine. RGF probably lost around 40% fewer vehicles in 2023 than in 2022. It is highly likely that the reduction in armoured vehicle attrition rates was due to the increasingly positional nature of the conflict in 2023 and because Russia spent a significant proportion of the year in a defensive posture.

Since early October 2023, RGF have been on the offensive in eastern Ukraine. During this period, Russian armoured vehicle losses have increased and the RGF have likely lost up to 365 MBTs and 700 ACVs but only achieved minor territorial gains. However, Russia can probably generate at least 100 MBTs a month and therefore retains the capacity to replace battlefield losses and continue this level of offensive activity for the foreseeable future.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 29, there were 51x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 6x missile strikes with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles at the civilian infrastructure of Myrnohrad (Donetsk oblast) and Muzykivka (Kherson oblast). On top of that, Russian forces launched 64x air strikes and carried out 45x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. A school, residential 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. The invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Velykyi Burluk and Khatnje (Kharkiv oblast). Around 40x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Popivka, Stepok, Hrabovs'ke (Sumy oblast), Hur'iv Kozachok, Ohirtseve (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x assault near Syn'kivka and east of Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). In that area Russian forces made failed attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) as well as Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) and Kryvoshyivka (Luhansk oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x assaults in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and near Terny (Donetsk oblast). In that area Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novojehorivka, Bilohorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Serebryanka, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks in the vicinity of Ivanivske (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes near Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, New York (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Kurdyumivka (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 5x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars more than 15x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 6x failed attempts to improve its tactical situation. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x attack near Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault north of Pryyutne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Orikhiv, Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast), as well as Nikopol' (Dnipropetrovsk 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 Novokairy, Sadove, Prydniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast). On top of that, the Russian occupiers launched MLRS strikes at the settlements of Respublikanets, Krynky, Ivanivka (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 7x unsuccessful assault on positions of Ukrainian troops.

During the day of January 29, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 14x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x air defense systems, 4x artillery systems, 1x electronic warfare station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces liberated Tabayevka (Kharkov region). Three attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 30th and 32nd mechanised brigades were repelled near Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, and one Msta-B howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and supported by artillery inflicted losses on assault detachments of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 280 Ukrainian troops, one tank, and three motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces repelled six attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade near Belogorovka and Pereyezdnoye. The Group's artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 81st Airmobile Brigade and 10th Air Assault Brigade near Kleshcheyevka and Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 210 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, two D-30 howitzers, and one Rapira anti-tank gun.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces repelled one attack launched by units of the AFU 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Priutnoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 90 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 33rd, 65th mechanised brigades, and 112th Territorial Defence Brigade near Rabotino and Yurkovka (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three pickup trucks, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, strikes were delivered at units of the AFU 38th Marines Brigade near Myzikovka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops and four motor vehicles.

Operational-Tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out missile artillery and fuel depots, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 109 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down one HIMARS MLRS projectile over the past 24 hours. In addition, 34 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Nyrkovo, Zolotaryovka, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Marfopol, Pologi (Zaporozhye region), Radensk and Aleshki (Kherson region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,345 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,817 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,211 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,892 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,007 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.