Ukrainian army repels 9 Russian attacks in Avdiivka sector - General Staff

The Ukrainian Armed Forces’ General Staff reported this on January 3.

Russian attacks across Ukraine

"In total, Russia launched 6 missile strikes, 42 airstrikes, and 18 attacks with multiple launch rocket systems at the Ukrainian troops' and populated areas. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in civilian casualties. Residential buildings, other civilian and industrial infrastructure were destroyed and damaged," the General Staff said in a statement.

At the same time, the Russian troops are actively using tactical aircraft and FPV quadcopters, conducting assault operations with the support of armored vehicles.

Frontline situation

Over the last day, 31 combat engagements took place. 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 20 settlements across the Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv regions were attacked. 

In the Kupyansk sector, Russian troops did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. They launched airstrikes near Kucherivka, Podil, Petropavlivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region and Novoiehorivka in the Luhansk region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman sector, the Russian army also did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. However, it launched airstrikes near Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region and Terny and Spirne in the Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements suffered from enemy artillery and mortar attacks.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled four attacks near Bohdanivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. Russia tried to improve the tactical situation there to no avail. The Russian troops launched an airstrike near Pivnichne, Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 9 Russian attacks in the areas of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka and another 19 near Sevierne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. With the support of aviation, the Russian forces unsuccessfully tried to improve their tactical position. Russia also launched an airstrike near Oleksandropol, Donetsk region. They fired at about 10 settlements with artillery and mortars.

In the Marinka sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the areas of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where the Russian  troops unsuccessfully tried to improve the tactical situation 11 times with the support of aviation.

In the Shakhtarsk sector, Russia did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions. 10 localities were subjected to artillery and mortar fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia sector, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled a Russian attack near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region. There, the Russian troops tried unsuccessfully to regain their lost ground. They also launched an airstrike near Novodarivka, Zaporizhzhia region, and more than 15 settlements came under mortar and artillery fire.

In the Kherson direction, 6 localities were attacked.

Russia continues to intend to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Over the course of the day, the Russian army launched 8 unsuccessful assault operations, but Ukrainian defenders continue to hold their positions.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' strikes against Russian troops

Over the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 12 of the invading Russian forces’ positions.

The missile troops destroyed three air defense systems, three artillery systems, an electronic warfare station, and a control center.