November 23, 2023

Russian Ministry of Defense: 685 Ukrainian troops killed or wounded in 24 hours; one Ukrainian helicopter downed

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 one attack launched by assault groups of the AFU 14th Mechanised Brigade near Olshana (Kharkov region). 

AFU 32nd and 57th mechanised brigades’ units have been hit near Sinkovka and Timkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 50 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three pickup trucks.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems. 

▫️ In Krasny Liman direction, coordinated actions of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery repelled one attack launched by assault groups of the 5th National Guard Brigade of Ukrainian Armed Forces near Grigorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In addition, enemy manpower and hardware were hit near Serebryansky forestry.

Up to 95 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and four motor vehicles were neutralised.

In counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made M109 Paladin, one Polish-made Krab, and one French-made Caesar self-propelled artillery systems were destroyed.

▫️ In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled two attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 5th Assault Brigade near Kleshcheyevka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

In addition, manpower and military hardware of the 22nd, 24th, and 93rd mechanised brigades of the AFU were hit by fire close to Razdolovka, Kurdyumovka, and Vasyukovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

The total enemy losses in this direction amounted to 280 troops killed and wounded, three tanks, one infantry fighting vehicle, and four pickup trucks.

In counter-battery warfare, two Msta-B howitzers, and one D-30 howitzer were destroyed.  

▫️ In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces in cooperation with helicopters and artillery inflicted fire damage on the manpower and equipment of the 79th Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People’s Republic) and 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 140 Ukrainian troops, three armoured personnel carriers, and four motor vehicles.

In counter-battery warfare, the Russian troops hit one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

▫️ In Zaporozhye direction, four attacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 33th Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by the Russian Group of Forces, air strikes, and artillery fire.

Total enemy losses amounted to up to 20 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, and one D-20 howitzer.

▫️ In Kherson direction, as a result of artillery fire and air strikes, the AFU suffered losses of 50 troops and four motor vehicles.

During the counter-battery warfare, the enemy lost two Msta-B howitzers. 

▫️ Operational-Tactical and Army Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Groups of Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation hit an aviation ammunition depot and a communication centre at the airfield in Khmelnitsky region, as well as manpower and military hardware in 112 areas.

▫️ Russian air defence systems have shot down one Mi-8 helicopter of Ukrainian Air Force near Tyaginka (Kherson region).

In addition, eight HIMARS projectiles have been intercepted over the past 24 hours.

Moreover, 24 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down close to Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), Peski, Mariynka, Novopetrikovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Zolotaryovka, and Verkhnekamenka (Lugansk People’s Republic). 

📊 In total, 537 airplanes and 255 helicopters, 9,119 unmanned aerial vehicles, 442 air defence missile systems, 13,564 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,185 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,163 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 15,530 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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.