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Russo-Ukraine War - 14 February 2024 - Day 721

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 according to analysis conducted by the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute for Forensic Examinations, Russia utilised its Tsirkon hypersonic missile in an attack on Ukraine for the first time on 7 February. A video of the wreckage allegedly shows fragments of the engine and steering mechanisms with specific markings that are, according to the report, 'characteristic of the 3M22 Zircon missile'.

Reportedly capable of travelling at Mach 9 up to an effective firing range of 1,000km, Tsirkon was initially developed for use by the Russian Navy. The absence of vessels known to carry the missiles in the Black Sea raises questions about the method of launch. It is likely the Russian land-based K-300 coastal defence system has been adapted for this purpose. If its use is confirmed, this would present a significant challenge to Ukrainian air defences due to its speed and manoeuvrability.

It is likely the Russians are testing a newly operational weapon system in a live conflict environment to provide assurance and demonstrate capability.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 14, there were 64x combat engagements.

The Russian occupiers launched a total of 4x missile and 91x air strikes, carried out 83x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in killed and wounded civilians. 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 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Seredyna-Buda, Druzhba, Bachivs'k, Volfyne, Volodymyrivka, Oleksandrivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Strilecha, Vovchans'k, Nesterne, Chuhunivka, Dvorichans'ke (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x attack in the vicinity of Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Ivanivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault 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 Riznykivka, Kuz'mynivka, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Kolodyazi, Zakitne, Spirne, Pazeno (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ivanivske, New York (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled more than 25x attacks near Avdiivka and 3x more attacks near Sjeverne and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian occupiers, with air support, continue their attempts to capture Avdiivka. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Oleksandropil', Novooleksandrivka, Novokalynove, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Orlivka, Lastochkyne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at up to 20x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Keramik, Ocheretyne, Karlivka, Netailove, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian adversary, with air support, made over 20x attempts to improve its tactical situation. The invaders launched air strikes near Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Katerynivka, Yelyzavetivka (Donetsk oblast) were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x attack south of Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Vodyane, Vuhledar, Shevchenko (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupiers' aircraft launched strikes at the settlements of Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 30x settlements, including Ol'hivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Bilohir'ya, Shcherbaky, Lobkove, Stepnohirs'k (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. During the day, Russian forces made 7x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops. The city of Kherson, the settlements of Mykhailivka and Kizomys (Kherson oblast) came under Russian artillery fire.

During the day of February 14, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 10x concentrations of Russian troops, 1x air defense system.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 6x concentrations of Russian troops, 5x artillery systems, 2x ammunition depots, 3x electronic warfare system.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and military hardware close to Tabayevka and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region) and repelled three attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 30th mechanised and 25th air assault brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses in this direction amounted to up to 130 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, one D-30 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one Grad MLRS vehicle.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved their positions along the front line and with support of artillery and aviation repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Enemy losses amounted to up to 320 military personnel, two tanks, five infantry fighting vehicles, 10 armoured fighting vehicles, 22 motor vehicles, one Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces' units have taken more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted fire defeat on AFU manpower and hardware of the 2nd, 3rd, 5th assault, 17th tank, 22nd, 24th, 28th, 42nd, and 93rd mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Bogdanovka, Krasnoye, Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, and Andreyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 360 troops killed and wounded, six tanks, five infantry fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, one Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, three U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, one UK-made FH70 howitzer, two MSTA-B howitzers, two D-30 guns, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, two UAV command posts, as well as four ammunition depots.

In South-Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces has improved the tactical position and inflicted fire defeat of manpower and military hardware of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 160 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured personnel carriers, two Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile systems, three motor vehicles, three UK-made FH70 howitzers, as well as one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system.

In Kherson direction, the Russian troops hit units of the 28th mechanised, 45th artillery brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 121st Territorial Defence Brigade close to Rabotino, Nesteryanka, Stepovoye (Zaporozhye region), Ilyinka (Dnepropetrovsk region) and Tyaginka (Kherson region).

The losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were up to 40 military personnel, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one D-20 gun, as well as three Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have neutrlaised one launcher of the S-300 SAM system, one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station, and also engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 126 areas during the day.

Russian air defence systems have shot down one Mi-24 helicopter of Ukrainian Air Force near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, seven HIMARS and Olkha MLRS projectiles have been intercepted over the past 24 hours.

Moreover, 98 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were downed close to Zugres, Aleksandrovka, Andreyevka, Gorlovka, Orlinskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Chervonopopovka, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Tarasovka, Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Obryvka (Kherson region).

In total, 570 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 12,390 unmanned aerial vehicles, 469 air defence missile systems, 15,034 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,220 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,041 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,655 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.