Russia’s war on Ukraine. 28.11.2023

Operational situation

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) “Khortytsia” on the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assault operations near Synkivka and Petropavlivka, where Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3 attacks. On the Lyman direction, the enemy conducted assault operations in the areas of Stelmakhivka, Serebryansk Forest, Terny, Yampolivka, and Torske. Ukrainian forces successfully repelled 12 attacks in this area. On the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian troops repelled 28 Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue assault operations south of Bakhmut, inflicting losses on the enemy in personnel and equipment, and consolidating on the achieved positions.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone on the Avdiivka direction, the enemy persists in attempts to encircle Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops steadfastly maintain the defense, inflicting losses on the enemy forces. The Russian offensive actions east of Novobakhmutivka, northeast of Berdychi, Avdiivka, Opytne, Severne, and south of Tonenke were unsuccessful. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 23 attacks in this sector. On the Maryinka direction, the enemy with air support conducted unsuccessful assault operations in the areas of Maryinka and Novomykhailivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9 attacks in this sector. On the Shakhtarsk direction, the enemy did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. On the Zaporizhzhia direction, the enemy made 3 unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost position near Robotyne and Novoprokopivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct an offensive operation on the Melitopol direction, inflict losses to the Russian forces in personnel and equipment, and wearing down the enemy along the entire front line.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG, on the Kherson direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River and to conduct counter-battery warfare and inflict damage on the enemy’s rear areas.

Russian forces attacked along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, Avdiivka, on the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, in the western part of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. They did not conduct offensive (assault) actions.

General conclusion:

• The Russian forces have intensified the use of strike UAVs on the Bakhmut direction.
• The 104th Airborne Assault Division of the Russian Airborne Forces is concentrating in front of the Crimean isthmuses, outside of the operational zone of the “Dniepr” Operational Grouping.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):  

• There were 76 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Petropavlivka, Synkivka, Novoselivske, Terny, Yampolivka, and Torske, as well as in the Serebryansk forest. Intense battles are taking place in the Synkivka area, near the Serebryansk forest, and close to Dibrova.
• The “Khortytsia”  OSG forces attacked near Synkivka, Ivanivka, and Dibrova.
• On the Bakhmut direction, the “Khortytsia” OSG forces repelled over 26 Russian attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.
• Russian forces continue their attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions in Klishchiivka. They improved their tactical position northwest of Klishchiivka and northwest of Khromove.
• On the Avdiivka direction, The enemy persists in its efforts to encircle the Avdiivka defensive area of the “Tavria” OSG, conducting 14 attacks for the purpose. The enemy attacked with the following forces:
  • the 1st Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps towards Kashtanove – Avdiivka in the industrial zone, where it advanced by 200 m;
  • the 132nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps and the 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army – towards Krasnohorivka – Novokalynove, Krasnohorivka – Stepove, and Height 230 – Avdiivka Coking Plant, advancing by 300 m south of Novokalynove;
  • the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps – towards Height 204.6 – Avdiivka Coking, Vesele – Avdiivka;
  • the 21st Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army towards Mineralne – “Tsarska Okhota” restaurant;
  • the 1st Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps and the 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army towards Vodyane – Tonenke, Vodyane – 9th Quarter (western outskirts of Avdiivka), Opytne – 9th Quarter;
  • the 9th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps and the 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army towards Vodyane – Umanske and Pesky – Pervomaiske.
• South of Avdiivka, the following enemy units made attempts to advance:
  • the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps and the 1103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 150th Motorized Rifle Division in the western part of Maryinka towards Heorhiivka;
  • the 255th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 20th Motorized Rifle Division towards Oleksandrivka – Novomykhailivka,
  • the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps towards Stepne – Novomykhailivka.
• The aggressor achieved no progress on any of the directions.
• Berdyansk direction: the units of the 394th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 127th Motorized Rifle Division of the 5th Army counterattacked, pushing back the “Tavriya” OSG units to the western outskirts of Staromayorske and advancing in the area of Hrusheva ravine.
• Tokmak direction: the “Tavriya” OSG forces advanced west of Robotyne towards Kopani, displacing units of the enemy’s 136th Motorized Rifle Brigade from their positions. The 247th Airborne Assault Regiment of the 7th Airborne Assault Division left its positions on the Height 140 and completely withdrew to Verbove, now holding positions within the village.
• Kherson direction: the operational deployment of the Russian 104th Airborne Assault Division is ongoing. Russian forces counterattacked in Krynky.
• The “Odesa” OSG forces attacked Krynky and its outskirts, near Poyma and Pishchanivka, taking advantage of adverse weather conditions for personnel rotation and fortifying defensive positions.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, there were 3 Russian ships on combat duty in the Black Sea, including 3 cruise missile carriers; and 2 Russian ships in the Mediterranean Sea. A total salvo is 16 “Kalibr” cruise missiles.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• 150 personnel were sent from the Russian Federation to reinforce the assault units of the “Storm-V” forces of the 41st Army (35th, 55th, and 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades) (previously 500-600 individuals had been sent as reinforcement).
• On November 25-26, the adversary transferred the 134th Separate Tank Battalion of the 104th Airborne Assault Division and several division logistics units (5 passenger carriages with personnel, 24 platforms with tanks, and 32 platforms with automotive and special equipment) through the Rostov Oblast to the territory of Crimea.
• The 328th Airborne Assault Regiment of the 104th Airborne Assault Division is engaged in combat in the area of Krynky, sustaining losses, and there is a possibility of its withdrawal from the combat zone. The 337th Airborne Assault Regiment is concentrating in the area of Askania Nova – Chaplynka – Novotroitske. Additionally, units of the 1180th Artillery Regiment and the 132nd Separate Engineer-Sapper Battalion are concentrated in the same area.

Possible operation situation developments:

• Russian forces are unlikely to completely regain the initiative in the forthcoming months, and the probability of them executing a large-scale offensive, capable of disrupting the Defense Forces resource allocation for counteroffensive operations, remains improbable.
• The “Tavriya” OSG has two viable routes for breaching towards Tokmak: either through Novoprokopivka – Solodka Balka – Chervonohirka or through Myrne – crossing the first position of the primary defense line in the area of Peremozhne – Ternuvate – Stepove, and further, through positions along the Novohorivka – Chystopillia line in the direction of Pokrovske.
• The “Khortytsia” OSG troops will maneuver in the area of Horlivka, posing a threat on the southern flank of the Bakhmut operational direction.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 28.11.23 

Personnel – almost 326,440 people (+860);

Tanks – 5,523 (+3);

Armored combat vehicles – 10,285 (+3);

Artillery systems – 7,876 (+1);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 907 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 597 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 10,302 (+3);

Aircraft – 323 (0);

Helicopters – 324 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 5,905 (0);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 1,565 (0);

Boats/ships – 23 (0).

Humanitarian +general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian troops shelled 10 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 98 towns and villages and 65 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. Two civilians were reported injured in Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson Oblasts. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• On the morning of November 28, Russian forces launched an airstrike on a mine in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. Four women, who were inside one of the workshops, were rescued from the debris, as reported by the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Donetsk Oblast.
• This morning, the Russian army targeted the city of Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. A projectile struck a multi-story building, resulting in the death of one man and injuries to two other individuals, as reported by Serhiy Lysak, the head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast State Administration.
• Russia has suspended prisoner exchanges, attempting to influence Ukrainian public opinion and create the impression that the Ukrainian authorities are not actively addressing this issue, said Petro Yatsenko, a representative of the Coordination Council on Prisoner-of-War Affairs. He emphasized that the Ukrainian side consistently makes propositions and has formed a medical commission stipulated by 3rd Geneva Convention, while Russia has not. Prisoner exchanges have been suspended since August 2023.
• In the temporarily occupied Crimea, the de facto authorities have initiated 559 cases for ‘discrediting the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.’ Out of these, fines have been imposed in 490 cases as administrative penalties, according to Tamila Tasheva, the President’s Representative to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

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