Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of January 8
Illustrative photo (Photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold positions on the left bank of the Dnipro, repelled Russian attacks near Verbove (Zaporizhzhia region), and hit 2 enemy ammunition depots, according to data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian shelling
The adversary continues to disregard laws and customs of war, employing terror tactics by striking both military and civilian objects. The enemy actively uses tactical aviation and FPV-type quadcopters, conducting assault operations supported by armored vehicles.
On the night of January 8, 2024, Russian occupiers launched a massive attack on Ukraine, employing cruise, aviation, ballistic, anti-aircraft guided missiles, and strike UAVs. A total of 59 air assault tools from the enemy were recorded:
- 8 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs,
- 7 guided S-300/S-400 missiles,
- 4 aeroballistic missiles Kh-47M2 Kinjal,
- 24 cruise missiles Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55,
- 8 Kh-22 cruise missiles, 2 guided aviation missiles Kh-31P.
Critical civilian infrastructure, industrial, and military objects were targeted. This time, the enemy attacked various regions of Ukraine. Specifically, ballistic trajectory missiles were directed at the Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Khmelnytskyi regions. 8 Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs and 18 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles were destroyed by air defense.
Within a day, there were 55 combat encounters. In total, during the day, the enemy inflicted 55 missiles and 16 aviation strikes, and carried out 16 artillery shelling from reactive salvo systems against Ukrainian troops' positions and residential areas.
Unfortunately, due to Russian terrorist attacks, there have been casualties and injuries among the civilian population. Private residential and multi-apartment buildings, as well as other civilian infrastructure, have suffered destruction and damage.
The situation on the fronts
The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.
In the Volyn and Polissia directions, there have been no significant changes in the operational situation. There are no signs of the formation of attacking groups. Identified units of the Armed Forces of Belarus are performing 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, shells settlements from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border of Ukraine.
Approximately 30 settlements were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar shelling, including Zarichchia, Muraveinyk in Chernihiv region; Fotovyizh, Tovstodubove, Zapsillia in Sumy region; Veseloye, Bochkove, Budarky in Kharkiv region.
In the Kupiansk direction, Defense Forces repelled 5 attacks near Synkivka, the Kharkiv region, where the enemy unsuccessfully attempted to improve tactical positions. Additionally, the enemy conducted aviation strikes in the areas of Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Piskhane, Berestove in the Kharkiv region.
Approximately 10 settlements, including Dvorychne, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region, were under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Lyman direction, our defenders repelled an enemy attack east of Terniv, the Donetsk region. The enemy also conducted an aviation strike in the area of Novoselivka, the Donetsk region.
Over 10 settlements suffered from enemy artillery and mortar shelling, including Nevske, and Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Verkhniokamianske, and Spyrne in the Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmut direction, Defense Forces repelled 2 enemy attacks near Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. Over 10 settlements, including Vasiukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchivka, Andriivka, New York in the Donetsk region, were under artillery and mortar fire.
In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled 3 enemy attacks in the areas of Avdiivka, Severne, Tonenke, and 14 more attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region.
Settlements such as Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maksymilianivka, Maryinka, Novomykhailivka, Kostiantynivka were under enemy artillery and mortar fire.
In the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. They shelled over 10 settlements with artillery and mortars, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Urozhaine, and Staromaiorske in the Donetsk region.
In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Defense Forces repelled 6 enemy attacks south of Chervone, west of Verbova, and north of Novoprokopivka in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the enemy attempted to improve tactical positions.
Over 15 settlements, including Levadne, Malynivka, Huliaipole, Piatykhatky, and Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia region, suffered from artillery and mortar shelling.
In the area of responsibility of the Odesa operational-strategic group in the Kherson direction, enemy artillery shelling affected Zmiivka, Krynky, Tiahynka, Ivanivka, Kherson, and Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region.
Advance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
The adversary persists in attempting to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro.
Throughout the day, the enemy attempted 9 unsuccessful assaults, yet Ukrainian forces continue to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the adversary.
Enemy losses
Rocket forces struck 2 enemy ammunition depots.
The total losses of the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion amount to 365,170 military personnel.
