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Russo-Ukraine War - 23 December 2024 - Day 1034

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 Russia launched approximately 2,300 One Way Attack Uncrewed Aerial Systems (OWA UAS) of varying types into Ukraine in the month of November 2024, once again surpassing the previous month's total. Monthly OWA UAS numbers have been increasing consistently throughout 2024, with significant increases — greater than 200 on the previous month — since July 2024.

It is likely that through September-November 2024, as many as 50-60% of the total launches were 'decoy' OWA UAS. The Russian forces have a variety of decoys available. Smaller and less expensive than SHAHED-class OWA UAS due to the construction materials, their purpose is to complicate the Ukrainian defensive effort through saturating or confusing the radar picture, forcing more work on the Ukrainian Air Defence teams in the hope of causing fatigue over time. Some of the decoy systems still likely carry a small payload (up to 5kg) of explosive, ultimately making them no less dangerous should they reach a target.

The rate of increase from October to November dropped in comparison to previous months. December 2024 launch figures show approximately 850 launches so far. However it is likely that weather has impacted operations in December, evidenced through some nights with significantly larger waves following a period of low or no activity. With no impact on launch sites or production, it remains likely that Russia can sustain numbers at least in excess of 1,500 per month. Russian OWA UAS maintain coverage of targets across the entirety of Ukraine, enabling Russia to maintain pressure while allowing Long Range Aviation Missile stocks to replenish.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that since the beginning of the day, there have been 235 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 12 air strikes using 37 KABs, more than 490 kamikaze drones strikes, and more than three thousand shells to positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons.

In the Kharkiv direction, four combat clashes with Russian zagarbnikami in the area of Vovchansk.
In the Kupians 'komu direction, the Russian opponent 19 times tried to push Ukrainian units out of occupied positions near Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, Kolisnikivka, Lozovoí̈, Dvoríčnoí̈ and Boguslavka.
Twenty-six times, Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, trying to advance in the direction of Grekivka, Novoyegorivka, Green Grove, New Kruglyakivka, Hardbread, Hope, Novosergiyivka, Terniv, Shiikivka, Sergiyivka and Ivanivka.
In the sívers вkomu direction in the area of bílogorívki, Ukrainian defenders repelled 13 Russian assaults.
In the Kramators проkomu direction, Russian forces made nine attacks of the positions of Ukrainian defenders. Enemy activity manifested in the areas of Stupochok, Temporary Yar and Predtečinyo, all attempts of the enemy to improve their position were stopped by Ukrainian soldiers.
In the areas of Diliyivka, Dachnyo, Bila Gora, Scherbinivka and Toretsky, Russian forces 17 times tried to infiltrate Ukrainian defense in the Toretsky direction, two clashes are ongoing so far.
Intensely attacks the Russian enemy of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. During the day, the aggressor committed 30 attacks. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of the settlements of Mirolyubivka, Dachensk, New Labor, Novotroitske, Zelene, Novoyelizavetívka, Novolenivka, Novopustinka, Vozdvizhenka, Ray, Lisivka and Uspenivka. All attacks in the direction of Ukrainian defenders have been successfully repelled. In addition, Russian forces bombarded 9 Kabamas in the areas of settlements Kotline, Zvirove and Uspenivka. Ukrainian soldiers are making efforts to prevent the advancement of the opponent into the depths of Ukrainian territory.
According to the information available at this time, 201 Russian occupants have been eliminated in this direction, another 224 - injured. Destroyed one infantry fighting vehicle, three units of car and a unit of motor equipment. In addition, two Russian tanks were damaged.
In the kurakhiv direction at this time of the day counts 32 combat encounters. Zagarbniks remain high activity, trying to advance in the areas of settlements Kurakhove, Petropavlivka, Sontsivka, Stari Terni, Dachne, Konstantinopil and Andriyivka, in areas where the Russian enemy actively engaged in bombardment.
In this direction, Russian forces lost 77 occupants killed and wounded.
In the vremívs комуkomu direction, 35 fights in the areas of novodarívka, konstantinopol Наs Наkogo, outbreak, rozdolny, watchman, great novosilka, new mosquito and novosilki. Two clashes are currently underway. In addition, Russian forces made aviation strikes of 7 kabama around the area of the settlement of temirívka.
In the area of Bilogir in the Gulyaipil direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled one Russian assault.
In the Orihiv direction, Russian forces four times without success tried to knock out Ukrainian defenders from occupied positions in the areas of the settlements of Novodanilivka and Pyatihatki.
In the direction of Pridniprov, Russian forces carried out one assault action, which was successfully repelled by Ukrainian defenders.
In the Kurs відkomu direction for a day, Ukrainian defenders hit off 46 attacks of the opponent. The Russian enemy has launched 374 artillery strikes, 9 of them were from reactive systems of salvage fire.
In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kharkov region, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on armed formations of one mechanised brigade of the AFU and one territorial defence brigade near Borshchevaya and Lebedevka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 troops, two motor vehicles, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one assault brigade and four mechanised brigades of the AFU near Kopanki, Dvurechnaya, Zagryzovo, Zeleny Gai (Kharkov region), Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic), and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

Seven counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 400 troops, six motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, three U.S.-made 105-mm M119 guns, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Two ammunition depots were destroyed.

Units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, and one airmobile brigade of the AFU near Druzkovka, Konstantinovka, Chasov Yar, Artem, and Kurakhovo (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault detachment was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 400 troops, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, one U.S.-made 155-mm Paladin self-propelled artillery system, two pickup trucks, one 152-mm D-20 gun, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and two UK-made 105-mm L119 guns.

Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one motorised infantry brigade, one infantry brigade, seven mechanised brigades of the AFU, one marine brigade, one territorial defence brigade, and one national guard brigade near Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Lysovka, Shevchenko, Dachenskoye, Novoolenovka, and Novotroitskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Thirteen counter-attacks launched by AFU armed formations were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 610 troops, two tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, three armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made MaxxPro and two Kozak armoured fighting vehicles, eight motor vehicles, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm D-20 gun, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

As a result of decisive actions, units of the Vostok Group of Forces liberated Storozhevoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Losses were inflicted on formations of one motorised infantry brigade, two mechanised brigades of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Razdolnoye, Razliv (Donetsk People's Republic), and Gulai Pole (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 troops, four motor vehicles, one French-made 155-mm CAESAR self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one electronic warfare station.

Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front line and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one infantry brigade, one mountain assault brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Novoandreyevka, Lobkovoye, Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region), Mikhaylovka (Kherson region). One counter-attack of the enemy's assault detachment was repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 45 troops, three motor vehicles, one 152-mm D-20 gun, and one electronic warfare station.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck infrastructure of military airfields, attack UAV depots, as well as engaged manpower and hardware clusters of the enemy in 143 areas.

Air defence units shot down 14 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 650 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 38,355 unmanned aerial vehicles, 590 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,961 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,504 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,953 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,452 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.

In the course of offensive operations, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on formations of one heavy mechanised brigade, five mechanised brigades, three air assault brigades, one marine brigade, four territorial defence brigades of the AFU near Aleksandriya, Viktorovka, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Loknya, Martynovka, Nikolayevka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolskoye, Novaya Sorochina, Russkoye Porechnoye, Sverdlikovo, and Cherkasskaya Konopelka. Two counter-attacks launched by the enemy's assault detachments were repelled.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the enemy near Zaoleshenka, Kositsa, Kruglenkoye, Mikhaylovka, Nikolsky, Staraya Sorochina as well as Basovka, Belovody, Vodolagi, and Zhuravka.

Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 300 troops, two tanks, including one U.S.-made Abrams tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, namely, one U.S.-made Bradley, one German-made Marder, and one Swedish-made CV-90, three armoured fighting vehicles, namely, one U.S.-made Stryker and two M113, three armoured fighting vehicles, one artillery gun, four mortars, one U.S.-made M88 armoured recovery vehicle, and eight motor vehicles.

Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 43,310 troops, 253 tanks, 194 infantry fighting vehicles, 135 armoured personnel carriers, 1,315 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,174 motor vehicles, 324 artillery guns, 42 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 79 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 28 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, seven armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle.

The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress.