Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of February 23

Russian shelling

The enemy continues to pursue its aggressive war objectives. Despite significant losses, it remains committed to plans for the complete occupation of Ukraine, disregarding laws and customs of warfare, employing terror tactics, and targeting both military and civilian objects.

The adversary actively employs aviation and FPV-type quadcopters, conducting assault operations supported by armored vehicles. The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains challenging. Within the day, there were 58 combat engagements.

Overall, the enemy delivered 5 missile strikes and 60 airstrikes, conducted 62 shelling attacks from multiple rocket launcher systems on our troops' positions and civilian areas. Unfortunately, there have been casualties and injuries among the civilian population due to Russian terrorist attacks. Multi-story and private residences, as well as other infrastructure objects, suffered destruction and damage.

Frontline situation

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, there have been no significant changes in the operational situation. There are no signs of the formation of advancing enemy groups. Identified units of the Armed Forces of Belarus are fulfilling 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, shells populated areas from the territory of the Russian Federation, and increases the density of mine-explosive barriers along the state border of Ukraine.

Approximately 10 populated areas, including Karpovychi, Progress in Chernihiv region, and Seredyna-Buda, Novovolodymyrivka, Atynske, Volfyne, Hrabovske, Velyka Pysarivka in Sumy region, Udy, Strylcha, Vovchansk, Budarky, Chuhunivka, Topoli in Kharkiv region, were shelled by enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy conducted one attack on the positions of our troops near the settlement of Synkivka in the Kharkiv region. The enemy carried out an airstrike in the area of Novoyehorivka in the Luhansk region.

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

In the Lyman direction, our soldiers repelled one enemy attack in the area of Terni village, Donetsk region, where the enemy attempted to breach the defense of our troops. The enemy conducted an airstrike in the area of Makiivka and Bilohorivka villages, Luhansk region.

Over 10 populated areas suffered from enemy artillery and mortar shelling, including Nevseke and Bilohorivka in the Luhansk region, and Torske, Serebrianka, Rozdolivka in the Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, Defense Forces repelled six enemy attacks in the area of Ivanivske village, Donetsk region, where the enemy attempted to improve its tactical position.

The enemy carried out airstrikes in the areas of Klishchyivka, Andriivka, Bila Hora, Kurdiumivka, and New York villages in the Donetsk region. Additionally, over 10 populated areas, including Vasiukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchyivka, Andriivka in the Donetsk region, came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, our defenders repelled nine enemy attacks in the areas of Lastochkyne, Severne, Pervomaiske villages in the Donetsk region. The enemy conducted airstrikes in the areas of Novobakhmutivka, Orlivka, and Tonenke villages in the Donetsk region.

Approximately 20 populated areas, including Oleksandropil, Novobakhmutivka, Ocheretine, Pervomaiske, and Netailove in the Donetsk region, were subjected to enemy artillery and mortar shelling.

In the Maryinka direction, defense forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Novomykhailivka and Pobeda villages, the Donetsk region, where the enemy, with aviation support, attempted 31 times to breach the defense of our troops without success. Additionally, the enemy conducted airstrikes in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Kostiantynivka villages, Donetsk region.

Under the artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers, the following populated areas of the Donetsk region were affected: Krasnohorivka, Pobeda, Novomykhailivka, and Katerynivka.

In the Novopavlivka direction, the enemy did not engage in offensive (assault) actions. The enemy conducted an airstrike in the area of Vodyane village, Donetsk region.

Approximately 10 populated areas, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, and Blahodatne in the Donetsk region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, defense forces repelled one enemy attack in the area of Robitne village, Zaporizhzhia region. The enemy conducted airstrikes in the areas of Mala Tokmachka and Robitne villages, Zaporizhzhia region.

Over 15 populated areas, including Charivne, Mali Shcherbaky, Stepove, Lobkove, Pyatykhatky, Stepnogirsk, and Pivnichne in the Zaporizhzhia region, experienced artillery and mortar shelling.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa operational-strategic group in the Kherson direction, more than 5 populated areas, including the city of Kherson and Novotiahynka, Veletenske, and Stanislav villages in the Kherson region, were subjected to artillery and mortar shelling.

Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive

The enemy persists in its intention to dislodge our units from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River.

Indeed, during the day, there were 7 attempts to storm the positions of our troops.

Enemy losses

Throughout the day, the defense forces' aviation conducted strikes on 6 areas of personnel concentration and 3 areas of enemy air defense missile systems.

Units of the missile forces inflicted damage on 1 command post, 3 artillery pieces, 1 ammunition depot, and 2 "Tor" anti-aircraft missile system radars of the enemy.

It is worth reminding that the total number of losses in the Russian army since the beginning of the invasion exceeds 408,000 soldiers.