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Russo-Ukraine War - 08 February 2024 - Day 715

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 Avdiivka remains a primary focus of Russian operations. Russia continues attacks in the south-eastern city limits, with urban street-to-street combat taking place. Over the past two weeks, Russian forces have likely rotated in additional forces to the Avdiivka sector, increasing the pressure on Ukrainian positions around the city. Ukraine continues to conduct counterattacks to ensure the main supply route remains in use.

Over the past four weeks, approximately 600 guided munitions have been launched against Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka from tactical aircraft. Russian sorties increased guided aerial munitions strikes from 30 to 50 per day on 5 February 2024, an increase of 66 per cent over the last two weeks. However, Russian fighters are forced to launch munitions at range, degrading their accuracy due to the continued threat of Ukrainian air defence.

Russia is almost certain to continue offensive pressure in this area over the next several weeks, heavily leveraging tactical air power to support its effort.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 8, there were 52x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 13x missile and 54x air strikes, carried out 37x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in dead and wounded civilians, including children. Residential private and apartment buildings, and other civilian infrastructure in 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 an air strike in the vicinity of Starytsya (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Stara Huta, Bachivs'k, Volfyne, Kindrativka, Myropillya, Hrabovs'ke, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Strilecha, Vovchans'k, Budarky, Chuhunivka, Topoli (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x attacks near Syn'kivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast). In that area the Russian adversary made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces launched an air strike near Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 17x attacks near Avdiivka and 5x more attacks near Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched an air strike near Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Keramik, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Lastochkyne, Avdiivka, Karlivka (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 made 11x attempts to improve its tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kurakhove, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka, Yelyzavetivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. The occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vodyane, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novodarivka, Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Novodanylivka, Stepove, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
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 1x unsuccessful assault on positions of Ukrainian troops. The adversary fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Beryslav, Inhulets (Kherson oblast), Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kachkarivka and Chervonyi Mayak (Kherson oblast).

During the day of February 8, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 7x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x Russian ammunition depots and 2x artillery systems.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces' units repelled five attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 30th, 44th mechanised, 25th airborne, and 13th national guard brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 30 troops, four pick-up trucks, and one U.S.-made M777 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units improved the situation along the front line and supported by artillery repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 60th mechanised, 12th special operations brigades close to Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The enemy has lost up to 230 troops, three infantry fighting vehicles, and five motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces' units captured more favourable line and positions, as well as inflicted fire at manpower and hardware of AFU 22nd, 92nd mechanised brigades close to Kleshcheyevka and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 310 servicemen, one tank, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery fire, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers, and one MT-12 anti-tank gun.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units and aviation hit manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Ugledar and Makarovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy has lost more than 155 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Akatsiya and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one D-20 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, units of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade and the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade suffered losses near Tokarevka and Zolotaya Balka (Kherson region).

The enemy losses were up to 25 troops and three motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system were eliminated.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 114 areas during the day.

Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force near Novotroitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence systems intercepted 12 Czech-made Vampire MLRS projectiles over the past 24 hours.

Moreover, 73 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Yagodnoye (Kharkov region), Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Novomikhailovka, Nikolayevka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 570 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 12,040 unmanned aerial vehicles, 462 air defence missile systems, 14,938 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,218 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,995 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 18,369 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.