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Russo-Ukraine War - 04 February 2024 - Day 711

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 it is highly likely that fewer than 1,000 Russian Wagner mercenaries remain in Belarus. They have been present in the country since June 2023, at which point there were 8,000 Wagner mercenaries. Wagner almost certainly continues to provide training to Belarusian military and security forces.

It is unlikely that Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko would use the Wagner mercenaries beyond their current remit. They are involved in the training of Ministry of Interior troops but are highly unlikely to participate directly in maintaining domestic or border security in Belarus. The continued presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus almost certainly also benefits Russia's war effort by compelling Ukraine to maintain defensive positions and personnel along its northern border with Belarus to protect from potential future incursions.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 4, there were 59x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 32x air strikes and carried out 37x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian injuries. 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. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Mala Vovcha, Ustynivka, Vil'khuvatka, Kolodyazne (Kharkiv oblast). More than 35x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy, Baranivka, Hrem'yach, Bohdanove (Chernihiv oblast), Volodymyrivka, Stepok, Pokrovka, Hrabovs'ke (Sumy oblast), Vesele, Hatyshche, Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes near Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka, Krokhmal'ne and Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Tabaivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast). In that area Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made unsuccessful 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 21x attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka and 10x more attacks near Tonen'ke, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian occupiers, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. 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 Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the adversary, with air support, made 5x unsuccessful attempts to improve its tactical situation. 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 an air strike in the vicinity of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks north of Pryyutne and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. 30x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: 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 on positions of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Tokarivka, Dar'ivka, Dniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast). On top of that, the invaders launched MLRS strikes at the settlements of Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Krynky (Kherson oblast).

During the day of February 4, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 5x concentrations of Russian troops.

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 four attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 30th, 32nd mechanised, 25th airborne brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-made M777 artillery system have been eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces improved thier positions along the front line.

Aviation and artillery repelled three attacks launched by AFU 60th mechanised and 12th Azov Special Operations brigades near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic).

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

The AFU losses amounted to up to 120 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled two attacks of AFU 112th territorial defence, 24th mechanised brigades' units near Krasnoye and Leninskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of AFU 22nd, 93rd mechanised, 80th air assault brigades close to Bogdanovka, Noviy, Kleshcheyevka, and Shumy (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 380 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three Kozak armoured vehicles, and six pickup trucks have been neutralised.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one D-20, and one D-30 howitzers were hit.

One ammunition depot of the AFU 47th Mechanised Brigade has been destroyed close to Pokrovsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, helicoptes, and artillery inflicted loses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade and the 1st National Guard Brigade close to Ugledar and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 115 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, two Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-30 howitzer have been eliminated.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of AFU 33rd, 65th, 118th mechanised, 128th mountain assault brigades close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, Nesteryanka, and Sherbaki(Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 45 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one D-20 howitzer, and one Grad MLRS.

In Kherson direction, coordinated efforts of the Russian Group of Forces in coordination with aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems defeated clusters of AFU manpower near Ivanovka, Tyaginka, Kazatskoye, and Zolotaya Balks (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy has lost up to 30 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one M777 artillery system, and one D-20 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have destroyed one AFU fuel depot, and have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 124 areas during the day.

Air defence systems shot down 97 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near Velikiy Vyselok (Kharkov region), Golikovo, Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Tokmak, Novoye, Ocheretovatoye, and Chistopolye (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,775 unmanned aerial vehicles, 462 air defence missile systems, 14,904 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,216 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,963 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 18,230 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.