January 16, 2024

Russian Foreign Ministry:  Up to 755 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded in the past 24 hours

Russian Defense Ministry

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

▫️ In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled six attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 95th Air Assault Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region). The enemy losses amounted to up to 160 troops, three tanks (two of them – Leopards), and two pickup trucks. 

▫️ In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces, supported by artillery fire, repelled four attacks launched by assault groups of the 63rd mechanised and 25th air assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic), and Yampolovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The enemy losses amounted to up to 250 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles. 

▫️ In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces, supported by artillery, repelled five attacks launched by assault groups of the 10th mountain assault and 24th mechanised brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Veseloye and Bogdanovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

In addition, artillery and heavy flamethrowers hit the enemy’s manpower and military hardware near Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The enemy lost up to 280 troops, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles. During the counter-battery warfare, the following were hit: one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, as well as one D-20 gun. 

▫️ In South-Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces in cooperation with artillery and heavy flamethrowers, inflicted fire damage on the 72nd mechanised and 79th air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Vladimirovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The enemy’s losses amounted to 120 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one MT12 anti-tank gun. 

▫️ In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery defeated clusters of manpower and military hardware of the 82nd Air Assault Brigade and the 116th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Verbovoye and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region). The AFU lost up to 115 troops killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, one D-20 howitzer, and two D-30 guns. 

▫️ In Kherson direction, as a result of the Russian Group of Forces actions and artillery, the AFU losses amounted to up to 65 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles. Moreover, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one M-109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system, and three Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems were neutralised in counter-battery warfare.  

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 112 areas during the day. 

Air defence systems have shot down 69 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the day, including close to Novaya Mayachka, Golaya Pristann (Kherson region), Pologi (Zaporozhye region), Staromikhailovka, Peski, Spornoye, Maryinka, Lipovoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), Belogorovka, Nyrkovo, Topolevka, Verkhnekamenka, and Krivosheyevka (Lugansk People’s Republic), as well as 13 HIMARS MLRS projectiles. 

📊 In total, 567 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 10,758 unmanned aerial vehicles, 450 air defence missile systems, 14,645 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,202 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,750 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 17,507 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.

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.