Snapshot
Various areas of the front have been “refined,” according to pro-Ukrainian milblogger Deep State. Russian forces continue to press on the northern front. Ukrainian forces continue to conduct heavy counteroffensive actions in the south. The Russian rear is possibly hit while Ukrainian cities cope with widespread air assaults.
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Analysis
A prominent pro-Russian milblogger and Kremlin campaigner, Zhyvov Z, posted on his Telegram channel about this being a “crucial moment” in the war:
“Now is the most crucial moment of this part of the war. To withstand such colossal pressure is difficult, but necessary. The ice shelves are melting, but the guys are still standing. They need support, reinforcement, rotation, help. The world has not seen a more severe and bloody war since the end of the Second World War. Endure until the end of August, finish off the enemy on the defensive, and then forward. New fresh forces. It is easy to talk, but hard to write, because my and your friends and relatives are on the front lines.”
General Developments
Russia undertook a large-scale, nation-wide aerial assault against Ukrainian cities earlier this morning. Reports are incoming.
There were massive explosions and fires in the Russia Federation’s Dagestan and Khanty-Mansi autonomous regions (in western Siberia) including at an oil refinery. About 14 people are believed dead, according to local officials.
ISW Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, December, 20, 2024
Norway will send Cortex Typhon C-UAS drone combat systems to Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny posted on his Telegram channel.
Operational Aspects on the Southern Front
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported that Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in the Melitopol (western Zaporizhzhia region) and Berdyansk (western Donetsk and eastern Zaporizhzhia regional border area) directions, ISW reported.
As reported by ISW, Maliar added that Ukrainian forces achieved some unspecified successes south and southeast of Staromaiorske (9 kilometers southeast of Velyka Novosilka), which is near Urozhaine. Maliar noted that Ukrainian forces are continuing to advance in Urozhaine.
Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny posted on his Telegram channel: “The country's military has success in Urozhaine, Donetsk region.”
Pro-Russian milbloggers said: “The enemy confidently controls the north of Urozhaine and is trying to gain a foothold in the village after the withdrawal of the RF Armed Forces from the southern outskirts. The village itself continues to be hit hard. In Staromaiorske, the enemy seeks to expand the zone of control.”
Some Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations near Robotyne (13 kilometers south of Orikhiv) in the western Zaporizhzhia region, ISW said.
Pro-Russian milbloggers said: “The enemy continues to attack to the east of Robotyne, trying to bypass the village from the east. Fierce fighting continues.”
At least one Ukrainian milblogger with local contacts claimed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) had entered Robotyne and controlled a small section of it.
Operational Aspects on the Northern Front
ISW reported that Russian forces undertook offensive operations near Kupyansk and advanced there.
Operational Aspects on the Eastern Front: Bakhmut
Maliar said that Ukrainian forces advanced by three square kilometers in the Bakhmut direction in the past week and liberated 40 square kilometers total since Ukrainian forces began their offensive operations in this axis, ISW reported.
Other Operational Aspects
Russian forces conducted a series of missile and drone strikes targeting Odesa region on the night of August 13 to 14. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian air defenses destroyed all eight Russian-launched Kalibr cruise missiles and 15 Shahed-131/136 drones, ISW reported.
The Governor of Russia’s Belgorod region posted on Telegram about extensive military activity – including artillery shelling and drone attacks – in his region.
“Operation Unity,” a government campaign to raise funds for 10,000 drones for the Ukrainian military, raised more than $1 million in the first few hours after its launch, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.
According to the 18:00 daily update of the General Staff of the AFU, Russian forces launched 12 missile strikes, 67 air strikes, and over 40 MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. The Ukrainian Air Force conducted 10 air strikes.
According to the General Staff report, approximately 125 Ukrainian population centers were hit by Russian artillery and/or mortar fire over the last 24 hours.
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