Summary: Russian forces achieved slight advances along most frontlines, with the exception of the Dnipro River’s left bank, while issuing threats to NATO member states.
Human Cost Of The War
Russia engaged in aerial assaults on Ukraine, deploying seven drones and three missiles. Ukrainian defenses successfully intercepted four drones. The missile attacks affected Novohrodivka in the Donetsk region, damaging 33 homes and resulting in civilian injuries.
The Ukrainian military reported significant Russian losses, with around 750 personnel casualties in a single day of combat.
Situation On The Ground And Air
Sloboda Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Kupyansk
Russian forces have successfully taken the village of Krokhmalne (16.5 miles SE of Kupyansk), and have also made advancements toward Ivanivka (13 miles SE of Kupyansk).
Siversky Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Zherebets River, Siversk, & Chasiv Yar
Siversk – Russian forces have made slight advances towards Zolotarivka. (7.5 miles E of Siversk)
Chasiv Yar – Russian troops have achieved incremental progress within a stretch of forest located to the northwest of Klishchiivka (5 miles S of Bakhmut).
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Novomykhailivka, and to advance from occupied Marinka
Russian forces have reportedly made advances in the Avdiivka region, claiming to have taken control of the Skotovata dacha area south of Avdiivka, seized a fortified position near the “Tsarska Okhota” restaurant, and penetrated the southeastern outskirts along Soborna Street, reaching Chernyshevskoho and Sportyvna Streets. However, these claims remain unverified.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia – Targets: Recapture Staromaiorske, Urozhaine, & Robotyne
Russian forces have made minor advances towards the area of Urozhaine.
Left Bank Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Krynky
Positional skirmishes are ongoing without any confirmed or reported territorial changes in the sector.
Ukraine News
Petro Symonenko, the former leader of Ukraine’s Communist Party, has been added to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry most wanted list. Symonenko, who fled to Russia a year prior to the invasion, has been vocal in his calls for the overthrow of the Zelensky government and has expressed support for Russian military actions against Ukraine. He faces up to 13 years in prison if convicted of charges under the Ukrainian criminal code.
Ukraine Ally Support
The United States has concluded its initial audit and inspection of the military equipment it has provided to Ukraine. This inspection was aimed at assessing the condition and storage of the weapons, but the findings have not been disclosed yet.
In Romania, protesters have ceased their blockade at the Ukrainian border following their government’s agreement to address the economic difficulties they attributed to the influx of inexpensive Ukrainian goods impacting their finances
Russia News
In a letter to the Non-Aligned Movement Summit, President Putin articulated a stance opposing “neocolonialist ambitions, double standards, forceful pressure, dictatorship, and blackmail” as tools for achieving foreign policy and economic goals, a position that seems at odds with the actions Russia has taken in Ukraine.
Russia has conveyed threats toward two NATO members. Finland, recently joining NATO and sharing a border with Russia, has been ominously referred to as a potential “second Ukraine,” suggesting a threat of aggression similar to what is occurring in Ukraine. Additionally, the Russian Ambassador to Denmark, Vladimir Barbin, has issued a warning to Denmark following its agreement with the U.S. to establish an American military base, hinting that Russia will devise a “necessary response” to this move.
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has made a public statement declaring the delivery of nuclear missiles to Belarus from Russia, and he has confirmed signing protocols regarding their use for defense purposes.
Russia Ally Support
Slovakia is showing signs of a pro-Russian stance within the EU and NATO, akin to Hungary’s position. The newly elected Slovak President, Robert Fico, has expressed intentions to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and suggested that Ukraine should be open to territorial concessions to Russia for peace. Additionally, a document suggests that Slovakian Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, known for her pro-Russian journalism, has lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian artists. Her past includes controversy over anti-Ukrainian immigration comments.
Source Materials
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Militaryland.net (maps)