Ukrainian defense forces have eliminated over 350,000 Russian troops since start of full-scale invasion — General Staff

The General Staff reports.

The total combat losses of Russia from February 24, 2022 to December 21, 2023 are estimated to be:

• personnel - about 350,270 (+1080) people
• tanks - 5,828(+14)
• armored combat vehicles - 10,825 (+31)
• artillery systems - 8,226 (+20)
• MLRS - 932 (+4)
• air defense systems - 611 (+0)
• aircraft - 324 (+0)
• helicopters - 324 (+0)
• UAVs of operational and tactical level - 6,342 (+26)
• cruise missiles - 1,613 (+1)
• ships/boats - 22 (+0)
• submarines - 1 (+0)
• motor vehicles and tankers - 10,919 (+48)
• special equipment - 1,208 (+5)

General Staff report: 99 combat engagements took place in the frontline over the last day

According to the General Staff report,  in the area of the northern Ukrainian border with 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, increases the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region.

In the Kupyansk direction, Ukraine repelled 16 Russian attacks in the vicinity of Synkivka, east of Petropavlivka and Ivanivka. The Russian forces tried to break through the defense of Ukrainian troops.

In the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian army fended off 13 Russian attacks near Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, and east of Terny and Spirne, Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, Defense forces beat back 7 attacks near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the Russian troops, as they keep trying to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the invaders. Ukrainian defense forces repelled 14 enemy attacks in the areas of Novokalynove, east of Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka, and another 22 attacks near Sievierne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk region.

In the Marinka direction, Ukraine continued to hold back the enemy in the areas of Marinka, Pobieda and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian troops repelled 10 attacks.

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

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled 6 attacks west of Verbove and south of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region.

At the same time, in the Melitopol direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian forces, depleting the enemy along the entire front line.

In the Kherson direction, Ukrainian troops continue to expand their foothold. Despite the setbacks, the invading Russian army did not abandon its intention to drive Ukrainian troops from their positions and made more than 30 unsuccessful assault operations. The Russian troops received a worthy counterattack and retreated with losses. Ukrainian defenders are engaged in counter-battery combat, inflicting fire on Russia's rear.

Russian troops conducted 5 missile strikes and 68 air strikes on the territory of Ukraine

Over the last day, 99 combat engagements took place. In total, Russia launched 5 missiles, 68 air strikes, fired 88 times from multiple launch rocket systems at Ukrainian troops' positions and populated areas. 

At night, the Russian troops once again attacked Ukraine using 35 Shahed-136/131 UAVs. Air defense forces and means destroyed 34 attack drones.

Synkivka, Kharkiv region; Serebryanske forestry, Luhansk region; 8 settlements in Donetsk region; Orikhiv, Zaporizhzhia region; Krynky and Olgivka, 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 destroyed a Kh-59 missile and hit 5 Russian concentration areas

Over the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces struck 16 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment and 1 enemy anti-aircraft missile system. Ukrainian air defense forces also destroyed 1 Kh-59 guided missile.

The missile troops destroyed 5 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, an ammunition depot and 6 enemy artillery pieces.