Monthly Archives: August 2022

National, Russia-Ukraine War

Russians secure critical Ukrainian defensive position – August 3, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 23 weeks since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War and 3,078 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update.

Northeast Donetsk

On the Luhansk-Donetsk administrative border, Russian forces attempted an advance on Ivano-Darivka and were unsuccessful.

Bakhmut

Fighting intensified with Ukraine and Russia trading territorial gains. Russian forces advanced toward Yakovlivka from Volodymyrivka and were unsuccessful.

Russian forces were pushed out of Vershyna on August 1 and attempted to recapture the settlement by advancing from Roty. The attack was unsuccessful.

Russian forces also attempted to advance on Zaitseve and Pokrovske from Klynove and were unsuccessful in both directions. Russian forces made an advance on Bakhmut from the central part of Pokrovske but did not make new gains.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russian forces had partial success advancing into Kodema from Vidrodzhenya. We have assessed that Seimhirya was captured by terrorist elements of the Imperial Legion and Private Military Company Wagner Group on August 2.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

West of Donetsk city, Russian forces have focused their resources and ground assaults on Avdiivka and Pisky. Elements of the 1st Army Corps of the DNR and the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) attempted to advance on Avdiivka from Mineralne and were unsuccessful.

Elements of the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) captured the Ukrainian stronghold at the Butivka mine ventilation shaft. The defensive position is south of Avdiivka and was an integral part of the defensive line west of Donetsk.

Kharkiv

Russian forces launched a reconnaissance in force group into Dementiivka and were unsuccessful. They launched a second advance on Dementiivka from Kochubeivka, which was also unsuccessful.

Russian forces launched an offensive from Ternova for the first time in almost two months, trying to advance on Bairak. They were unsuccessful.

Southeast of Kharkiv city, Chuhuiv was hit by multiple Russian missiles, killing one civilian.

Kherson

On the Inhulets River bridgehead, a small Russian group supported by two tanks attempted to advance on Bilohirka from Sukhyi Stavok and were unsuccessful.

The Russian base at Chornobaivka was shelled by Ukrainian artillery, causing a major fire with secondary explosions. The blast was so powerful it broke windows, and three magnetic anomaly stations detected the blast as far away as Bucharest, Romania.

Russian troops accidentally caused a major explosion at the Kalanchak railroad station in Myrne while unloading a train full of ammunition. The blast damaged the tracks severing the Ground Line of Communication (GLOC – aka supply line) from Crimea. The connection is expected to be repaired over the next few days.

Russian combat engineers continue repairs on the Antonovskiy Bridge, with local officials announcing it will be reopened by next week. Russian forces also set up a second river crossing at the Antonovskiy Mist Railroad Bridge, moving military equipment into Kherson but at a reduced volume.

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Izyum

South of Izyum, Russian reconnaissance groups were identified near Dovhenke and Dolyna. Ukrainian forces did not engage with either group. We have coded Dovhenke as contested due to the increasing activity around the settlement. Otherwise, Russian forces increase the volume of artillery firing along the entire line of conflict southwest and south of Izyum.

Mykolaiv

Vitaly Kim, the Mykolaiv Regional State Administrative and Military Governor, reported that Russian missiles struck Mykolaiv city. The attack damaged a university dormitory and destroyed private homes. There was one injury reported.

Oleksandr Sienkevych, Mayor of Mykolaiv, reported that missiles hit the city in the early hours of August 3 local time, destroying a grocery store and striking an equestrian training center. Sienkevych reported no animals were injured or killed in the attack.

Zaporizhia

Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, has issued a dire warning over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southeastern Ukraine.

The situation there is getting more perilous every day, he said, urging Russia and Ukraine to allow inspectors to visit the complex to understand what steps need to be taken to prevent a nuclear accident. Russia has turned Europe’s largest nuclear power plant into a firebase and military barracks.

Dnipropetrovsk

Russian forces continue to fire rockets using Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) at Nikopol. The city has been under constant attack for three weeks, with over 1,100 rockets striking the region. The attacks have been coming from the Zaporizhzhia NPP on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor reported that Esman, Seredyna-Buda, and Khotin were shelled by mortar and artillery fire. There were no casualties or significant damage.

Lviv

A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile struck outside the settlement of Radekhiv in the Lviv oblast. Official and local reports reported indicated a Ukrainian antiaircraft site was destroyed. Two cruise missiles hit the Ukrainian military base in Chervonohrad, 13 kilometers from the Poland border.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian forces have returned to the military doctrine of using artillery to completely destroy an area until there is nothing left to defend and advance into the ruins west of Donetsk.
  2. In the next three weeks, many Russian military regulars will be coming to the end of their six-month contract in Ukraine, and because there has not been a formal declaration of war, they will be able to opt out of a new contract.
  3. Increased artillery fire south of Izyum is not a prelude to a renewed offensive and is meant to keep Ukrainian forces from advancing.

To read the rest of our report, become a Patreon! For as little as $5 a month, you get access to the daily Russia-Ukraine War Situation Report. The report provides analysis, maps, detailed information about all the axes in Ukraine, international developments, information about war crimes and human rights, and economic news. As an added benefit, you get access to flash reports, breaking news, and our Discord server.

Become a Patreon today!

Five Facts, Local

Hobby Lobby says humbug to homeless outreach during heatwave

[Mount Vernon, Wash.] – Matt Uyeno set up to distribute water and cooling towels in a Dollar Tree parking lot with permission, but the Hobby Lobby next door called police and reported he was setting up a camp on their property.

Five Fast Facts

  • Uyeno originally set up near the Safeway gas station on College Way on Friday, but was asked to move so he relocated across the street on East College Way to the Dollar Tree, where the manager gave permission for his activities
  • The manager of Dollar Tree confirmed that permission was given to KIRO 7 News
  • On Saturday, Uyeno returned with coolers of cold water and cooling towels, and the Mount Vernon Police Department said Hobby Lobby called and claimed that people were “setting up a camp on the business property”
  • No one from Hobby Lobby ever spoke to Uyeno, but the police insisted he had crossed a few feet onto Hobby Lobby property; he was trespassed and barred from the property for one year
  • Uyeno, undeterred, moved further into the Dollar Tree parking lot and continued his assistance until 10 p.m., even ordering 17 large pizzas for the unhomed and the Dollar Tree employees

An independent community activist organizer says he was trespassed by the Hobby Lobby in Mount Vernon as he gave water to the homeless in 90-degree heat on Saturday.

Matt Uyeno told KIRO 7 News that the…pandemic has [sic] fueled an escalating homeless situation in Mount Vernon, which has been especially dire in Skagit Valley…

You can read more at KIRO7 News.

National, Russia-Ukraine War

A lot of fighting with little progress – August 2, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,077 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update.

Northeast Donetsk – In northeast Donetsk, Russian forces attempted to advance on Ivano-Daryivka and were unsuccessful, withdrawing through the Spirne no man’s land.

Bakhmut – In the Bakhmut area, Russian forces attempted to advance on Yakovlivka using reconnaissance in force. They were unsuccessful and retreated after suffering losses. There were additional attempted advances on Soledar and Bakhmut. Both attempts were unsuccessful. Ukrainian and Russian forces continued to fight for control of the northern half of Pokrovske.

Terrorists with the Imperial Legion and Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group temporarily captured Vershyna with the support of Russian artillery and Russia-backed separatists. The force reached Zaitseve but was pushed back into Vershyna.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Russian forces attempted to advance on Kodema and Travneve but were unsuccessful.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia – The offensive west of Donetsk city has become more focused, with Russian forces not making any additional gains in the last 36 to 48 hours. Elements of the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) attempted to advance on Avdiivka and Pisky but made no additional territorial gains. They remain on the southern edge of Avdiivka and to the second street in southeast Pisky.

Russian forces attempted to advance further into Marinka but were unsuccessful and withdrew.

A reconnaissance group tried to advance on Novopil on the Donetsk-Zaporizhia border, fired on Ukrainian positions, and was neutralized.

Kharkiv – North of Kharkiv, Russian forces launched a reconnaissance in force group into Dementiivka and were unsuccessful.

Southeast of Kharkiv city, Chuhuiv was hit by at least one Russian missile, causing significant damage to a factory complex.

Kherson – In Kherson, Operational Command South reported that Russian forces tried to advance on Andriivka with a platoon-size force and were unsuccessful. Russian forces suffered heavy losses in the failed advance. Operational Command South also reported that Russian forces attempted to advance on Trudloiubivka with a platoon-size force and suffered heavy losses. Based on this information, Lyubymivka is under Russian control.

A video released by Ukraine showed a loitering munition striking a group of Russian soldiers dug in to the southwest of Soldataske. Satellite images showed that Russian forces had dug trenches and built pillboxes for tanks southwest of Pravdyne. Based on this new information, Myrne, Myrolyubivka, Pravdyne, and Soldatske are under Russian control.

Visit our Russia-Ukraine War Map

The Malcontent News Russia-Ukraine War Map is updated as events occur. Map not appearing in your RSS Feed or Google News App? You can review the most up-to-date information by visiting our custom Google Map.

Izyum – South of Izyum, a Russian reconnaissance group was discovered in the Mazanivka area and neutralized by Ukrainian forces. Neither belligerent reported additional fighting anywhere else on the axis.

Mykolaiv – Russian missiles struck Mykolaiv causing significant damage to a hospital, destroying the ambulance bay, and damaging a new trauma center.

Dnipropetrovsk – Russian forces struck the Zelenodol Power Plant with Smerch rockets fired MLRS destroying two buildings. Additionally, the Shyrokivska and Pokrovska districts of Kryvyi Rih were hit by rockets fired from MLRS. There were no casualties in the attack.

Russian forces targeted railroad infrastructure in Hrushivka, damaging the tracks. This attack was likely made to interdict equipment and personnel massing for the Kherson counteroffensive.

Sumy – Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor, reported that Esman, Bilopillia, and Khotin were shelled by mortar and artillery fire. There were no details on casualties or damage.

Chernihiv – The General Staff reported Senkivka and Lypkivka in the Chernihiv oblast were shelled. There weren’t any additional details.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian forces have reached a culmination point in northeast Donetsk and the Izyum axis and won’t be able to restore offensive operations without adding significant resources.
  2. Russian forces have ended attempts to advance from Izyum on Slovyansk and have transferred significant resources to Donetsk and Zaporizhia.
  3. Ukraine’s starting point for a Kherson counteroffensive is not as robust as it appeared a couple of weeks ago.

To read the rest of our report, become a Patreon! For as little as $5 a month, you get access to the daily Russia-Ukraine War Situation Report. The report provides analysis, maps, detailed information about all the axes in Ukraine, international developments, information about war crimes and human rights, and economic news. As an added benefit, you get access to flash reports, breaking news, and our Discord server.

Become a Patreon today!

Health and Lifestyle, National, Safety

53 nutritional and beverage products recall impacts several popular brands

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – The United States Food and Drug Administration announced that Lyons Magnus has voluntarily recalled 53 nutritional and beverage products, including popular brands such as Premier Protein, Stumptown, and Oatly, due to microbial contamination.

The products are potentially contaminated with the organism Cronobacter sakazakii. Common symptoms from infection include fever, vomiting, and urinary tract infection. Infections are rare, and so far, there have been no reported cases.

The recall was announced on July 29 and mostly impacted institutional packages of products sold to restaurants, gyms, and long-term care facilities. The impacted brands include Lyons Ready Care, Lyons Barista Style, Pirq, Glucerna, Aloha, Intelligentsia, Kate Farms, Oatly, Premier Protein, MRE, Stumptown, and Imperial. A complete list of the recalled products is available on the FDA’s website.

Impacted Glucerna products were sold at Costco, BJ’s Wholesale, and Sam’s Club under the Glucerna brand name.

Anyone who has a recalled product in his or her possession should dispose of it immediately or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers in all time zones with questions may contact the Lyons Recall Support Center 24/7 at 1-800-627-0557

Health and Lifestyle, Local, Weather

Seattle’s 6-day heatwave is one for the record books

[KIRKLAND, Wash.] – (MTN) Clouds and marine air rolled into Puget Sound, putting an end to a six-day run of temperatures over 90 degrees, the longest heatwave since weather records have been kept in Seattle.

The infamous heatwave of 2021, which killed over a dozen and smashed multiple weather recordings, including setting an all-time high of 108 degrees at Seatac Airport, couldn’t pull off five days in a row over 90. The heatwave of 2022 set the new mark and did it without the benefit of an onshore flow. Winds were light through the entire period but were mostly from the west, northwest, and north. If the wind had been from the east, Seattle likely would have broken 100 degrees on several days.

Record highs

Multiple records were set, but the bar was high. July 28 and 29 were competing against the 2009 three-day heatwave where Seattle reached 94 on the 27th, 97 on the 28th, and the previous all-time record high of 103 on the 29th. That heatwave was caused by an onshore flow and ended when the winds shifted overnight on the 29th, ushering in cloudy skies and normal temperatures. The heatwave of 2022 was shockingly consistent.

  • July 26 – 94 degrees – broke the old record of 92
  • July 27 – 91 degrees
  • July 28 – 94 degrees
  • July 29 – 95 degrees
  • July 30 – 95 degrees – three-way tie of 5-days in a row over 90 degrees, prior records were 1981 and 2015
  • July 31 – 95 degrees – longest streak over 90 degrees and tie for the longest streak of highs reaching 95 degrees or hotter; the prior record was 2021

July 26 to 30 was the fourth hottest streak on record, with an average high temperature of 93.8 degrees. The record-setting heatwaves of 1981, 2009, and 2021 were hotter.

Was this due to climate change

Weather is not climate, and climate is not weather. A heatwave in Puget Sound does not prove or disprove climate change. Just as the cold, wet, cloudy non-existent Puget Sound spring did not disprove or prove climate change. Globally, 2022 is currently the fifth hottest on record through June. Record-setting heat has hit Europe, Asia, and North America.

Will we have a smoke season

Washington’s cold and wet spring provided a good snowpack and slowed down the growth of underbrush and other burn materials. The heatwave that baked the region has removed some of that safety margin, and a large wildfire has erupted near Weed, California, on the Oregon-California border. For the next six to eight weeks, the chances of smoke rolling into Puget Sound will likely increase looking at the long-term weather models.

The time to prepare for smoke is now by making sure you have a supply of N-95 masks, particularly if you exercise or work outdoors or have moderate to severe asthma or other clinical breathing issues. If you don’t have air conditioning, now is the time to set up your clean air room and have a plan in place in the event it is over 85 or 90 degrees with heavy smoke. You can build your own smoke filter for under $50 with a box fan, furnace filter, and small bungee cords. Securely attach the air filter to the fan’s intake side, ensuring the arrow on the filter faces the right way.

National, Russia-Ukraine War

Russians make little progress – August 1, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,076 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update.

Northeast Donetsk – A Russian reconnaissance group probed Ukrainian positions in the Serebrianka area in the direction of Siversk. The unit was destroyed.

Bakhmut – Fighting continues in Stryapivka, with Russian forces attempting to advance on Soledar. Fighting has also continued in Pokrovske. We maintain the northern half of the settlement is a no man’s land with neither belligerent able to hold control of the area.

Fighting continues in the Svitlodarsk bulge, where Russian forces did not make additional progress in Vershyna, Semyhirya, or Travneve.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia – Fighting continued west of Donetsk along a broad front, including Kamyanka, Avdiivka, Pisky, and Krasnohorivka. Russian forces made no forward progress after achieving gains on July 30 and small gains in Pisky on the morning of July 31.

There were reports that Ukrainian forces had launched a limited counteroffensive south of Hulyaipole last week, and fresh reports today that advances toward Polohy were made.

There were reports of a large explosion at the airbase northwest of Melitopol. The General Staff did not report they made a HIMARS strike at the Russian-controlled airfield.

Kherson – Ukrainian forces hit a large Russian ammunition depot using rockets fired by High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in the settlement of Skadovsk. Residents reported that Russian troops had been bringing large quantities of the ammunition “for days” into the area.

An ammunition depot was hit in Russian-controlled Beryslav, also producing a large fire.

In Kakhovka, Insurgents destroyed the car of Russia-collaborator Vitaliy Efimenko. The vehicle he was driving was armored, with Efimenko suffering injuries in the attack.

In Kherson, Russian troops have dug trenches and defensive positions on the north bank of the Dnipro River at the entrance of the disabled Antonovskiy Bridge. Russian forces continue to mix civilian and military traffic on the military-operated ferry. Combat engineers have started repairs on the deck of the bridge.

At the Nova Kakhovka Dam, the railroad tracks that cross the spillway have been destroyed. The bridge has received a temporary repair using steel plates to cover the damaged area. The road is operational but reduced to a single lane.

There are reports that Oleksandrivka [Kherson] is under Russian control again.

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The Malcontent News Russia-Ukraine War Map is updated as events occur. Map not appearing in your RSS Feed or Google News App? You can review the most up-to-date information by visiting our custom Google Map.

Izyum – Russian forces launched an unsuccessful offensive on Husarivka. There continues to be an increase in activity northwest of Izyum along the Siverski Donets River.

Odesa – Two missiles were fired into the Odesa oblast, landing in a sparsely populated area near a quarry. The strike caused a brush fire, but there wasn’t any additional information on damage or casualties.

The first boat carrying Ukrainian grain departed from an Odesa area port. The ship is carrying a load of corn that will arrive in Lebanon. The Ukrainian and Russian government declared the departure as a sign of progress.

Sevastopol – Russian authorities are now claiming the attack on the Black Sea Fleet Headquarters in Sevastopol was a locally launched attack using modified consumer drones.

Daily Assessment

  1. The number of areas with an active insurgency in Ukraine is expanding with increasing attacks and assassination attempts in Russian-occupied territory.
  2. A deficit in trained light infantry, disruption of logistics, and the continued destruction of ammunition depots are impacting Russia’s offensive capabilities.
  3. Russian troop movements indicate that offensive operations toward Bakhmut and Donetsk are being prioritized while defensive operations in Kherson and Zaporizhia are being reinforced.

To read the rest of our report, become a Patreon! For as little as $5 a month, you get access to the daily Russia-Ukraine War Situation Report. The report provides analysis, maps, detailed information about all the axes in Ukraine, international developments, information about war crimes and human rights, and economic news. As an added benefit, you get access to flash reports, breaking news, and our Discord server.

Become a Patreon today!