Ukrainian army eliminates more than 1,200 Russian troops in one day – General Staff

This is stated in the summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The total combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to December 17, 2023 were approximately:

• personnel – about 346,070 (+1,250)
• tanks ‒ 5739 (+19)
• armored personnel vehicles ‒ 10,692 (+25)
• artillery systems – 8137 (+37)
• MLRS – 923 (+3)
• anti-aircraft warfare systems ‒ 609 (+4)
• aircraft – 324 (+0)
• helicopters – 324 (+0)
• UAVs of the operational-tactical level – 6278 (+40)
• cruise missiles ‒ 1610 (+1)
• warships/boats ‒ 22 (+0)
• submarines – 1 (+0)
• vehicles and fuel tanks – 10,766 (+56)
• special equipment – 1194 (+4)

Frontline situation: 89 combat engagements took place over the last day, Russians step up in the Kupyansk sector

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

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 14 Russian attacks near Synkivka, Kharkiv region, and Stelmakhivka, Luhansk region. 

In the Lyman direction, Ukraine's soldiers repulsed 6 attacks near the Serebryanske forestry, Luhansk region, and east of Terny, Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian troops fended off 12 Russian attacks in Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian defense forces continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian troops and are consolidating their positions.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders hold back the Russian army, which keeps trying to surround Avdiivka. Ukraine's soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the aggressors. The defense forces successfully beat back 17 Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka and another 13 attacks south of Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region.

In the Marinka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are deterring Russian troops near Marinka, Pobyeda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian army successfully repelled 12 attacks there.

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

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces fought off 12 attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.

At the same time, in the Melitopol direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the invading forces, depleting Russian troops along the entire front line.

In the Kherson direction, Ukrainian soldiers continue to hold their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River, continue to conduct counter-battery combat, and inflict fire on Russia's rear.

Russia struck Ukraine with both drones and missiles

In total, the Russian forces carried out 4 missile strikes and 72 air attacks, along with 92 MLRS attacks on our troops' positions and civilian areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks resulted in casualties among the civilian population, causing destruction and damage to private residences and other civilian infrastructure.

Yesterday, the invaders targeted Ukraine once again, deploying 34 UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully destroyed all attacking UAVs. Additionally, on the same day, the Russian invaders launched another aerial attack using 7 UAVs of the Shahed-136/131 type, all of which were neutralized.

The airstrikes hit various locations, including Bolohivka, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Pishchane, and Berestove in the Kharkiv region, as well as Serebryanske forestry in the Luhansk region. Other affected areas include Terny, Minkivka, Druzhba, Pivnichne, New York, Oleksandropil, Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region.

Artillery fire targeted more than 110 settlements in the Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv regions.

Ukrainian Armed Forces hit 28 areas of Russian troop concentration

Over the past day, the aviation of the Ukrainian Army struck 21 areas where Russian troops, weapons and military equipment were concentrated.

Missile units targeted 7 personnel, weapons and military equipment clusters, a control center, 2 pieces of air defense equipment, 13 artillery pieces, 2 ammunition and fuel and lubricant depots of the Russian forces.

• On the evening of Saturday, December 16, Russian terrorists launched Shahed drones to attack Ukraine. A downed drone fell in a residential area in the Odesa region, causing an explosion and resulting in the death of a person.