February 16, 2024

Russian Ministry of Defense:  Up to 5,550 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded from Feb 11 to Feb 16

Russian Defense Ministry

▫️In the period from 11 to 16 February, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered 30 group strikes by long-range precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles at facilities of Ukrainian military industrial complex producing and repairing aircraft engines, radio-electronic equipment and ammunition.

Moreover, strikes were delivered at factories producing fuel and lubricants for AFU hardwarewarehouses of military and technical equipment, as well as deployment areas of AFU units and nationalist formations.

▫️Over the week, in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and repelled 18 attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 25th Airborne Brigade, 30th, 32nd, 43rd, 44th, and 60th mechanised brigades, 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near SinkovkaTabayevka, Timkovka (Kharkov region), and Terni (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In addition, enemy manpower was struck near Novoselkovskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), Kislovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 775 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, seven armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns.

▫️In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front lines and supported by aviation and artillery repelled 14 enemy attacks.

Moreover, losses were inflicted on units of the AFU 24th, 60th, and 63rd mechanised brigades near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic), Yampolovka, and Torskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

The AFU losses amounted to more than 1,585 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, four tanks, 44 armoured fighting vehicles, 82 motor vehicles, and three field artillery guns.

▫️In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and repelled 46 enemy attacks near Belogorovka, BogdanovkaKleshcheyevkaLeninskoye, Novomikhailovka, and Shumy (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In addition, AFU and Ukrainian National Guard units suffered losses near Kurdyumovka, AndreyevkaGeorgiyevka, and Katerinovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

The AFU losses in this direction amounted to more than 1,820 Ukrainian troops, 11 tanks, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 84 motor vehicles, and 25 field artillery guns.

▫️In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces improved the situation along the front lines and repelled three enemy attacks.

Units of the AFU 58th Infantry Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades suffered losses near Vladimirovka, Urozhaynoye, Vodyanoye (Donetsk People’s Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 1,060 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, ten armoured fighting vehicles, 23 motor vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns.

▫️In Kherson region, aviation and artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 35th Marines Brigade, 121st Territorial Defence Brigade, and 23rd Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Tyaginka, IvanovkaYantarnoye (Kherson region), and Nikopol (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 310 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, 23 motor vehicles, and 14 field artillery guns.

Aviation and air defence units intercepted one Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 aircraft and one Mi-24 helicopter, 36 HIMARS, Vampire, and Olkha MLRS projectiles, one JDAM guided aerial bomb, as well as neutralised 405 unmanned aerial vehicles.

35 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered over the past week.

▫️In total, 571 airplanes and 266 helicopters, 12,571 unmanned aerial vehicles, 469 air defence missile systems, 15,060 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,221 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,067 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,747 units of special military equipment 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.

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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.