Summary: Ukrainian and Russian forces continue offensive operations despite rainy and snowy weather condition, albeit at a lower level. Only Ukraine made a confirmed advance in Ukraine Sector 4.
Russia 1 – Kupyansk/Svatove Line
Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the sector but did not make any confirmed or claimed advances.
Russia 2 – Svatove/Kreminna Line
Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the sector but did not make any confirmed or claimed advances.
Russia 3 – Avdiivka/Marinka Line (Outskirts of Occupied Donetsk City)
Russian forces conducted offensive operations towards Avdiivka but made no confirmed advances. They claimed to have made some advances north of Krasnohorivka (5 miles N of Avdiivka) and that Ukrainian forces have retreated from Stepove (5 miles NW of Avdiivka).
Russian forces conducted offensive operation towards Marinka but made no confirmed or claimed advances.
Video – 12 Russian soldiers killed by drones dropping grenades and VOGs.
Ukraine 1 – Liberate Bakhmut
Ukrainian forces conducted offensive operations in the sector but did not make any confirmed or claimed advances.
Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the sector but did not make any confirmed advances. But Russian forces did claim to have made some marginal advances toward Bohdanivka (4.5 miles W of Bakhmut) and Klishchiivka (5 miles S of Bakhmut).
Ukraine 2 – Drive to Berdyansk from Velyka Novosilka
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the sector but neither side made confirmed or claimed advances.
Ukraine 3 – Drive to Melitopol from Orikhiv
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces conducted offensive operations in the sector but neither side made confirmed or claimed advances.
Ukraine 4 – Liberate Eastern Kherson
Ukrainian forces have moved into the forest region just outside of Krynky.
A quick read of Russian milbloggers paint a dire picture for Russian forces trying to stop Ukraine from expanding the war to this new sector. So far, only a small beachhead has been established, but listen to what Russian sources are saying.
One milblogger reported that an entire Russian assault group was killed near Krynky on November 21. Another milblogger reported that 76 Russian soldiers were killed on November 10 after conducting a “distraction maneuver”. One Russian soldier reported that there are three Ukrainian drones for each Russian defender and Russian forces lack surveillance drones to even see the situation clearly. Other soldiers write that they are not even allowed to heal from their wounds before being forced to conduct assaults. Another Russian soldier writes that his unit has had no interaction with other Russian units in days. But when you listen to Russian officials, all is “good” on the Kherson front and Ukraine is suffering “colossal” losses.
A Ukrainian sniper has officially set a world record killing a Russian soldier at 3800 meters (2.36 miles). The previous record was 3540 meters (2.2 miles) by a Canadian soldier in Syria in 2017. The Ukrainian soldier was using a “Horizon’s Lord” rifle. You can watch the hit here.
Russian conducted a series of missile and drone strikes overnight and again in the morning against port and civilian infrastructure, including a hospital in Donetsk Oblast. Russia launched ten drones and five missiles overnight with nine of the drones and one missile intercepted by air defense systems. A hospital was hit in Selydove, Donetsk Oblast killing one civilian and injuring eight as well as the Kotlyarivka mine which resulted in one death. Several civilian targets in Kharkiv were also hit killing two civilians. And later in the morning several missiles were fired hitting port infrastructure and administrative buildings in Odesa Oblast.
Central Hospital in Selydove
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced another $1.4 billion military aid package to Ukraine which will include air defense systems, artillery shells, and anti-tank mines. He made the announcement during a surprise visit to Kyiv to show German support along with EU chief Charles Michel.
Only a few Russian milbloggers have commented on the presidential campaign announcement by nationalist Igor Girkin. It is apparent that they are afraid to talk about him and are self-censoring their remarks. The few brave who have mentioned it feel it is a good thing as it will bring a healthy opposition voice to the table. Girkin’s wife finally spoke out that she supports her husband in any decision that he makes, but she is focused on getting him out of prison.
A recent Gallup poll shows that 75% of Russian citizens have complete confidence in the Russian military, down from 80% a year ago. Putin maintains an approval rate of 68% which is slightly more than the 66% it was at the beginning of the renewed war.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russia was increasing its military training efforts across Russia and was expanding and modernizing its naval fleet. He claimed that Russia is opening nine more military training centers and is adding more cruise missile launchers on the frigate Admiral Golovko. He also announced that Russia has just completed the building of two more multi-purpose corvettes and a small missile ship. Shoigu also announced that military production is on the rise since the renewed invasion of Ukraine. The production of artillery and missiles are up 400%, armored weapons by 200%, and drones by 1500%. Shoigu also claimed that 13,700 Ukrainian personnel have been killed and 1800 weapon systems destroyed since the beginning of November.
US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller commented about a report that more than 2400 children have been transported from occupied regions of Ukraine to Russia and Belarus. He noted that most are vulnerable children such as orphans or from impoverished families, but also many children of Ukrainian soldiers have been kidnapped. Miller did add that there is no evidence that these children are being mistreated though. Yesterday another 50 children with medical problems were deported to Russia.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed that Russia has killed at least 10,000 civilians, with over 560 of them being children, since the renewed invasion. And another 18,500 have been injured. The report reiterated that this is only the known and confirmed number, but the real numbers might be even higher.
Belarus and Kazakhstan signed a military cooperation plan for 2024.