Situation update of General Staff of UAF regarding russian invasion as of 6 p.m., December 8, 2023

The russian federation continues to wage a war of aggression. Despite significant losses, it does not abandon its plans for the complete occupation of Ukraine. The enemy continues to ignore the laws and customs of war, uses terror tactics, conducts strikes, and shells both military and civilian targets.

The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult.

During the day of December 8, there were 77 combat engagements.

The enemy launched a total of 27 missile strikes, 49 air strikes, 27 MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Since the beginning of the day, russian occupiers have launched strikes on Ukraine, using 20 Kh-101/Kh-555 air-launched cruise missiles, 1 Iskander-M ballistic missile and 6 S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles. The Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed 14 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles. Unfortunately, the russian terrorist attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential buildings as well as other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged. 

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: the adversary maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. The enemy continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 15 settlements came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Loknya, Iskryskivshchyna, Hrabovske, Seredyna-Buda (Sumy oblast), Huriv Kozachok, Veterynarne, Hraniv (Kharkiv oblast).

Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 9 enemy attacks in the vicinities of Synkivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). The adversary launched an air strike near Petropavlivka and Podoly (Kharkiv oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at around 10 settlements, including Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled an attack of the invaders who attempted to force Ukrainian units out of their positions in the vicinity of Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Moreover, the invaders launched air strikes in the area of Serebryanske forestry (Luhansk oblast) and Serebryanka (Donetsk oblast). The occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 10 settlements, including Nevs’ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Torske, Serebryanka, Verkhniokamyanske (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 10 attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka and Andriyivka (Donetsk oblast). The adversary launched an air strike in the vicinity of Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast). Around 10 settlements, including Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka, Andriyivka (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Avdiyivka axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 32 attacks in the area east of Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Avdiyivka, Tonenke, Pervomaiske (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy, with air support, was making unsuccessful attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses. Also, the adversary launched an air strike near Lastochkyne (Donetsk oblast). The enemy fired artillery and mortars at more than 10 settlements, including Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiyivka, Tonenke, Nevelske (Donetsk oblast).

Maryinka axis: Ukrainian defense forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy launched 20 failed attacks on positions of Ukrainian defenders. The settlements of Hostre, Heorhiyivka, Maryinka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the occupiers.

Shakhtarske axis: the enemy conducted no offensives. Around 10 settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian defense forces repelled 1 enemy attack west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20 settlements, including Charivne, Hulyaipole, Huliaipilske, Mala Tokmachka, Pyatykhatky, Kamyanske (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: the enemy fired artillery at the settlement of Ivanivka (Kherson oblast), and the city of Kherson.

Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold their ground on the left bank of the Dnipro River (Kherson oblast) and inflict fire on the enemy.

During the day of December 8, Ukrainian Air Force launched 3 strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 1 strike on an electronic warfare station of the occupiers. 

Have faith in the Armed Forces of Ukraine! We will be victorious! Glory to Ukraine!