Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 20

Russian shelling

Within a day, there were 89 combat clashes. The enemy delivered 5 missiles and 31 aviation strikes, carried out 53 shelling attacks using rocket systems on our troops' positions and civilian areas.

Unfortunately, due to Russian terrorist attacks, there are civilian casualties. Private residential houses and other civilian infrastructure have suffered destruction and damage.

The situation on the fronts

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the operational situation remains unchanged. There are no signs of the formation of offensive groups. Identified units of the Belarusian armed forces are performing tasks in border areas with Ukraine.

In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy maintains military presence in border areas, conducts reconnaissance-diversionary activities, shell settlements from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive obstacles along the state border of Ukraine. About 20 settlements, including Karpovychi in the Chernihiv region; Khotin, Kostiantynivka, Volfyne in the Sumy region; Veterynarne, Vovchansk, Budarky in the Kharkiv region, were shelled with artillery and mortars by the enemy.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 16 enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka, east of Petropavlivka, and Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region, where the enemy, supported by aviation, attempted to break through the defense of our troops. Approximately 10 settlements, including Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region, were under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 12 enemy attacks near Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region; east of Terniv and Spyrne in the Donetsk region. Also, the enemy carried out an air strike in the area of Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region. More than 10 settlements, including Nevske, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region, were shelled with artillery and mortars.

In the Bakhmut direction, 6 enemy attacks were repelled near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. Around 10 settlements, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka in the Donetsk region, were under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, 13 enemy attacks were repelled east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 18 more attacks in the areas of Severne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. Occupants' artillery and mortar shelling affected about 10 settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychiv, Avdiivka, Severne, Pervomaiske in the Donetsk region.

In the Maryinka direction, the Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Mariinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Here, the enemy, supported by aviation, made 9 unsuccessful attacks on the positions of our defenders. Georgiivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, Novomykhailivka came under fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive actions. About 10 settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, and Zolota Nyva in the Donetsk region, were shelled with artillery and mortars.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled 4 attacks west of Verbovo and south of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the enemy tried to displace our units from occupied positions. Around 20 settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Huliaipole, Huliaypilske, and Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia region, were shelled with artillery and mortars.

In the Kherson direction, enemy artillery shelling affected the regional center of the Kherson region and Dniprovskoe, Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region. Also, the enemy carried out an aviation strike in the area of Krynyky in the Kherson region.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive

The enemy has not abandoned its intention to dislodge our units from the left bank of the Dnipro River. They attempted 29 unsuccessful assaults, faced strong resistance, and sustained significant losses. Our units steadfastly hold the defense, maintain their positions, and continue to inflict significant damage on the enemy.

Over the course of the day, the Air Defense Forces carried out strikes on 16 areas where enemy personnel, equipment, and military vehicles were concentrated, as well as against the enemy's anti-aircraft missile systems. During the day, one guided missile X-59 was destroyed by air defense.

Enemy losses

Missile units struck 2 areas where enemy personnel, equipment, and military vehicles were concentrated, and targeted 6 artillery pieces belonging to the enemy.