Day 626
Relevant Statistics
All vehicle losses are visually confirmed only and thus represent the lowest possibly figure (sourced from Oryx, here and here); they are updated to the nearest 25 daily. All personnel losses are estimates or projections and should be viewed as such; they are updated as new information becomes available.
Russia
Ukraine
War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
Russian forces in Ukraine have committed and continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied regions of Ukraine, in violation of international law and basic human decency. Russian crimes in Ukraine constitute genocide and ethnic cleansing, with Russia’s stated war aims including the elimination of Ukrainians as a separate country, language, culture, and people.
No particular atrocities reported today.
Overview
Russian forces launched missiles and drones at Kyiv for the first time in nearly two months, potentially previewing the anticipated 2023-24 winter Terror Bombing campaign. Most of the projectiles were downed.
Germany has agreed to double its military aid to Ukraine in 2024 from $4 to $8 billion, with Chancellor Scholz and the other European leaders wary of the possibility that American aid may be disrupted given continual disruptions in the House of Representatives.
A *Washington Post-Der Spiegel* report claimed that a senior Ukrainian military official was involved in the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines last year. Ukrainian operatives likely also planted an explosive that derailed a train near Moscow. This has not been confirmed by officials from any government, but could be in keeping with Ukraine’s vision of asymmetric warfare against Russian economic assets.
Regional Military Updates
Northern Theatre
Svatove Front
Limited action. Ukrainian forces liberated Topoli, northeast of Kupyansk near the Russian border. Russian attacks northeast of Kupyansk repelled. Russian attacks east of Kupyansk repelled. Russian attacks west of Svatove repelled. Ukrainian counterattacks southwest of Kreminna likely repelled.
Bakhmut Front
Limited action. Russian attacks southwest of Bakhmut repelled. Russian attacks around Klishchiivka repelled. Russian attacks around Andriivka repelled.
Southern Theatre
Donetsk Front
Significant action. The Russian Avdiivka Offensive is ongoing. The Russian Avdiivka Offensive is ongoing. Ukrainian counterattacks north of Stepove possibly repelled; unclear. Russian attacks around Svatove repelled. Russian attacks around Avdiivka repelled. Russian attacks southwest of Avdiivka repelled. Russian attacks around Pervomaiske repelled. Russian attacks around Marinka repelled. Russian attacks near Novomykhailivka repelled.
Velyka Novosilka Front
Limited action. Russian attacks around Vuhledar repelled. Russian attacks southeast of Velyka Novosilka repelled. Russian attacks south of Velyka Novosilka repelled.
Zaporizhzhia Front
Limited action. The Ukrainian 2023 counteroffensive has likely culminated. Ukrainian counterattacks around Verbove possibly made marginal gains. Russian attacks around Robotyne likely repelled. Ukrainian counterattacks around Robotyne possibly repelled. Ukrainian counterattacks around Kopani possibly repelled.
Kherson Front [Provisional]
Skirmishing continues to be reported along much of the left bank of the Dnieper River, most especially in and around Krynky.
Daily Conclusion
No report or assessment for today.
