February 18, 2023

Russian forces kill 400 Ukrainian troops in 24-hour period

Russian Defense Ministry

In Kupyansk direction, the offensive operations, conducted by the units of the ‘Zapad’ Group of Forces, have resulted in the entire liberation of Grianikovka (Kharkov region).

The attacks, launched by Ground-Attack and Army aviation, as well as the artillery, have resulted in the neutralisation of the manpower and hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) near Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), Zapadnoye, Masyutovka, and Krakhmalnoye (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to 80 servicemen, 3 armoured fighting vehicles, 4 motor vehicles, 1 Msta-B howitzer and 1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

️In Krasniy Liman direction, the ‘Tsentr’ Group of Forces has launched a complex fire attacks on the AFU units near Stelmakhovka, Chervonopopovka and Chervonaya Dibrovka (Lugansk People’s Republic).

Over 100 Ukrainian military personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, 2 motor vehicles, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers have been eliminated.

️In Donetsk direction, the offensive by the ‘Yug’ Group of Forces, supported by Ground-Assault and Army aviation strikes, as well as the artillery fire, continued.

The attack has resulted in the elimination of up to 150 Ukrainian servicemen, 5 armoured fighting vehicles, 3 motor vehicles, 1 Grad MLRS and 1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer. 3 AFU ordnance depots have been destroyed near Avdeyevka and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

️In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Operational-Tactical Aviation and the artillery of the ‘Vostok’ Group of Forces have launched strikes at the enemy manpower and military equipment concentration ares near Ugledar, Prechistovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), and Poltavka (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy suffered losses of over 50 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 4 armoured fighting vehicles, 2 pick-up trucks and 1 D-20 howitzer. 1 ordnance depot of 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Ugledar.

️In Kherson direction, up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen, as well as 4 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers have been eliminated.

Army Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 85 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 112 areas.

️Air defence facilities have shot down 3 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems and destroyed 11 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) near Liman Vtoroy (Kharkov region), Melovatka, Nizhnyaya Duvanka, Golikovo, Rubyezhnoye, Chervonopopovka, Kolomiychikha (Lugansk People’s Republic) and Geroyskoye (Kherson region).

In total, 385 airplanes, 210 helicopters, 3,172 unmanned aerial vehicles, 404 air defence missile systems, 7,915 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,028 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,133 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 8,440 units of special military equipment have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

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