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FBI Interviews Sarah Bils, the Donbass Devushka, as the DOJ and NCIS Probes Her Past

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[Oak Harbor, Wash.] – WBHG/MTN – Former United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Sarah Bils, better known as the Russian propagandist Donbass Devushka, was interviewed by FBI agents at her Oak Harbor, Washington home on Sunday, according to a report by Newsmax, and is also under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

An open-source intelligence investigation spearheaded by NAFO, a loosely affiliated group of pro-Ukrainian social media users who are united in their fight against Russian disinformation, identified Bils as the person behind a Twitter and Telegram disinformation empire that started in 2014 while she was in the U.S. Navy, and exploded after Russia expanded its war of aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Malcontent News was the first to report on Ms. Bils’s alter ego and was able to verify the self-declared “Russian Jew” Donbas maiden was actually born in Voorhees, New Jersey, according to her 2011 marriage license.

On Monday, Bils told the Wall Street Journal, after an exclusive interview with the newspaper on Saturday, that she was “forthright and honest with the FBI and NCIS in regards to what my clearances were and what I had access to, which was literally nothing.” The FBI interviewed her on Sunday.

In early April, investigators with Bellingcat determined the Donbass Devushka Telegram channel was the first to publicly leak edited secret and top secret documents from the Pentagon allegedly distributed by U.S. Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeria on a private Discord server called Thug Shaker Central. Teixeria, who has no connection to Bils, was arrested without incident by federal officials on April 13.

On Monday, an unnamed source with the U.S. Department of Justice said that “she is actively under federal investigation, but the circumstances of the content of the investigation is unclear at this time.”

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh was peppered with questions about Bils during a Monday press briefing. When asked if the Department of Defense was aware that the former Navy chief petty officer had been posting Russian propaganda since 2014 and if she had been under investigation prior to the revelation of the document leak, Ms. Singh replied, “Because this investigation is ongoing, I would refer you to the DOJ for that.”

Ms. Singh did confirm that Bils had not been under investigation by the U.S. Navy “while she was in uniform,” adding, “as far as I am aware,” and referencing additional questions to the Department of the Navy. On Tuesday, an NCIS spokesperson told the South Whidbey Record that the NCIS “is continuing to work jointly on an investigation of her activities with the Department of Justice.”

On April 5, four poorly edited top secret Pentagon documents were posted on her Telegram channel, with Bils claiming that she was not responsible for the post, that it was done by another admin who was “disciplined,” and the documents removed. However, on April 14, the documents, which have since been deleted, were still available contrary to her claims during her Wall Street Journal interview.

Over the last two days, a clearer picture of Bils’s life has started to form. At the end of 2020, she was promoted to E7, chief petty officer, which is a senior non-commissioned officer rank. But just under the surface, her life was falling apart. She was already involved in a bitter divorce battle over custody of her daughter, and in court papers reviewed by the South Whidbey Record, Bils declared she was suffering from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a “substance abuse disorder.”

In 2021, court papers show the U.S. Navy sent Bils to a substance abuse treatment program in Utah. In September 2021, she was in a serious car accident where she rear-ended another vehicle while traveling at a high rate of speed. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the daytime crash, and Bils was cited by the Washington State Patrol for speeding. According to her mother, the Donbass Devushka was seriously injured in the crash, and she traveled to Washington to help her daughter recover.

Two days after the accident, Bils posted on Twitter that she totaled her car and lost custody of her child. She was honorably discharged from the Navy on November 27, 2022, with a demotion to E5, petty officer second class. In the U.S. Navy, a petty officer is a non-commissioned officer and would be equal to a sergeant in the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Space Force.

Bils had previously filed for divorce in 2014 and requested a temporary restraining order, which was delivered to her husband by the Island County Sheriff on June 13, 2014. The 14-day temporary order was not extended by the court. In 2016, Bils withdrew her petition for divorce.

Since she left the Navy, Bils has made various claims on why she was discharged, including telling the Wall Street Journal that she was suffering from PTSD, writing on social media it was due to her “leftist views,” and, in another Twitter thread, claimed she stopped showing up for duty. In a series of Tweets on Monday, which are currently protected from public view, Bils, or one of up to 15 people that she claims helps run her social media empire, posted a Tweetstorm defending her actions, declaring that no laws had been violated, while calling out numerous news agencies for sharing and analyzing the top secret documents released by Teixeria. At the time of publication, the Donbass Devushka Telegram channel remained active, posting dozens of times a day.

The investigation by the FBI and NCIS comes at a time when the U.S. government appears to be cracking down on Russian influence in American politics. In a separate case, the DOJ announced on Tuesday that four U.S. citizens and three Russian nationals have been charged with “conspiring to covertly sow discord in U.S. society, spread Russian propaganda, and interfere illegally in U.S. elections.” A federal grand jury alleges that Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agents recruited, funded, and discredited U.S. political groups to act as unregistered Moscow agents. Omali Yeshitela, Penny Joanne Hess, Jesse Nevel, and Augustus Romain Jr. of St. Petersburg, Florida, have been charged with violating the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), and each faces up to five years in prison.

Moscow resident Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov was one of the three Russians charged with a FARA violation. He’s accused of using foreign influence to “create the appearance of American popular support for Russia’s annexation of territories in Ukraine.”

Malcontent News’s research for our initial report on Bils included potential legal consequences; a legal expert advised that an area of potential trouble for the Donbass Devushka lies with FARA.

FARA requires certain agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities specified under the statute to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities.  Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. 

United states department of justice

Bils’s social media work is endorsed by the Telegram channel Rybar, which has over 1.1 million followers and is one of the most influential Russian military-aligned social media brands on the planet. Rybar is led by computer programmer Denis Shchukin and former Russian Ministry of Defense press officer Mikhail Zvinchuk, according to Kung Chan of the Chinese thinktank ANBOUND. The pair are alleged to be connected to the FSB, although they insist that they receive minimal funding from the Russian government and have an operating budget of $20,000 a month.

On social media, the Donbass Devushka frequently praises and defends the Private Military Company (PMC) Wagner Group led by Russian oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin. In November 2022, Prigozhin opened a new headquarters for PMC Wagner in St. Petersburg, Russia, which included plans for material and financial support for journalists and bloggers. Prigozhin has bragged publicly about interfering in the 2016 and 2020 United States elections and was using his company, Concord Management and Consulting, as early as 2014 to manipulate U.S. elections. 2014 is the same year Bils became more active in posting anti-Ukrainian and anti-United States content, and is the same year the DOJ alleges Ionov first violated FARA.

Bils has periodically complained about financial trouble on social media; for years she solicited donations of cash and cryptocurrency through CashApp and Buy Me a Coffee, claiming the money was going to support Russian causes. Online and in her interview with the Wall Street Journal, she claimed that no money went to Russia, and what little funds were raised went to cover her personal technology and equipment costs.

A critical question that the Department of Defense needs to answer is how an individual with a documented history of substance abuse, mental illness, financial problems, and a troubled marriage involving custody battles and restraining orders was able to maintain their top security clearance.

Bils has blocked us on social media and did not respond to a request for comment.

Mental illness and substance abuse are sensitive topics that can release strong emotions. If you are depressed, despondent, or having suicidal thoughts, there is help available. In the United States, you can dial 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Hotline. You can also call 800-273-8255 24 hours a day. If you’d rather not talk to a person, you can text 741741, and for U.S. veterans, you can text 838255.

Editor’s Note: It is Malcontent News’s editorial policy to use an individual’s most current legal name. Sarah Bils changed her legal name to Lyudmila Mikhailova Karakova on March 31, 2023. Given the particular circumstances of this story, we chose to use her previous name for clarity.

Russia-Ukraine War

PMC Wagner High Recruiting Standards Include Chronic Masturbators

[Moscow, Russia] – Akrom Chorshanbiev was arrested in the Odintsovo district of Moscow, Russia, on suspicion of possession of weapons. According to Russian state media, two Kalashnikov assault rifles and ammunition were found in his car. Chorshanbiyev told law enforcement officials that he was an employee of the Private Military Company Wagner Group.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the PMC, declared innocence, responding to an inquiry by Russian State media agency RBC, “We checked carefully. There has never been such a character in PMC Wagner, and there is none. For the future, in order not to confuse an ordinary offender with a Wagner fighter, pay attention to the…characteristic features of PMC Wagner fighters.”

Sometimes the comedy writes itself. On the same day that Prigozhin extolled the high standards of PMC Wagner, an American with a self-admitted chronic masturbation problem reported he saw a recruiting ad on Pornhub for PMC Wagner.

Giggity.

In another inquiry by Russian state media, Prigozhin was asked if the story was true and said, “I don’t know on which sites, but advertising PMC Wagner on porn sites is a very good idea from our marketers. I absolutely completely agree with them, and this advertisement says: ‘Go to fight in the Wagner PMC and stop jerking off.’ Who can disagree with this argument?”

Giggity.

Later in the day, Newsweek confirmed that Wagner recruiting ads were running on Pornhub, and the company had pulled the ad campaign from its website.

Sad giggity.

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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