ISW: Ukraine forces counterattack Russia troops near Bakhmut, Avdiivka Recapture several positions

Ukrainian Armed Forces have carried out a counterattack near Bohdanivka in the Bakhmut direction and captured two positions previously held by Russian Airborne Troops.

The Ukrainian troops also advanced east of a section of railway track near the Avdiivka coke plant and forced the Russians to withdraw from two forward positions, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

On December 5, Russian troops continued their offensive on the Kupyansk-Svatovo-Kremenna line, but did not achieve any confirmed successes. The Ukrainian Army General Staff reported that Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attacks near Sinkivka, Petropavlovka, Novosylivske, Terniv, Serebryanske Forest, Bilohorivka and Spornoye.

Russian bloggers claimed that Russian forces attacked south and southwest of Liman Pervyi and that fighting continued near Serebryanka and Hryhorivka.

Nadezhda Zamryga, a spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade operating in the Kupyansk direction, said on 5 December that Russian forces had reduced the density of artillery fire compared to late summer 2023 and were using tanks more frequently than in October last year.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said Ukrainian forces continued assault operations south of Bakhmut. A Ukrainian military observer said that Ukrainian forces carried out a counterattack near Bohdanivka and captured two positions previously held by units of the Russian 331st Airborne Regiment of the Russian Airborne Forces.

On December 5, Russian forces continued localised offensive operations near Bakhmut, but made no confirmed advances. The Ukrainian Army General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled at least 11 assaults near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriivka.

A Ukrainian commander operating near Bakhmut said that Ukrainian artillery units and drone operators destroy about 80 per cent of Russian equipment during Russian assaults.

He added that Russian forces are focused on repelling previously lost positions near Bakhmut and are using Storm-Z assault units for a strong frontal assault and more professional units, primarily Airborne Troops and Chechen elements, to find gaps in the Ukrainian defences.

Geolocation footage published on 5 December shows Russian forces allegedly advancing along a section of railway track north of the Avdiivka coke plant.

The General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled at least 23 Russian attacks east of Novobakhmutovka; northeast of Berdychi and near Stepnoye, Avdeevka, Severnoye and Pervomayskoye.

On December 4 and 5, Russian bloggers claimed that positional fighting continued near Krasnogorovka and that Russian forces resumed their assault near Nevelskoye (14km southwest of Avdiivka).

The press service of the Tavrika group of Ukrainian troops said on 5 December that the Russian Federation had resumed air strikes from Su-25 attack aircraft and Ka-52 helicopters near Avdiyivka.

Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Avdeevka on 5 December. Geolocation footage published on 4 December shows Ukrainian troops advancing east of a section of railway track north of the Avdiivka coke plant. A Ukrainian military observer said on 5 December that the Ukrainian armed forces had forced Russian troops to withdraw from two forward positions.

A Russian "war correspondent" said that Ukrainian troops were counterattacking near Stepnoye and pressuring the Russian defence in the direction of Novokalynove.

The AFU General Staff said Ukrainian forces repelled at least 13 Russian attacks near Maryinka (immediately southwest of Donetsk) and Novomikhailivka.

The UK Defence Ministry said that Russian forces are believed to control most of Maryinka, while Ukrainian forces retain control of positions on the western edge of the locality.

The Ukrainian General Staff said Russian forces had unsuccessfully attacked south of Zolotoy Niva (11km south-east of Velyka Novoselka).

A Russian "war correspondent" claimed that Russian forces also unsuccessfully attacked southwest of Staromayorskoye (9km south of Velyka Novoselka).

The General Staff said that Ukrainian forces continued offensive actions in the Melitopol direction. The Russian Defence Ministry said that Ukrainian forces attacked near Balka Usp.