AFU repel attacks near 14 settlements, Russian forces increase pressure on residents of temporarily occupied territories – AFU General Staff

Over January 13, Ukrainian defenders have repelled Russian attacks near 14 settlements, while Russian forces intensify counter-sabotage and counterintelligence measures on the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shared its report for January 13.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces repel Russian attacks near 14 settlements

Over January 13, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled the attacks near the 3 settlements of the Luhansk region and 11 of the Donetsk region.

Aviation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched 9 strikes on Russian personnel concentrations, and units of missile troops and artillery, in turn, hit 2 Russian control points, 8 concentrations of manpower, anti-aircraft missile system, 3 ammunition depots. The AFU General Staff adds that Ukrainian defenders also hit 2 other important objects of the Russian army.

Russian troops launch 15 air and 5 missile strikes on Ukraine, in particular on the civilian infrastructure of the Donetsk region

Over the previous day, Russian troops launched 15 air and 5 missile strikes. Two of them were on civilian infrastructure of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.

They also launched over 95 MLRS attacks. Kherson in particular came under attack.

"The danger of air and missile strikes remains. We urge not to ignore air raid alert warnings," the General Staff stressed.

Russian forces increase pressure on residents of temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories

"In the settlement of Velyka Lepetykha, Kherson region, random searches of local residents' phones are being carried out looking for photos and videos of Russian military equipment. As of January 12, 2023, 3 civilians were detained and taken away in an unknown direction," the General Staff informed.

Situation by directions

Russian forces continue to concentrate their main efforts on attempts to capture the Donetsk region within its administrative border, as well as conducting an offensive in the Bakhmut direction.

"They are also conducting unsuccessful offensive actions in the Avdiivka direction. In the Kupiansk and Lyman directions Russia keeps trying to improve the tactical situation," added the General Staff.

Experts did not detect Russian offensive groups on the border with Belarus.

However, 2 settlements of the Chernihiv region, 4 of the Sumy region and 12 of the Kharkiv region came under Russian fire.

In the Kupiansk direction, Russian troops shelled 8 settlements of the Kharkiv region and 1 more of the Luhansk region.

In the Lyman direction, 3 settlements of the Luhansk region were under fire.

In the Bakhmut direction, 14 settlements of the Donetsk region were hit by Russian fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, Russian attacks were registered in 7 settlements of the Donetsk region.

In the Vuhledar direction, 3 settlements of the Donetsk region came under Russian fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Russian troops fired from tanks, mortars, cannon and rocket artillery at 1 settlement of the Donetsk region and 12 of the Zaporizhzhia region.

In the Kherson direction, 4 settlements  and Kherson city came under fire.

Earlier, Russia  announced the alleged capture of Soledar, but the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied this statement and said that the fighting for the town continues.