Ukraine eliminates more than 400,000 Russian soldiers during full-scale invasion

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on February 16.

The total combat losses of the Russian Federation from 24.02.22 to 16.02.24 are approximately:

• personnel - about 400,300 (+1210)
• tanks - 6,465 (+23)
• armored combat vehicles - 12,129 (+39) 
• artillery systems - 9,641 (+21) 
• MLRS - 984 (+0) 
• air defense systems - 671 (+0)
• Aircraft - 332 (+0)
• helicopters - 325 (+0)
• UAVs of operational and tactical level - 7,408 (+4)
• cruise missiles - 1,895 (+13)
• ships/boats - 25 (+0)
• submarines - 1 (+0)
• motor vehicles and tankers - 12,716 (+25)
• special equipment - 1,528 (+4).

General Staff's report: Ukrainian Armed Forces hold defense despite Russian attempts to surround Avdiivka

Thus, according to the General Staff, the operational situation has not changed in the area of the northern Ukrainian border with Belarus.

In the northeastern border area, the Russian army maintains a military presence in the border areas, 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 area of responsibility of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group in the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled three Russian attacks near Synkivka and Ivanivka in Kharkiv region.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian troops rebuffed 6 hostile attacks near Terny, Yampolivka and Vesele in the Donetsk region.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 10 adversary attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region.

In the Avdiivka direction, in the area of responsibility of the Tavria operational-strategic group, Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the Russian enemy, who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. Ukraine's soldiers are steadfastly holding the line, inflicting significant losses on the occupation forces. Thus, over the past day, the Defense Forces repelled 28 Russian attacks in the areas of Avdiivka, Lastochkyne and another 5 attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk region. According to the decision of the command, the planned reinforcement of units is underway and troops are being maneuvered in threatened areas.

In the Marinka direction, Ukrainian troops continue to hold back their enemy near 4 settlements in the Donetsk region, where 34 attacks were repelled.

In the Novopavlivka direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces fought off three Russian attacks south of Prechystivka and near Staromayorsk in the Donetsk region.

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

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa operational-strategic group in the Kherson direction, the Defense Forces continue to hold their positions and repel the attacks of the occupation forces. Despite significant losses, Russia keeps trying to drive Ukrainian units from their positions. Thus, over the past day, the Russian army made 3 unsuccessful assaults.

Russian army launches 34 missile and 85 air strikes on Ukraine

Over the past day, 95 combat clashes took place. In total, the Russian troops launched 34 missile and 85 air strikes, fired 114 times from multiple launch rocket systems at the positions of Ukraine's troops and populated areas.

Air strikes hit 7 settlements in Kharkiv region, 3 in Luhansk region, 17 in Donetsk region, and 1 in Zaporizhzhia region.

More than 110 settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kherson and Mykolaiv regions came under artillery fire.

Ukrainian Armed Forces hit 3 areas of Russia's personnel concentration and artillery

Over the past day, Ukrainian aviation struck 12 areas where the Russian personnel were concentrated. Also, yesterday, Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed one Kh-59 guided missile.

Missile troops struck at one control center, three areas of personnel concentration, an artillery unit, an ammunition depot, and a Russian radar station.

• The situation in Avdiivka, Donetsk region, is "extremely critical". Soldiers of the Third Assault Brigade have been redeployed to this area.
• In his address on February 15, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the situation at the front, particularly in Avdiivka and in the east in general. He emphasized that everything is being done in Avdiivka to save as many Ukrainian lives as possible. 
• The commander of the Tavria operational and strategic grouping of troops, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, said that the defense operation in Avdiivka continues.