February 16, 2023

Russian forces kill some 350 Ukrainian troops in 24-hour period

Russian Defense Ministry

In Kupyansk direction, the active operations of the units and artillery, conducted by the ‘Zapad’ Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the manpower and military hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) near Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), Dvurechnaya, Krakhmalnoye, and Olshana (Kharkov region).

️ Up to 65 Ukrainian personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, 5 motor vehicles, and 1 fighting vehicle equipped with Grad multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) have been eliminated.

In Krasny Liman direction, the firepower operations, conducted by the artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the ‘Tsentr’ Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the enemy units near Chervonaya Dibrova and Kuzmino (Lugansk People’s Republic).

️ Over 100 Ukrainian personnel, 3 armoured fighting vehicles, 4 pickups, 1 fighting vehicle equipped with BM-21 Grad MLRS, 2 D-20 howitzers, and 1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer have been eliminated.

In Donetsk direction, the offensive operations, supported by the artillery of the ‘Yug’ Group of Forces, have resulted in the elimination of up to 135 Ukrainian personnel, 2 launching ramps for HIMARS MLRS, 3 tanks, 3 armoured fighting vehicles, 8 motor vehicles, 2 howitzers (D-20 and D-30), 1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, as well as 1 U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counterbattery warfare radar station have been eliminated.

️ 1 ordnance depot of 54th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Verkhnekamenskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, the firepower operations, conducted by the artillery of the ‘Vostok’ Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU units near Ugledar and Prechistovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

️ The enemy has lost over 55 Ukrainian personnel, 4 armoured fighting vehicles, 2 motor vehicles, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers.

In Kherson direction, the counterbattery warfare operations have resulted in the destruction of 1 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and 1 Msta-B howitzer.

️ 4 ordnance depots of 123rd and 126th territorial defence brigades have been destroyed near Kherson, Dudchany, and Berislav.

Army Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised the command posts of 36th Marine Brigade of the AFU near Avdeyevka, 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU near Uglesborochnaya, 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade near Malinovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), as well as 92 artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and military hardware in 118 areas.

️ 1 depot of fuel and lubricants for AFU military hardware has been destroyed near Poltava.

Russian air defence facilities have shot down 1 Mi-8 helicopter of Ukrainian Air Force near Doroshovka (Kharkov region).

️ 4 rocket-propelled projectiles, launched by HIMARS MLRS, have been intercepted, as well as 20 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed near Stelmakhovka, Zhovtnevoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), Aleksandrovka, Novomayorskoye, Vladimirovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Konovalova, Yablokovo (Zaporozhye region), Kalanchak (Kherson region), and Kislovka (Kharkov region).

In total, 385 airplanes, 209 helicopters, 3,152 unmanned aerial vehicles, 404 air defence missile systems, 7,891 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,024 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,111 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 8,407 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.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.