Ukrainian troops repel 14 Russian attacks in Kherson region overnight - General Staff

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this on December 26.

"Russia is actively using tactical aviation and FPV quadcopters, conducting assault operations with the support of armored vehicles. The number of artillery attacks has increased," the General Staff writes. 

The Russian troops launched 5 missile strikes, 21 airstrikes, and 38 MLRS attacks at the Ukrainian troops’ positions and populated areas. Unfortunately, the terrorist attacks resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Private houses and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. 

Frontline situation 

The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains challenging.

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 direction, Ukrainian troops repelled eight Russian attacks in the vicinity of Sinkivka and northeast of Petropavlivka in the Kharkiv region. The Russian troops launched an airstrike near Sobolivka, Kharkiv region. About 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11 enemy attacks in the areas of Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region and Vesele in the Donetsk region, where the Russian troops, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the Ukrainian defense to no avail. Also, they launched air strikes near the settlements of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, and Dibrova, Donetsk region. More than 10 localities suffered from artillery and mortar attacks.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled three Russian attacks near Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk region. About 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled 10 Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka and another 13 attacks near Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. About 10 localities came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

In the Marinka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy forces in the areas of Novomykhailivka and Pobieda in the Donetsk region, where the Russians, supported by aviation, launched 5 unsuccessful attacks on the Ukrainian positions. They also launched an airstrike near the town of Oleksandropil, Donetsk region. 4 more localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russia did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions. However, about 10 settlements were attacked.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled four attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region, where the Russian troops tried to force Ukrainian units out of their positions to no avail. About 20 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kherson direction, 5 localities came under artillery fire. Russia also launched an airstrike near the village of Krynky in the Kherson region.

"The invaders do not abandon their intention to drive our units from their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, the enemy made 14 unsuccessful assault actions, received a decent rebuff, and suffered significant losses. Our units are steadfastly holding the line, continuing to hold their positions and inflicting fire on the enemy," the report says.

Ukrainian strikes on Russian positions 

Over the day, Ukrainian aviation launched 17 strikes on the invading Russian forces’ military positions, as well as 5 on the anti-aircraft missile systems. Air defense destroyed 2 Kh-59 guided missiles and 1 reconnaissance UAV.

The tactical aviation of the  Air Force successfully attacked a large landing ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the Novocherkassk.

The missile troops hit the manpower concentration area, a command center, an artillery system, and 3 other important targets.