Russo-Ukraine War - 16 February 2024 - Day 723
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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 forces continue operations in the Donbas, with its primary effort focussed on the town of Avdiivka. Russia has been making a concerted effort to seize the town since October 2023, and have made gradual, sustained progress in cutting off the city, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces reinforcing in response.
Avdiivka has been on the frontline in the Donbas since 2014. In its effort to take the city, Russia has lost at least 400 tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and other hardware, as well as likely thousands of personnel.
Further north, Russian forces around Bakhmut continue attacks to the west, almost certainly with the objective of seizing the town of Chasiv Yar. Russia has not been able to advance further beyond Bakhmut since taking control in May 2023.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 16, there were 70x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 8x missile and 49x air strikes, carried out 84x 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, medical facilities and critical infrastructure facilities 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 Udy, Hatyshche, Katerynivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 10x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Leonivka (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Koren'ok, Studenok, Boyaro-Lezhachi, Kindrativka, Bilovody, Velyka Pysarivka (Sumy oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian adversary conducted no offensives. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x assaults near Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast), and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast). In that area Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Rozdolivka, Terny (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers, with air support, made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Moreover, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Kalynivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 27x attacks in the vicinity of Avdiivka and 2x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian occupiers, with air support, continue their attempts to capture Avdiivka. On top of that, Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Semenivka, Lastochkyne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at up to 20x settlements, including Avdiivka, Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Lastochkyne, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 7x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Kostyantynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Novopavlivka axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: no signs of Russian offensives. More than 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, P'yatykhatky, 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. During the day, Russian forces made 2x attempts to assault positions of Ukrainian troops. The city of Kherson, the settlements of Romashkove, Dniprovs'ke (Kherson oblast), and the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) came under Russian artillery fire. Russian forces also shelled Kherson with MLRS strikes.
During the day of February 16, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 11x concentrations of Russian troops, 1x anti-aircraft missile system.
The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, 2x areas of artillery firing positions, 1x ammunition depot, 2x electronic warfare stations of the Russian invaders.
In addition, within the city of Avdiyivka, heavy battles are ongoing. Russia continues to launch artillery shelling and massive bombings, virtually wiping the city off the face of the earth.
Russia is storming all reserves, throwing them from other directions and trying to crush Ukrainian defenses.
The Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to restrain Russian occupiers, who dominate in number in personnel, artillery and aviation.
Since the beginning of the day in the area of avdííívki, Ukrainian defenders have repelled more than 30 attacks of Russians. Russian forces carried out 20 air strikes and over one and a half hundred artillery shelling. In addition to Avdiyivka, Russian artillery and mortar shelling suffered almost 20 surrounding settlements, including Novobakhmutívka, Berdyči, Lastočkine, Nevels їke and others.
From the ruined positions Ukrainian soldiers exit the maneuver and zakratlûût руйsâ at the new frontiers of defense.
During one outing, several Ukrainian fighters were taken captive.
The evacuation of the wounded is complicated by non-stop shelling, but it is happening. At this point, Ukrainian defenders need reserves. The supply of ammunition also remains an issue. Units maintain defined boundaries of defense according to the operational environment.
There is an ongoing fire at the Avdií̈vs поkomu koksohemíčnomu plant, where Russian forces, as a result of shelling, set ablaze a tank with remains of naphthalene and bitumen resin in the warehouse.
Only since the beginning of the year, the loss of occupiers in this direction were 20,018 persons, 199 tanks and 481 combat armored (January 1 - February 15, 2024). ).
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the period from 11 to 16 February, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered 30 group strikes by long-range precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles at facilities of Ukrainian military industrial complex producing and repairing aircraft engines, radio-electronic equipment and ammunition.
Moreover, strikes were delivered factories producing fuel and lubricants for AFU hardware, warehouses of military and technical equipment, as well as deployment points of AFU units and nationalist formations.
Over the week, in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and repelled 18 attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 25th Airborne Brigade, 30th, 32nd, 43rd, 44th, and 60th mechanised brigades, 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Sinkovka, Tabayevka, Timkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, enemy manpower was struck near Novoselkovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Kislovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 775 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, seven armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns.
In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front lines and supported by aviation and artillery repelled 14 enemy attacks.
Moreover, losses were inflicted on units of the AFU 24th, 60th, and 63rd mechanised brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), Yampolovka, and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 1,585 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, four tanks, 44 armoured fighting vehicles, 82 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns.
In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and repelled 46 enemy attacks near Belogorovka, Bogdanovka, Kleshcheyevka, Leninskoye, Novomikhailovka, and Shumy (Donetsk People's Republic).
In addition, AFU and Ukrainian National Guard units suffered losses near Kurdyumovka, Andreyevka, Georgiyevka, and Katerinovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
The AFU losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,820 Ukrainian troops, 11 tanks, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 84 motor vehicles, and 25 field artillery guns.
In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the situation along the front lines and repelled three enemy attacks.
Unist of the AFU 58th Infantry Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades suffered losses near Vladimirovka, Urozhaynoye, Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 1,060 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, ten armoured fighting vehicles, 23 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.
In Kherson region, aviation and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade, 121st Territorial Defence Brigade, and 23rd Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Tyaginka, Ivanovka, Yantarnoye (Kherson region), and Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 310 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, 23 motor vehicles, and 14 field artillery guns.
Aviation and air defence units intercepted one Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 aircraft and Mi-24 helicopter, 36 HIMARS, Vampire, and Olkha MLRS projectiles, one JDAM guided aerial bomb, as well as neutralised 405 unmanned aerial vehicles.
35 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered over the past week.
In total, 571 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 12,571 unmanned aerial vehicles, 469 air defence missile systems, 15,060 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,221 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,067 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,747 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.
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