Victory Chronicles-DAY 692

The recent loss of an A-50 long-range radar detection aircraft by the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a significant blow to Russian aviation and the image of the Russian regime. While it may not fundamentally affect the balance of forces, it is expected to make Russia more cautious in the skies, Colonel Yurii Ihnat, Ukraine’s Air Force spokesman, said. 

The A-50 scans Ukraine’s territory to detect air targets and support tactical aviation. It works with an Il-22M air command aircraft to help the Russians control their troops and forces. 

The Ukrainian Air Force has successfully carried out special operations that have forced the Russians to alter their tactics, such as catching multiple planes and Russian fighters engaging in terrorizing activities on the front line. These successful strikes have made the aggressor more cautious. 

Despite the loss, Russia still possesses several other long-range radar detection aircraft in working order, and there is no sign that the enemy will stop its military operations.

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According to a report by the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 592 Ukrainian civilians were killed or injured in December 2023 as a result of Russian strikes. This number represents a 26.5% increase in victims compared to the previous month. The report suggests that the actual increase in casualties may be even higher, as some reports are still being verified. This surge in civilian casualties goes against the overall downward trend observed in 2023. The UN monitoring mission highlights that the increase can be attributed in large part to the massive missile attacks by Russia on December 29-30, which accounted for 34% of the civilian casualties in December, compared to 16% in November. 

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The Public Relations Service of the 36th Separate Mechanized Brigade released photos of the artillery training. “To quickly “fill” the enemy and reliably cover our guys on the positions – for this purpose, the infantry artillery of Mykolaiv marines conducted training with 82-mm mortars. Let’s strengthen our spirit, body and weapons to always be stronger than the Russian occupier,” the 36th Separate Mechanized Brigade said in a statement.

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Border guards of the Luhansk detachment in Donetsk Oblast neutralized two enemy drones with munitions, reported the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. An FPV drone exploded in midair after being hit by small arms. Fighters landed the DJI Mavic 3 using an anti-drone gun. The UAV will become a donor for modifications and repairs of Ukrainian drones.

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Ukrainian intelligence reported that Russian efforts to expand Russia’s defense industrial base (DIB) have yet to fulfill operational requirements in Ukraine and that munitions shortages will continue to prompt Russia to source supplies from abroad. Ukrainian Main Military Intelligence Directorate (GUR) Deputy Chief Major General Vadym Skibitskyi stated that the Russian defense industrial base (DIB) can produce two million rounds of 122mm and 152mm shells annually, which resulted in a deficit of 500,000 shells in 2023 and will likely result in a similar deficit in 2024.

Skibitskyi stated that Russia plans to increase its ammunition production in 2024 but lacks the necessary components, qualified personnel, and production capabilities. Skibitskyi noted that Russia has previously purchased shells from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea and assessed that Russia will likely seek to procure additional shells from abroad in 2024 and beyond.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on January 11 that Russia will use any “pause” or temporary ceasefire agreement to stockpile drones, artillery, and missiles and address its large materiel shortages ahead of future aggression against Ukraine.

Zelensky added that Russia is currently negotiating the acquisition of additional missiles and ammunition from other countries and noted that Russia has already received more than one million shells from North Korea. Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin also confirmed recent Western reports that Russian forces have already launched at least one North Korean missile against Ukraine.

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Senior fighter Tymofiy Holtser died on March 2, 2023, near the city of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast. While performing a combat mission, he was fatally wounded by enemy artillery fire. The defender was 31 years old. 

Tymofiy was born in the village of Karapsel, in the Krasnoyarsk region of the Russian Federation. Since childhood, he lived in the Ukrainian town of Selydove, Donetsk Oblast. There, he received his secondary education at schools #3 and #6. In civilian life, he worked in the Selydove paramilitary mining rescue unit.

In 2017 the man signed a contract with the Armed Forces and went to war. He took part in the ATO/JFO, for which he was awarded the President of Ukraine’s award “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation” in 2019, the medal “For the Defense of Avdiivka,” and the following year – the award of the Commander of the East Operational Command.

During the full-scale war, Tymofiy defended Ukraine in the ranks of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade “Kholodnyi Yar,” where he served as a sniper. At first, he and his comrades fought in the Kharkiv Oblast, then went to other hotspots.

In 2022, the fighter was awarded the second-class award of the command of the 93rd Brigade and the medal “Defender of the Motherland.” Tymofiy was awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree posthumously.

“My husband was a very bright man. He valued his family most of all and did everything for our future. He devoted a large part of his life to Ukraine’s independence. Serving the Ukrainian people was a conscious choice of my husband. Despite all the circumstances, he always remained cheerful and never lost his lust for life,” said Victoriia Holtser.

The defender was buried at the Western Cemetery in Odesa. Tymofiy is survived by his parents, brothers, sisters, wife, and three children. He never got to hold his youngest daughter in his arms.

*Tymofiy’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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