Emergency Manager's Weekly Report
- Dec 29, 2023
- 5 min read

Russian Invasion of Ukraine Situation Report #97

Military and Diplomatic Highlights:

The Ukrainian military is reporting the following Russian losses:

o 357,520 Soldiers (Wounded or Killed)

o 5,953 Tanks

o 11,033 Armored vehicles

o 8,417 Artillery

o 6,539 Drones

o 329 Aircraft

o 324 Helicopters

o 1,620 Cruise missiles

o 23 Ships

On December 29th, Poland reported that a Russia missile violated its airspace. The missile intended target was Ukraine. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Secretary-General has been in contact with Poland’s President and NATO will continue to monitor the situation.
During 2023, NATO air forces have intercepted Russian military aircraft 300 times as they approached NATO airspace. Most of these intercepts occurred over the Baltic Sea.
On December 27th, the U.S. Department of Defense announced another security assistance package for Ukraine worth $250 million. This package includes air defense capabilities, artillery and anti-tank weapons and other equipment.
The United Kingdom (UK) will be sending Ukraine hundreds of British made air defense missiles to bolster their stockpiles.
On December 26th, the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced that the first cohort of Ukrainian pilots is receiving training on flying F-16 fighter jets in Denmark.
The UK MoD provided the following intelligence assessments on the destruction of a Russian Landing Ship:

o On December 25, the Russian Navy’s Ropucha class Landing Ship Tank (LST) Novocherkassk was destroyed following a Ukrainian strike while alongside at the port of Feodosia, on the south coast of Russian-occupied Crimea.

o Open-source evidence suggests it is highly likely the vessel was carrying explosive cargo when it was hit, causing a large secondary explosion. The incident takes the number of LSTs Russia has lost since the invasion to three: the Saratov sank on 24 March 2022, while the Minsk was functionally destroyed in dry dock on September 13, 2023. Two additional LSTs have likely been damaged.

o Russia likely planned to use its LST force to launch significant amphibious assaults during the invasion and it doubled the number of these vessels in the Black Sea during the build-up to the war. As the war has dragged on, the ships have been more commonly employed in providing logistical support. This is a significant role because it augments the vital and relatively fragile road and rail connection of the Crimea Bridge, which links Crimea to Russia.

War and Atrocity Crimes Investigations Highlights:

On December 28-29, Russia launched more than 150 missiles and drones against civilian targets (residential buildings, schools, and hospitals) in the cities of Dnipro, Lviv, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Konotop, and Zaporizhzhia. At least 16 people were killed and 97 injured.
The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine also reported on December 28th that three Ukrainian servicemen were shot after surrendering as Prisoners of War to Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region. The identifies of the Ukrainian soldiers have been confirmed and the alleged involvement of the Russian 76th Airborne Assault Division is being confirmed.
Human Rights Watch has documented that Ukrainian civilians in Russian occupied areas are being forcibly enlisted in the Russian military.
The Ukrainian Red Cross on December 20h reported that one of their warehouses in Kherson was destroyed (along with all the humanitarian supplies) due to Russian shelling.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on December 1st reported that the Belarus Red Cross has been suspended:

o The suspension is the result of non-compliance by the Belarus Red Cross to dismiss their secretary-general.

o This is related to the investigation into the allegations against Belarus Red Cross Secretary General for his statements on nuclear weapons, the movement of children to Belarus, and his visit to Luhansk and Donetsk.

o The suspension means that any new funding to the Belarus Red Cross will be suspended, and they will lose their voting rights.

o The Belarus Red Cross can be reinstated once it complies with the decision of the IFRC Governing Board.

Humanitarian Impact and Response and Recovery Highlights:

As of December 28th, there are 5.9 million refugees registered throughout Europe.
On December 25th, an interagency convoy delivered relief supplies to thousands of people in Kisharivka (Kherson region).
Following the Russian missile attack on December 28-29, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) is coordinating with local and national authorities on any support they may require:

o Aid organizations have already provided immediate medical assistance and psychological support to survivors.

o The International Organization for Migration, the Angels of Salvation, Posmishka UA, Winds of Change and others have been on the ground since the early morning providing support.

o Residents in Kharkiv, Lviv and Odesa have received meals, hot drinks, and warm clothes from national and international aid organizations.

o Emergency repair materials have also been provided to people whose homes were damaged in Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv and Odesa by UN agencies.

o UN agencies and national non-governmental organizations have delivered repair kits to health facilities damaged by the attacks.

o In Dnipro, protection partners, including Martin Club, Proliska and Right to Protection, are also providing legal consultations to the affected people on restoring the lost ownership documentation and applying for compensation for the destroyed or damaged property.

o The Ukrainian Red Cross has deployed over 40 volunteers in the affected cities. These teams provided hot drinks, first aid and psychological aid to survivors and first responders.

The UN Refugee Agency in support of the Ukraine Winter Response Plan has assisted by the following actions since September 1st:

o 463,627 people have received cash support for winter energy needs.

o Provided 76,484 people with essential and winterized non-food items.

o 8,647 people received heaters, rapid thermal kits, or cash assistance to cover rent.

o 17,895 people in collective sites benefitted from care and maintenance interventions.

o 147 generators were distributed across the country.

The Ukrainian State Emergency Services on December 26 and 27 received 13 emergency response vehicles from Germany and South Korea.
As of December 25th, the EU has delivered 100,000 tons of humanitarian supplies and 785 million Euros in funding to Ukraine.

Russian Dis-information Campaign Highlights:

Russia is now falsely accusing Europe of stealing Ukrainian children.
The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on October 17th falsely called Russia’s invasion a military operation which is a term used by Russia routinely.
The Russian Defense Minister has falsely stated that a total of 466 American mercenaries have died fighting in Ukraine.

Cultural Heritage Protection Highlights:

As of December 20th, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has verified damage to 334 cultural heritage sites. These include:

125 Religious sites
147 Buildings of historical and/or artistic interest
29 Museums
19 Monuments
13 Libraries
1 Archive

Sources:

Ukraine Humanitarian Response 2023 Winter Attacks: Humanitarian Impact of Intensified Strikes and Hostilities – Flash Update #2 (29 Dec 2023)
Ukraine Situation Flash Update #62 (27 December 2023)
Statement on the suspension of the Belarus Red Cross as a member of the IFRC
Damaged cultural sites in Ukraine verified by UNESCO