Russia-Ukraine war: Frontline update as of December 16
Illustrative photo: Defense inflicts heavy losses on Russian forces (Getty Images)
On Tuesday, December 16, a total of 255 combat engagements were recorded along the frontline. The highest number of attacks by Russian forces was reported in the Pokrovsk direction, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian forces carried out 55 air strikes, dropping 127 guided bombs. In addition, they deployed 1,964 kamikaze drones and conducted 2,869 strikes on AFU positions and populated areas.
Frontlines update
In the Northern Slobozhanskyi and Kursk direction, 15 combat engagements took place. Russian forces carried out three air strikes, dropping eight guided bombs. Additionally, Russia conducted 102 strikes, including seven using multiple-launch rocket systems.
In the Southern Slobozhanskyi direction, nine engagements were recorded near the settlements of Prylipka and Synelnykove, as well as towards Izbytske, Obukhivka, and Kolodiazne.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces attacked 24 times towards Kupiansk, Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Pishchane, Novoplatonivka, Holubivka, and Nova Kruhlakivka. Three engagements are still ongoing.
In the Lyman direction, the Defence Forces repelled 27 attacks near Torske and towards Lyman, Stepove, Korovii Yar, Zarichne, Drobysheve, Novoselivka, Stavky, and Hlushchenkove. Two engagements are still ongoing.
In the Sloviansk direction, Russian forces launched four attacks near Siversk and Serebrianka and towards Pazeno. One engagement is currently ongoing.
In the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces attacked once towards Bondarne.
In the Kostiantynivka direction, 16 combat engagements took place over the past day. Russian forces attempted attacks near Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillia, Rusyn Yar, Yablunivka, and towards Sofiivka.
In the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces carried out 60 attacks near Kotlyne and Udachne and towards Rivne, Myrnohrad, Rodynske, Hryshyne, Zvirivе, Serhiivka, Novopavlivka, Filiia, Nove Shakhove, Dorozhnie, and Sukhetske. Six engagements are still ongoing.
According to preliminary data, 220 Russian troops were neutralized in this direction over the past day, including 143 killed. The AFU also destroyed three tanks, 12 vehicles, four armored combat vehicles, one motorcycle, nine UAVs, five units of special equipment, and two personnel shelters. Three vehicles, one BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system, and seven personnel shelters were damaged.
In the Oleksandrivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 20 attacks near Zelenyi Hai, Sichneve, Krasnohirskе, Zlahoda, Rybne, and towards Ivanivka, Iskra, Oleksandrohrad, Verbove, and Pryvilne. Russia carried out an air strike near Ivanivka.
In the Huliaipole direction, 28 engagements took place near Solodke and towards Varvarivka and Huliaipole. Russian forces conducted air strikes using guided bombs on Vozdvyzhivka and Zaliznychne.
In the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces made eight unsuccessful attempts to attack AFU positions near Shcherbaky and Stepove and towards Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, and Prymorske.
Russia's losses in war
According to the General Staff, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has lost approximately 1,190,620 military personnel. Over the past day alone, Russian forces lost 1,150 troops.
The AFU also destroyed nine tanks, six armored combat vehicles, 67 artillery systems, 442 UAVs, 177 vehicles, one submarine, and one heavy flamethrower system of Russian forces.
