Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 23
Photo: The situation at the front today (Getty Images)
Russian occupiers attempted to dislodge the Defense Forces from bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. However, Ukrainian defenders provided them with a worthy rebuff, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian attacks
The adversary continues to disregard the laws and customs of war, employing terror tactics, striking military and civilian objects, actively utilizing operational-tactical aviation and FPV-type quadcopters, and conducting assault actions with armored support.
The Russians have increased the number of artillery shelling. In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Joint Forces on Khortytsia, the daily number of enemy artillery shelling exceeds one thousand.
Over the past day, there have been 57 clashes. The enemy delivered 11 missiles and 14 aviation strikes, and conducted 21 shelling with MLRS on the positions of our troops and settlements.
As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, there are casualties among the civilian population. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure have suffered damage and destruction.
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 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 enemy maintains military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage and reconnaissance activities, fires at populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation, increases the density of mine-explosive obstacles along the state border of Ukraine. They delivered aviation strikes in the areas of populated places Leonivka, Chervonyi Khutir in the Chernihiv region.
Over 20 populated places were shelled by enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Bleshnia, Leonivka in the Chernihiv region; Oleksiivka, Stanychne, Sadky in the Sumy region; Kozacha Lopan, Bologivka, Velykyi Burlyk, Izbytske, Stroyivka in the Kharkiv region.
In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 12 enemy attacks in the area of the settlement Synkivka, the Kharkiv region, where the occupiers unsuccessfully attempted to break through the defense of our forces. About 10 populated places, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region, came under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy did not engage in offensive (assault) actions. They conducted an aviation strike in the area of Serebrianske Forestry, the Luhansk region. They shelled with artillery and mortars more than 10 populated places, including Nevske, Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Serebrianka, Verkhniokamianske, Spirne, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled 8 enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka in Donetsk region. Approximately 10 populated places, including Vasiukivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and New York in the Donetsk region, came under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 19 enemy attacks to the east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and another 12 attacks near Severne, Pervomaiske, and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. Approximately 10 populated places, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychiv, Avdiivka, and Lastochkyne in the Donetsk region, were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar shelling.
In the Maryinka direction, the defense forces continue to restrain the occupiers in the areas of Maryinka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. There, the enemy, supported by aviation, launched 2 unsuccessful attacks on our defenders' positions. Under artillery and mortar fire were Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobeda, and Kostiantynivka.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. Approximately 10 populated areas, including Vuhledar, Bohoyavlenka, Prechystivka, and Rivnopil in the Donetsk region, were shelled with artillery and mortar fire.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled all attacks in the area of Robotine in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to displace our units from their positions. Approximately 20 populated areas, including Poltavka, Huliaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, were shelled with artillery and mortar fire.
In the area of responsibility of the Ukrainian Southern Operational Command Odesa in the Kherson direction, the enemy subjected the cities of Kherson and Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region to artillery shelling.
Ukrainian counteoffenisve
The enemy persists in its intention to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro. During the day, the enemy attempted 15 unsuccessful assault actions, faced a worthy defense, and suffered significant losses.
Our units steadfastly maintain the defense, continue to hold their positions, and inflict fire damage on the enemy.
Enemy losses
During the day, the Defense Forces aviation struck 18 areas of concentration of personnel, weaponry, and military equipment, as well as five anti-aircraft missile systems of the enemy.
Additionally, using air defense means, one guided aviation missile Kh-59 and two reconnaissance UAVs were destroyed.
Missile troops units hit five areas of concentration of personnel, weaponry, and military equipment, two artillery systems, three ammunition depots, and one enemy command post.
