Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 17
Photo: The situation at the front today (Getty Images)
Ukrainian military continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Kherson region. At the same time, Russian occupiers unsuccessfully attempted to break through the Ukrainian defense using aviation on the Kupiansk and Avdiivka directions, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.
Russian attacks
During the day, there were 54 military clashes. The enemy carried out two missile and 25 aviation strikes, and conducted 25 shelling with MLRS on the positions of Ukrainian forces and settlements.
As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties and injuries among the civilian population. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have suffered destruction and damage.
The situation at the frontlines
The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains challenging.
The operational situation in the Volyn and Polissia directions remains without significant changes. There are no 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 adversary maintains a military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage and reconnaissance activities, fires upon populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive obstacles along the state border of Ukraine.
Over 20 populated areas, including Klyusy in the Chernihiv region, Volfyne, Hrabovske, Zapsillia in the Sumy region, and Vovchansk, Vovchansk Hutory, Topoli in the Kharkiv region, have been subjected to artillery and mortar shelling by the enemy.
In the Kupiansk direction, with the support of aviation, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to break through the defense of our forces. Ukrainian defenders repelled six enemy attacks near Synkivka and east of Petropavlivka in the Kharkiv region. About 10 populated areas, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, and Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region, came under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Lyman direction, Defense Forces repelled 8 enemy attacks in the areas of Makiivka in the Luhansk region and east of Terniv in the Donetsk region. Additionally, the enemy conducted an aviation strike near Zvanivka in the Donetsk region. Over 10 populated areas, including Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, and Spirne in the Donetsk region, were affected by enemy artillery and mortar shelling.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled 5 enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Klischiivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. Approximately 10 populated areas, including Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region, were under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Avdiivka direction, the enemy, with the support of aviation, unsuccessfully attempted to break through the defense of our troops. Specifically, 15 enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and another 10 south of Tonenke, Nevelske, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region. Additionally, the enemy conducted an aerial strike in the area of the settlement of Novobakhmutivka in the Donetsk region.
Over 10 populated areas, including Stepove, Lastochkyne, Avdiivka, and Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling by the enemy.
In the Maryinka direction, the Defense Forces continue to restrain the enemy in the area of Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Here, the enemy, with the support of aviation, carried out 4 unsuccessful attacks on the positions of our defenders. Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka were under the enemy's artillery and mortar fire.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not engage in offensive (assault) actions. Approximately 10 populated areas, including Urozhaine, Staromykhailivka, and Rivnopil in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the defensive forces repelled three enemy attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Approximately 20 populated areas, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Hulyai-Pole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.
In the Kherson direction, enemy artillery shelling targeted Kherson, Darivka, Antonivka, and Kizomys in the Kherson region, as well as Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region. Additionally, the enemy conducted aerial strikes in the areas of Krynky and Olhivka in the Kherson region.
Ukrainian counteoffenisve
Defensive forces continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson Oblast and persist in delivering effective fire against the enemy.
Enemy losses
During the day, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck the area of concentration of personnel, weapons, military equipment, and two anti-aircraft missile systems of the enemy. Additionally, using air defense means, seven attack UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type were destroyed.
The missile troops targeted hundreds of areas with the concentration of personnel, weapons, military equipment, an artillery piece, and an ammunition depot of the enemy.
