ISW: Ukrainian forces advance in Kupyansk direction, counterattack near Avdiivka

Ukrainian forces continue to conduct offensive and defensive operations in several directions, advancing in the area of Synkivka in the Kupyansk direction and successfully counterattacking east of Nevelskiy near Avdiivka.

Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked in the Kupyansk direction near Synkivka (8km northeast of Kupyansk) and Stelmakhivka (15km northwest of Svatove) and east of Petropavlivka (7km east of Kupyansk) and in the Lyman direction near Makiivka (22km northwest of Kreminna) and the Serebyranske forest area (10km southwest of Kreminna) and east of Terny (17km west of Kreminna), Caliber.Az reports, citing a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

A Russian military blogger claimed that Russian forces also unsuccessfully attacked west of Yahidne (22km southeast of Kupaynsk). The military blogger claimed that Russian forces advanced near Synkivka and unsuccessfully attacked near Terny in the past week.

Geolocated footage published on December 17 indicates that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in northern Synkivka.

A Russian source claimed that Russian forces advanced near Vesele (16km northeast of Bakhmut), Rozdolivka (16km north of Bakhmut), and Sakko i Vantsetti (15km north of Bakhmut) on December 16.

The Russian MoD claimed that Ukrainian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Bakhmut near Ivanivske (6km west of Bakhmut), Klishchiivka (7km southwest of Bakhmut), and Pivnichne (21km southwest of Bakhmut) on December 17.

Geolocated footage published on December 17 indicates that Russian forces advanced northwest of Khromove (immediately west of Bakhmut) and in Kurdyumivka.

The Ukrainian General Staff reported on December 17 that Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked near Bohdanivka (6km northwest of Bakhmut), Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut).

Russian forces continued offensive operations near Avdiivka on December 17 and recently made confirmed advances. Geolocated footage published on December 17 indicates that Russian forces made marginal gains near Stepove (3km north of Avdiivka).

The Ukrainian General Staff reported on December 17 that Ukrainian forces repelled at least 17 Russian assaults east of Novobakhmutivka (7km north of Avdiivka), Stepove, and Avdiivka and at least 13 Russian assaults near Pervomaiske (111km southwest of Avdiivka) and Nevelske (15km southwest of Avdiivka).

The spokesperson for a Ukrainian brigade operating near Avdiivka stated that Russian forces recently tried to advance on Avdiivka with a column of up to 10 armoured vehicles and that Ukrainian forces destroyed roughly half of the vehicles.

The spokesperson stated that Russian forces routinely support infantry assaults with armoured vehicles, specifically BMPs, and that heavy Russian FPV drone strikes are interdicting supplies to Ukrainian positions.

Ukrainian forces counterattacked near Avdiivka on December 17 and recently advanced. Geolocated footage published on December 17 indicates that Ukrainian forces advanced east of Nevelske.

Russian military bloggers claimed that Russian forces completely control all of Marinka and are currently clearing the outskirts of the settlement.[80] ISW has not seen a visual confirmation of Russian control over all of Marinka, and Russian sources continue to call on other Russian sources to wait for official Russian confirmation.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian forces repelled at least 12 Russian assaults near Marinka, Pobedy and Novomikhailovka.

On December 17, Russian and Ukrainian troops extended positional fighting on the border of Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions. Russian bloggers claimed that Russian troops would try to advance into Novodarovka and Rovnopol during the winter.

ISW observed geolocation videos released on December 15 indicating that Ukrainian troops made a minor advance west of Verbovoye sometime in December 2023. Russian "military commanders" claimed that Ukrainian forces had carried out a series of counterattacks in the area of Verbovoye.

The Russian blogger claimed that Russian troops continued to attack near Verbovoye, Rabodino and Novoprokopovka and allegedly advanced in an unspecified area.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian troops repelled Russian attacks west of Verbovoye, Rabodino and Novopokrovka.

Ukrainian troops are holding positions on the eastern (left) bank of the Kherson region. The Russian "military commander" said that Ukrainian forces continue to overturn reinforcements on the eastern bank of the Dnieper.

A Russian blogger claimed that the personnel of the Russian army in the Kherson area complained about the lack of transport for the evacuation of the wounded and the lack of electronic warfare (EW) systems to protect evacuation groups from Ukrainian drones.

Ukrainian military observer Konstantin Mashovets said that units of the Russian 2nd motorized rifle battalion are operating under the Wings.