Russia’s war on Ukraine. 24.05.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OG) “Kharkiv” on the Kharkiv direction, there were 4 combat engagements. The Russian forces actively used aviation. In response, the Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted countermeasures and inflicted significant losses on the invaders.

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, the number of combat engagements reached 20 in a day. On the Lyman direction, five enemy attacks near the villages of Terny and Torske were successfully repelled. On the Siversk direction, an enemy attack in the Bilohorivka area was repelled. On the Kramatorsk direction, fighting continues in the Andriivka area. The situation is under control.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone, the enemy intensively attacked on the Pokrovsk direction, conducting 22 attacks with the support of aviation and artillery. The situation remains tense in the areas of Umanske and Novoselivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are implementing measures to stabilize the situation. In other areas, the Russian invaders were stopped and suffered losses.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, the occupiers made 9 attempts to push the Ukrainian Defense Forces units from the Krynky area. Russian invaders had no success in the battle.

General conclusion: 

• Russian forces have transitioned to active defense in the Lyptsi area on the Kharkiv direction.
• Despite initial tactical successes, Russian forces are bogged down in street fighting in Vovchansk and are forced to redeploy their reserves from other operational directions to this area.
• On the Kharkiv direction, the enemy deploys up to 250 “Lancet” strike UAVs, 30 FAB-500 bombs and ODAB-1500 glide bombs daily.
• Russian forces struck transport infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast, attempting to limit the logistical capabilities of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in this operational direction.
• Russian troops continue their assault on wodded areas north of Kupyansk and are trying to breach Ukrainian defenses near Kyslivka to reach the Oskil River.
• On the Lyman direction, the enemy command is focusing on eliminating the northern part of the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ bridgehead on the Chornyi Zherebets River.
• The enemy command believes that simultaneous actions by the left-flank brigade of the 25th Combined Arms Army and the right-flank brigade of the 2nd Army Corps will allow it to break the tactical stalemate on both the Lyman and Siversk directions.
• The enemy is attempting to simultaneously advance on the southern and northern outskirts of Stelmakhivka, attacking in the direction of Krokhmalne-Berestove and from the southeast from Kolomyichykha.
• On the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy is trying to reach the barrier line along the “Siversky Donets-Donbas” canal near Chasiv Yar, achieving this only on a narrow section where the canal intersects the Kostyantynivka-Bakhmut road.
• The most intense fighting is taking place on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions, with the most prepared Russian units attempting to break through between Berdychi and Staromykhailivka.
• The deployment of two regiments from the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army and the 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army on the flanks of the penetration area on the Pokrovsk direction allowed holding the Novobakhmutivka, Solovyove, Novokalynove, and Keramik area, but the advance of the 30th and 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades from Ocheretyne towards Novooleksandrivka requires expanding the penetration area, which the enemy is failing to achieve despite committing not only the main forces of the 2nd Combined Arms Army but also the 41st Combined Arms Army (the 35th, 74th, and 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades).

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 88 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kharkiv direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces advanced southeast of Lukyanivka and counterattacked near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, and in Vovchansk. The “Kraken” special unit of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency defeated a special forces detachment of the enemy’s 2nd Separate SOF Brigade in the Lyptsi area.
• Russian troops continued their attacks near Lyptsi, Starytsya, and Vovchansk, attempting to advance within the city. The enemy is consolidating in Buhruvatka and is deploying pontoon bridge units to the Vovchansk area to prepare for crossing the Siversky Donets River, trying to develop their offensive east and west of the city.
• On the Kupyansk direction, the 15th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the enemy’s 2nd Motorized Rifle Division (1st Tank Army) advanced 2 kilometers on the Krokhmalne-Berestove direction, managing to push the forward units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces southwest, consolidating in the northern part of Berestove, north of the Berestove-Kruhlyakivka road. The 423rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 4th Tank Division (1st Tank Army) unsuccessfully attacked the Ukrainian Defense Forces positions with assault platoons, attempting to advance towards Stelmakhivka from Kolomyichykha. Russian forces are advancing along the railway north of Kyslivka towards Ivanivka, attacking near Synkivka, Novoyehorivka, and Hrekivka.
• On the Lyman direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces made slight progress north of Bilohorivka.
• The enemy attacked near Nevske, Druzhelyubivka, Novovodyane, Torske, Hryhorivka, and Bilohorivka, where the 7^th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 2nd Army Corps and Chechen units were conducting assaults. Assault groups from the 283rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 144th Motorized Rifle Division (20th Combined Arms Army) unsuccessfully attacked the Ukrainian Defense Forces positions in Terny and southeast of Novosadove. The 252nd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division (20th Combined Arms Army) continues its futile attempts to break through from Ploshchanka towards Makiivka, both southeast of the village and north of the Makiivka-Ploshchanka road.
• On the Siversk Direction, the enemy’s 123rd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Army Corps) advanced north of Berestove. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian attacks near Verkhnyokamianske.
• On the Kramatorsk direction, fighting continued near Klishchiivka, which is being assaulted from two directions by elements of the enemy’s 6th Motorized Rifle Division (3rd Army Corps), the 88th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Army Corps), and the 83rd Separate Air Assault Brigade. The 102nd Motorized Rifle Regiment (150th Motorized Rifle Division, 8th Combined Arms Army) and the 11th Separate Air Assault Brigade completed their engagements near Ivanivske and advanced south of the road to the “Siversky Donets-Donbas” canal. Units of the 200th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (14th Army Corps) in coordination with the 217th Airborne Regiment (98th Airborne Division) advanced in the Bohdanivka-Kalynivka direction.
• The enemy’s military command is focusing on dislodging the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the Klishchiivka area and consolidating their positions in the eastern part of Chasiv Yar, specifically in the outskirts of the “Kanal” neighborhood.
• On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy approached Yasnobrodivka, captured Umanske, and advanced west of Berdychi. Fighting continued near Kalynove, Ocheretyne, Novooleksandrivka, Arkhanhelske, Sokol, Novopokrovske, Solovyove, and Netaylove. The enemy command committed the 15th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade (2nd Combined Arms Army), which was in reserve, into the battle towards Sokil.
• Despite persistent attacks by the enemy’s 15th and 74th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, Sokol and Novopokrovske remain under the control of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
• On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced in southwestern and eastern Krasnohorivka. Fighting continued near Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vodyane. The enemy is assaulting Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka, and heavily shelling Illinka and Kostyantynivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces conduct air and artillery strikes using bombers, MLRS, and helicopters.
• On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces attacked on motorcycles and advanced to the center of Staromayorske. Fighting continued in the vicinity of Urozhaine.
• On the Orikhiv Direction, the 141st Separate Infantry Brigade retreated to the northeastern side of Robotyne, but the Ukrainian Defense Forces maintain control of the village, with ongoing battles on the outskirts. The enemy is conducting reconnaissance with small groups operating on motorcycles. Russian forces captured two positions northwest of Verbove.
• On the Prydniprovskiy direction, Russian forces continued their offensive on the eastern bank of Kherson Oblast, including near Krynky.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Azov Sea: 1 ship.
  • Mediterranean Sea: 1 ship, including 1 “Kalibr” sea launched cruise missile carrier. The total salvo is 16 cruise missiles.

Escalation indicators:

• The missile forces of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces continue the first stage of exercises with forces and means that use non-strategic (tactical) nuclear weapons.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• The 114^th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 1st Army Corps is engaged in combat operations near Umanske. The 15th and 27th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 2nd Combined Arms Army are active near Sokil.
• Units of the 76th Air Assault Division are operating near Nestryha Island in the Dnipro River delta. The 76th Air Assault Division is replacing the 104th Airborne Division in the Krynky area of Kherson Oblast.

Possible operation situation developments:

• On the Sumy direction, the enemy grouping is stationed in concentration areas. The 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps is concentrating in the Graivoron area (information is being verified). Sudzha – Sumy and Graivoron – Velyka Pysarivka could be the likely directions of its actions.
• The Russian military command may redeploy the 7th and 76th Air Assault Divisions from the Robotyne area to the Luhansk, Kherson Oblasts in Ukraine or Kursk Oblast in Russia.
• The enemy will continue their attempts to penetrate the urban area of Vovchansk and advance west of the city along both banks of the Siversky Donets River, particularly in the Buhruvatka area.
• The “Center” Operational Grouping command is focused on executing the following operational plan: to establish conditions for the blockade and encirclement of the Kurakhove area or to create advantageous circumstances for launching an offensive operation to encircle “Tavriya” OSG’s defense in Toretsk area from the south.
• The enemy’s “Vostok” Operational Grouping is gearing up for active operations on the southern flank of the Kurakhove-Vuhledar bulge of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in coordination with the left flank of the “Yug” Operational Grouping, which is currently attempting to break through towards Kurakhove through Hryhorivka and Paraskoviivka-Kostyantynivka along the Vovcha and Sukhi Yaly Rivers.
• The enemy’s capture of Keramik, Novokalynove, and Arkhanhelske, along with their breakthrough east of Novooleksandrivka and the displacement of the “Tavriya” OSG from this area, does not secure the flanks of the 30th and 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army. The situation requires the enemy’s “Tsentr” Operational Grouping to advance to the Sokol-Novopokrovske line and clear the area between Novooleksandrivka and Arkhanhelske.
• Expect counterattacks from “Tavriya” OSG in the Sokil-Ocheretyne direction, which poses a threat of defeating the 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army and the 433rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, advancing on Novooleksandrivka.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 24.05.24  

Personnel – almost 498,940 (+1240); 

Tanks 7,635 (+13); 

Armored combat vehicles – 14,775 (+27); 

Artillery systems – 12,902 (+42);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,080 (+3);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 813 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 17,569 (+56);

Aircraft – 356 (+1);

Helicopters – 326 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 10,401 (+10);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,209 (0);

Boats/ships – 28 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 9 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 91 towns and villages and 221 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, a Russian attack this morning resulted in injuries to at least two people and damage to a residential house, a shop, a bus, and a car.
• On May 24th, the Bakhmut, Kramatorsk, and Pokrovsk districts in Donetsk Oblast came under Russian attacks, resulting in the death of three people. Two others sustained injuries.
• The data from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine indicates that at least 35 civilians have been killed and 137 injured in the Kharkiv region since Russian armed forces began their offensive on May 10th.
• The Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories has made the decision to forcibly evacuate 123 children from some villages in Kharkiv Oblast. This concerns orphaned children and children deprived of parental care, along with their legal guardians.
• Three families with five girls and one boy in their care have been brought back from the occupied territory to the territory of Kherson Oblast under Ukrainian control. According to the parents, living under occupation became increasingly difficult. Without Russian passports, they had no rights to access medical care or employment opportunities.
• Currently, 403 Ukrainian women are being held in Russian captivity. Many of them are unlawfully detained civilians, the Coordination HQ for Prisoner of War Affairs reported.
• Recently, in Simferopol, the Tavriiskaya Spiritual Seminary of the Russian Church hosted a seminar entitled “Women as Peacebearers.” Women from the occupied territories of Kherson, Luhansk, and Crimea were brought there. The forum aimed to “highlight women’s service to God, family, and the homeland.” Speakers at the event included representatives of the Russian Church, occupying authorities, as well as “public and academic figures.” According to staff at the National Resistance Center of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the seminar promoted the idea of subordinating women and girls to the Kremlin’s ideology. One of the key themes emphasized was “bearing many children.”
• As a result of the Russian missile strike on the “Faktor-Druk” printing house in Kharkiv on May 23, 50,000 books were destroyed.

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