Situation at Ukrainian frontline on December 17
In Ukraine, 89 combat engagements were registered in the frontline over the last day. Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy, which keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka, reports the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Russian attacks
In total, the enemy launched 4 missiles and 72 air strikes, and fired 92 missile attacks from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of our troops and populated areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private houses and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.
In addition, yesterday the occupants once again attacked Ukraine using 34 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. All attack UAVs were destroyed by air defense forces and means.
Also, the Russian occupants conducted another air strike using 7 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. All enemy drones were destroyed.
Air strikes were carried out in Bolohivka, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Pishchane, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region; Serebryanske forestry in the Luhansk region; Terny, Minkivka, Druzhba, Pivnichne, New York, Oleksandropil, Ocheretyno, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Novomykhailivka in Donetsk region.
More than 110 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire.
Situation at the frontlines
The operational situation in the Volyn and Polissya sectors remains without significant changes.
In the Siversk and Slobozhanske directions, the enemy maintains a military presence in the border areas, conducts active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of our troops to threatened areas, and increases the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region.
In the Kupiansk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 14 enemy attacks near Synkivka, Kharkiv region, and Stelmakhivka, Luhansk region.
In the Lyman sector, the Defense Forces repelled 6 occupants' attacks near Serebryanske forestry in Luhansk region and east of Terny in Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmut sector, our troops repelled 12 enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. The defense forces continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the enemy and are consolidating their positions.
In the Avdiivka sector, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy, who is making attempts to encircle Avdiivka. Our soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the invaders. The defense forces successfully repelled 17 enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka and another 13 attacks in the areas of Nevelske and Pervomayske in Donetsk region.
In the Maryinka sector, Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Maryinka, Pobeda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. They successfully repelled 12 attacks.
In the Shakhtarsk sector, the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions.
In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the Defense Forces repelled 12 enemy attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyno in the Zaporizhzhia region.
In the Melitopol sector, Ukrainian soldiers continued to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, depleting the enemy along the entire front line.
In the Kherson sector, the Defense Forces continue to hold their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River, conducting counter-battery combat, and inflicting fire on the enemy's rear.
Enemy losses
Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck 21 areas of concentration of enemy personnel, weapons, and military equipment.
Missile troops hit 7 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons, and military equipment, a control center, 2 air defense facilities, 13 artillery pieces, 2 ammunition and fuel depots of the enemy.