December 16, 2023

Ukrainian General Staff: 930 Russian troops killed or wounded in the past 24 hours; 27 Russian tanks and APCs destroyed or damaged

Ukraine Defense Ministry

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.2022 to 16.12.2023 were approximately:

personnel ‒ about 344820 (+930) persons,

tanks ‒ 5720 (+14),

APV ‒ 10667 (+13),

artillery systems – 8100 (+1),

MLRS – 920,

Anti-aircraft warfare systems ‒ 605,

aircraft – 324,

helicopters – 324,

UAV operational-tactical level – 6238 (+12),

cruise missiles ‒ 1609 (+1),

warships / boats ‒ 22,

submarines – 1,

vehicles and fuel tanks – 10710 (+11),

special equipment ‒ 1190 (+1).

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 

Operational information on 18.00, 16.12.2023 regarding the #russian_invasion 

Glory to Ukraine! Day 661 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.

During the day of December 16, there were 71x combat engagements. 

The enemy launched a total of 3x missile strikes, 47x air strikes and 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 as well as other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. 

The operational situation in eastern and southern 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 Bolohivka settlement (Kharkiv oblast). More than 20x settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Zaliznyi Mist, Hrem’yachka (Chernihiv oblast), Novovasylivka, Khliborob, Baranivka, Volfyne, Hrabovs’ke, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan’, Starytsya, Vovchans’k, Topoli (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 11x enemy attacks in the vicinity of Syn’kivka (Kharkiv oblast), where the occupiers, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ivanivka, Pishchane and Berestove (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn’kivka, Kovalivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: the enemy, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Ukrainian defense forces repelled 3x attacks east of Terny, (Donetsk oblast). The invaders launched an air strike in the area of Serebryans’ke forestry (Luhansk oblast). The occupiers fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Tors’ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 8x attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Min’kivka, Druzhba, New York (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vasyukivka, Markove, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 17x attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiivka, and 10x attacks in the vicinities of Nevel’s’ke and Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast). The adversary launched an air strike near Ocheretyne settlement (Donetsk oblast). The enemy fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Berdychi, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Avdiivka, Pervomais’ke, Karlivka (Donetsk oblast).

Mar’inka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Mar’inka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The enemy, with air support, launched 9x failed attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar’inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.

Shakhtars’ke axis: the adversary conducted no offensives. Around 10x settlements, including Prechystivka, Urozhaine, Staromaiors’ke, Rivnopil’ (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 10x enemy attacks west of Novopokrovka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 15x settlements, including Levadne, Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: the enemy fired artillery at the settlements of Ivanivka, Antonivka, Oleksandrivka (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson. 

Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their ground on the left bank of the Dnipro River (Kherson oblast) and inflict fire on the enemy.

During the day of December 16, Ukrainian Air Force launched 21x strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment of the russian invaders.

Ukrainian missile troops hit 7x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 2x air defense systems, 1x command post, 12x artillery systems, and 2x ammunition and fuel depots of the occupiers. 

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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.