February 16, 2024

Ukrainian General Staff: Russian casualties now exceed 400,000; 1,210 killed or wounded in past 24 hours; 62 tanks and APC’s destroyed or disabled

Ukraine Defense Ministry

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 16.02.24 were approximately:

personnel ‒ about 400300 (+1210) persons,

tanks ‒ 6465 (+23),

APV ‒ 12129 (+39),

artillery systems – 9641 (+21),

MLRS – 984 (+0),

Anti-aircraft warfare systems ‒ 671 (+0),

aircraft – 332 (+0),

helicopters – 325 (+0),

UAV operational-tactical level – 7408 (+4),

cruise missiles ‒ 1895 (+13),

warships / boats ‒ 25 (+0),

submarines – 1 (+0),

vehicles and fuel tanks – 12716 (+25),

special equipment ‒ 1528 (+4)

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Situation update as of 6 a.m., February 16, 2024

Glory to Ukraine! Day 723 of the russian full-scale military aggression against Ukraine has begun.

The adversary continues to ignore the laws and customs of warfare, using the terror tactics, launching missile and air strikes, and firing multiple launch rocket systems not only at the military, but also at numerous civilian targets across Ukraine. 

During the day of February 15, there were 95x combat engagements. The enemy launched a total of 34x missile and 85 x air strikes, 114x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Residential apartment blocks and private houses, educational institutions, as well critical infrastructure were destroyed or damaged. 

Air strikes hit Okhrimivka, Mala Vovcha, Nesterne, Budarky, Chorne, Kolodyazne, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast), Stel’makhivka, Novolyubivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Novosadove, Ivanivske, Chasiv Yar, Kostyantynivka, Klishchiivka, New York, Avdiivka, Novoselivka Persha, Ocheretyne, Berdychi, Orlivka, Lastochkyne, Heorhiivka, Vodyane, Shevchenko, Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast), and Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast).

More than 110x settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under artillery fire.

Pivnich operational-strategic group, Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy troops conduct subversive activities in order to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to threatened axes. The adversary increases the density of minefields along the state border in Belgorod oblast (russia).

Khortytsia operational-strategic group, Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x enemy attacks near Syn’kivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). 

Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x adversary attacks in the vicinities of Terny, Yampolivka, and Vesele (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 10x attacks of the adversary near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).

Tavria operational-strategic group, Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the enemy who keeps trying to encircle Avdiivka. The Ukrainian soldiers are standing their ground and inflicting major losses on the invaders. For instance, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 28x enemy attacks in the vicinity of Avdiivka and Lastochkyne, and 5x more attacks near Pervomais’ke and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast) during the day of February 15. According to the decision made, the scheduled reinforcement of units is underway and troops are maneuvering on threatened axes.

Mar’inka axis: the Ukrainian troops continue to hold back the adversary near Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian troops repelled 34x attacks in that area. 

Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x enemy attacks south of Prechystivka and in the vicinity of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast). 

Zaporizhzhia axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.

Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their positions and repel the assaults of the occupation forces. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. For instance, the adversary launched 3x unsuccessful assaults during the day of February 15.

At the same time, the Ukrainian soldiers conduct active operations to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation troops, and exhaust the enemy all along the front line.

During the day of February 15, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 12x concentrations of enemy troops. Also, the Ukrainian Air Defense forces and means destroyed 1x Kh-59 air-launched guided missile.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post, 3x concentrations of troops, 1x artillery system, 1x ammunition depot, and 1x radar station of the russian invaders.

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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.