Russia's war on Ukraine. 24.12.24
Operational situation
On the Kursk direction, Russian forces advanced south of Kruglenkoe along the Novoivanovka–Malaya Loknia road, attempted breakthroughs near Daryino, Leonidovo, and Russkoe Porechie, and attacked in the areas of Pogrebki and Martynovka.
The "Siversk" OTG counterattacked near Leonidovo and Kruglenkoe.
On the Kharkiv direction, Russian forces advanced in the areas of Hoptivka, Hlyboke, Vysoka Yaruha, Starytsia, Vovchansk, and Buhruvatka. The enemy attacks only at night or under cover of rain, snow, or fog, using combat vehicles solely to deliver assault groups to their initial positions.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced along the R79 highway on the southern outskirts of Zahryzove, moved south of Dvorichna, and attempted advances near Lozova and Zelenyi Hai toward Borova and from Pershotravneve toward Cherneshchyna. The enemy attacked in the areas of Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, Kucherivka, Kolisnykivka, Lozova, Stepova Novoselivka, Bohuslavka, Hrekivka, Novoyehorivka, Makiivka, Tverdokhlibove, Novoserhiyivka, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Zelenyi Hai, and Nadiia.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked on the northern outskirts of Hlushkivka.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked near Ivanivka, Terny, Druzhelyubivka, Dibrova, and Hryhorivka. Enemy aviation is employing glide bombs to completely destroy Terny and complicate the Defense Forces' ability to hold positions in the village.
On the Siversk direction, Russian forces advanced in the areas of Serebrianka, Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Vyimka, Ivano-Dariivka, and Vasyukivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces are attempting to capture the "Pivnichnyi" neighborhood, advance toward Shevchenka Street in Chasiv Yar, the northern part of the city, and the forests near the "Novyi" neighborhood. They attacked near Stupochky, Bila Hora, and Predtechyne.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced to Hrushevskyi Street in Toretsk and moved near Dachne, Dyliivka, Druzhba, and Shcherbynivka.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces attacked using stolen civilian vehicles near Selydove. The enemy attacked near Pokrovsk, Myrolyubivka, Promin, Lysivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Novotroitske, Zelene, Novopustynka, Novoukrainka, Shevchenkove, Uspenivka, Novovasylivka, Novoolenivka, and Novoelyzavetivka. They advanced on the southern and eastern outskirts of Novovasylivka toward Solone and Vovkove, from Pustynka and Pushkyne to Ukrainka, attacked toward Kotlyne, stormed Novotroitske and Dachenske, and attempted to push "Khortytsia" OSG units to the Lysivka–Pishchane line.
On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces continued assaults near Kurakhove, Petropavlivka, Sontsivka, Yasenove, Stari Terny, and toward Dachne, Andriivka, and the areas of Uspenivka, Konstyantynopil, Konstyantynopolske, Yantarne, Bahatyr, and Rozlyv.
On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces advanced on the southern outskirts of Makarivka, captured Storozhove, and reached a line 500 meters from the O0510 highway between Velyka Novosilka and Huliaypole west of Neskuchne. They attacked near Velyka Novosilka, Novyi Komar, Rozdolne, Blahodatne, Storozhove, Makarivka, and Novodarivka.
Ukrainian Defense Forces retain certain positions in Makarivka, and the enemy has been unable to encircle them.
On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces are attempting to push Ukrainian Defense Forces units to the southern outskirts of Kamianske and advance in the Nesteryanka area. They attacked near Novoandriivka, and fighting continues on the outskirts of Luhove.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Kamianske.
On the Prydniprovskyi direction, Russian forces attacked on islands in the Dnipro River delta but were unsuccessful. The enemy continues attempts to land on the islands and the western bank of the Dnipro River in groups of up to 10 personnel.
General conclusion:
Russian troops are no longer conduct frontal assaults but instead attempt to cut off logistical routes on the Toretsk, Kramatorsk, and Kurakhivka directions.
The enemy's "Dnepr" Operational Grouping command plans to attack the western bank of Kherson Oblast with a tactical group numbering up to 4,000 personnel. The core of the tactical group includes the 61st Separate Marines Brigade of the Northern Fleet and the 7th Air Assault Division. So far, there are no signs of group formation.
The enemy's "Tsentr (Center)" Operational Grouping command intended to encircle Pokrovsk from the south. However, the ongoing offensive to the southwest of Pokrovsk might be aimed either at expanding the Russian bridgehead as part of preparations for the southern encirclement of Pokrovsk or advancing westward to the administrative border of Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk Oblasts in accordance with the Kremlin's directive to capture the entire Donetsk Oblast.
The Russian Armed Forces retain 47% of their pre-war reserve of tanks, 52% of infantry fighting vehicles, and 45% of armored personnel carriers in storage facilities. The enemy has exhausted all its pre-war stock of T-90 tanks and most of its T-80 tanks, but still has a significant reserve of T-72, T-64/62, and T-54/55 tanks in storage. The enemy will not be able to restore these older tanks due to their poor technical condition.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 252 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kharkiv direction, there were 4 clashes with Russian invaders near Vovchansk.
On the Kupyansk direction, there were 19 Russian attacks. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled assault actions near Kindrashivka, Petropavlivka, Kolisnykivka, Nova Kruhlyakivka, Lozova, Dvorichna, and Bohuslavka.
On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked 27 times, attempting to breach Ukrainian defenses near Hrekivka, Novoyehorivka, Zelenyi Hai, Tverdokhlibove, Nadiia, Novoserhiyivka, Terny, Shyikivka, Serhiivka, Makiivka, and Ivanivka.
On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 13 enemy assaults near Bilohorivka.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the occupiers attacked 9 times in the areas of Stupochky, Predtechyne, and Chasiv Yar.
On the Toretsk direction, the enemy carried out 18 attacks toward Dyliivka, Dachne, Bila Hora, Shcherbynivka, and Toretsk.
On the Pokrovsk direction. Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped 30 enemy assault actions in the areas of Myrolyubivka, Dachenske, Novyi Trud, Novotroitske, Zelenyi, Novoelyzavetivka, Novoolenivka, Novopustynka, Vozdvyzhenka, Promin, Lysivka, and Uspenivka.
On the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 32 attacks. Using aviation, the occupiers attempted to advance near Kurakhove, Petropavlivka, Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Dachne, Konstyantynopil, and Andriivka.
On the Vremivka direction, the enemy conducted 35 assaults in the areas of Novodarivka, Konstyantynopolske, Rozlyv, Rozdolne, Storozhove, Velyka Novosilka, Novyi Komar, and Novosilka.
On the Huliaypole direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2 enemy assaults near Bilohirya.
On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy unsuccessfully attempted 4 times to dislodge Ukrainian Defense Forces from their positions in the areas of Novodanylivka and Lobkove.
On the Prydniprovskyi direction, the occupiers unsuccessfully attempted 3 times to push Ukrainian Defense Forces units from their positions.
The operation in Kursk Oblast continues, with 46 enemy assaults repelled.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 8 ships, including 3 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 25 cruise missiles.
Four UAVs of Ukrainian Defense Forces struck the "Kadamosky" training ground in Persianovska, Novocherkassk Raion, Rostov Oblast. An ammunition depot in the field was destroyed.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The counter terrorist operation command in Kursk Oblast uses specialists in artillery from the 22nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps as assault groups.
The 346th Separate SOF Brigade and the 7th Military Base of the 49th Combined Arms Army are engaged in combat near Dyliivka.
The 81st Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment of the 70th Motorized Rifle Division of the 18th Combined Arms Army is active on the Kherson direction.
Possible operation situation developments:
On the Kupyansk direction, the enemy will make efforts to expand its bridgehead in the Dvorichna area.
On the Kramatorsk direction, the "Khortytsia" OSG units will be forced to retreat to the Kostyantynivka area if the enemy reaches the Chervone–Stupochky line and simultaneously launches an offensive northward at the junction of its 41st and 51st Combined Arms Armies from the Novooleksandrivka–Arkhanhelske line, advancing to the Yablunivka–Oleksandro-Kalynove line on the Toretsk direction. If the Chasiv Yar Refractory Materials Plant is lost, it will be under enemy control by the end of December.
On the Pokrovsk direction, a withdrawal of the “Donetsk” OTG to the Ukrainka – Andriivka – Rozlyv – Novoocheretuvate line is expected. The length of the line of contact will be reduced, thereby tightening the combat formations of the operational-tactical group. As soon as the enemy completes the formation of the southern flank of Pokrovsk’s envelopment with the forces of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, the 41st Combined Arms Army will launch an offensive towards Myrnohrad and Novoekonomichne to form the northern flank.
If the enemy advances to the area where the Vovcha and Solona rivers converge near Dachne from the north, the position of Ukrainian Defense Forces units in Kurakhove will become critically complicated unless they manage to retreat in time. On the Zelenivka–Ulakli and Yasna Polyana–Rozlyv directions, the enemy may additionally deploy the main forces of the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade and part of the forces of the 57th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Combined Arms Army of the "Vostok (East)" Operational Grouping, which had previously been held in reserve by this grouping's command.
On the Vremivka direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces will have to completely withdraw from the villages liberated during the 2023 offensive, located south of Velyka Novosilka, namely Makarivka, Neskuchne, and Storozhove.
On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy command may deploy an assault grouping consisting of the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division, the 136th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade, and the 503rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 19th Motorized Rifle Division of the 58th Combined Arms Army. Possible directions of advance may include Nesteryanka–Novoandriivka and Myrne–Shcherbaky. The objective may be to bypass the city of Orikhiv from the west, cut the logistical route between Orikhiv and Stepove, and create conditions for encircling the defensive positions of the "Tavria" Operational Strategic Group around Orikhiv from two sides simultaneously. The possibility of forming another assault grouping (forces of the 35th Combined Arms Army) cannot be ruled out, which could strike in the general direction of Myrne–Charivne, bypass Orikhiv from the east, or encircle the city from the north by breaking through to the village of Omelnyk.
By the end of the current year, the enemy will not succeed in seizing the "belt of fortresses" Kostyantynivka – Druzhkivka – Kramatorsk – Sloviansk or occupying Donetsk Oblast. The upcoming battle for Pokrovsk will mark the apex of the enemy’s offensive operation in the Southwestern Theater of Operations in 2024.
The enemy's military command in the theater of operations until March 2025 will try to reach the administrative borders of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts and the junction of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Donetsk Oblasts near the village of Temyrivka thus achieving the military-political goal of the “Special Military Operation”, namely occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.
Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 24.12.24
Personnel - almost 777,720 (+1,630);
Tanks 9,624 (+9);
Armored combat vehicles – 19915 (+30);
Artillery systems – 21,323 (+10);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,256 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 1,030 (0);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 32,086 (+47);
Aircraft - 369 (0);
Helicopters – 329 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 20,834 (+44);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,948 (0)
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian + general:
From 10:00 on Monday, December 23, to 9:00 on Tuesday, December 24, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 60 strike UAVs of the Shahed type and other drones. As of 10:00 a.m. on December 24, 36 strike drones were confirmed shot down, 23 enemy decoy drones were lost locationally (without negative consequences), and one UAV remained airborne.
In Khmelnytskyi Oblast, an attack by Russian drones damaged houses, a car, and a utility building. Air defense forces destroyed two enemy Shahed drones.
On the morning of December 24, a drone attack on the Krolevets community in Sumy Oblast damaged a farm building, causing a fire. During firefighting efforts, rescuers came under a second enemy strike. Preliminary reports indicate no casualties.
Around 11:15, in the Dnipro district of Kherson, a civilian was injured due to Russian shelling. Earlier, in the town of Beryslav in Kherson Oblast, two civilians were injured by explosives dropped from a drone. Around 14:00, another drone-dropped explosive caused fatal injuries to a Kherson resident born in 1952.
In the afternoon, a Russian ballistic missile struck a four-story building in Kryvyi Rih. Three people are in critical condition, and a total of 11 casualties have been reported. Rescue operations are ongoing.
Over the past day, Russian forces carried out 20 attacks using various types of weapons on the border areas of Chernihiv and parts of Sumy Oblast, resulting in a total of 75 explosions.
Over the past day, December 23, Russian forces launched 200 strikes on 13 towns and villages in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Nine reports were received regarding the destruction of residential buildings and infrastructure facilities.