Victory Chronicles-DAY 637

In the past day, there were 33 combat engagements, including 4 missile launches and 37 air strikes by the enemy. They also fired 19 times from rocket systems at our troops and populated areas. Additionally, the enemy targeted the port infrastructure of Odesa and Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi with missiles. Unfortunately, these attacks resulted in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure, such as private houses, the Central City Hospital in Selydove, and the Kotliarevska mine. The situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains challenging.

On the other hand, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to carry out offensive operations in the Melitopol and Bakhmut sectors, inflicting losses on the enemy and depleting their forces along the entire frontline. They also maintain positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson Oblast, and continue to engage the enemy with fire. Furthermore, the Defense Forces conducted airstrikes on various enemy targets, including a command center, areas with concentrations of personnel and weapons, military equipment, and anti-aircraft missile systems. Additionally, missile troops targeted enemy positions and an ammunition depot.

On the night of November 21-22, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, together with the air defense units of the Land Forces and the National Guard, successfully destroyed 14 Russian Shahid-131/136 drones. The Russian occupiers used these attack drones and also launched an X-22 cruise missile from a Tu22M3 aircraft based in Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Russia. However, the missile missed its target and landed in an open area in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, causing a blast wave to damage nearby private homes. 

Yesterday Ukraine celebrated the Day of Dignity and Freedom. 10 years ago, on November 21, the Revolution of Dignity began, which led to the overthrow of the dictatorship of pro-Russian President Yanukovych. Every day on this day, Ukrainians remember the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, who tragically died fighting for freedom and dignity. Yesterday, Lviv schoolchildren brought homemade angels to the Heavenly Hundred Memorial. Throughout the day, children come to the Memorial and leave angels they have made in advance. They symbolize the memory of all those who died for our country, its Dignity and Freedom.

United24 has published a video of the work of the 3rd company of the 2nd assault battalion of the 3rd assault brigade, including the GoPro footage from fighter Makar, the commander of the assault group. The video shows how the Ukrainian military landed and stormed the Russian occupiers’ positions.

Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to conduct offensive operations in eastern and southern Ukraine despite rainy and snowy weather conditions. Ukrainian Kherson Oblast Military Administration Advisor Serhiy Khlan stated on November 20 that Russian shelling of the west (right) bank of Kherson Oblast had decreased due to poor weather conditions.

Ukrainian 14th Mechanized Brigade Spokesperson Nadiya Zamryha stated on November 21 that Russian forces continue to conduct assaults in the Kupyansk direction despite the snow and frost. Zamryha added that the number of Russian attacks will likely decrease due to weather conditions but that Russian forces will not stop offensive operations completely. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need to strengthen Ukrainian capabilities before the winter period during a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on November 20.

Russian milbloggers claimed on November 20 and 21 that both Russian and Ukrainian forces are struggling to operate drones, including for artillery fire adjustment, in the poor weather conditions throughout the front. Russian milbloggers also claimed that muddy conditions are complicating vehicle movements but that both Ukrainian and Russian forces continue to maneuver and operate in all directions. ISW continues to assess that freezing weather conditions during the winter will likely prompt the resumption of more active combat operations, and ongoing rainy weather is unlikely to halt Ukrainian or Russian attacks.

19-year-old defender Bohdan Tarasiuk, known as “Malysh,” tragically lost his life on September 3, 2023, near Robotyno village in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. He was fatally wounded during a combat mission when he came under enemy mortar fire. Bohdan was from Brykiv village in the Rivne Oblast and attended Bohdanivka school before studying at Korets Higher Vocational School #24. He had dreams of a peaceful life and the comfort of a family. He had found love and had plans to get married. 

Bohdan joined the defense of his country during the second full-scale Russian invasion on February 25, 2022, serving as a rifleman in the 117th separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Described by his sister Maryna as sincere, always smiling, and just, Bohdan was the youngest in their family. “Bohdan is a very sincere, always smiling and very fair guy. He is the closest person I have ever had. He will always listen to you and support you. He was the youngest in our family, and I begged him not to go to serve, but he always said that his father and brother would have a harder time at war than he did,” said the deceased’s sister Maryna.

He was laid to rest in Brykiv village, leaving behind grieving parents, siblings, relatives, friends, and fellow fighters.

• UK intelligence: Fighting near Krynky unpleasant for Russia
• One more body found under rubble of hospital in Selydove, Donetsk Oblast
• Ukrainian defenders eliminated 850 Russians and destroyed 17 artillery systems in one day
• Pentagon dismisses claims that projectile supplies to Ukraine shrank by 30%
• The New York Times: Ukraine heads Into winter with a fragile power grid