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Russo-Ukraine War - 30 January 2024 - Day 706

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 Russian independent Telegram news channel Astra reported on 27 January 2024 that Russian aircraft had accidentally discharged two FAB-250 unguided munitions on two Russian villages in the Belgorod area. The first munition landed on a farm in Postnikov, whilst the second munition landed on an urban street in Strelestkoye village, prompting an evacuation of up to 150 civilians within a 500m radius.

This is the fourth Russian accidental aerial munition discharge on its own territory this month. In total, this is the fifth overall within a year, with the earliest occasion in Belgorod City on 20 April 2023.

It cannot be confirmed whether such incidents occur due to poor procedures when arming the aircraft prior to sorties or poor execution by aircrew during missions. It is likely a combination of both. The increasing frequency of these occurrences likely demonstrates a degree of air and ground crew fatigue within the Russian front line, as well as exposing inadequate training.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of January 30, there were 78x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 5x missile strikes and 63x air strikes and carried out 39x 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, a school 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. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Popivka (Sumy oblast), Ustynivka (Kharkiv oblast). Around 40x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Bleshnya, Mykhal'chyna Sloboda (Chernihiv oblast), Znob-Novhorods'ke, Druzhba, Atyns'ke, Volodymyrivka, Tur'ya, Ryasne, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Vovchans'k, Mala Vovcha (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x assaults near Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area Russian forces made failed attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Tabaivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults in the vicinities of Terny and Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novojehorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Terny (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers, with air support, made attempts to improve their tactical situation. More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 20x attacks near Avdiivka and 9x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian occupiers made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Orlivka, Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars more than 15x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 14x unsuccessful attempts to improve its tactical situation. Thus, on the Solodke-Kostiantynivka axis, Ukrainian defenders repelled a Russian assault, during which Russian forces deployed 12x armored vehicles. Following the battle, 2x tanks, 6x MT-LB multi-purpose armored vehicles and 1x BMP infantry fighting vehicle were destroyed. Having received a worthy rebuff, the Russian occupiers suffered significant losses and retreated. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke and Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The occupiers launched an air strike near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the adversary fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Vesele, Kozats'ke, Ivanivka, Dniprovs'ke, Stanislav (Kherson oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kachkarivka and Chervonyi Mayak (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 13x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops.

During the day of January 30, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 11x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 2x air defense systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x ammunition depot, 5x artillery systems, 1x radar 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 supported by aviation and artillery repelled three attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 30th, 32nd, and 44th mechanised brigades close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy lost up to 140 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line and repelled three attacks of assault groups of the AFU 60th and 63rd mechanised brigades close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 290 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, four armoured fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In the Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems took more advantageous lines and positions.

In addition, strikes were delivered at enemy manpower and military hardware near Krasnoye, Andreyevka, Novomikhailovka, Kurdyumovka, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 310 troops killed and wounded, two tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles, and 11 motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops engaged one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system and two Msta-B howitzers.

In South-Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces jointly with aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and military hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade near Ugledar and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 60 Ukrainian troops, one tank, and two motor vehicles. During counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops neutralised two UK-made FH-70 howitzers and one D-30 gun.

In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery neutralised manpower and hardware of the AFU 3rd National Guard Brigade of Ukraine near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

During the day, up to 40 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer have been neutralised.

In Kherson direction, as a result of the active actions of the Russian Group of Forces and complex fire damage caused to the enemy, the AFU losses amounted to 45 troops, two motor vehicles, and two D-30 howitzers.

Operational-Tactical and Army Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Groups of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hit during the day: a fuel depot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a radar station of the German-made IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile system, as well as manpower and military hardware in 112 areas.

Air defence systems shot down 12 projectiles of the HIMARS and Uragan multiple launch rocket systems, as well as a U.S.-made JDAM guided aerial bomb.

In addition, 86 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down, including close to Zolotarevka, Popasnaya, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Verkhnekamenskoye, Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Ocheretovatoye, Shevchenkovo, Mirnoye, Konstantinovka, Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region) and Korsunka (Kherson region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,431 unmanned aerial vehicles, 456 air defence missile systems, 14,847 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,211 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,902 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,042 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.