December 26, 2023

Ukrainian General Staff:  1,010 Russian troops killed or wounded in past 24 hours; 59 tanks and APC’s destroyed or disabled; one Russian warship destroyed 

Ukraine Defense Ministry

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 26.12.23 were approximately:

personnel ‒ about 354960 (+1010) persons,

tanks ‒ 5899 (+22),

APV ‒ 10956 (+37),

artillery systems – 8366 (+19),

MLRS – 934 (+0),

Anti-aircraft warfare systems ‒ 614 (+1),

aircraft – 329 (+0),

helicopters – 324 (+0),

UAV operational-tactical level – 6458 (+22),

cruise missiles ‒ 1618 (+1),

warships / boats ‒ 23 (+1),

submarines – 1 (+0),

vehicles and fuel tanks – 11109 (+34),

special equipment ‒ 1239 (+5)

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 

Situation update as of 6 p.m., December 26, 2023

Glory to Ukraine! Day 671 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine continues.

The enemy is actively using tactical aircraft and FPV quadcopters, conducting assault operations with the support of armored vehicles. The number of artillery attacks has increased.

During the day of December 26, there were 59x combat engagements. The enemy launched 5x missile and 21x air strikes, carried out 38x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. 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. The invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Varvarivka settlement (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Arkhypivka, Bleshnya, Hirs’k (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Ryasne, Volodymyrivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Vovchans’k, Ambarne (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled x attacks in the vicinity of Syn’kivka and northeast of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The occupiers launched an air strike near Sobolivka (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Syn’kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11x attacks in the area of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Vesele (Donetsk oblast). In the area, the occupiers, with air support, made unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The invaders launched air strikes near the settlements of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Dibrova (Donetsk oblast). The enemy fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Serebryanka, Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3 attacks of the adversary near Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast). 

Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 10x enemy attacks east of Novobakhmutivka, Avdiivka, and 13x more attacks in the vicinities of Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Novomykhailivka and Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy, with air support, conducted 5x failed attacks on Ukrainian positions. The occupiers launched an air strike near Oleksandropil’ (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Heorhiivka, Mar’inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the enemy conducted no offensives. The adversary fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).

Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4x adversary attacks west of Verbove and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, the adversary made failed attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Malynivka, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, 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, the settlements of Tyahynka, Mykil’s’ke, Sadove, Stanislav (Kherson oblast). Also, the invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krynky settlement (Kherson oblast). 

The occupiers do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, the enemy made 14x unsuccessful assaults. The attacks were repelled and the enemy suffered significant losses. The Ukrainian troops are holding the line, continue to retain their positions and fire for effect on the enemy.

During the day of December 26, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 17x concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 5x air defense systems of the occupiers. 

Air defense destroyed 2x Kh-59 guided missiles and 1x reconnaissance UAV. Moreover, tactical aviation of the Ukrainian Air Force launched a successful strike on Novocherkassk, a Ropucha-class landing ship of the russian Black Sea fleet.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x command post, 1x artillery system and 3x other important targets 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.