Russia holds superiority in arms and personnel - Ukrainian general
Ukrainian military (Getty Images)
The fiercest fighting continues at the Kupiansk, Lyman, and Bakhmut directions. The Russian occupants outnumber both in weapons and personnel, says Oleksandr Syrskii, commander of the Ukrainian Army.
"The Bakhmut direction remains extremely important for the Russian invaders. They are focusing their main efforts on it and are using the most combat-ready airborne troops, marines, and Storm Z and Storm V units formed from former criminals to conduct assault operations," writes Syrskii.
The enemy's goal in this area is to attack Chasiv Yar, then Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk, and Kramatorsk, further reaching the borders of the Donetsk region.
In the Lyman direction, according to the commander, Russian occupation troops have started constant attacks on the positions of our troops in the directions of Makiivka and Terny. Combat actions are underway in the Siverskyi direction. The occupants are actively using equipment during their assaults, which Ukrainian defenders constantly destroy.
Russian troops are also conducting daily assault operations in the area of Synkivka to capture it and create a foothold for the further offensive on the city of Kupiansk.
"The situation is complicated. We have to fight in conditions of the enemy's superiority in weapons and the number of personnel. However, commanders and staff are monitoring changes in the situation 24/7, analyzing the actions of the enemy and their troops, making effective management decisions to strengthen defense and destroy the enemy," notes Syrskii.
According to the commander, Ukrainian troops are holding the line and destroying the enemy in all three directions. The enemy suffers heavy losses, replenished by the reserves of assault battalions formed from former prisoners.
However, despite daily losses in personnel and equipment, the Russian occupiers continue to conduct offensive operations.
According to Syrskii, in the first half of December, the enemy lost about eight thousand servicemen in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Joint Forces Operation Center.
In addition, more than five hundred pieces of enemy military equipment were destroyed or damaged. Among them were 67 tanks, over a hundred armored combat vehicles, 77 cannons, and mortars of various calibers.
"Unlike the aggressor, the Ukrainian defense forces are trying to achieve success through thoughtful planning of combat operations and effective use of artillery, mortars, attack drones, and small arms. And the lives of our soldiers are the greatest value for us. Minimizing losses is always a priority when planning operations," the commander adds.
The situation at the frontline
According to the General Staff, Ukrainian troops repelled 21 enemy attacks in the Bakhmut direction and held their positions in the Kherson direction. Missile forces hit two enemy remote mining areas.
According to a report by the Institute for the Study of War, the Ukrainian Armed Forces maintained their positions on the left bank of the Kherson region and attacked the western part of the Zaporizhzhia region.
