Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 2

Russian shelling

During the night of January 2, 2024, the enemy repeated a massive air attack using various types of aerial means, similar to what occurred several days ago on December 29, 2023. The Russian Federation continues to target civilian critical infrastructure, industrial facilities, and historical and cultural heritage sites, claiming to strike military targets. The main focus of the attack is the capital of Ukraine, with severe strikes also reported in Kharkiv.

According to updated information, the adversary deployed 135 air attack means, including missiles of various types and strike UAVs. The air defense destroyed 107 aerial targets, including 35 out of 35 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs, 10 out of 10 aeroballistic missiles X-47M2 Kinzhal, 59 out of 70 cruise missiles X-101/X-555/X-55, and 3 out of 3 Kalibr cruise missiles.

There were 56 combat engagements reported within the day. Additionally, the enemy conducted 66 aviation strikes, including Shahed-136/131 type drones, and performed two salvos from rocket artillery systems targeting our troops' positions and populated areas. Regrettably, due to Russian terrorist attacks, there have been casualties and over 100 injured civilians, including children.

Over 100 private residential and multi-story buildings, as well as other civilian and industrial infrastructure, in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, have suffered destruction and damages.

The situation on the fronts

The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains challenging.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, there haven’t been significant changes in the operational situation. No signs of forming offensive groupings have been identified. Units of the Armed Forces of Belarus have been detected performing tasks in border areas adjacent to Ukraine.

In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the adversary maintains military presence in border areas, conducts sabotage-reconnaissance activities, shells populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border of Ukraine.

Over 20 populated areas, including Klusy in the Chernihiv region; Kostiantynivka, Volodymyrivka, Kiianytsia, Stepok, Novodmytrivka in the Sumy region; Okhrimivka, Bolohivka, Dvorichanske in the Kharkiv region, experienced artillery and mortar shelling by the enemy.

In the Kupiansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 5 attacks near Synkivka and east of Petropavlivka in the Kharkiv region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to break through our troops' defense.

Approximately 10 populated areas, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region, came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, there were no enemy offensive (assault) actions. The enemy carried out air strikes in the areas of Bilohorivka and Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region.

The occupiers shelled over 10 populated areas, including Nevske in the Luhansk region, and Torsoke, Serebrianka, Spirne, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Defense Forces repelled 5 attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region, where the enemy unsuccessfully tried to improve their tactical position.

Approximately 10 populated areas, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Kalynivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Stupochky in the Donetsk region, were under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 4 enemy attacks near Novobakhmutivka, Berdychiv, Avdiivka, and 14 more attacks in the areas of Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region, where the enemy, supported by aviation, unsuccessfully tried to improve their tactical position.

Around 10 populated areas, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Toneyne, Pervomaiske, Nevelske in the Donetsk region, were hit by artillery and mortar shelling.

In the Maryinka direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. They carried out air strikes in the areas of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Kurakhove, Pobieda, Yelyzavetivka, Katerynivka were affected by artillery and mortar fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. Around 10 populated areas, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Urozhaine in the Donetsk region, were hit by artillery and mortar fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled an enemy attack near Robitne in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to regain the lost position. Novodanylіvka and Orikhove in the Zaporizhzhia region were affected by aviation strikes.

Over 15 populated areas, including Zaliznychnе, Robotyne, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia region, suffered from artillery and mortar shelling.

In the area of responsibility of the Operational-Strategic Grouping of Forces Odesa in the Kherson direction, the enemy conducted an aviation strike near Chervonyi Maiak in the Kherson region. Beryslav, Tiahynka, Kherson, and Bilozirka in the Kherson region experienced artillery shelling.

Advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The enemy remains determined to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro. Over the past day, the occupiers attempted 8 unsuccessful assaults, yet our units continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the enemy.

Enemy losses

During the day, the defense forces' aviation struck 12 areas where the enemy's personnel were concentrated.

Missile forces struck 2 anti-aircraft missile systems, an artillery system, and a fuel and lubricants depot belonging to the enemy.

The total number of losses for the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion amounts to 360,820 military personnel.