Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 16
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shared information about the operational situation on the front (Illustrative photo: zsu.gov.ua)
Since the beginning of the day on December 16 and as of the evening, there have been 226 combat engagements on the front lines. The number of battles in the Kursk region has sharply increased compared to the previous day - now exceeding 70, up from 26 that were recorded on Sunday evening, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The military command reported on the operational situation on the front as of 22:00 Kyiv time on December 16.
Russian shelling
Since the beginning of December 16 and until the evening, Russian forces have carried out 24 airstrikes on Ukrainian territory (using 30 guided bombs).
The enemy also used 570 kamikaze drones and conducted over 3,700 shellings of Ukraine's Defense Forces positions and settlements.
Frontline situation
The General Staff noted that the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to resolutely repel attempts by the enemy to advance into the depth of our territory, delivering effective fire strikes and exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.
In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian army did not carry out offensive actions.
In the Kupiansk direction, the enemy launched 3 assaults in the areas of Kucheriivka, Zahryzove, and Lozova. The Defense Forces repelled all the invaders' attacks.
In the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions 15 times near the settlements of Kopanky, Vyshneve, Novoyehorivka, Terny, Hryhorivka, Novoplatonivka, Novoserhiivka, Makiyivka, Terny, in the Serebryanske Forestry, and in the direction of Cherneshchyna.
"All combat engagements have already concluded," stated the military command.
In the Siversk direction, the Russian army attacked 7 times in the areas of Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Ivano-Darivka, Spirne, and Siversk. Three combat engagements are still ongoing.
In the Kramatorsk direction, 6 battles took place near Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, and Stupochky, with all enemy attacks repelled by Ukrainian defenders.
In the Toretsk direction, the Russian army attacked Ukrainian positions 11 times. The main focus of their offensive here was near the settlements of Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. Two combat engagements are still ongoing.
In the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian army attempted to break through the Ukrainian defense 46 times near the settlements of Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Zelenе, Novoolenivka, Pishchane, and Ukrainka. Eight battles are still ongoing.
"The enemy is suffering significant losses - today, over 320 Russian soldiers were neutralized in this direction, 114 of them permanently. Two units of enemy vehicles and one anti-aircraft installation were also destroyed," the General Staff reported.
In the Kurakhove direction, the enemy attacked Ukrainian positions 29 times near the settlements of Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Kurakhove, and Yantarne. Ten combat engagements are still ongoing.
In the Vremivka direction, the enemy carried out 22 offensive actions near Kostiantynopil, Rozdolne, Novi Komar, Neskuchne, Uspenivka, Sukhi Yaly, Blahodatne, Makarivka, and Novodarivka. Five battles are still ongoing.
"The enemy is suffering significant losses - today, over 86 Russian soldiers were neutralized in this direction, 33 of them permanently," the General Staff reported.
The Defense Forces also reported that 5 enemy vehicles, 2 tanks, 2 infantry fighting vehicles, and 1 buggy were destroyed. Additionally, 1 tank and 1 armored fighting vehicle of the Russian army were significantly damaged.
In the Orikhiv direction, the Russian army attacked 4 times near Novoandriivka. Airstrikes with rocket-propelled grenades targeted Novoandriivka, Lobkove, Zaliznychne, Huliaipole, and Novopil.
In the Pryndiprosvkyi direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 3 enemy attacks.
In the Kursk region, the operation by the Ukrainian Defense Forces continues. The enemy conducted 72 assaults on Ukrainian Armed Forces positions over the day, with 5 combat engagements still ongoing. The enemy launched 6 airstrikes with 12 guided air bombs and carried out 293 shelling attacks.
The General Staff added that the situation on other fronts has not changed significantly.
Earlier the General Staff reported that nearly a third of all battles since the beginning of December 14 were recorded in the Kursk region. At that time, there were 45 combat engagements.
Additionally, recently, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the Russian forces have started using North Korean soldiers in their assaults in the Kursk region. The President mentioned that the enemy includes them in free units and deploys them in operations in this area.
