Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 16
Photo: The situation at the front today (Getty Images)
The defense forces continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Kherson region. At the same time, Russian invaders attempted to break through the Ukrainian Armed Forces' defense in the Lyman direction, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian attacks
During the day, there were 71 combat clashes. The enemy launched three missiles and 47 aviation strikes, and carried out 38 artillery shelling with MLRS on the positions of Ukrainian forces and populated areas.
As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have been damaged and destroyed.
The situation at the frontlines
The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains challenging.
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains unchanged. There are no significant signs of the formation of offensive groups. Identified units of the Belarusian armed forces are carrying out tasks in border areas with Ukraine.
In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy maintains military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage and reconnaissance activities, fires on populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive obstacles along the state border of Ukraine. The enemy carried out an air strike in the area of the settlement Bologivka in the Kharkiv region.
Over 20 populated areas, including Zalizny Mist, Hremiachka in the Chernihiv region; Novovasylivka, Khliborob, Baranivka, Volfyne, Hrabovske, Popivka in the Sumy region; Udy, Kozacha Lopan, Staritsia, Vovchansk, Topoli in the Kharkiv region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling by the enemy.
In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 enemy attacks near Synkivka in the Kharkiv region, where the occupiers, with the support of aviation, attempted to break through the defense of our troops. The enemy also carried out aviation strikes in the areas of Ivanivka, Pisky, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region.
About 10 populated areas, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Kovalivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region, came under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy, with the support of aviation, attempted to break through the defense of our troops. The defense forces repelled three enemy attacks east of Terniv in the Donetsk region. The enemy also carried out an aviation strike in the area of Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region. More than 10 populated areas, including Nevske, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Terni, Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region, were shelled with artillery and mortars.
In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled eight enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. Occupiers carried out aviation strikes in the areas of populated places Minkivka, Druzhba, New York in the Donetsk region. About 10 populated areas, including Vasiukivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region, came under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 17 enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and another 10 in the areas of Nevelske and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region. The enemy also carried out an aviation strike in the area of the settlement Ocheretine in the Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Berdychiv, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, and Karlivka in the Donetsk region, were shelled with artillery and mortar fire.
In the Maryinka direction, Ukrainian defense forces continue to restrain the enemy in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Here, the enemy, with the support of aviation, carried out nine unsuccessful attacks on the positions of our defenders. Under artillery and mortar fire, the occupiers' areas included Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not engage in offensive (assault) actions. They shelled about 10 populated areas with artillery and mortars, including Prechystivka, Urozhaine, Staromaiorsk, and Rivnopil in the Donetsk region.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Ukrainian defense forces repelled 10 enemy attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Over 15 populated areas, including Levadne, Malinivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, and Novoandriivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.
In the Kherson direction, the enemy artillery shelling targeted Ivanivka, Antonivka, Oleksandrivka, and the regional center of the Kherson region.
Ukrainian counteoffenisve
Defensive forces continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region and continue to inflict fire damage on the enemy.
Enemy losses
During the day, the Defense Forces' aviation struck 21 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment of the enemy.
Missile troops units hit seven areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, a command post, two air defense assets, 12 artillery pieces, and two ammunition and fuel depots of the enemy.
