Russian troops strengthen defense lines in Kherson region and Crimea

This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00, December 16, published on Facebook.

"In the morning, the enemy launched a massive missile attack on the civilian infrastructure of our state. According to updated information, the Russian occupiers fired 70 cruise missiles and 4 guided air missiles. Sixty cruise missiles were shot down by our air defense forces. Several energy infrastructure facilities and residential buildings in Zhytomyr, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions were damaged as a result of the strikes," reads the report.

The situation in Volyn and Polissia directions has not undergone significant changes, and no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groups have been detected. Certain units of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation remain in the areas bordering Ukraine.

In Siversky and Slobozhansky directions, Russian troops opened mortar and artillery fire near Zapsillia and Popivka in Sumy region, as well as near Strilecha, Starytsia, Ambarne, Vilkhuvatka, Dvorichne, and Krasne in Kharkiv region.

In Kupyansk direction, the invaders used tanks, mortars, tube and rocket artillery to attack the areas of Synkivka, Orlianka, Tabaivka, Berestove, and Vyshneve in Kharkiv region, as well as Volodymyrivka and Stelmakhivka in Luhansk region.

In Lyman direction, the enemy fired at the Ukrainian positions from tanks and artillery near Makiivka, Ploshchanka, Chervonopopivka, Dibrova, and Hirske in Luhansk region.

In Bakhmut and Avdiivka directions, the Russians continue to storm the positions of the Ukrainian defenders, trying to find weak spots in the defense line for a breakthrough. The areas of more than 20 settlements came under enemy fire, particularly Verkhniokamyanske, Spirne, Bilohorivka, Vesele, Soledar, Bakhmutske, Bakhmut, Opytne, Chasiv Yar, Druzhba, Zalizne, Marinka, and Pervomaiske in Donetsk region.

In Novopavlivka direction, the areas of Bohoyavlenka, Neskuchne, Prechystivka, and Vuhledar in Donetsk region came under enemy fire.

In Zaporizhzhia and Kherson directions, Russian troops continue to fire at the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and the civilian infrastructure of settlements along the right bank of the Dnipro River. More than 30 settlements came under enemy fire, including Plavni, Huliaypole, Dorozhnianka, Olhivske and Nikopol in Zaporizhzhia region; Chornobayivka, Antonivka, Kherson, Mykilske, Tokarivka, and Mylove in Kherson region.

According to the General Staff data, the Russian troops continue to strengthen the defense line on the border between Kherson region and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. At the same time, the enemy is strengthening the defense and protection of facilities of water supply to the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea, in particular the North Crimean Canal.

It was established that the units of personnel mobilized from the Krasnodar Territory were additionally deployed for this purpose.

During the day, the missile and artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit three enemy personnel clusters, a command post, and an ammunition depot.

As reported, on Friday, December 16, the Russian Federation launched yet another massive missile attack on Ukraine. Due to damage to energy facilities, emergency power outages were introduced across the country.

According to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy launched 76 missiles, including 72 cruise missiles (Kh-101, Kalibr, Kh-22) and four guided air missiles (Kh-59/Kh-31P) from the areas of the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea at the objects of critical infrastructure of Ukraine. The air defense forces of Ukraine shot down 60 enemy missiles.

According to the Air Force Command, the enemy launched cruise missiles not only from the Caspian Sea, but also from Engels area in Saratov region.

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