September 17, 2023

Russian Ministry of Defense

Russian Defense Ministry

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

▫️In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces’ units, aviation and artillery repelled three attacks of AFU 53rd mechanised infantry and 79th air assault brigades’ units near Khimik and Maryinka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▫️The enemy losses were up to 180 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery system, and one Grad MLRS system.

▫️In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian grouping of troops, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems have repelled one attack by the 47th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

▫️AFU 82nd air assault, 71st chaser, and 47th mechanised brigades’ manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit close to Verbovoye, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

▫️During combat actions, the enemy losses were up to 140 servicemen, one U.S.-manufactured Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and four motor vehicles.

▫️In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one M777 artillery system, one U.S.-manufactured M119 howitzer, and one D-30 howitzer were destroyed.

▫️One ammunition depot of the 43rd Artillery Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed close to Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region).

▫️In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of competent actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, two attacks by assault groups of the 12th Special Forces Brigade and the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU have been repelled close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

▫️In addition, AFU 21st, 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades have been hit close to Yampolovka, Torskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), and  Serebryanskoye forestry.

▫️Up to 65 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two pickup trucks have been eliminated.

▫️In South Donetsk direction, the courageous and decisive actions of the Vostok Group of Forces, aviation and artillery repelled three attacks of AFU 35th, 36th marine brigades’ assault groups near Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), and  Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

▫️Aviation and artillery launched attacks at manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade near Ugledar (Donetsk People’s Republic), as well as the 108th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Voskresenka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▫️The enemy losses were up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station.

In Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces’ aviation and artillery launched attacks at manpower and hardware of AFU 32nd, 115th mechanised, 25th, 95th airborne brigades close to Boldyrevka, Sinkovka, Ivanovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

▫️Up to 50 Ukrainian personnel and four motor vehicles have been destroyed.

▫️In the course of the counter-battery warfare, two U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, as well as one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system were destroyed.

▫️Moreover, two U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counterbattery warfare radars have been destroyed near Peschanoye and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region).

▫️In Kherson direction, up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, as well as one UAV control post have been eliminated close to Dneprovskoye (Kherson region).

▫️Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised manpower and military hardware in 114 areas.

▫️In addition, a missile strike hit the production workshops of the Kharkov Armoured Plant, where AFU armoured vehicles were being repaired and restored close to Kharkov.

▫️Command and observation posts of AFU 100th territorial defence, and 67th mechanised brigades were destroyed near Serebryanka (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

▫️The Russian anti-aircraft defence means have intercepted two JDAM guided aerial bombs, one HARM anti-radar missile and one U.S.-manufactured HIMARS MLRS projectile.

▫️28 UAVs were destroyed and suppressed by electronic warfare means close to Vasilevka, Nevelskoye, Spornoye (Donetsk People’s Republic),  Olshana, Golikovo,  Kremennaya (Lugansk People’s Republic), Azov, Novoye, Romanovskoye, Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Radensk (Kherson region).

In total, 472 airplanes, 249 helicopters, 6,838 unmanned aerial vehicles, 437 air defence missile systems, 11,919 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,151 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,411 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,090 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during 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.