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Ukraine Invasion Day 655: more progress in Zaporizhia Oblast [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2023-12-09  

"We really need help. Simply put, we can't get tired of this situation, because if we do, we'll die. And if the world gets tired, they'll just let us die," - Olena Zelenska.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi signaled intent to increase Ukrainian defenses and fortifications around the Ukrainian theater, but notably did not include Zaporizhia Oblast in discussions of ongoing and future defensive measures. Zelensky stated on November 30 that Ukrainian forces will strengthen their fortifications in all critical directions of the front, including the Kupyansk-Lyman line, oblasts in northern and western Ukraine, and Kherson Oblast, but particularly emphasized the Avdiivka and Marinka directions and other areas of Donetsk Oblast.[1] Zelensky additionally met with various Ukrainian operational group commanders and discussed Ukrainian defensive operations in the Avdiivka and Marinka directions.[2] Zaluzhnyi spoke with Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown to discuss Russian offensive operations in the Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinka directions.[3] Zelensky’s and Zaluzhnyi's statements notably identified the areas of the front where Ukrainian forces are chiefly focusing on defensive operations such as the Kharkiv-Luhansk Oblast border line (between Kupyansk and Lyman), most of Donetsk Oblast (likely in reference to Bakhmut and the Avdiivka-Donetsk City axis) and Kherson Oblast, but notably did not mention the Zaporizhia Oblast axis—suggesting that Ukrainian forces have not gone over to the defensive in this area. These statements generally accord with ISW's assessment that Russian forces have been trying to regain the theater-level initiative in Ukraine since at least mid-November by conducting several simultaneous offensive operations in the areas where Ukrainian forces have transitioned to chiefly defensive actions.[4] In a separate interview with AP on December 1, Zelensky warned that in addition to the impacts that winter weather conditions are likely to have on the frontline, Russia will likely resume an intense air campaign against critical Ukrainian infrastructure.[5]

Retrospectives on 2023 inform improvements in the military effectiveness of #Ukraine , and how NATO can support Ukraine through the provision of moral, physical & intellectual assistance. The 2nd part of my post-mortem of the Ukraine War in 2023 ($). https://t.co/4jzndf8SJU pic.twitter.com/nyhi67CwaK

The logical consequence of failing to fight the Russian fascist invaders is World War III in which we are now engaged. Betraying Ukraine in 2014 was a worse mistake for civilized humanity than betraying Czechoslovakia in 1938.

Subordinate Main Effort #1 – Luhansk Oblast (Russian objective: Capture the remainder of Luhansk Oblast and push westward into eastern Kharkiv Oblast and northern Donetsk Oblast)

Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on December 1 and recently advanced northeast of Kupyansk. Geolocated footage published on November 30 shows that Russian forces advanced southeast of Vilshana (15km northeast of Kupyansk).[44] Russian sources claimed that heavy fighting is ongoing near Synkivka (8km northeast of Kupyansk) and that Russian forces also attacked near Lyman Pershyi (12km northeast of Kupyansk) and in the Serebryanske forest area.[45] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near Synkivka and northeast of Petropavlivka (7km east of Kupyansk); near Stelmakhivka (15km northwest of Svatove), near Torske (14km west of Kreminna); and in the Serebryanske forest area (11km south of Kreminna).[46] Ukrainian Ground Fopalrces Command Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo reported that Russian forces somewhat reduced the intensity of attacks in the Kupyansk and Lyman directions and that Russian forces are regrouping in the Lyman direction.[47] Fityo added that Russian forces have a large stockpile of glide bombs and conduct strikes with these glide bombs on the Kupyansk-Lyman frontline. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets claimed that Russian forces made tactical advances west and south of Kreminna.[48] Russian sources claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks near Synkivka, Yampolivka (16km west of Kreminna), and the Serebryanske forest area on December 1.[49]

Russian Subordinate Main Effort #2 – Donetsk Oblast (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Bakhmut on December 1 but did not make any confirmed advances. Ukrainian military observer Kostyantyn Mashovets stated that Russian forces captured unspecified positions north of Bohdanivka (5km northwest of Bakhmut), northeast of Khromove (immediately west of Bakhmut), and north of Kurdyumivka (13km southwest of Bakhmut).[50] ... Russian sources claimed on November 30 and December 1 that Russian forces are advancing towards Bohdanivka from Khromove and Berkhivka (3km north of Bakhmut).[52] ...The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske (6km west of Bakhmut), Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.[55] Ukrainian Ground Forces Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo stated that Russian forces have intensified operations along the entire eastern front.[56] The spokesman for a Ukrainian unit reportedly deployed in the Bakhmut direction stated on November 30 that Russian forces transferred elements of the Russian 98th and 106th Guards Airborne (VDV) Divisions from the Lyman direction to positions between Khromove and Bohdanivka to reinforce Russian forces in the area, and the Russian MoD published footage on December 1 claiming to show elements of the Russian 106th Guards VDV Division operating near Soledar.[57] The Ukrainian spokesperson stated that Russian forces are also equipping units in this area with armored vehicles. Chechen Republic Head Ramzan Kadyrov posted footage claiming to show the ”Shustrogo” detachment of Chechen ”Akhmat” Spetsnaz and elements of the Russian 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade (Luhansk People’s Republic [LNR] 2nd Army Corps) operating near Klishchiivka.[58]

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Avdiivka on December 1 and made confirmed advances. Geolocated footage published on December 1 indicates that Russian forces advanced east and southeast of Stepove (3km northwest of Avdiivka).[61] . ...The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assaults south of Novokalynove and near Stepove, Avdiivka, Tonenke (7km west of Avdiivka), Sieverne, and Pervomaiske (11km southwest of Avdiivka).[66] Mashovets claimed that Ukrainian forces counterattacked and recaptured unspecified positions near Avdiivka.[67]

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