Tag Archives: luhansk

International News, Russia-Ukraine War

The Most Successful Russian Military Leaders are Demoted, Detained, Dismissed, or Deceased

Since Russia expanded its war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022, The Russian Federation Armed Forces have only had a handful of operational successes turn into strategic victories. While Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and Chief-of-Staff Valery Gerasimov have maintained their stature in the Kremlin despite repeated failures, there is a common thread among the men who have been able to achieve victories. Without exception, they are either demoted, detained, dismissed, or deceased.

Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev

Accomplishment: The Capture of Mariupol

General Mizintsev is known as the Butcher of Mariupol and is responsible for 25,000 to 100,000 civilian deaths caused during the 86-day siege of the city. He is accused of setting up the filtration camp structure and ordering attacks on mutually agreed green corridors. On September 24, 2022, the future looked bright for Mizintsev when he was reassigned to Deputy Minister of Defense and charged with overseeing logistics.

Within the Kremlin, Mizintsev was already known to be an ally of Private Military Company Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. In September, this wasn’t viewed as a liability, but as tension between the Kremlin and Prigozhin reached a boiling point, there were signs that Shoigu was leading a quiet purge of Wagner allies. Mizintsev was dismissed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 27, 2023, with no official reason given. There was immediate speculation that Mizintsev had been leaking information to Prigozhin for months about how the Minister of Defense was actively interfering with ammunition and weapons shipment to PMC Wagner. Additionally, there were unsubstantiated claims that Mizintsev had used his position to increase the Shoigu-restricted allocation of munitions to Wagner mercenaries in Bakhmut.

A week after being dismissed, Mitzintsev joined Wagner Group’s Council of Commanders and, on May 3, did a frontline inspection of supply, logistics, and Wagner mercenaries in Bakhmut. A day after his inspection, Mitzintsev reportedly briefed the Council of Commanders as the siege of Bakhmut entered its ninth month. Hours later, Prigozhin announced he was withdrawing from Bakhmut by May 10 due to a lack of ammunition and the failure of Russian military units to protect his flanks.

The status of Mizintsev is unclear. There were unsubstantiated claims that he was detained after the Prigozhin Insurrection of June 23 and has not been seen publicly since the failed revolt.

Lieutenant General Mikhal Zusko

Accomplishment: The capture of Kherson, the only large Ukrainian city captured intact

General Zusko led the 58th Combined Arms Army, which advanced from Crimea on February 24, 2022, and captured the city of Kherson on March 2 with the loss of less than 300 soldiers. The 58th CAA had assistance from Russian-aligned collaborators in Crimea and Kherson, who helped set conditions for the lightly contested advance. Shortly after capturing the critical Antonovskyy Bridge and occupying the city of Kherson, Zusko’s forces continued to advance, reaching the outskirts of the city of Mykolaiv and passing the administrative border of Kherson-Dnipropetrovsk, where Ukrainian forces established an effective defense. Zusko was rumored to have been arrested on March 31, 2022, accused of dereliction of duty due to mounting losses. It wasn’t verified until June 2022 that Zusko had been arrested for failing to capture Mykolaiv and was accused of providing Ukrainian military leaders with information on Russian positions due to his alleged use of unsecured communication channels.

General of the Army Alexander Dvornikov, Colonel General Gennady Zhidko, and Colonel General Alexander Lapin

Accomplishments: The capture of the Luhansk Oblast, including Severodonetsk and Lysychansk

The story of the three generals is intertwined due to their overlapping commands from April to October 2022.

The Kremlin ended its group command structure after Russia suffered strategic defeats at Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv in late March 2022. On April 8, it named General Dvornikov the first theaterwide commander of Russian forces in Ukraine.

Reportedly, Dvornikov was ordered to capture the remainder of the Donbas – Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts – by May 9. What the Kremlin got on May 8 was news of a disastrous wet crossing attempt at the Siverskyi Donets River near Bilohorivka. At least 500 Russian troops were killed, and over 80 military vehicles were lost, mostly due to artillery. On the same day, Russian troops supported by the Private Military Company Wagner Group captured Popasna. The crossing at Bilohorivka was supposed to create the second part of a pincer surrounding Ukrainian forces defending Severodonetsk.

With the pincers broken, Dvornikov started a brutal war of attrition on May 10, which led to the capture of the Luhansk Oblast at the expense of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps of Russia, Syrian volunteer groups and Chechen Akhmat forces, which were all combat destroyed by the beginning of July. Chechen Akhmat and the 2nd Army Corps of the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, now officially part of the Russian Ministry of Defense, never recovered.

Dvornikov fell out of public view in the third week of May, and between May 26 and June 22, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed him as theaterwide commander, ending his 44-year military career. Although the capture of the Luhansk Oblast didn’t happen while he was the theaterwide commander, his tactics, which closely resembled World War II Russian Marshal Georgy Zhukov’s, did.

General Zhidko was named the new theaterwide commander of Russian troops, but it is unclear when his command officially started and ended. The first proof that Zhidko was the new theaterwide commander was on June 22, when he appeared with Shoigu. Zhidko was reportedly dismissed on July 12, but the Kremlin didn’t publicly name a new theaterwide commander until October 8. While he likely started theaterwide command around June 1, based on the official Kremlin announcements, Zhidko’s tenure as commander of all Russian troops may have been as short as 17 days. There were reports that he was dismissed from command due to a sharp increase in health issues related to chronic alcoholism. Zhidko, age 57, died on August 16, 2023, after a “long illness.”

Intertwined with Dvornikov and Zhidko was General Lapin. Lapin was the commander of the Central Military District of Russian Forces, serving as an area commander through April 8, 2022, before becoming a subordinate of Dvornikov, followed by Zhidko. On July 4, one day after Russia announced it had captured the Luhansk Oblast, Lapin was awarded the title of Hero of Russia by President Putin.

WBHG News analysts concluded in early June that Russia could capture the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk in the short term but lacked sufficient forces to hold territorial gains. As Russia’s combat potential decreased due to the nature of attritional warfare and the June arrival of NATO-provided guided multiple launch rocket systems (GMLRS), better known as HIMARS, Dvornikov or Zhidko pulled reserve forces of the Central Military District from Kharkiv and Donetsk into Luhansk. By early August of 2022, the units under Lapin’s command were exhausted, and near Izyum, equipment and ammunition shortages continued to worsen.

When Ukraine launched the Kharkiv Counteroffensive on September 5, Lapin was accused of abandoning his forces and incompetence by Chechen Colonel General Ramzan Kadyrov and PMC Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. On Telegram, Kadyrov wrote, “If I had my way, I would demote Lapin to a private, deprive him of his awards and, with a machine gun in his hands, send him to the front line to wash away his shame with blood.” The Chechen warlord, who has never stepped foot in Ukraine, also accused Lapin of cowardice for commanding from the rear.

A divide within the Kremlin spilled out into public view. Some military leaders and analysts accused Kadyrov and Prigozhin of playing politics and positioning themselves to gain deeper control of the Ministry of Defense. Kadyrov and Prigozin leveraged Wagner Group’s bot farms and faux news organizations, a network of Russian milbloggers, and their own social media channels to run an organized smear campaign against Lapin and to advocate for General of the Army Sergey Surovikin to be named the new theaterwide commander. Although Lapin was never the theaterwide commander, Zhidko’s unclear status created a vacuum, contributing to Lapin receiving an oversized portion of the blame for the failures in Kharkiv, at Izyum, and the Russian retreat from Lyman.

On October 8, 2022, Surovikin was named the theaterwide commander, and on October 29, Lapin was dismissed by President Putin. The only commander to still have a career after his fall, the Gerasimov-connected Lapin was named the chief of staff of the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation on January 10, 2023.

General of the Army Sergey Surovikin

Accomplishments: Successful retrograde operation from western Kherson, building the defensive structures in occupied Crimea, Kherson, Zaporzhzhia, and southern Donetsk, instilling basic discipline into Russian troops

On the same day General Surovikin was named the commander of all Russian forces in Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) blew up the Kerch (also known as the Crimean) Bridge. Two days later, Ukraine requested a total communications blackout in Kherson, and the second phase of the Kherson Counteroffensive started 48 hours later.

During his ascent, Surovikin negotiated to execute three campaigns: first, the withdrawal of Russian forces west of the Dnipro River in Kherson; second, executing the same air campaign he ran in 2017 against Syrian civilians, targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure; and third, taking the forces that withdraw from Kherson and achieving a strategic victory on another axis by December 31. In the public information space, state media started setting conditions with the Russian people to accept a withdrawal from Kherson as both a goodwill gesture and a move to more strategically advantageous positions.

On October 10, the first widescale Russian missile attack against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was launched. Between November 8 and 11, Surovikin executed a masterful retrograde operation from Kherson, preserving up to 25,000 Russian troops and their equipment, slipping across the Dnipro River and suffering less than 500 casualties.

The biggest legacy of Surovikin’s command was ending the Kremlin policy of sending mobiks with no training to the frontline and instilling military discipline among the Russian troops in Ukraine. This was accomplished by brutally enforcing existing military rules and protocols and creating busy work. Thousands of mobiks were involved in constructing the Surovikin Line, a network of defenses with up to three echelons 35 kilometers deep across occupied Crimea, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and southwestern Donetsk. The static defenses have stymied Ukraine’s summer offensive, forcing Kyiv to change tactics twice since June 4 to overcome the Russian network of minefields, antitank traps, trenches, tunnels, and bunkers.

Surovikin also tried to end sending untrained and ill-equipped Russian troops to the frontlines. The quality of Russian forces had improved significantly, as have their tactics, but since August, there appears to be a return of sending poorly trained, mobilized soldiers into battle.

During his tenure as commander of all Russian forces in Ukraine, Surovikin kept his “day job” as commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), which included air defense. On December 5, 2022, the Engel-2 and Dyagilevo military airfields deep within Russia were attacked by Ukraine. Two Tu-95 strategic bombers and one Tu-22M3 bomber were damaged, and up to six Russian servicemembers were killed. On December 26, Engels-2 was attacked for a second time. During this period, the relationship between the Kremlin and Prigozhin had become toxic, and Russian troops had been in retreat for months except at Bakhmut, where daily advances were measured in the 10s of meters. It had become clear there would be no major victory for Russia for New Year’s celebrations.

On January 11, 2023, Surovikin was relieved of command and named a Deputy of Russian Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov. The next day, PMC Wagner claimed they had captured Soledar, with the Russian Ministry of Defense not crediting the Wagnerites in their daily morning report.

Surovikin’s alignment with PMC Wagner was well known, and the relationship between the Kremlin and Prigozhin was already souring in October 2022. In May 2023, when Priogzhin threatened to leave Bakhmut by May 10, there were accusations that Surovikin was warning Wagner’s leader that the Kremlin was actively working to dismantle his company.

During the failed Prigozhin Insurrection on June 23, 2023, Surovikin made a video appeal to Prigozhin to stop his actions while holding a submachine gun on his knee. Shortly after, Surovikin was arrested, reportedly briefly held at Lefotovo Prison, before being transferred to an apartment where he remains under house arrest. On August 22, 2023, he was officially dismissed as the commander of the Russian VKS, and his future is unclear.

PMC Wagner Group Leaders Yevgeny Prigozhin and Dmytry Utkin

Accomplishments: The capture of Popasna, Soledar, and Bakhmut and proved Russian penal units could be useful in battle

Private Military Company Wagner Group was asked to support the expansion of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in March 2022, and up to 1,000 mercenaries arrived on March 19. Wagner Group’s first action was in the Hirske-Zolote region and took a leading role in the capture of Popasna. That Russian advance ultimately severed the T-513 Highway between Lysychansk and Bakhmut in early June 2022, strangling Ukrainian logistics.

Also in May, Wagner’s mercenaries joined the Russian forces advancing in the direction of Bakhmut and Soledar from the Svitlodarsk Bulge. In early June, Prigozhin convinced Russian President Vladimir Putin to allow him to create a battalion of penal soldiers assigned to PMC Wagner. One thousand convicts were recruited from Russian prisons and deployed east of Bakhmut in late June. The initial group suffered catastrophic losses of up to 90% killed and wounded, but the Kremlin believed the program was successful. Project K was born, and Prigozhin was given open access to Russia’s 335,000-plus prisoners. From July to December 2022, 49,000 criminals were recruited into the ranks of PMC Wagner. Recruiting of penal mercenaries peaked in October, but the numbers dropped sharply in November as word spread through the prison population of poor training, heavy losses, and penal units used for human wave attacks. In June 2023, the Council of Commanders reported that from March 2022 to May 2023, Wagner’s casualty rates were 82.5%.

While the September 2022 information war against General Lapin led by Prigozhin and Kadyrov was successful, politically, it was costly. The crumbs of goodwill between Prigozhin and Shoigu blew away like dust in the wind. Prigozhin was furious after the Russian Ministry of Defense snubbed Wagner Group in January 2023 and did not credit his mercenaries for the capture of Soledar. Hours later, the Kremlin released a clarifying statement, acknowledging that the ground fighting was accomplished by PMC Wagner and not just “volunteers.”

The political fallout was swift, and it became clear that President Putin was pulling away from his former caterer turned warlord. Shoigu effectively ended Project K, blocking PMC Wagner from further recruitment at Russian penal colonies. Wagner Group was already facing a recruiting crisis among its regular ranks because the pool they would normally recruit from – Russian soldiers – were dying at an alarming rate, didn’t want to return to Ukraine, and were facing stop-loss orders from the Kremlin, which was extending their service contracts. Days later, Shoigu created his own penal unit PMC called Storm-Z.

In February 2023, Prigozhin infamously threatened to leave Bakhmut, releasing a video with dozens of dead Wagnerites in the background, claiming their deaths were caused by the Russian Ministry of Defense withholding ammunition. Reactions in the Russian information space were mixed, with some Russian commanders claiming that Wagner was not being singled out for special treatment, stating that ammunition shortages were an issue theaterwide. Others criticized Prigozhin, asserting that PMC Wagner had been given preferential treatment at the expense of other axes and that the successes in Bakhmut were not due to superior training and tactics but an excess of ammunition that had been normalized. Others defended the mercenary leader, pointing out that the Wagnerites were the only force achieving operational success in Ukraine.

Prigozhin and Kadyrov hinted that the Chechen military leader provided some ammunition to Wagner Group in mid-February. In late February, the stalemate appeared to break when a lull in Russian artillery fire missions in the Bakhmut and Soledar areas of operation ended.

On May 5, Prigozhin made another video again standing in front of dozens of corpses, claiming they were Wagner mercenaries unnecessarily killed. He infamously growled, “Shoigu! Gerasimov! Where’s the fucking ammo,” claiming the Kremlin had cut off his ammunition supplies and that elite Russian forces who were supposed to defend his flanks in Bakhmut were doing nothing. Prigozhin declared that if he didn’t get sufficient ammunition within 48 hours and Russian forces defending his flanks didn’t rejoin the battle, he would withdraw his forces.

WBHG News analysts noted that the April deal between the Russian Ministry of Defense and PMC Wagner, which transferred the defense of the flanks to Russian units while Wagnerites continued fighting within Bakhmut, was meant to destroy Wagner. The Kremlin only tasked Russian forces to hold the existing defense lines and focused on using artillery to protect themselves as Wagner mercenaries fought house-to-house in bloody attritional warfare. Moscow was repeating its policy of using indigenous and proxy forces to fight in the most difficult areas while preserving their own units, and Prigozhin could not or refused to see the true nature of the agreement.

It is also important to note that unlike in February 2023, when there was a noticeable decrease in Russian artillery fire, there was no such decrease in May. Prigozhin wasn’t facing an ammunition shortage. He was facing a staffing crisis caused by an appalling casualty rate and his inability to recruit new penal mercenaries.

The mercenaries that joined the ranks of Wagner Group in October and November who weren’t dead or badly wounded were reaching the end of their six-month contracts. While some analysts believed that Prigozhin would arbitrarily extend their contracts beyond six months, the team at WBHG News accurately predicted that would not happen. Prigozhin was a former convict who deeply believed convicted criminals could create a new life after prison. Prigozhin understood that if he didn’t honor his contracts with the penal mercenaries he always called “his boys,” he would break one of the foundations of the unwritten Russian convict code.

After Prigozhin’s May 5 video, General Kadyrov, who days earlier had called Prigozhin “his good friend” and said that the pair had planned surprises for Ukraine, lashed out at his former partner and questioned his loyalty to Russia. Two days later, while taking another swipe at Prigozhin and his “ego,” Kadyrov claimed that the pair had agreed for Chechen Akhmat to take over the offensive in Bakhmut. In a video posted on his Telegram channel, Kadyrov showed his letter to the Kremlin sent on May 7, which Moscow rejected.

On May 8, Prigozhin announced that the Russian Ministry of Defense told him that if his forces left on May 10, he and his mercenaries would be arrested for treason. Trapped militarily, legally, and politically, he announced the Wagnerites would stay until Bakhmut was captured. At the time of his capitulation, Wagner Group controlled 93% to 95% of the city. On May 20, Prigozhin announced the mission was accomplished, even if the victory claim was dubious. There has never been a picture of Russian troops in the Litak region of Bakhmut, the last Ukrainian stronghold in the southwest corner, and very few pictures and videos from Russian state media, troops, or Wagnerites west of the railroad tracks that split the city.

On June 1, Wagner started its withdrawal, and on June 10, the city was handed over to Russian forces. The Kremlin announced that all Private Military Companies would no longer be commanded independently and would have to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense by June 20, accepting to be under the command of the Russian Federation Armed Forces effective July 1. Up to two dozen PMCs fighting on behalf of Russia had been created since the start of 2023, and the mandate also impacted General Kadyrov. Kadyrov made a clean break from Prigozhin politically, throwing his loyalty back to Shoigu as he announced he was the first leader to sign a transfer of control with the Kremlin.

Prigozhin refused, and as the June 20 deadline passed, it was clear that a clash between PMC Wagner and the Kremlin was inevitable. Late on June 21, he released a rambling video accusing the Kremlin of lying about attacks on civilians in the Donbas, claiming the war against Ukraine was escalated so that oligarchs had more access to natural resources and that the entire invasion of Ukraine was based on a lie. If Prigozhin was the leader of a nation, his words were tantamount to the breaking of diplomatic relations and a prelude to a declaration of war.

On June 22, Prigozhin made a dubious claim that his camps in occupied Luhansk were attacked by Russian missiles, causing over a thousand casualties. A video released as proof across multiple Wagner Telegram channels did not support his claim. Twelve hours later, Prigozhin and Wagner founder Dmitry Utkin led an insurrection specifically targeting Shoigu and Gerasimov while pledging their loyalty to President Putin.

Wagner mercenaries took control of Rostov-on-Don and surrounded the Southern Military District headquarters, barely firing a shot. Utkin led a brigade of Wagnerites in a convoy that advanced 670 kilometers in 12 hours toward Moscow. The so-called “March for Freedom” ended as quickly as it started, with Prigozhin asking his followers to stand down on June 24.

In the end, 15 to 22 Russian soldiers died, and seven helicopters and an Il-22M command and control plane were shot down. Part of a refinery was in flames, one highway bridge was destroyed, and at least three civilians were killed on June 24 when the Russian VKS started to bomb highways indiscriminately.

President Putin was invisible through the insurrection, but after it ended, he called the attempted rebellion treason and promised swift justice. Just 48 hours later, it was announced that Prigozhin would not face criminal charges, and two days later, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko announced he had created a peace deal between himself, Prigozhin, and Putin. PMC Wagner would relocate to Belarus, where Prigozhin would live in exile. WBHG News analysts never believed this was a firm deal and warned that previous history shows that anyone disloyal to Putin had ended up imprisoned, dead, or hiding after surviving an assassination attempt. Even among Putin’s former closest allies, there had never been an exception to this, and in 2018, Putin told a reporter that “betrayal” was unforgivable.

In early July, a camp to accommodate up to 8,500 Wagner mercenaries was built in Tsel, Belarus, and on July 15, Prigozhin posted a selfie showing himself in his underwear at the Belarus encampment. On July 19, PMC Wagner released a video showing Prigozhin and Utkin addressing a group of Wagnerites about the organization’s future, with the media-shy Utkin declaring in English, “Welcome to Hell!”

But just under the surface, the claims that 25,000 Wagner mercenaries would occupy Belarus to supplement Lukashenko’s army were questionable, and by mid-August, it was clear that if there ever was a three-way deal, it was over. All recruiting was suspended on July 30, with Prigozhin claiming they had “plenty” of mercenaries in their ranks. Wagnerites that had arrived two weeks earlier were leaving Belarus due to deployments in Libya, recruitment efforts by other PMCs, or a lack of pay as Wagner’s finances fell apart.

Prigozhin also stunned analysts and his detractors when he appeared in St. Petersburg, Russia, on July 28 at the periphery of the Russia-Africa Summit. The sting of the non-response from the Kremlin over the dead Russian airman was barely a month old, and some publicly wondered how Prigozhin, who was supposedly exiled, could be walking around in St. Petersburg as a free man.

On August 23, just hours after General Surovikin was formerly dismissed as the commander of the Russian VKS, Prigozhin’s Embraer Legacy 600 private jet was either shot down or destroyed by an explosive device over the Tver region of Russia while it was en route from Moscow to St. Petersburg. It is reported that Prigozhin, who carefully guarded his travel plans, decided at the last minute not to swap to the second private jet operated by PMC Wagner, an Embraer Legacy 650, that was also bound for St. Petersburg.

Ten people were killed, including the pilot, co-pilot, and a flight attendant operating on a one-day contract because she needed to travel to St. Petersburg. Among the seven members of PMC Wagner that were killed,

  • Yevgeny Prigozhin – figurehead and leader focusing on media, social media, psychological operations, and commercial catering
  • Dmitry Utkin – creator of the name “Wagner,” known white nationalist, and the military leader of PMC Wagner
  • Valery Chekalov – Head of logistics operating under the title of “business advisor”

None of the dead have been officially identified, but President Putin referred to Prigozhin in the past tense in a formal statement, as did Kadyrov. The Wagner Group’s Council of Commanders declared they would not make a formal statement until after the Kremlin provided its official reason for the downing of the airplane.

Of the eight Russian military and mercenary leaders who achieved key objectives since February 24, 2022, three are dead, two are held in custody, one is missing, one was dismissed, and one, General Lapin, was reassigned. Putin’s protection of Shoigu and Gerasimov is unwavering despite their unwavering loyalty, despite the documented corruption and repeated mistakes. For any other Russian or Russian-aligned senior military leader who finds success on the battlefield in Ukraine, it comes with the occupational hazard of falling out of favor or, worse, from the sky.

Russia-Ukraine War

Vysokopillya liberated as Russians retreat in Kherson

September 4, 2022, Russia-Ukraine War Update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,111 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.

Kherson & Mykolaiv

Ukrainian forces liberated the strategic town of Vysokopillya in northern Kherson, breaking through the main defensive line of Russian forces and pushing them back 12 kilometers across open wheat fields. The Russian Ministry of Defense acknowledged the defeat, claiming they withdrew from the settlement to prevent encirclement and to protect the civilian population.

Ukrainian forces took control of Arkhanelske and blocked the Russian withdrawal through Novopetrivka, putting the Russian garrison at risk of encirclement, forcing the withdrawal. Videos show that Ukrainian forces took POWs and captured military equipment and ammunition.

Ukrainian forces also liberated Blahodativka, expanding the bridgehead along the Inhulets River. There were reports that Bilohirvka was secured, and troops were pressuring the Russian garrison in Bruskynske. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that troop positions in Kostromka and Bezimenne were hit by air strikes, confirming that Ukrainian forces have pushed at least 10 kilometers into Kherson since August 29.

Ukraine began setting conditions to collapse the Vysokopillya salient on July 27, when it began closing in on Russian positions, attacking supply lines, and destroying Russian air defenses. Despite claims from the Kremlin of devastating losses, an anonymous official said that losses were “lighter than expected.”

Russian artillery hit a warehouse full of ammonium-nitrate fertilizer on the southern edge of Ukrainian-controlled Partyzankse, causing a massive explosion. The blast obliterated the facility, with only a large crater remaining.

Ukrainian forces captured a defensive position near Myrolyubivka after Russian troops fled. A video showed an abandoned BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), an extensive network of shallow trenches, scattered ammunition, and stolen cars and motorcycles. A HIMARS attack destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Tomnya Balka.

Geolocated photos indicate that Ukrainian forces are moved back into the northern edge of Kyselivka, recapturing the checkpoint on the M14 highway.

In Kherson, the Lost World Hotel and Resort, which was being used as a military barracks by Russian troops, was destroyed. Video taken from the Russian military ferry crossing the Dnipro River captured a HIMARS attack on the Antonovsky Bridge and ferry landing. Another attack destroyed the Russian ferry crossing at Lvove.

Dnipropetrovsk & Northern Zaporizhia

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was disconnected from its main 750 KW power line, with power supported by a 330 KW backup line. Due to the failure, the International Atomic Energy Agency was informed that Reactor 5 was disconnected due to power grid restrictions. The IAEA applauded Ukrainian cooperation and the actions of Energoatom employees in a press release.

“Our team on the ground received direct, fast, and reliable information about the latest significant development affecting the plant’s external power situation, as well as the operational status of the reactors,” Director General Rafael Grossi said.

“The great value of finally having the IAEA permanently present at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is already abundantly clear. It is a game changer,” he added.

On September 2, investigative journalists recorded video from the north bank of the Dnipro River, which conclusively showed Russia is firing rockets from MLRS immediately west of the main complex at ZNPP.

Nikopol was shelled and hit by Grad rockets fired by Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS). The overnight attack damaged five homes and several barns. There were no injuries.

Southern Zaporizhia

South of Orikhiv, Ukrainian forces have advanced on Nesterianka, Kopani, and Robotyne, while fighting near Poholy continued. The airport outside Melitopol was hit by HIMARS for the tenth time, with five rockets striking the base.

Donetsk

Northwest of Donetsk city, Novobakhmutivka was liberated, and Ukrainian forces are contesting the control of Novoselivka.

A day after the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed Pisky was captured, Russian sources reported Ukrainian troops had recaptured strong points on the E-50 Ring Road. Given their location, it is highly likely that Ukrainian troops have regained a toehold in the northern part of the tactically important village, which has been the site of fighting since July 22.

The 1st Army Corps of the DNR attempted to advance on Avdiivka and Pervomaiske but could not change the tactical situation. Russian forces also attempted to advance on Marinka and were unsuccessful.

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Bakhmut

The Ukrainian 93rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade reportedly launched a counteroffensive in Soledar and was able to push Russian forces back from the gypsum mine area. Geolocated video showed Ukrainian forces clearing the southwest corner of the mine in close combat against Russian troops. Russian forces remain in the KNAUF-GIPS sheetrock factor that straddles Bakhmutske and Soledar. However, Ukrainian forces were able to capture defensive positions on the northern edge of Povoroske.

In the Svitlodarsk Bulge, fighting continued in Kodema, with the Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group regaining some lost ground. Kadyrovites with the 141st Akhmat failed to advance on Zaitseve.

Northeast Donetsk and Luhansk

Ukrainian forces crossed the Siverskyi Donets River and liberated Ozerne, defeating Kadyrovites with the 141st Akhmat Batallion. Russian forces denied the claims, saying the advances were a publicity stunt for a photo opportunity. President Volodymyr Zeleneskyy verified the capture in his evening television address.

Serhei Haidai, exiled Luhansk Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that up to 300 Russian soldiers were killed in Kremennya after a barracks and a concentration of equipment was hit by rockets fired from HIMARS in multiple attacks.

Izyum

Russian forces launched an offensive on Pasika, 14 kilometers southeast of Izyum, indicating that Ukrainian forces had again pushed deep into occupied territory. Russian forces also attacked Dolyna and Bohorodychne, with intense fighting for the latter.

Kharkiv

A Russian S-300 antiaircraft missile used for an air-to-surface attack hit a group of restaurants in the Kyiv district of Kharkiv, destroying the structure and businesses. Over 2,200 square meters of commercial property were destroyed. The missile struck overnight while the popular eateries were closed. Pictures clearly showed the area that was destroyed. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed the location was a barracks for the Kraken Battalion after claiming the Battalion was completely destroyed in fighting near Siversk three weeks ago.

Sumy and Chernihiv

Dmytro Zhyvytsky, Sumy Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported the hromadas of Bilopillia and Krasnopillia were hit by mortars and artillery shells fired from across the international border. There were no casualties reported.

In Chernihiv, at the historical center, an outdoor display of captured Russian weapons went terribly wrong. A grenade launcher was apparently still armed and somehow misfired. Four children were injured, with one in critical condition. Two people have been arrested.

Daily Assessment

  1. Russian disinformation about the counteroffensive in Kherson has permeated all Russian sources. There are growing signs that Russia’s defense is not going as well as the Kremlin wants the world to believe.
  2. Russian disinformation appears to be setting conditions for explaining the yet-proven failures in Kherson on NATO weapons and rumors of looming chemical and biological attacks.
  3. Ukraine has quietly launched smaller counteroffensives in Zaporizhia, Donetsk, and Kharkiv over the last 72 hours, in addition to the counteroffensive in Kherson, supporting our previous assessment that the Russian military has reached a theaterwide state of combat destroyed.

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Russia-Ukraine War

Exhausted Russian army struggles to make gains in Ukraine

August 27, 2022, Russia-Ukraine War Update

[UKRAINE] – MTN It has been 3,103 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.

Luhansk and Northeast Donetsk

Russian forces attempted to advance on Hryhorivka from Bilohorkiva. They suffered heavy losses, and their defensive line was overrun as they retreated.

Settlements around Siversk were shelled by artillery and rockets, with the Russian air force attacking Siversk and Spirne.

The August 26 HIMARS strike on Kadiivka killed up to 200 Russian airborne (VDV) troops, according to Serhiy Haidai, exiled Luhansk People’s Republic Administrative and Military Governor.

In Staroblisk, Askyar Laishev, a Ukrainian defector and the head of security for occupied Luhansk, was killed when a bomb planted in his SUV exploded.

Russian forces have set up an airbase for Mi-8 transport and Mi-52 attack helicopters in Luhansk.

Bakhmut

Chechen Kadyrovites reappeared, claiming to have an active role in the fighting for Soledar. The Russian air force, PMC Wagner, the 2nd Army Corps of the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR), with Kadyrovites taking the distant rear but claiming glory, launched a large attack on Soledar and Bakhmutske. Neither advance was successful, and it was reported that Russian troops suffered major losses.

A significant attack was also launched on Bakhmut from the east. It was reported that Russian proxy forces suffered severe losses.

In the Svitlodarsk bulge, Russian forces continued their attack on Kodema, supported by artillery and the Russian air force. Russian troops also tried to advance on Zaitseve. Fighting around the railroad yards continued in Mayorsk.

Southwest Donetsk – Zaporizhia

The Donetsk People’s Republic 1st Army Corps only tried to advance on Nevelske, making two attempts – positional fighting to improve their tactical positions and then an advance, which failed.

Marinka was shelled and repeatedly hit by air strikes. Video released by Russian state media shows that DNR separatists were pushed out of the center of Marinka, with Ukraine holding most of the city again.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, Donetsk Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that Pisky was shelled. We maintain the settlement is contested.

Near the Donetsk-Zaporizhia administrative border, Russian forces tried to advance on Prechystivka and were unsuccessful.

In Berdyansk, gauleiter Alexander Kolesnikov, the deputy police chief and head of traffic enforcement, was killed when a car bomb exploded in his vehicle.

Kherson

North of Kharkiv, Russian forces attempted to capture Dementiivka – again – and ended with the same result as the last four attempts, returning to their starting point.

The Azov Battalion shelled Russian positions in Ternova, destroying an ammunition depot.

Russian missiles hit the central district of Kharkiv city and the suburb of Derhachi.

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Izyum

A small group of Russian infantry attempted to advance on Karnaukhivka, over 7 kilometers south of the established line of conflict. They were met with small arms fire and retreated.

The General Staff reported that Russian forces had reestablished electronic warfare arrays near Izyum that disrupt GPS signals.

Russian forces fired artillery and rockets south of Izyum from Brazhkivka to Tetyanivka, while the Russian Ministry of Defense claims that Ukraine fired rockets from HIMARS into Izyum.

Kherson

Ukraine struck the Kahkovka, Antonovsky, and Dariivsky bridges with rockets fired by HIMARS. The same section of the Antonovsky bridge has been repeatedly targeted by Ukraine, causing progressively worse damage. The Dariivsky bridge appeared cratered in a low-resolution satellite image, and Russia reinstalled the pontoon bridge across the Inhulets River.

The Kahkovka Bridge, which was already badly damaged, was struck while a Russian military convoy was crossing the structure. An extremely graphic video showed multiple body parts and torsos in Russian uniforms scattered across the bridge, with the smoking remains of military vehicles in the distance.

Russian forces have dug in defensive positions in Blahodatne [Mykolaiv] and are heavily shelling Ukrainian positions north of the Inhuletskyi Channel.

Dnipropetrovsk

The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Ukraine shelled the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant twice but didn’t provide evidence.

Valentyn Reznichenko, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that Nikopol was hit with seven artillery shells knocking out power to 5,000 and damaging a school and several homes. Marhanets was hit by 20 Grad rockets, and an area of dachas (second homes, typically a cottage) was badly damaged in Zelenodolsk.

The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that they would be sending a team of inspectors to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the coming week.

Sumy and Chernihiv

Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, Sumy Oblast Administrative and Military Governor, reported that Russian forces shelled the settlements of Esman, Shalyhyne, Khotin, Myropillia, and Bilopillia. Four civilians were wounded in Bilopillia and required hospitalization.

Daily Assessment

  1. Our assessment in early July that Russia had an inadequate number of troops to provide security and administration in occupied Luhansk was accurate, as an increasingly violent insurrection across a third of the oblast is gaining momentum.
  2. The mood of the Russian milblogger community has notably shifted to quiet resignation in the last 24 hours after a series of devastating HIMARS attacks this week and the realization that the Russian military has no solution for their “as advertised” performance.
  3. We maintain that Russian forces within Ukraine are combat destroyed – two small attempted advances in Donetsk and Kharkiv ended in failure, and Russian positions were overrun when they retreated, resulting in a territorial loss.

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

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.

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 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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