Summary: Russian forces may be moving into the southern portions of Avdiivka and moving out of Krokhmalne captured yesterday towards their next goal of Berestove. Ukraine conducted at least two successful drone strikes in Russian territory.
Human Cost Of The War
1 Ukrainian civilian was killed and another 2 injured in Russian attacks during the day
- Russia conducted 95 strikes against 16 communities in Zaporizhia Oblast. A 71-year-old resident was injured when his home came under artillery fire in Hulyaipole.
- Russia targeted residential buildings and a kindergarten in Kurakhove, Donetsk Oblast killing 1 person and injuring another.
In addition, Russia claimed that Ukraine struck a busy marketplace in occupied Tekstilshchik, Donetsk Oblast. Ukraine denies the attack stating they would never fire on their people in occupied territory. Russia claimed that 27 civilians were killed and another 25 injured. Russia has been known to fire on civilians in the occupied zone and then blame it on Ukraine, something they have been doing for a decade now. But there is no confirmation that such an attack even took place.
Ukraine claimed that Russian troops suffered 760 casualties in the last 24 hours.
Situation On The Ground And Air
Sloboda Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Kupyansk
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed advances in the sector. Russian forces claim to have already advanced out from Krokhmalne which had just been captured the day before. They claim to have taken the R07 Highway between Krokhmalne and Novoselivske and have begun advancing towards Berestove. None of these claims have been confirmed. Ukraine claimed they had retreated from the village which had a pre-war population of 45 temporarily to regroup forces.
Siversky Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Zherebets River, Siversk, & Chasiv Yar
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed nor claimed advances in the sector.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Novomykhailivka, and to advance from occupied Marinka
Some of Russian claims of advances from the day before have now been confirmed. Russian forces have begun advancing on Soborna Street north of the Tsarska Okhota restaurant confirming that Ukrainian fortified positions in that area have been breached. Russian forces are now also claiming in addition to having taken the southwestern area of Avdiivka, Russian forces are moving up Lermontova and Kolosova Streets into the southeastern corner of the city.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia – Targets: Recapture Staromaiorske, Urozhaine, & Robotyne
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed nor claimed advances in the sector.
Left Bank Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Krynky
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed nor claimed advances in the sector.
Ukraine News
Ukraine launched successful drone strikes against a gas terminal near St. Petersburg and a weapons manufacturing plant in Tula. Confirmed explosions were also seen in Smolensk suggesting another strike made against a target in that Russian city. There were no casualties, but 150 people had to be evacuated from the gas terminal which is still on fire as of this writing. Russia has weak air defense systems defending from the south as they were not planning on an attack from Ukraine. Most of their air defense systems are to the west of each city to defend against a NATO attack.
Explosions were reported in the Russian port of Sevastopol, but Ukraine did not report they had made a strike against the port. Russia claimed that at least two missiles and several drones were shot down.
Ukraine Ally Support
The UK has turned over to the UN satellite photos of arms shipments from North Korea to Russia proving that the Hermit State is violating international sanctions.
Romanian farmers demand import limits on Ukrainian agricultural products or they will resume their blockade of the border between Ukraine and Romania.
Russia News
Russian occupation forces in Moldova were caught using small arms, drones, and other weapons in violation of the Joint Control Commission guidelines monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Source Materials
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Militaryland.net (maps)