Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 21
About 100 combat engagements took place on the frontline over the day (photo: Getty Images)
In Ukraine, 99 combat engagements were registered at the frontline over the last day. The enemy continues to storm Avdiivka in the Donetsk region, and in the Kherson region, the Defense Forces are expanding their foothold, pushing the invaders out, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian attacks
In total, the enemy launched 5 missiles and 68 air strikes, fired 88 missile attacks from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of our troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Private houses and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.
At night, the Russian occupiers once again attacked Ukraine using 35 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. Air defense forces and means destroyed 34 attack UAVs.
Air strikes were carried out in: Sinkivka, Kharkiv region; Serebryanske forestry, Luhansk region; Ivanivske, Toretsk, Ocheretyno, Orlivka, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka, Novoukrainka, Donetsk region; Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region; Krynky and Olgivka, Kherson region.
About 100 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire.
Situation at the frontlines
The operational situation in the Volyn and Polissya directions remains without significant changes.
In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of our troops to threatened areas, and increases the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region.
In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 16 enemy attacks in the vicinity of Synkivka, east of Petropavlivka and Ivanivka, where the enemy tried to break through the defense of our troops.
In the Lyman direction, the Defense Forces repelled 13 occupants' attacks near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, and east of Terny and Spirne, Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmut direction, our troops repelled seven enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region.
In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy, who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. Our soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the invaders. The defense forces repelled 14 enemy attacks in the areas of Novokalynove, east of Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka, and another 22 attacks near Severne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region.
In the Maryinka direction, Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where our defenders repelled 10 attacks.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled 6 enemy attacks west of Verbove and south of Robotyno in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Melitopol direction, Ukrainian soldiers continue to actively inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, depleting the enemy along the entire front line.
In the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite the setbacks, the enemy did not give up its intention to drive our units from their positions and made more than 30 unsuccessful assault operations. He received a worthy rebuff and retreated with losses. Our defenders are engaged in counter-battery combat, inflicting fire on the enemy's rear.
Enemy losses
Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck 16 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, and 1 enemy anti-aircraft missile system. Ukrainian air defense forces also destroyed 1 X-59 guided missile.
The missile troops destroyed 5 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, an ammunition depot, and 6 enemy artillery pieces.
