December 21, 2023

Ukrainian General Staff: Russian casualties since start of war top 350,000; 1,080 troops killed or wounded in past 24 hours; 45 tanks and APC’S destroyed or disabled 

Ukraine Defense Ministry

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 21.12.23 were approximately:

personnel ‒ about 350270 (+1080) persons,

tanks ‒ 5828 (+14),

APV ‒ 10825 (+31),

artillery systems – 8226 (+20),

MLRS – 932 (+4),

Anti-aircraft warfare systems ‒ 611 (+0),

aircraft – 324 (+0),

helicopters – 324 (+0),

UAV operational-tactical level – 6342 (+26),

cruise missiles ‒ 1613 (+1),

warships / boats ‒ 22 (+0),

submarines – 1 (+0) од,

vehicles and fuel tanks – 10919 (+48) ,

special equipment ‒ 1208 (+5)

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 

Situation update as of 6 p.m., December 21, 2023

Glory to Ukraine! Day 666 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine continues.

The enemy continues to ignore the laws and customs of war, uses terror tactics, launches strikes, and shells both military and civilian targets. With the improvement of weather conditions, the enemy has increased the intensity of the use of tactical aviation and FPV quadcopters. The adversary continues to conduct active assault operations with the support of armored vehicles. The enemy has increased the number of air strikes and artillery shelling.

During the day of December 21, there were 86x combat engagements. The enemy launched 41x air strikes, 28x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

The operational situation in the east and the south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 20x settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi (Chernihiv oblast), Tur’ya, Krasnopillya (Sumy oblast), Vesele, Hatyshche, Dvorichans’ke (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 18x attacks in the vicinity of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast). In that area, the enemy used air support in attempts to break through the defenses of Ukrainian troops. The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian soldiers repelled 3x enemy attacks in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The invaders launched air strikes near Nevs’ke (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The enemy fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors’ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 7x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Also, the adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Toretsk (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Kurdyumivka (Donetsk oblast). 

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 20x enemy attacks east of Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 12x more attacks in the vicinity of Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast). The occupiers, with air support, made failed attacks to breach Ukrainian defense in the area. The occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Oleksandropil’, Sukha Balka, Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, Vodyane, Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the adversary, with air support, launched 11x unsuccessful attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar’inka, Novomykhailivka, Pobjeda were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations. The adversary fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Blahodatne, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5x adversary attacks west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, the adversary made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Around 25x settlements, including Robotyne, Novodanylivka, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, Mali Shcherbaky, P’yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under enemy artillery and mortar fire.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the adversary fired artillery at the city of Kherson and the settlement of Antonivka (Kherson oblast). Also, the invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast).

The enemy did not abandon its intention to drive our units from the left bank of the Dnipro, made 11x failed assaults. The attacks were repelled and the enemy retreated having suffered major losses. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line, continuing to retain their positions and firing for effect on the enemy. 

During the day of December 21, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 14x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, and 2x strikes on air defense systems of the adversary. 

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x artillery system, and 2x ammunition depots of the russian invaders.

Share the Post:

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.