Ukrainian army fights off 19 Russian attacks in Avdiivka sector - General Staff

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this on January 5.

Russian attacks across Ukraine

In total, Russia launched 3 missile strikes, 16 airstrikes, and 12 attacks with multiple launch rocket systems at the Ukrainian troops’ position and populated areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

Also, on the night of January 5, 2024, the Russian forces once again attacked Ukraine, using 29 Shahed-136/131 attack UAVs. Air defense destroyed 21 enemy drones.

Frontline situation 

There were 56 combat engagements over the last day. The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult.

Near the state Ukrainian border with Russia and Belarus, the situation hasn't changed significantly, and no enemy offensive groups have been detected. Certain units of the Belarusian Armed Forces are performing tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

At the same time, the Russian army continued shelling the entire borderline with mortars and artillery: over 15 settlements across the Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions were attacked. 

In the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled seven Russian attacks in the vicinity of Sinkivka, Kharkiv region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the Russian forces didn't conduct any offensive (assault) actions. They shelled more than 10 localities with artillery and mortars.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled three attacks near Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region, where the Russian army tried to break through the Ukrainian defense. More than 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled three Russian attacks near Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka and another 16 near Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Marinka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian troops near Marinka, Pobieda, and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region. About 6 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russia did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions. They shelled more than 10 localities with artillery and mortars.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Russian army didn't conduct any offensive (assault) actions. More than 15 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kherson direction, about 8 localities were subjected to numerous Russian attacks.

Invading Russian forces did not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units from their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, they launched 10 unsuccessful assault operations, Ukrainian soldiers continued to hold their positions and inflict significant losses on the invaders.

The Ukrainian forces’ strikes against Russian troops

Over the day, Ukrainian aviation struck at 5 of the Russian troops’ military positions.

Missile troops hit a control center, a munition depot, and an artillery unit.

• Over the past day, January 4, the Ukrainian Defense Forces killed 790 Russian soldiers, destroyed 30 artillery systems and 14 armored combat vehicles.