Ukrainian General Staff reports 80 combat clashes with Russian army in 24 hours

Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff reports on December 27.

The total Russian combat losses from February 24, 2022, to December 26, 2023, amounted to:

• personnel – about 355,750 (+790 per day) 
• tanks ‒ 5,913 (+14)
• armored fighting vehicles ‒ 10,973 (+17) 
• artillery systems – 8,376 (+10)
• MLRS – 934
• air defense systems ‒ 616 (+2)
• aircraft – 329
• helicopters – 324
• UAV operational-tactical level – 6,471 (+13)
• cruise missiles ‒ 1,620 (+2)
• warships/boats ‒ 23 (+0)
• submarines – 1
• vehicles and tank trucks – 11,140 (+31)
• special equipment ‒ 1,240 (+1)

General Staff report: Russian troops stormed Ukrainian positions in 7 directions, 80 clashes took place

According to the General Staff, near the state Ukrainian border with Russia and Belarus, the operational situation has not changed.

In the northeastern border area, the Russian army maintains a military presence, conducts active sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened areas, and increases the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region.

In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 8 Russian attacks in the vicinity of Synkivka and northeast of Petropavlivka in Kharkiv region. The Russian troops tried to break through the Ukrainian defense.

In the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces fought off 11 Russian attacks in the areas of Serebryanske forestry in Luhansk region and Vesele in Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian troops repelled 8 Russian forces' attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka in Donetsk region.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the Russian army that keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the Russian troops. Thus, the Defense Forces beat back 13 Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka and 16 attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk region over the last day.

In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian troops continue to deter the Russian forces in the areas of Novomykhailivka and Pobieda in the Donetsk region. where they repelled 7 attacks.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, the invading Russian army did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled nine attacks near Robotyne and west of Verbove.

In the Kherson direction, Ukrainian defenders continue to expand their foothold. Despite significant losses, Russian troops continue trying to push Ukrainian troops back from their positions. The advancing Russian army conducted 14 unsuccessful assault operations, faced a decent rebuff, and retreated.

Russian army launched 8 missile attacks, 60 air strikes on the territory of Ukraine

Over the past day, 80 combat engagements took place. In total, the Russian forces launched 8 missiles, 60 air strikes, fired 69 times from multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian troops' positions and populated areas.

At night, the Russian army once again attacked Ukraine using 46 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 32 attack drones.

1 settlement in Chernihiv region; 5 settlements in Kharkiv region; Serebryanske forestry, Bilohorivka in Luhansk region; 4 settlements in Donetsk region; Zmiivka, Krynky in Kherson region were hit by air strikes.

About 100 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire.

Ukrainian Defense Forces hit 2 artillery systems and 3 other important Russian targets

Over the past day, Ukrainian aviation struck 17 areas where Russian troops, weapons and military equipment were concentrated and 5 anti-aircraft missile systems.

Ukrainian air defense destroyed 2 Kh-59 guided missiles and 1 Russian reconnaissance UAV. Also, the Ukrainian Air Force's tactical aviation successfully attacked the Russian Black Sea Fleet's large landing ship Novocherkassk.

Ukrainian missile units hit 3 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, a command center, 2 artillery systems and 3 other important Russian forces targets.

• On Monday, December 25, the Ukrainian Armed Forces denied information that the Russian army had allegedly captured Marinka in Donetsk region, as Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to his President Vladimir Putin.

• Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said that Ukrainian troops are still in the northern part of Marinka.