Ukrainian troops repel 27 Russian attacks in Avdiivka sector - General Staff

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff reported this on December 27.

"Russia continues to ignore the laws and customs of war, uses terror tactics, and shells both military and civilian targets. The enemy is actively using tactical aircraft and FPV quadcopters, conducting assault operations with the support of armored vehicles," the Armed Forces wrote.

There were 49 combat engagements over the last day. Russia launched 67 airstrikes and 12 attacks with multiple launch rocket systems at the Ukrainian troops’ positions and populated areas. Unfortunately, the Russian terrorist attacks resulted in deaths and injuries among the civilian population. Private houses, hospitals 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 east of Ivanivka in the Kharkiv region. The invading troops also launched an airstrike near Ivanivka. About 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled three enemy attacks in the area of Serebrianske forestry in the Luhansk region, where the Russian troops, with the support of aviation, tried to break through the Ukrainian defense to no avail. More than 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian defenders repelled two enemy attacks near Bohdanivka, Donetsk region. About 10 settlements were subjected to artillery and mortar fire.

In the Avdiivka direction, the Ukrainian army repelled 12 Russian assaults east of Novobakhmutivka and Avdiivka and another 15 attacks near Sieverne, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in the Donetsk region. About 10 localities came under shelling.

In the Marinka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian troops in the areas of Marinka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where the invaders, supported by aviation, launched 3 unsuccessful attacks. About 6 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Shakhtarsk direction, Russia did not conduct any offensive (assault) actions. However, about 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, the Defense Forces repelled two attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region. Russia also launched air strikes in the areas of Orikhiv and Preobrazhenka. More than 25 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire.

In the Kherson direction, 3 localities came under enemy artillery fire. The Russian army also launched airstrikes on 3 more settlements.

"The invaders do not abandon their intention to drive our units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, the Russian forces launched 10 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of our troops, received a decent rebuff and suffered significant losses. Our units are steadfastly holding the line, continuing to hold their positions and inflicting fire damage on the enemy," the General Staff said.

Strikes against Russian troops 

Over the day, Ukrainian aviation struck 10 of the invading Russian troops' military positions.

The missile troops destroyed 5 manpower concentration areas, 2 control points, and 4 munitions depots.