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Russo-Ukraine War - 21 February 2024 - Day 728

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 Ground Forces have continued and highly likely increased their ground attacks on the Robotyne axis in southern Ukraine, which was recaptured by Ukraine during its counter-offensive in summer 2023. The village has remained on the frontline since.

The Russian 58th Combined Arms army and Russian Airborne Forces (VDV) operating in the area sustained heavy casualties during the Ukrainian counter-offensive. However, the lower operational tempo since, and continued Russian recruitment efforts have likely enabled Russian forces on this axis to reconstitute.

Russian forces have intensified attacks across several points of the front line within the last week, likely intended to stretch Ukrainian forces.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 21, there were 51x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 84x air strikes, carried out 71x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in wounded civilians. Residential private and apartment buildings as well as other 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 Milove, Vil'khuvatka, Hryhorivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Bleshnya, Hrem'yach, Yeline (Chernihiv oblast), Popivka, Volfyne (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Krasne, Luk'yantsi, Hatyshche (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces made 2x assault attempts near Syn'kivka and Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x assaults near Terny and Vyimka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Makiivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Lyman, Svyato-Pokrovs'k, Sivers'k (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers, with air support, made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched an air strike near New York (Donetsk oblast). More than10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 12x attacks in the vicinities of Stepove, Lastochkyne, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Novopokrovske, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Semenivka, Orlivka, Lastochkyne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Berdychi, Semenivka, Sjeverne, Netailove (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 10x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian adversary launched air strikes near Krasnohorivka, Katerynivka, Antonivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Novopavlivka axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Urozhaine and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors'ke, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks west of Verbove and in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky (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. Russian forces launched air strikes near Krynky and Chornobaivka (Kherson oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Kherson, Krynky, Ivanivka, Tyahynka, Tokarivka (Kherson oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of February 21, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 10x concentrations of Russian troops, 2x air defense systems. On top of that Ukrainian Air Force units destroyed yet another Su-34 fighter-bomber as well as 3 reconnaissance UAVs.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 5x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 2x fuel depots, 3x command posts, 8x artillery systems, 1x electronic warfare 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 repelled seven attacks of assault groups of the AFU 14th, 32nd mechanised, 25th Air Assault brigades, and 115th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Chugunovka (Kharkov region) and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic). Moreover, the Russian troops repelled five counter-attacks of the enemy close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

Up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four pick-up trucks, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been eliminated.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line and defeated units of the 93rd mechanised, 81st airmobile brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and 241st Territorial Defence Brigade in vicinity of Belogorovka, Kleshcheyevka, and Razdolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The losses of the Armed Forces were over 425 troops, two tanks, four infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, 20 motor vehicles, one D-30 howitzer, as well as the AN/TPQ-36 counterbattery radar. In addition, an ammunition depot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was destroyed close to Mayaki (Donetsk People's Republic).

In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted fire defeat on AFU manpower and hardware of the 24th, 53rd mechanised brigades, 59th motorised infantry, and 3rd assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rozovka and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Furthermore, the Russian troops repelled seven counter-attacks launched by the Ukrainian units close to Lastochkino, Kirovo, and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy lost up to 450 troops, one tank, four infantry fighting vehicles, six armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS vehicle, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces repelled the enemy's counter-attack near Novozlatopol (Zaporozhye region) and inflicted a fire defeat of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Vladimirovo and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 210 troops, two tanks, three motor vehicles, as well as the AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery radar.

In Kherson direction, the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted comprehensive fire damage on the units of the 65th mechanised, 82nd air assault, and 128th mountain assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Rabotino, Verbovoye, and Lugovoye (Zaporozhye region).

AFU losses amounted to 75 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, one Slovak-made Zuzana self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged a fuel depot as well as AFU manpower and hardware in 123 areas during the day.

Russia's air defence systems shot down 12 HIMARS MLRS projectiles and one JDAM bomb. Moreover, 99 unmanned aerial vehicles close to Kremennaya, Rubezhnoye, and Lisichansk (Lugansk People's Republic), Yampolovka, Verkhnetoretskoye, and Staromlynovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Pologi, Veseloye, Ulyanovka, and Vasilyevka (Zaporozhye region), and Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region).

In total, 572 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 13,042 unmanned aerial vehicles, 471 air defence missile systems, 15,149 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,223 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,124 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 18,900 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.