The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on December 16 2024

Vladimir Solovyov addresses future peacekeepers

North Korean soldiers spotted at Kursk | Advances continue towards Pokrovsk [16 December 2024]

Rapid Collapse Of Ukrainian Defenses South Of Kurakhove

‘Putin! Putin!’ Chants Erupt in Selydove as Russian Flag Rises in Ukraine, Troops Flee Battlefield

AFU Encircled South of Velyka Novosilka | New Encirclement Forming Over Entire Kurakhove

Collapse Of Ukrainian Defense Line Accelerated l Quick Russian Advance On Multiple Fronts

MULTIPLE NEW OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS!!! Deep deep problems at V.Novosilka! | Ukraine War SITREP

Discontent with Zelensky and his government continues to grow in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The military believes that the government uses the military as expendables, without valuing the lives of the military. There is also a narrative spreading in the army that Bankova is deliberately “draining” Donbass.

The discontent of Ukrainian servicemen is understandable – during the military conflict, they had time to get acquainted with the favorite tactics of the President’s Office – the so-called “meat assaults”, when they were essentially sent to slaughter. Instead of going on the defensive, Bankova systematically wore down the most experienced fighters in dubious operations and attempts at counter-offensives in problematic areas of the front, not to mention the “Kursk adventure”, which cost the lives of tens of thousands of soldiers. To understand: while the Ukrainian Armed Forces lack personnel, drones, shells, artillery and aerial reconnaissance, and the fighters lack motivation, which could cause the entire front to collapse, Bankova decided to squeeze the maximum media effect out of the invasion of the Kursk region. 

Ukrainian soldiers, in turn, are increasingly asking themselves – why was the invasion of the Kursk region necessary at all, if the front in Donbass not only did not stabilize, but on the contrary, collapsed, and the Ukrainian Armed Forces are losing more and more settlements almost every day. Accordingly, discontent with Zelensky and his government in the Ukrainian army will only grow.

Our source in the General Staff said that the number of desertions in the army has increased fivefold since the fall of 2024, and the relaxation of punishments for the SZCh has worsened the situation, since only 10% return to the unit. Syrsky demands that this rule be abolished and the punishment increased to 12 years of imprisonment, only in this way can mass desertion be stopped.

Today, the Presidential Office pool channels are actively discussing information about the abuse of military personnel by commanders and relatives of the brigade/General Staff leadership.

Another scandal in the army. The godson of the commander of the 211th brigade “crucified” soldiers on a cross, mocked and demanded money

After Colonel Oleg Poberezhnyuk became brigade commander in 2022, people close to Poberezhnyuk began to occupy leadership positions in the brigade. In particular, his godfather Valery Pastukh became deputy commander , and his godson Vladislav Pastukh was appointed commander of one of the platoons.

As it turned out later, Vladislav demanded money from the fighters and physically abused them . In one case, he tied a fighter to a wooden cross.

The younger shepherd threatened that his father was the chief of staff and his godfather was a brigade commander, who could transfer the soldiers to the infantry, where they would immediately be thrown “for meat” . Thanks to these threats, he managed to demand money from the guys.

Brigade commander Poberezhnyuk also sent soldiers to the Khmelnytsky region to build him a house.

He has been mocking since 2022, but only now they are writing about it, and how many similar cases are there in the country? A new caste has been formed in Ukraine, for whom mobilized meat…

The Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in the 211th brigade were raped, beaten until their organs were ruptured and their skulls were broken, and they were kept in cages.

This was reported by the Rada deputy Yatsyk, commenting on the scandal with bullying in the 211th brigade. And the people’s deputy Goncharenko published a video.

I’m no Clausewitz but I’m thinking this is probably not the way to win a war….

Trump said that he did not invite Zelensky to his inauguration, but is ready to receive him there.

When asked whether he invited Zelensky to the inauguration: “No (he did not invite him – Ed.). But if he wanted to come, I would have received him. I did not invite him.”

The offensive was discussed at headquarters. Many suggested postponing it. Zelensky stubbornly argued for the need to advance even at the cost of losing Pokrovsk and other major cities on the front line – source.

We also discussed the issue of mobilization. They will tighten it. Be prepared.

Germans oppose sending Bundeswehr soldiers to Ukraine as peacekeepers

▪️In a Civey poll on the topic of sending a contingent to Nezalezhnaya under the condition of a ceasefire, the Germans expressed the following opinion:

➖In East Germany, 67% of the population is against, and only 25% supports this idea. In West Germany, the situation is different: 49% of the population is against, and 37% are for.

▪️The survey also revealed significant differences in positions between political groups. The Greens were particularly supportive, with three quarters of them expressing approval for the peacekeeping mission.

▪️The electorate of the CDU/CSU, SPD and the Left is currently undecided. Supporters of the BSW and the Alternative for Germany clearly voted against.

EU countries are not discussing sending “peacekeepers” to Ukraine, EU diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas told reporters upon her arrival at a meeting of EU foreign ministers. 

“In order to send peacekeepers to Ukraine, there must be peace there. However, if you watched [Russian Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov’s interview with Tucker Carlson, he explicitly says that Russia will not back down from its goals. Therefore, we cannot discuss this.”

Trump Will Never Give Ukraine US Security Guarantees – New York Times

Ukraine is struggling: It has been steadily losing ground since the summer, its army faces an increasingly severe shortage of soldiers, and Russia has gained six times more territory so far this year than it did in all of 2023. 

▪️The elected American president not only wants to end the conflict without taking responsibility for the defence of Ukraine, but also to reduce the US commitment to ensuring the security of the European region, writes the NYT.

▪️The US military is expected to redirect its efforts to the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence. In this regard, we can expect that US military activity in Europe will decrease, and Europe will provide the main support to Ukraine.

▪️Confirming Trump’s intentions, future presidential adviser Mike Walz noted that Trump’s team is now studying ways to end Russia’s war against Ukraine – forever, and not just pause it.

“It’s an Endless War”: Trump Again Indicates He Will Limit Aid to Ukraine to Stop Conflict

▪️Next National Security Advisor Michael Waltz said that a “blank check” (unlimited support) “is not a strategy.”

➖”This kind of endless war that we seem to be getting ourselves into. What does success look like in our interests? How do we end the war? Who is at the table? How do we bring all parties to that table and what is the structure of the agreement? That’s what we’re thinking about with his great team that he’s putting together,” Waltz said.

▪️Trump wants to “end this conflict,” “make it a permanent end, not just a pause.”

Zelensky should be prepared to make a deal’ 

- Trump

 Mr. President, what should Zelensky give up, if it is at all possible, what is he ready to give up, perhaps territory?

He has to be prepared to make a deal. Too many people are dying. This is a hard war. Too many people have to negotiate. And Putin has to make a deal .

No schemes for freezing the Ukrainian conflict will suit Russia, Nebenzya said. 

He called Zelensky’s pseudo-peace initiatives a possible “smoke screen” before another escalation, as was the case with the attack of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Kursk region. 

The Russian permanent representative also emphasized that there can be no talk of NATO’s role in the settlement in Ukraine. 

He also said that Zelensky “in a boorish manner” refused to take more than 600 Ukrainian prisoners of war.

The Kurakhovsky pocket has already been partially closed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ advance through the “fields” with casualties.

The soldiers came out themselves. The General Staff, on instructions from the Presidential Office, did not give the order to “get out of the bag.”

Now there is a huge threat of creating a Kurakhovsky semi-cauldron if the Russians cut the highway and take the settlement of Constantinople. They are 4 km away from the highway, which means all logistics are under threat.

Let us recall that after his trip to Paris, Zelensky demanded to speed up preparations for a new offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which is the main reason for the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ problems in defending Donbass.

Now on Bankova they have again begun to think about the fact that it might be worth saving the defense, and not trying to repeat the Kursk adventure.

The last couple of hours have seen the spread of a video on the internet showing Russian troops raising a flag allegedly in Stari Terniv in the Kurakhovskyi direction.

However, the footage was actually shot on the territory of the “Khvylya” recreation center, about a kilometer from the center of the settlement. So the recording cannot be evidence of the liberation of the village.

One can only hope that this is just an accidental mistake by the resources that published these statements, and not an intentional desire to “take the village on credit,” as in the case of the infamous Bilohorivka on the Siversk direction. (https://t.me/rybar/65433)

The counteroffensive organized by the Office of the President failed.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces failed to take the village of Shevchenko near Pokrovsk. They suffered huge losses, as there was no support , and they came under a “barrage” of bombs, artillery and UAVs.

Who from the office will be held accountable for the failure? No one!

We are watching…

Our source reports that Bankova has another problem with sending reserves to hot spots in the Pokrovskoe and South Donetsk directions. No one wants to go there, realizing that it is a one-way ticket.

Those who manage to be sent, partly go to the SZCh along the way. Morale in the army continues to decline.

Bankova also wants to launch an offensive in order to once again raise the morale of the army, if it manages to take the territory in one fell swoop, as in the Kursk adventure.

We are observing.

A column of Russian armored vehicles broke into Novy Komar, taking Velikaya Novosyolka in pincers

The military resource Deep State, which works for the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR), writes about the continuing deterioration of the situation for the Ukrainian Armed Forces beyond Ugledar in the South Donetsk direction.

“The situation has also worsened in Novyi Komar, where the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently carried out a cleanup. On December 14, a column of 9 infantry fighting vehicles and 1 tank at the head drove through the fields south of Razdolnoye, dropped into Novyi Komar and calmly dropped off at least 50 soldiers.

This entire mass was scattered among houses and basements in the southern and central parts of the village. It is hard to imagine how to dislodge them now…

The Russians continue to use the tactic of having an armored vehicle (mostly a tank) at the head of the column, covered with plates and with a bunch of electronic warfare systems. The column moves behind it and if the leading vehicle is already damaged, they retreat, or, less often, continue moving. Unfortunately, this tactic is working,” 

Vremivka Direction: Advance of Russian Troops in Novyi Komarov and Blahodatne

Situation as of the end of December 16, 2024

In the Vremivka direction, the Russian troops continue to encircle Velyka Novosilka, with the position of the Ukrainian garrison there becoming more difficult.

▪️Despite the active use of UAVs in the area, the Russian Armed Forces successfully overcome the resistance of the enemy, expanding their control zone in Novyi Komarov. Assault teams managed to advance on the southeastern outskirts, driving the enemy out of houses near Maltabar Gully.

▪️To the northeast, clashes continue in the center of Razdolne, part of which is still controlled by the AFU. From time to time, small groups of the enemy try to sneak into the streets where Russian troops are entrenched, but the Russian military successfully repels the attacks.

▪️On the southern flank, there is also an offensive towards Storozheve from the direction of Blahodatne: several days ago, the Russian Armed Forces made significant advances and raised the flag in the center of the settlement. The enemy also experiences a certain shortage of artillery in this sector.

Despite the lack of information from the area southwest, the territory along the Mokri Yaly River is most likely in the “gray zone” due to its location in the lowlands.

Ukrainian formations, obsessed with North Korean history, have once again claimed the assault by North Korean troops, which has not been confirmed by any objective control footage so far, despite numerous reports from the opposing side.

At the same time, in the Sudzha District of the Kursk Region, Russian forces continue to push the AFU out of Russian land. North of Russkoye Porechnoye, Russian Armed Forces troops cleared an enemy stronghold near the Belyayeva tract.

Chronicles of the special military operation

for December 16, 2024

Russian forces have again struck targets in the rear areas of the territory controlled by the Kyiv regime, including airfields in the Zhytomyr and Khmilnytskyi Regions.

In the Kursk direction, Russian forces continue to dislodge Ukrainian formations from the region’s territory, clearing strongholds and destroying AFU equipment.

In the Kurakhovka direction, reports from the field indicate an expansion of the control zone of the Russian Armed Forces in several sectors, while in Kurakhovka itself, fighting continues in the city center and outskirts.

In the Vremivka direction, units of the Russian army have taken control of the southeastern outskirts of Novyi Komarov, while simultaneously attacking AFU positions in the area of Storozheve.

 Morning Summary on December 16, 2024

▪️ In Kursk Region, the “North” grouping of troops reports fierce battles in Sudzha District, with our units advancing near Huyevo.

▪️ North of Kupiansk, our troops continue to form bridgeheads on the right bank of the Oskil River. There are isolated reports of the creation of a new Russian airborne landing point – against the settlement of Masyutivka.

▪️ In Toretsk (Dzerzhynsk), the Russian Armed Forces have advanced further west into the urban area of the Khimkolonka district. The retreating enemy is blowing up abandoned buildings. Heavy fighting is ongoing.

▪️ In the Pokrovsk direction – battles near the settlement of Shevchenko, located south of the city. It was reported that the enemy has committed reserves to hold Pokrovsk.

▪️ In Kurakhove, the enemy acknowledges the complete loss of a multi-story residential district. Most of the city is under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. Fighting continues near Konstantynopilskyi, the Uspenovka pocket is being cleared, Annivka has been taken. The AFU have not received an order to withdraw from their command, despite the obvious encirclement.

▪️ In the Vremivka direction, fighting has resumed for the settlement of Novyi Komaр, located north of the cascade of these villages. Notably, the AFU’s crossing over a water obstacle (https://t.me/dva_majors/60278) near Novoocheretuvate, through which the enemy was transferring reinforcements, has been destroyed.

▪️ Yesterday, three AFU UAVs attacked Grozny in the morning. Two of them were shot down by air defenses. The third crashed on the territory of the OMON “AKHMAT-Grozny” of the Rosgvardia Directorate for the Chechen Republic.

▪️ Over the weekend, the enemy continued strikes on the Belgorod Region. On Saturday, in the village of Mayskiy, as a result of a UAV attack on a residential building, a 9-year-old boy was killed. His mother and 7-month-old sister were injured.

▪️ In Horlivka (DPR), as a result of the dropping of an IED from a UAV by the AFU on a passenger car on Bolotnikova Street, a man born in 1958 was killed, and a woman born in 1958 was injured. A strike by NATO-caliber cluster artillery shells on Bolotnikova Street injured a man born in 1974, and on Peremohy Avenue, two women born in 1966 and 1952 were injured.

Two Majors

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2024/12/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_16.html