Russian forces attack along entire front, with number of clashes sometimes at highest level since start of war – Ukraine's commander-in-chief

- 13 December, 16:54
Oleksandr Syrskyi. Photo: Oleksandr Syrskyi on Facebook

Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, has said that Russian forces have been conducting offensive operations along almost the entire line of contact, and that on some days the number of combat engagements reaches 300, the highest figure since the full-scale invasion began.

Source: Syrskyi on social media following a briefing on Ukraine's Armed Forces' activity over the past month

Quote: "The operational situation remains difficult. The enemy is conducting offensive actions along almost the entire line of contact.

On some days, the number of combat engagements reaches 300 – the highest since the start of the war. However, the Ukrainian forces are holding back the pressure, disrupting the Kremlin's plans, not abandoning the tactics of active defence and applying them effectively."

Details: Syrskyi said that for some time, the Russian troops grouping has stood at about 710,000 personnel. Meanwhile, Russia has been unable to increase that number despite active recruitment within the country, because Ukrainian soldiers take out around 1,000 Russian troops killed and wounded every day.

He said that in November, Russian forces managed to seize control of some parts of Ukrainian territory, at the cost of huge losses, but Russian propaganda claims about the pace of their advance do not reflect reality.

Quote: "Moreover, in some key areas we are conducting our own active operations and clearing settlements of the enemy. In particular, our active actions continue in the area of the Pokrovs-Myrnohrad agglomeration. In Pokrovsk itself, over the past few weeks, we have managed to regain control of about 16 sq km in the northern part of the city. Logistics in Myrnohrad are difficult, but they continue. On the Kupiansk, Kostiantynivka and Prydniprovske fronts, we have not allowed any loss of territory."

More details: Syrskyi added that the briefing has also covered fortification and engineering work, restoring the combat capability of brigades and an assessment of discipline and the moral and psychological state of the troops.

Quote: "There are problematic areas. Ways to resolve them have been proposed."

More details: Syrskyi has added that he has set the necessary tasks for military command bodies. These include stabilising the situation in the most threatened areas through active defence, ensuring reinforcement for combat units and transferring some Territorial Defence brigades to a structure with an enhanced drone component. He has also said that the formation of the Cyber Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine must be completed by the end of the year.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!