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Russo-Ukraine War - 12 March 2024 - Day 748

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 on 9 March 2024, an uncrewed aerial vehicle attack launched by the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck areas across the Beriev Tankt maintenance facility in Taganrog, Rostov region, Russia. The Taganrog site is used to produce, upgrade, maintain and repair the Russian Air Force's A-50U MAINSTAY Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. It also has broader strategic significance for Russia as it also services long range strategic bombers, transport aircraft, and is the test centre for the next generation AEW&C aircraft, the A-100. The constant presence of active air defence positioned around the site is indicative of its importance.

The loss of the A-50U from Russian operations highly likely significantly degrades situational awareness. Images of the damage caused by the attack that circulated online appear to show damage to two large buildings associated to the A-50U fleet, highly likely used to shelter the aircraft during periods of deep maintenance. Two weeks after the loss of a second A-50U, the fleet highly likely remains grounded from flying in support of Ukraine operations. This attack demonstrates that Ukrainian operations can still reach strategically significant targets within Russia, even when such sites are thought to be protected, whether in the air or on the land.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of March 12, there were 78x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 9x missile and 73x air strikes, carried out 72x 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.
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 Soldats'ke, Popivka, Luhivka (Sumy oblast), Muravs'ke, Bolohivka, Odnorobivka, Kozacha Lopan' (Kharkiv oblast). More than 25x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Sen'kivka, Khrinivka, Bleshnya (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Sukhodil, Malushyne, Pavlivka, Krasnopillya, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Strilecha, Starytsya (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kup'yans'k, Kivsharivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults in the vicinities of Terny (Donetsk oblast) and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), where the Russian adversary, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Serebryanka, Proletars'ke, Vyimka, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x attacks in the vicinities east of Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Ivanivske (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bohdanivka, Druzhba (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Mykolaivka, Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 22x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Umans'ke, Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Prohres, Vovche, Zhelanne, Myrnohrad, Novohrodivka, Umans'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian invaders, with air support, made 19x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Berestky, Kostyantynivka, Antonivka, Katerynivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne (Donetsk oblast).
Orikhiv axis: Russian forces, with air support, conducted 6x attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinities of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Malynivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Prymors'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Russian forces conducted 3x attempts to assault positions of Ukrainian defenders. More than 15x settlements, including the city of Kherson, Khreshchenivka, Dudchany, Beryslav, Stanislav (Kherson oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of March 12, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 9x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, 1x artillery system, 2x air-defense systems of Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces in cooperation with aviation and artillery have repelled seven attacks and counter-attacks of assault groups of AFU 57th motorised infantry and 32nd mechanised brigades near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two pickups, three U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, two D-30 artillery guns, as well as one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have liberated Nevelskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and taken more advantageous lines and positions.

The 79th Air Assault Brigade and the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the AFU have been hit near Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Belogorovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 350 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, four motor vehicles, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line by strikes at manpower and hardware of 23rd mechanised, 71st, 143rd infantry brigades of the AFU near Keramik and Berdychi (Donetsk People's Republic).

11 counter-attacks of AFU 24th, 47th mechanised, 3rd, and 78th assault brigades have been repelled close to Kirovo, Leninskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Orlovka, and Tonenkoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were more than 380 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and 13 motor vehicles.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces' units have taken more advantageous positions and hit manpower and hardware of the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Staromayorskoye and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

One attack launched by assault groups of the AFU 58th Mechanised Infantry Brigade has been repelled near Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 145 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, eight pick-up trucks, and one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on 117th mechanised and 128th mountain assault brigades of the AFU near Rabotino, Kamenskoye, and Lobkovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and one D-30 gun.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have eliminated one ammunition depot of the AFU 43rd Mechanised Brigade, as well as one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS vehicle.

In addition, clusters of AFU manpower and hardware have been eliminated in 132 areas.

Air defence systems have shot down 11 MLRS projectiles: HIMARS, Grad, and Vampire projectiles, as well as one Tochka-U tactical missile during the day.

In addition, 146 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down, including near Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Zelenopolye, Aleksandrovka, Kodema (Donetsk People's Republic), Mirnoye, Vishnyovoye, Shevchenkovo, Konskiye Razdory, and Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Rybalche (Kherson region).

In total, 577 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 15,226 unmanned aerial vehicles, 484 air defence missile systems, 15,438 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,238 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,378 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,658 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.