Tag Archives: donbas

Breaking News, Russia-Ukraine War

All eyes on Zaporizhzhia, Turkey’s Erdogan pledges support for Ukraine

August 19, 2022, Russia-Ukraine War Update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,095 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Breaking News

Air defenses have been activated in Russian-controlled Sevastopol on the Crimea Peninsula. There are reports of explosions. Available videos on social media only show air defense missiles firing and no strikes in the city or surrounding area.

Northeast Donetsk

There was limited fighting in northeast Donetsk, with Russian forces attempting to advance in the direction of Vyimka from Spirne and Mykolaivka without success.

Bakhmut

Russian forces and their proxies fought positional battles on the outskirts of Soledar supported by artillery and attack aircraft and attempted to advance into Bakhmutske without success.

PMC Wagner Group, Russian airborne VDV forces, and elements of the LNR 2nd Army Corps, supported by the Russian air force, attempted to advance on Bakhmut from three directions without success.

In the Svitlodarsk Bulge, PMC Wagner Group and LNR separatists attempted to advance on Kodema without success, and Russian forces attempted to advance on Zaitseve from Holyivskyi but could not make any forward progress.

Ukrainian forces shelled Russian positions in Svitlodarsk.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

DNR separatists launched their first offensive toward Kamyanka since July 29. Belligerents fought a positional battle, and there was no change in the line of conflict.

Separatists attempted to flank Adviivka by advancing from Novoselivka Druha and were unsuccessful.

There was an attempt to advance into Pervomaiske from the Russian-occupied areas of Pisky. Separatists were unable to move forward, lost ground, and Ukraine gained a toehold in the northern part of the contested village. DNR separatists attempted another open country advance from Lozove toward Pervomaiske and were unsuccessful.

In the southern part of the Donbas, DNR separatists attempted to advance in the direction of Vodyane without success.

Kharkiv

A building on the campus of the National Aerospace Academy in Kharkiv was destroyed in an overnight missile attack. A security guard who worked at the university was killed in the attack.

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Kherson

Operational Command South of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hinted that they attempted an offensive toward Stanislav and Shyroka Balka. The advance was unsuccessful.

The bridge at the Nova Kakhovka was hit again by rockets fired by High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS), thwarting Russian combat engineer attempts to repair the structure.

Mykolaiv

Two Russian S-300 antiaircraft missiles being used as ground-to-ground weapons hit the Black Sea University in Mykolaiv on the 18th, and up to eight missiles struck the campus on the morning of the 19th. This is the third attack on the campus in the last four days and one of four universities targeted by Russian missile strikes in the last 24 hours.

Dnipropetrovsk

There is significant concern by the west and global nuclear power monitoring organizations that Russia is preparing for a false flag event at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on August 19. A statement from the Russian embassy in the United States raised eyebrows with specific accusations and the wording used.

Overnight, the settlement of Nikopol was attacked by rockets fired from MLRS located within the nuclear power plant compound.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he has agreed to a framework for a visit by an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). The agreement was reached after meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in Lviv.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was also in the meeting and declared, during a press conference said, “We are alarmed by the hostilities at the [nuclear power plant]. We don’t want to experience another Chornobyl. We are and will remain on Ukraine’s side.”

Sumy and Chernihiv

Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Sumy Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that the settlements of Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, and Myropillia, were attacked.

Beyond Ukraine

A Russian ammunition depot in Timonovo, Russia, had a catastrophic explosion. Fire and rescue crews were standing off because it was too dangerous to approach the area. Timonovo and Basovo were evacuated, along with a nearby military base.

Daily Assessment

  1. The Russian Ministry of Defense made no claims of capturing new territory for the first time since early July, and Russian troops have demonstrated they are incapable of concentrating combat power in an offensive as they did in Luhansk.
  2. We maintain that the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic are combat ineffective.
  3. Russian military doctrine has relied on indigenous militias and mercenaries to do the bulk of front-line fighting, such as in Chechnya, Syria, and the Central African Republic, to minimize official combat losses and weaken rump states – the waste of human capital among Donbas separatists has hobbled combat capabilities.

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Breaking News, Russia-Ukraine War

Multiple attacks in Russia and Crimea, ammo stored at nuke plant – August 18, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,094 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Breaking News

An open-air Russian ammunition depot in Timonovo, Russia, exploded on Thursday evening, causing the evacuation of two towns and a military base. Videos from the area showed multiple secondary explosions, including rockets, missiles, thermite, and potentially white phosphorus. Fire and rescue crews were standing off because it was too dangerous to approach the area. Satellite images before the explosion show the depot, located 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is 147,500 square meters (1.6 million square feet) and contained dozens of military vehicles.

There are conflicting reports that Belbek Military Airfield in Sevastopol was attacked and had an explosion. Videos from the area showed air defenses had been activated and recorded explosions and sonic booms in the area. A video allegedly showing a large explosion at an ammunition depot was deemed to be falsely attributed to the airfield.

There are fresh reports that the helicopter base in Stary Oskol, Russia, has been attacked.

Russian air defenses were activated at the Kersch Bridge, which connects Russian-controlled Crimea with the Russian mainland. Russian officials claim they shot down a Ukrainian drone. There was no damage to the bridge.

Social media reports are claiming that Enerhodar, where the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is located, is under heavy attack. A video from earlier today showed Russian military vehicles and ammunition stored in the reactor one complex. An earlier video showed military equipment moving in and out of the machine shop area of reactor one, but the amount of hardware inside was unclear. The ammunition is stored in the same building that houses the generation turbine deck for the reactor one complex.

Northeast Donetsk

There was limited fighting in northeast Donetsk, with Russian forces attempting to advance on Vesele supported by the Russian air force from Bilohorivka [Donetsk]. The advance was unsuccessful. Ukrainian forces were able to overrun the first line of Russian defenses near Bilohorivka.

Russian forces attempted to maneuver to Vyimka but lacked the troop strength to advance across the open territory.

Bakhmut

Russian forces and their proxies tried to improve their positions within the KNAUF-GIPS sheetrock factory in Soledar but did not most the line of conflict. Russian forces also attempted to advance into Bakhmutske without success.

PMC Wagner Group, Russian airborne VDV forces, and elements of the LNR 2nd Army Corps attempted to advance on Bakhmut from two directions without success.

Russian forces and their proxies also attempted to advance on the T-0513 Highway through Zaitseve (10 kilometers southeast of Bakhmut) and were unsuccessful.

In the Svitlodarsk Bulge, PMC Wagner Group and LNR separatists attempted to advance on Kodema without success.

Russian forces also attempted to advance on Zaitseve from Holyivskyi and tried to capture the Mayorsk border crossing. Neither offensive was successful.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

Russia-backed separatists of the DNR were able to advance from Spartak to the edge of Opytne and are attempting to consolidate their gains.

Fighting to reach the village of Nevelske has been intense. DNR used white phosphorus munitions on established Ukrainian positions. DNR forces attempted to cross open territory from Lozove toward Pervomaiske and cross the Ukrainian positions along the E-50 Ring Road. They were unsuccessful.

A railway bridge was hit by an apparent single HIMARS rocket in Makiivka, destroying the tracks, the tunnel, and supports.

Ukraine attacked Russian-controlled Panteleymonovka. One person was killed in the strike.

A Russian ammunition depot in Amvrosiivka was destroyed by rockets fired from HIMARS. The initial blast shattered windows and damaged buildings up to 1.6 kilometers away.

In the southern part of the Donbas, fighting for control of Novobakhmutivka continued, with Ukrainian positions hit by artillery.

Ivan Fedorov, the exiled mayor of Melitopol, said that Russian occupying forces had sealed the city and forcing everyone to go through filtration. The city has been rocked by almost daily partisan attacks, including a series of explosions on August 17.

In Russian-controlled Kyrylivka, Russian ammunition and military equipment reportedly exploded due to insurgent activity.

Kharkiv

Russian missiles hit an apartment building in the Saltiva district of Kharkiv. The building was destroyed in the attack, killing seven and wounding 20. The city was hit a second time in the Slobidskyi District. A hostel was partially destroyed before sunrise killing two and wounding 18.

Rockets also struck Krasnohrad at 4:00 AM while people were still asleep. Two people were killed, and another two were wounded.

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Kherson

Operational Command South of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the General Staff reported conflicting information about Bilohirka on the Inhulets River bridgehead. The General Staff reported that Russian forces attempted to advance on the settlement and were unsuccessful. Operational Command South reported that a Russian ammunition depot in Bilohirka was destroyed.

Dnipropetrovsk

The settlement of Nikopol was shelled overnight. A school was damaged, and one woman was hospitalized.

There has been no progress on efforts to demilitarize the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Lviv for talks with Ukrainian and Turkish officials about the situation in Zaporizhzhia.

Sumy and Chernihiv

Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Sumy Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that 176 artillery shells hit border towns on August 17. The settlements of Bilopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Esman, Krasnopillia, Yunakivka, Myropillia, Shalyhyne, and Buryn were attacked.

Odesa-Crimea-Black Sea

Reports by Russian state media that the naval airbase in Russian-controlled Hvardeyskye, Crimea, experienced a fire with several explosions was a disinformation campaign. Satellite images show there was no damage, and the base was operating normally.

Daily Assessment

  1. The 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic are combat ineffective.
  2. Ukraine continues to destroy ammunition depots, troop positions, and military equipment deep in Russian-occupied territory.
  3. Russian forces launched a series of punitive strikes on civilian targets in Mykolaiv, Zatoka, and Kharkiv, and we expect more attacks through the rest of the week.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Russian offensive to capture Avdiivka falters – August 17, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,093 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Russian forces gaining additional protection from the Russian air force withdrew from the area of Ivano-Darivka back to the Verkhnokamyanka oil refinery.

The former offices of the Ukrainian Intelligence Service in occupied Lysychansk were destroyed in a rocket attack launched by High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS). Governor Haidai reported the building was occupied by the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR). It is claimed over 100 were killed.

On August 15, an ammunition depot in Russian-controlled Rodakove was destroyed in a probable HIMARS attack.

Officers of the 2nd Army Corps on the LNR accidentally revealed the location of their command post in Lysychansk when they posted pictures on social media. The photos included all the metadata, including the precise geolocation.

Bakhmut

Reconnaissance units probed Ukrainian defenses in Soledar near the area of the KNAUFF-GIPS sheetrock factory and returned to their positions. In support of the attempted advance on Soledar, Russian forces continue to attempt to advance on Bakhmutske.

Russian forces tried to move into Zaitseve (10 kilometers southeast of Bakhmut) using reconnaissance in force and were unsuccessful.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Russian forces attempted to advance into Zaitseve (north of Horlivka) but were unsuccessful.

Elements of the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) attempted to advance through the Mayorsk border crossing after Russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions to the north and were unsuccessful. Following an artillery barrage on Shumy, DNR forces attempted to advance into the settlement and were unsuccessful.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

Near Donetsk, elements of the 1st Army Corps attempted to advance on Nevelske and Opytne. The advance on Nevelske was unsuccessful, and fighting was ongoing in Spartak, southeast of Opytne.

After fighting to secure the Butivka Mine Ventilation Shaft compound on the southeast edge of Pisky, DNR forces abandoned their positions without a fight. We have recoded Pisky as contested based on social intelligence, the General Staff report, and Russian state media reports.

Ukrainian forces shelled a water treatment plant in Donetsk city, causing additional damage to the facility, which was previously attacked on March 16.

Russian missiles destroyed several warehouses and electrical infrastructure in Kurakhove.

In the southern part of the Donbas, fighting for control of Novobakhmutivka continued, with Ukrainian positions being hit by airstrikes and artillery.

Russian forces attempted an advance on Shevchenko and were unsuccessful.

The International Red Cross now claims that its employees were able to visit the Russian penal colony in Olenvika, Donetsk, on two occasions. The revelation reverses earlier claims that they had never been allowed inside the compound. The ICRC stated they had no opportunities to meet with prisoners face-to-face, and Russian proxy forces would not allow unsupervised meetings, violating the Geneva Convention. For background information, you can read our Special Report: Anatomy of a botched false flag attack at Detention Camp 52.

Kharkiv

Members of the Azov Battalion conducted a special operation in Russian-controlled Ternova, northeast of Kharkiv. The unit destroyed two Russian BMP infantry fighting vehicles, an ammunition depot, and an observation post. Russian forces responded by remotely mining the settlements of Peremoha and Ukrainka.

Southeast of Kharkiv, Russian forces launched offensives toward Bazaliivka and Lebyazhe – neither were successful.

Russian forces shelled Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure along the entire line of conflict, including firing rockets from MLRS into the Saltivka District of Kharkiv.

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Izyum

South of Izyum, Russian forces continued their attempts to recapture Mazanivka and were unsuccessful. A new offensive to recapture Bohorodychne was launched, resulting in Russian forces being pushed back.

Russian forces shelled and then remote mined Dibrovne. The General Staff reported that Russian forces were advancing in the area of Nova Dymtrivka and were unsuccessful.

Near the village of Rudneve, Russian forces were ambushed by Ukrainian forces in the so-called “Sherwood Forest” region, west of Izyum.

Kherson

Russian efforts to push Ukraine from the Inhulets River bridgehead failed. Russian Special Operation Forces (SOF) attempted to flank Ukrainian positions in Bilohirka by advancing a platoon toward Bila Krynsytsya. The unit was discovered, suffered heavy losses, and retreated.

Simultaneously Russian forces from Davydiv Brid advanced on Bilohirka, contested the town, and then were pushed back, suffering heavy casualties in the failed offensive.

Russian forces made a second attempt to advance on Novohryhorivka, northwest of Kherson city and were unsuccessful.

There are reports that units of the Chechen Rosgvardiya have been redeployed east of the Dnipro River to prevent deserters from trying to leave their positions in Kherson. There have not been reports of widespread desertion, but morale is reported to be low, with the 25,000 Russian troops west of the river cut off.

Dnipropetrovsk

The settlement of Nikopol was shelled overnight. There was damage to the Nikopol highway and six homes but no casualties.

There has been no progress on efforts to demilitarize the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The Russian Ministry of Defense and Volodymyr Rogov, the Russian-appointed head of Zaporizhzhia, accused Ukraine of shelling the power plant and damaging the cooling circuit.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Lviv on August 18. Topics will include grain shipments, economics, and the situation at Zaporizhzhia. After the meeting in Lviv, Guterres will travel to Odesa.

Sumy and Chernihiv

Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Sumy Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that 130 artillery shells hit border towns on August 16. The settlements of Khotin, Billopillia, Myrolaiivka, Shalyhyne, and Krasnopillia were attacked.

The settlement of Kamianska Sloboda in the Chernihiv oblast was shelled from across the international border. There were no reports of casualties.

Odesa-Crimea-Black Sea

The seaside resort town of Zatoka was struck by two Kh-22 air-to-sea cruise missiles fired by Russian air force Tu-22M3 heavy bombers. The attack destroyed up to seven seaside hotels and over a dozen summer homes. This was the 11th attack on Zatoka since the start of the war.

Russian state media reported that the naval airbase in Russian-controlled Hvardeyskye, Crimea experienced a fire with several explosions. Two squadrons of the 37th Composite Aviation Regiment are stationed at the base.

Zhytomyr

Two Russian Kh-59 air-to-sea cruise missiles fired by Russian Su-34 aircraft operating in Belarusian airspace struck the Ukrainian air force base in Ozerne. Ukrainian officials reported the runway was cratered, and several non-aviation vehicles were damaged.

Beyond Ukraine

Russian officials are blaming Ukrainian Special Operation Forces for destroying multiple power transmission towers in the Kursk region. Russian FSB reported that between August 4 and 12, six towers for electrical distribution carrying from 110 to 750 kilovolts connected to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant were destroyed.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian forces continue to make operational security errors contributing to Ukrainian successes.
  2. The 1st Army Corps has likely abandoned direct assaults on Avdiivka and Marinka and may be reallocating troops already from Pisky.
  3. Ukrainian military leaders have maintained defensive lines across Ukraine despite having fewer resources and an artillery deficit.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Ukrainian Special Forces destroy Crimea ammo depot – August 16, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,092 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Russian forces attempted to advance on Ivano-Darivka, Vyimka, and Vesele without success. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine described the assault as a “complete failure” with a “chaotic retreat.”

Russian forces launched a major attack toward Ivano-Darivka from the Verkhnokamyanka oil refinery. Fighting continued throughout the day.

A command post of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) 2nd Army Corps was struck by rockets fired by High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS), destroying the former Ukrainian intelligence service building. Exiled Luhansk Oblast Administrative and Military Governor Serhiy Haidai reported over soldiers and officers of the 2nd Army Corps were killed in the attack. Video from Lysychansk showed that the building had been obliterated.

Governor Haidai also reported Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group suffered over 100 casualties due to the August 14 HIMARS attack on their headquarters in Popasna. New videos and pictures of the Wagner headquarters after the attack showed vastly more damage than initially reported, confirming there were multiple rocket strikes. Members of PMC Wagner reported that the man behind the Telegram account Grey Zone died from injuries sustained in the attack.

General Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video showing Akhmat Division members fighting in an undisclosed location in northeast Donetsk. This is the first evidence of Chechen fighters still active in Ukraine in over two weeks, but the video appears to be old.

Bakhmut

Russian forces attempting to advance into Yakolivka either hit a landmine or were ambushed by Ukrainian forces and suffered equipment and personnel losses. Russian forces attempted to advance into Soledar from two directions – Bakhmutske and Stryapivka. The attacks were unsuccessful.

Russian forces continued attempts to advance into Bakhmutske and Zaitseve (10 kilometers southeast of Bakhmut).

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Russian forces continue to attempt to capture Zaitseve from Horlivka. Russian forces shared a video of sappers blowing up the Luhan River bridge in Luhanske. The bridge is located in a region of solid Russian control.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

The latest report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not mention Pisky, and the last report of Ukrainian positions being shelled was 12 hours ago. Ukrainian forces remain northeast and south of the village, but in our assessment, Pisky is under Russian control.

Elements of the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) have launched positional battles near Staromykhailivka and Nevelske.

The DNR appears to have abandoned efforts to capture Avdiivka after suffering devastating losses in direct assaults.

A composition of Russian airborne VDV, naval infantry, DNR, and LNR forces launched a series of offensives in southern Ukraine.

Russian forces launched an offensive from Solodke toward Vodyane to the west and Volodymyrivka to the southwest. Neither offensive was successful.

Russian forces made another attempt to advance on Pavlivka, which was unsuccessful. A Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter was shot down.

In Russian-controlled Melitopol, insurgents blew up the TV transmitter and a substation, cutting off all television signals in the area.

Kharkiv

The Russian Ministry of Defense and Pro-Russian social media account Rybar made another claim that the border settlement of Udy was recaptured. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Sosnivka, between Udy and the Russian stronghold of Kozacha Lopan, was shelled through the day.

Seven Iskander-M Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM) hit the Shevchenkivskyi, Kyivskyi, Saltivskyi, Industrialnyi, and Kholodnohirskyi district of Kharkiv during the largest artillery and missile attack on the city since May. There were no casualties reported.

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Izyum

Russian forces launched the heaviest round of artillery fire in over a week along the Izyum axis. Ukrainian positions in Hrushuvakha, Virnopilla, Krasnopilla, Asiivka, and Mazanivka were shelled.

Russian forces then attempted to advance on Mazanivka and Dolyna and were unsuccessful.

Kherson

Northwest of Kherson, Russian forces advanced toward Novohryhorivka and took heavy losses in the failed advance. Based on this information, we recoded the village of Zelenyi Hai as under Russian control.

Russian forces appear to be making a significant effort to push Ukrainian forces across the Inhulets River. Russian troops attacked Andriivka, Lozove, Bilohrika, and Bila Krynytsia, which is on the west bank of the river.

Dnipropetrovsk

The Russian Ministry of Defense continues stonewalling the International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations’ request to allow inspections into the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Igor Vishnevetsky, Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department for Non-Proliferation and Arms Control, claimed it would be too dangerous for international inspectors to travel to the plant through Kyiv.

Odesa-Crimea-Black Sea

A massive Russian ammunition depot in Maiske, Russian-controlled Crimea, exploded. Multiple videos showed continuous secondary explosions, air-to-air missiles flying in all directions, and two additional blasts. Satellite images before the blast suggest the ammo depot may have been 1,000 meters long. The Russian Ministry of Defense initially claimed the explosion was an accident and, in an update, reported that Ukrainian Special Operation Forces had destroyed the depot.

The depot was located 750 meters from civilian housing, and up to 3000 people were ordered to evacuate. Social media videos showed unexploded munitions had been thrown up to 5 kilometers away and littered roads, fields, and yards. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported there were no casualties, while occupation officials in Crimea reported at least two were wounded.

An naval airbase in Russian-controlled Hvardiiske was attacked by Ukrainian SOF, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Local residents reported multiple explosions and black clouds of smoke rising from the base, where more than two-dozen aircraft are stationed. Kremlin officials claim a kamikaze drone made the attack, and there were no casualties or significant damage.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian forces have dramatically increased operational tempo in northeast Donetsk, indicating a larger offensive may be starting than we previously assessed.
  2. The 1st Army Corps appears to have abandoned direct assaults on Avdiivka and Marinka after the capture of Pisky.
  3. Russian forces are attempting to push Ukrainian troops from the Inhulets River bridgehead, as supply issues are already hitting troops west of the Dnipro.

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.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Up to 100 Russian mercenaries killed in HIMARS attack – August 15, 2022 Ukraine update

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[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,091 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

A Russian Special Operation Force (SOF) reconnaissance in force team attempted to advance on Serebrianka, came under fire from Ukrainian forces, and retreated.

Elements of the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), supported by the Russian Federation Armed Forces, attempted to advance into Ivano-Darivka, Vesele, and Spirne using reconnaissance in force and were unsuccessful.

The headquarters for Private Military Company Wagner Group was hit by rockets fired from High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS), causing significant damage and reportedly causing up to 100 casualties.

On August 8, Private Military Company Wagner Group aligned Telegram channel Grey Zone, shared detailed pictures of the Wagner command and control base in Popasna. One of the photos a Russian journalist took during the visit included the address of the building where the base was located. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner and a close Putin ally, was in one of the pictures.

Wagner Telegram channel Reverse Side of the Medal shared pictures of the destroyed base and the wounded and dead being removed. Pictures shared by Wagner Group show at least two impacts on the building, including one that would have penetrated the basement area. Another post-attack video was recorded by an insurgent or Ukrainian SOF showing Wagner loading some of the dead into a van.

Ukrainian SOF made a reconnaissance mission in Brusivka, on the north bank of the Siverski Donets River near Lyman. They came under machine gun fire, attempted to flank the Russian positions, and withdrew.

Bakhmut

Russian airborne forces (VDV) attempted another reconnaissance in force push on the edge of Soledar and were unsuccessful.

PMC Wagner, supported by LNR separatists, tried to advance on Yakovlivka and Vershyna without success. Russian VDV forces assaulted Bakhmut and, according to the General Staff, had “partial success.” After the attack, Bakhmut experienced the worst shelling since the war began.

Russian forces attempted to advance on Zaitseve, 10 kilometers southeast of Bakhmut and were unsuccessful. In the Svitlodarsk bulge fighting for control of Kodema and Zaitseve (north of Horlivka) continued.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

West of Donetsk, the 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) continued its offensive to capture Pisky. They remained unsuccessful in pushing Ukrainian forces out of the northern part of the village.

On the south side of Pisky, DNR forces attempted to advance on Pervomaiske and were unsuccessful.

In southern Ukraine, Russian forces made another attempt to advance on Pavlivka and tried to improve their position near Vremivka without success.

Insurgents in Melitopol destroyed a railroad bridge south of the city and reportedly caused major damage to the structure.

Social media pictures showed a large fire at the port in Berdyansk. The exiled mayor of the port city reported the fire was caused by a “violation of safety requirements” during welding work that ignited fuel and oil storage.

Mykolaiv

Russian forces fired S300 antiaircraft missiles in a ground-to-ground capacity for the first time in almost a week into Mykolaiv. The main port was hit, causing damage to the facilities.

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Izyum

South of Izyum, pictures by Ukrainian forces confirm that the settlement of Brazhivka has been fully liberated. Russian forces attempted to advance in the direction of Dolyna and were unsuccessful.

Dnipropetrovsk

Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to trade accusations of shelling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The Russian-controlled city of Energodar, where the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is located, was shelled, killing one person. Russian forces fired 20 Grad rockets into Nikopol and shelled Marganets. There were no injuries reported.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor, reported Yunakivka, Esman, Khotin, and Billopillia were shelled and hit by mortars. There was a border skirmish north of Billopillia at the now closed international border crossing into Russia.

Chernihiv

The settlement of Senkivka was shelled.

Beyond Ukraine

In Zareche-Vtore, Russia, Ukrainian SOF used a loitering munition or explosives to collapse a large communications tower, destroying it.

Daily Assessment

  1. The 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic is combat ineffective, with multiple reports that it is on the brink of being combat destroyed.
  2. Volunteer fighters in Russia are starting to return home from their contracts and complain of poor equipment, terrible treatment, and going unpaid.
  3. Russian proxy forces suffered another embarrassing and preventable defeat due to terrible operational security, resulting in dozens of mercenaries being killed and wounded in a confirmed HIMARS attack.

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.

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Russia-Ukraine War

25K Russian troops west of the Dnipro River cut off – August 14, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,089 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Elements of the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), supported by the Russian Federation Armed Forces, continued their efforts to advance on Ivano-Darivka, Vyimka, and Vesele. They renewed efforts to advance on Spirne, including an airstrike by the Russian air force.

The headquarters of Private Military Company Wagner Group in Popasna was destroyed by a rocket attack from High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems (HIMARS). Mercenaries with PMC Wagner shared detailed photos of the headquarters’ location on social media earlier this week. There were graphic pictures and videos of the dead and wounded.

Bakhmut

Near Bakhmut, Russian VDV performed reconnaissance on the eastern edge of Soledar and came under fire. They retreated to previous defensive positions.

PMC Wagner, supported by LNR separatists, tried to advance on Yakovlivka, Bakhmut, and Vershyna without success.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge fighting for control of Kodema continued. The General Staff reported continued fighting for Zaitseve and the settlement being hit by an airstrike.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

North of Donetsk, Russian forces attempted to advance on Krasnohorivka and were unsuccessful.

The 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) continued its offensive to capture Pisky. After massive artillery shelling on August 12, they made further advances, with Ukrainian forces in the northern part of the settlement.

DNR and Ukrainian forces fought positional battles in Avdiivka and Spartak without changing the line of conflict.

Elements of the 1st Army Corps also attempted to advance on Marinka and were unsuccessful.

Russian forces made another attempt to advance on Pavlivka and tried to improve their position near Novopil and Prechystivka without success.

Kherson

The Antonovisky Bridge that connects Kherson to southern Ukraine was attacked for a fourth time, disabling the structure. Up to 25,000 Russian troops are essentially trapped on the west bank of the Dnipro River with limited resupply options.

Mykolaiv Oblast Administrative and Military Governor Vitalii Kim reported that Russian military leaders were moving their command posts east of the Dnipro River. There were additional reports of Russian soldiers starting to loot garages and homes in Kherson city.

Rockets fired from HIMARS struck seven Russian-controlled settlements, including Velyka Blahovischenka, Melitopol, Nova Kakhovka, Chaplynka, Nyzhni Sirohozy, and Novotroitske. A video showed the aftermath of the strike in Nova Kakhovka, with secondary explosions from ammunition cooking off.

Two platoons of Russian naval infantry attempted to push Ukrainian forces out of Lozove and were unsuccessful. Russian forces also attempted to advance on Andriivka but could not move the line of conflict.

Russian forces also attempted to advance on Shyroke and Oleksandrivka [Kherson] and were unsuccessful.

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Izyum

Northwest of Izyum, the Russian air force struck the settlement of Zalyman.

Russian forces attempted to advance in the direction of Nova Dmytrivka and Dolyna. Neither advance was successful.

Dnipropetrovsk

Russian forces at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant fired 50 Grad rockets from MLRS at Nikopol and Marhanets.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor, reported Esman, Khotin, Mykolaivka, Billopillia, Znob-Novhorodske, Nova Sloboda, Velyka Pysarivka, and Shalyhyne were shelled and hit by mortars. There were no casualties or major damage.

Chernihiv

In Chernihiv, the settlements of Hremyach, Senkivka, and Pushkari were shelled.

Beyond Russia

Igor “Girkin” Strelkov was detained by the Russian military at the Crimean border, trying to enter Ukraine. The arresting unit outed his FSB alias by releasing a picture of his passport. Strelkov was returned to Russia and later released by authorities.

Daily Assessment

  1. The latest round of bridge attacks has severed all the Ground Lines of Communications (GLOC – aka supply line) across the Dnipro in Kherson – logistics and supply for 25,000 Russian soldiers will be a significant issue.
  2. The tension between the Kremlin and Strelkov is growing after his criticism likely was a bridge too far and his attempt to enter Ukraine allegedly as a “fighter.”
  3. Russian forces are initiating spoiling attacks in northeast Donetsk, likely attempting to pull Ukrainian resources from Bakhmut and Soledar to break what is turning into a stalemate.

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.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Ukrainian forces cling to Pisky as fighting continues – August 13, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,088 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Elements of the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) attempted to advance into Verkhnokamyanske and Hryhorivka using reconnaissance in force tactics and were unsuccessful.

Russian troops withdrew to previous defensive positions after failed attempts to advance on Ivano-Darivka, Vyimka, and Vesele.

Near Russian-occupied Lyman, Raihorodok was shelled, and Kramatorsk was attacked with rockets fired from Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS).

Bakhmut

Fighting for control of Soledar is in an operational pause. There are reliable reports that Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group is being rotated out of Soledar after suffering 50% casualty rates and being replaced by Russian airborne troops (VDV).

PMC Wagner continued attempts to advance on Yakovlivka and tried to capture the western half of Vershyna aided by airstrikes, but was unsuccessful.

LNR separatists with the 2nd Army Corps and PMC Wagner were able to advance into northeastern Bakhmut, reaching the industrial areas. Fighting for control continued.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge fighting for control of Kodema continued. Ukrainian forces likely withdrew from Zaitseve under cover of darkness. LNR separatists are attacking Dacha from three sides.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

The 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) continued its offensive to capture Pisky. Fighting continued, advancing further into the village. The situation for Ukrainian forces has become dire, with units holding the northern third of the village that was once home to 2,000.

Elements of the 1st Army Corps also attempted to advance on Avdiivka and Marinka but remained unsuccessful.

Kherson

Near Kherson, Ukrainian forces used precision munitions to strike the Kakhovsky Bridge in Nova Kakhovka, reducing the bridge to a single lane and only capable of supporting light vehicles. Satellite images showed that the Darivka bridge has been reopened to all traffic but reduced to a single lane.

Ukrainian forces reported three Russian command posts were destroyed: the command post for the Russian 49th Combined Arms Army (CAA) in Chervonyi Mayak, the 126th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of the Russian Navy in Novokamianka, and the 76th Airborne Assault Division in Ishchenka.

The settlement of Barvinok, northwest of Kherson city, was recaptured by Russian forces.

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Izyum

In Nova Kakhovka, it was confirmed that a HIMARS strike on August 11 destroyed the Kakhovsky Bridge over the Dnipro River at the Kakhovka dam. The railroad bridge is likely irreparable, and the road bridge can only support light vehicles.

Dnipropetrovsk

The village of Marivka on the Dnipro River was struck by over 80 Grad rockets fired by MLRS, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure overnight. Thirteen people were killed and another 11 injured – seven critically.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor, reported Esman, Khotin, Mykolaivka, and Shalyhyne were shelled and hit by mortars. Mykolaivka hromada was hit by a Russian airstrike and 60 rockets that were fired from MLRS. Two airstrikes and 10 Grad rockets also hit Khotin. Pro-Russian social media account Rybar reports that Ukrainian forces shelled the Russian town of Sverdlikovo.

Chernihiv

In Chernihiv, the settlements of Hirs’k and Hai were shelled from across the international border. There were no casualties.

Daily Assessment

  1. There are numerous reports that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and their proxies are struggling to fill their ranks and replace troops lost in battle.
  2. Professional mercenaries of PMC Wagner Group are refusing to fight with Russian penal units calling the soldiers under-trained, undisciplined, and ineffective.
  3. Fighting in northeast Donetsk around Siversk is increasing, indicating that Russian military leaders are looking to secure the oblast before mud season or are trying to divert resources from Bakhmut and Soledar.

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.

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Russia-Ukraine War

More fighting, less movement – August 11, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,086 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Russian forces made their first attempt to advance on Siversk since July 26. Light infantry attempted to advance on Hryhorivka, and tanks attempted to move toward Verkhnokamyanske from the oil refinery. Neither advance was successful.

Russian forces attempted to advance through Spirne, aided by the Russian air force, and were able to break through to Ivano-Daryivka briefly before being pushed back.

Bakhmut

Proxy forces supported by the Russian air force made further gains into Soledar, capturing the KNUAF-GIPS drywall factory. Fighting has become intense, and volunteers are relocating civilians who didn’t heed earlier requests to evacuate.

PMC Wagner continued attempts to advance on Yakovlivka, Bakhmutske, and Bakhmut and tried to capture the western half of Vershyna but was unsuccessful.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Russian forces launched an offensive on Dacha. Russian proxy forces and Ukrainian troops continued fighting in Kodema and for control of Zaitseve.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

The 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) continued offensives on Avdiivka and Pisky, relying more on artillery and fighting positional battles.

DNR separatists tried to advance on Krasnohorivka and were unsuccessful.

DNR forces also attempted direct assaults on Avdiivka from Mineralne and Spartak and were unsuccessful. They also attempted to advance deeper into Pisky in a direct assault from Donetsk, Lozove, and the Butivka Mine ventilation shaft compound but did not make any gains.

Elements of the 1st Army Corps also attempted to advance on Marinka and were unsuccessful.

Overnight, Ukrainian forces shelled the Donetsk Brewery in the Kalininskyi District, causing a large fire. The fire and explosion caused an ammonia leak. City officials ordered residents to evacuate within a 2-kilometer radius of the plant.

South of Donetsk, Russian forces attempted to advance on Pavlivka and were unsuccessful.

Insurgents launched three attacks in Melitopol, striking Russian political offices and the police station.

There were reports of two explosions where Russian forces had set up an encampment outside of Chonhar, the first checkpoint into southern Ukraine from the Crimea Peninsula.

Kharkiv

Russian forces launched the largest group of positional battles northwest and north of Kharkiv in over a month.

Russian forces attempted to advance on Udy, Prudyanka, Dementiivka, and Petrivka. None of the advances were successful and Russian forces suffered heavy losses near Petrivka.

Four explosions thundered over Kharkiv city at 4:28 A.M. local time on August 11. Ukrainian air defenses intercepted Russian cruise missiles near the city.

Kherson

Near Kherson, Ukrainian forces used precision munitions to strike the Kakhovsky Bridge in Nova Kakhovka, reducing the bridge to a single lane and only capable of supporting light vehicles. Satellite images showed that the Darivka bridge has been reopened to all traffic but reduced to a single lane.

Ukrainian forces reported three Russian command posts were destroyed: the command post for the Russian 49th Combined Arms Army (CAA) in Chervonyi Mayak, the 126th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of the Russian Navy in Novokamianka, and the 76th Airborne Assault Division in Ishchenka.

The settlement of Barvinok, northwest of Kherson city, was recaptured by Russian forces.

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Izyum

Northwest of Izyum, Russian forces continued their attempts to advance on Husarivka, supported by the Russian air force. They were unsuccessful and retreated north to Bairak.

Russian forces in the Petropillya salient southwest of Izyum attempted to break through Ukrainian defensive lines in Velyka Komyshuvakha and were unsuccessful.

Ukrainian forces liberated the settlement of Dovhenke and are now 14 kilometers south of Izyum, gaining fire control of the M03 Highway.

Dnipropetrovsk

The village of Marivka on the Dnipro River was struck by over 80 Grad rockets fired by MLRS, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure overnight. Thirteen people were killed and another 11 injured – seven critically.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor, reported Radkivka, Krasnopillya, Bilopillia, Khotin, Slavhorod, and Nova Sloboda were shelled and hit by mortars. The shelling knocked out natural gas service in Sumy, Krasnopillya, and Khotin.

Chernihiv

In Chernihiv, the settlements of Lohy and Senkivka were shelled by Russian forces over the international border. There wasn’t additional information on damage or casualties.

Beyond Ukraine

Social media was flooded with reports that up to eight explosions rocked the region near Zyabrovka airfield in Belarus, occupied by the Russian military. The Ministry of Defense of Belarus claims there was an accident at the airbase. The government’s official version of events is a vehicle engine was being tested when it caught fire. The fire spread, causing a series of explosions. The fire was extinguished with the loss of “equipment” and no casualties.

Daily Assessment

  1. The day after explosions tore through the Saky Naval airbase in Russia-controlled Crimea, Russian forces killed dozens of civilians in attacks across Ukraine.
  2. The rate of Russian artillery fire continues to slow, with Donetsk, Bakhmut, and north of Kherson seeing the most activity.
  3. The Russian air force flew fewer sorties today over Ukraine, but it is yet to be seen if this is because of the loss of ammunition in Crimea.

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.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Saky Airbase in Crimea Obliterated – August 10, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 24 weeks since the start of the Russia-Ukraine War and 3,085 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Russian forces launched an assault on the settlement of Spirne, west of the T-1302 Highway, which was unsuccessful.

Bakhmut

Russian forces made reconnaissance attempts on Ukrainian positions near Pidhorodne and retreated after coming under fire.

Russian proxy forces, led by Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group and supported by terrorist elements of the Imperial Legion of Russia and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) separatists, continued fighting on the eastern edge of Soledar. On August 9, a video from Russian state media showed that the Wagner Group was 2 kilometers east of the gypsum factory.

PMC Wagner also attempted to advance toward Yakolivka and Bakhmut but could not improve their positions.

Additionally, PMC Wagner, with support from LNR separatists with the 2nd Army Corps, established positions within Vershyna. Fighting for control of the settlement continued.

The situation in the Svitlodarsk bulge is unchanged, with Russian proxy forces and Ukrainian troops fighting in Kodema and for control of Zaitseve.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

The 1st Army Corps of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) renewed offensives on Avdiivka and Pisky. Separatists attempted to advance on Avdiivka from Mineralne and Spartak and were unsuccessful. Videos released today by Russian state media showed the situation in Pisky remains unchanged, with the DNR controlling the southern third, Ukraine the northern third, and the center contested.

Separatist forces with the DNR also attempted to advance on Marinka and were unsuccessful.

Leaders of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic reported that Ukrainian forces in Donetsk shelled a brewery. The compound was a total loss due to a fire, and a mandatory evacuation area was established due to an ammonia leak at the plant.

The Ukrainian air force attacked the Russian command post for the 217th Guards Airborne Regiment in Maksyma Horkoho, 100 kilometers into Russian-occupied territory.

Two explosions rocked the coastal town of Kyrylivka, 55 kilometers south of Melitopol on the shores of the Azov Sea. Local officials reported a large concentration of Russian troops, equipment, and ammunition outside the settlement.

Kharkiv

Russian forces attempted to advance on the settlement of Udy, northwest of Kharkiv on the international border. They were unsuccessful.

Kherson

Ukraine used precision munitions to strike the Kakhovsky Bridge in Nova Kakhovka that crosses the Dnipro River. Video from Russian state media showed moderate damage. The bridge crosses the spillway of the Kakhovka Dam and hydroelectric plant and has been reduced to one lane.

Satellite pictures showed that the bridge in Darivka has reopened but is reduced to a single lane.

Operational Command South of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attack that destroyed the Russian ammunition depot in Novooleksiivka on August 8. The depot was 35 kilometers northeast of Russian-occupied Crimea and 150 kilometers from Ukrainian-held territory.

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Izyum

Northwest of Izyum, Russian forces launched a renewed offensive on Husarivka. Fighting was ongoing. The settlements of Chepil and Zalyman were shelled.

A reconnaissance in force group of light infantry moving in the direction of Brazhhkivka was forced to retreat after suffering losses.

Dnipropetrovsk

The village of Marivka on the Dnipro River was struck by over 80 Grad rockets fired by MLRS, targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure overnight. Thirteen people were killed and another 11 injured – seven critically.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor, reported Seredyna-Buda, Esman, Bilopillia, Khotin, and Nova Sloboda were shelled and hit by mortars. There was another border skirmish in Seredyna-Buda, with Russian and Ukrainian border forces exchanging machine gun fire.

Chernihiv

In Chernihiv, the settlement of Senkivka was shelled by Russian forces over the international border.

Odesa-Black Sea

Satellite images from Planet Labs show that the Saky naval airbase in Russia-controlled Novofedorivka, Crimea, was severely damaged. The remains of at least 11 Su-30MS2 and Su-24 aircraft were visible in the pictures. The main ammunition bunker was completely destroyed. The taxiway and flight line were cratered in places, with evidence that fires scorched large areas of the base. Ukraine continues to deny it had any involvement, declaring the explosion happened due to “mismanagement” by the Russian Federation.

Social media videos showed empty beaches on the Black Sea and traffic jams that extended for dozens of kilometers as Russian vacationers rushed to leave the region. A state of emergency and a terrorism alert was declared in parts of Crimea through August 24.

There are unconfirmed reports that the Ukrainian air force hit Russian targets in Chongar, 160 kilometers into Russian-controlled airspace and a gateway to the Crimea Peninsula. Five hours after the first pictures emerged of smoke rising from Chongar, Leonid Slutsky, a deputy in the Russian State Duma, said, “The special military operation will continue; the point of no return has been passed.” The Kremlin had previously stated that attacks on Russia or the bridges that connect Crimea to the mainland were red lines in the conflict.

Daily Assessment

  1. Influential Russian milbloggers confirmed our assessment that the offensive west of Donetsk is struggling to maintain intensity due to elements of the 1st Army Corps becoming combat ineffective.
  2. Ukrainian military leaders claim they were able to destroy two Russian military targets over 100 kilometers behind the line of conflict in airstrikes, indicating that Russian air defenses have been compromised.
  3. Video of Russian tactics south of Izyum show light infantry troops have been poorly trained and have low morale.

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.

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Breaking News, Russia-Ukraine War

Explosions rock airfield in Russia-controlled Crimea – August 9, 2022 Ukraine update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,084 days since Russia occupied Crimea on February 27, 2014. Here is our latest update. You can visit our Russia-Ukraine War Center to find more news about Ukraine. You can also listen to our in-depth podcast, Malcontent News Russia Ukraine War Update, hosted by Linnea Hubbard.

Northeast Donetsk

Reconnaissance groups of the Russian Federation probed Ivano-Daryivka and Vesele. Both groups were located by Ukrainian forces, suffered losses, and retreated across the administrative border of the Luhansk oblast.

Bakhmut

Russian proxy forces, led by Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group and supported by terrorist elements of the Imperial Legion of Russia, continued fighting on the eastern edge of Soledar without success.

Wagner Group also attempted to advance on Bakhmutske, Bakhmut, and Vershyna. There was no change to the line of conflict.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Russian proxy forces and Ukrainian troops continue to fight in Kodema and for control of Zaitseve.

The Ukrainian city of Kostyantynivka, 20 kilometers southwest of Bakhmut, was hit by Russian missiles.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

Fighting west of Donetsk was significantly reduced with only positional battles in Krasnohorivka,  Avdiivka, Pisky, and Marinka. There was no change in territorial control, and artillery fire along the line of contact was reduced.

Near the Donetsk and Zaporizhia administrative border, Russian forces attempted to advance on Shevchenko from Petrivka and were unsuccessful.

Ukraine launched another rocket attack on Melitopol using the NATO-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), destroying a large ammunition depot.

Russian and Ukrainian forces fired artillery, mortars, and rockets from multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) from Marinka to Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk and Hulyaipole to Orikhiv to Kamyanske in Zaporizhia.

Russian forces attempted to advance on Shevchenko from Petrivka and were unsuccessful.

Kharkiv

There wasn’t any significant ground fighting northwest, north, or northeast of Kharkiv city. Both belligerents have settled into a defensive posture and have reinforced their defensive lines.

Kharkiv city was hit by S-300 antiaircraft missiles deployed in a ground-to-ground capacity. The missiles damaged the city trolley system, knocked out power, and caused moderate damage to a steam generation plant that provides heat and hot water to a third of the city’s residents.

Kherson

Russian state media showed a video of the Antonovsky Bridge in Kherson after it was hit by artillery on Sunday night. Areas where repair work was ongoing were redamaged.

A Russian ammunition depot in Novooleksiivka was on fire with secondary explosions. The settlement is just northeast of the Crimea Peninsula and is the first major railroad junction in southern Ukraine.

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Izyum

Southeast of Izyum, Russian forces fought a positional battle near Bohorodychne supported by artillery and were unsuccessful.

Dnipropetrovsk

The city of Nikopol was hit by over 120 60 Grad rockets fired by MLRS from a Russian firebase within the Zaporizhzhia NPP compound. Valentyn Reznichenko, Administrative and Military Governor of the Dnipropetrovsk, reported there were no injuries, but over 50 homes were destroyed.

Sumy

Dmytro Zhivytsky, Sumy Regional Administrative and Military Governor reported that Seredyna-Buda, Esman, Khotin, Myropillya, Krasnopillya, Velyka Pysarivka, and Hlukhiv were shelled.

Chernihiv

In Chernihiv, the settlements of Senkivka and Hremyach were shelled by Russian forces over the international border.

Odesa-Black Sea

Up to twelve massive explosions rocked the Saky air force base in Russia-occupied Novofedorivka, Crimea. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported there was an accident that caused ammunition to explode, setting off a chain reaction and additional fires. The MOD claims that no aircraft were damaged in the incident. The 43rd Independent Naval Attack Aviation Regiment of the Black Sea fleet is stationed at Saky, operating Su-30 and Su-24 fighter planes.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian offenses in Bakhmut and Donetsk have stalled due to a lack of adequately trained and equipped light infantry troops and the inability to utilize overwhelming artillery fire.
  2. Ukrainian interdiction effort of Russian supplies that started in early July is impacting Russian offensive operations theaterwide.
  3. Reports on Ukrainian and Russian military losses since February 24 estimated the war caused almost 200,000 military casualties since February 24.

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