Russian forces have successfully prevented the Ukrainian Armed Forces from rotating their troops in the disputed Donbass region. According to Alexander Gordeev, the spokesperson for the press center of the “Vostok” task force, three attempts by the Ukrainians in the Novomykhailivka area and two attempts in the Staromykhailivka area were foiled. The Russian military utilized bomber aircraft, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems to target Ukrainian strongholds and temporary deployment points. The 79th Air Assault and 58th Motorized Infantry Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered significant losses in the areas of Novomykhailivka, Konstantynivka, Antonivka, Prechystivka, and Urozhainyi.
In addition to the airstrikes, Russian artillery units successfully neutralized Ukrainian mortar teams near Novodonetsk and Novodarovka. A mobile mortar team located north of Mykolaivka was also eliminated. As a result of these operations, the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Southern Donetsk direction reported losses of up to 55 soldiers, three pickup trucks, and a self-propelled artillery unit called “Akatsiya.”
This development comes after the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the repulsion of a Ukrainian attack on the Donetsk direction on December 25. The Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered significant casualties, including up to 200 soldiers, two infantry fighting vehicles, and six automobiles.
Responding to the losses, former advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Yuriy Butusov, criticized the tactics employed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, emphasizing the need for improvement.
Meanwhile, reports from Germany highlight the daily casualties sustained by Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines. These reports underscore the ongoing intensity of the conflict in the region.
