News page The Kyiv Independent On December 19, Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian soldiers had increased their attacks in some front-line areas in the past few days, but were unable to break through Ukraine’s defense lines.
He described the situation on the battlefield as “extremely difficult”. The remarks were made as Russia continued to advance into Donetsk province in an attempt to control the towns of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove.
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The Ukrainian General Staff recorded a total of 250 front-line clashes in the past day.
“During fierce battles, Ukrainian defense forces did not allow Russian forces to penetrate and achieve operational success in any direction,” Mr. Syrskyi said after a phone call with Admiral Tony Radakin, Head of the British Armed Forces.
Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Army Oleksandr Syrskyi speaks with lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Kyiv
He added that Mr Radakin said London would “significantly increase” some aspects of its support to Ukraine in 2025.
According to Reuters, on December 19, the British side announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth 225 million pounds, and pledged to provide more military training to Kyiv.
On the same day, the World Bank approved a grant of 2.05 billion USD to Ukraine to help the government carry out reforms and stabilize the economy.
Ukraine attacked Russian oil refineries
On December 19, the Ukrainian Army General Staff said that the Navy and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) coordinated to attack the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Rostov province the night before.
Russian officials and Telegram channels recorded explosions and fires at this facility early on December 19, related to a Ukrainian drone attack (UAV).
Initially, SBU UAVs attacked the facility to distract Russia’s air defense system, creating a “window” for Ukrainian-made missiles to attack the facility, an SBU source revealed. .
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The Novoshakhtinsk facility is “the only operating refinery” in the region, the General Staff said. According to reports, the facility produces up to 7.5 million tons of oil products per year and specializes in fuel production.
Acting Governor of Rostov Oblast Yuri Slyusar said the fire was extinguished at 6:45 a.m. (local time) and one person was injured by falling UAV debris. TASS quoted him as saying that Ukraine attacked with more than 30 UAVs and 3 other flying objects
Novoshakhtinsk city is located about 10 km from the border with Ukraine and more than 200 km from the front line.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said that Ukraine launched six US-made long-range ATACMs and four British-made Storm Shadow missiles into the Rostov region. Accordingly, Russian forces shot down all ATACMS and 3 out of 4 Storm Shadow missiles, adding that Moscow will respond to the attacks.
In addition, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that its forces shot down 84 Ukrainian UAVs, including 36 in the Rostov region, 21 in Bryansk, 14 in Belgorod and other UAVs in Voronezh, Kursk, Tambov and Krasnodar.
Russia controls 2 more villages?
Contrary to Mr. Syrskyi’s statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense said on December 19 that Russian forces controlled the villages of Novyi Komar and Zelenivka in the Donetsk region. According to AFP, the above two villages are located southwest of the strategic town of Kurakhove, which Russian forces are trying to surround.
Noviy Komar is located near the larger village of Velyka Novosilka, where Ukraine has a large command and logistics post, Russian official Vladimir Rogov commented on RIA Novosti.
Ukraine is pushed into a difficult position in the east
Within the previous 24 hours, the Russian side shot down 154 Ukrainian drones, according to Russian news agencies.
In related developments, TASS agency on December 19 quoted a security source as saying that Ukrainian armed units were leaving their bases in the village of Kotlino southwest of Pokrovsk town in Donetsk.
“We see attempts to retreat from positions in Kotlino. Currently, this is not a major effort, but the enemy’s defenses in this frontline area have gaps,” the source said. said.
In addition, Ukrainian bases in the above area are under intense artillery fire from the Russian Armed Forces.
Commenting on the situation in Donetsk, Russian official Vladimir Rogov said that Ukrainian units in Kurakhove are reinforcing their forces and have been instructed to hold out until US President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20, 2025. .
Mr. Rogov is chairman of the Committee on Sovereignty, Patriotic Projects and Veterans Support of the Chamber of Citizens of Russia.
Ukraine did not immediately comment on the above information.
Damage on the Ukrainian side
On December 19, the Ukrainian army said that a Russian missile attack hit residential buildings and infrastructure in the Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk provinces of Russia.
Accordingly, the Russian side used two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and one Kh-59/69 missile in the attack.
Governor Serhiy Lysak in Dnipropetrovsk province said the attack caused damage to infrastructure, two apartment buildings, a hospital and a school in this province.
A rocket attack in the northeastern Sumy region damaged nine homes, but no casualties were reported, regional authorities said.
In addition, local Ukrainian officials said that the country’s air defense forces shot down 45 of Russia’s 85 suicide UAVs, in addition to 40 that were lost. The attack left at least 1 person dead and 8 injured, according to The Kyiv Independent.
Russia has not made any related comments, but Russia and Ukraine have previously denied all accusations against civilians in the conflict.
