Summary: Ukrainian forces pushed Russian forces back north of Marinka, but Russian forces advanced towards Vuhledar.
Human Cost Of The War
3 Ukrainian civilian was killed and another 5 injured in Russian attacks during the day.
- Russia conducted a missile strike against Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast striking seven apartment buildings, three private business, and three social infrastructure facilities. A man was killed, and his daughter injured in the attacks. Another civilian was injured as well.
- Russian forces shelled a multi-story apartment building in Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast killing one man and injuring another.
- Russian forces shelled Kherson damaging several residential buildings and injuring a man.
- A Russian drone dropped explosives in Beryslav, Kherson Oblast, killing a man while riding his motorcycle.
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 continue to claim they are advancing from Krokhmalne towards Berestove (16.5 miles SE of Kupyansk) and towards the Kotlyarivka-Kyslivka line (14 miles SE of Kupyansk).
Siversky Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Zherebets River, Siversk, & Chasiv Yar
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed advances in the sector. Russian forces claim to have advanced west and southwest of Bilohorivka (7.5 miles NE of Siversk). Russian military units claim dominion over the central area of Bohdanivka (3.5 miles NE of Chasiv Yar) claiming control of roughly two-thirds of the entire settlement. Despite their presence in the northern outskirts of Bohdanivka for an extended period, independent verification of their advancement deeper into the city remains absent.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Novomykhailivka, and to advance from occupied Marinka
Russia persists in its assertion of having captured the Tsarska Okhota restaurant and advancing along Soborna Street towards the southwestern fringes of Avdiivka. However, these claims remain unverified. Confirmation has been received, though, that Russian forces have indeed crossed the railway lines located south of the restaurant. In contrast, Ukrainian military sources maintain their stronghold over the region to the north of the restaurant, firmly stating that Russian troops have not penetrated into the city.
The military dynamics around Marinka, which recently fell to Russian control, have taken a favorable turn for Ukrainian forces. They have successfully halted the Russian advance northward toward Krasnohorivka, located 4.5 miles north of Marinka, and have driven the Russian troops back. Meanwhile, Russian military sources allege that they have progressed another 1000 feet in Heorhiivka, drawing near to the All-Saints Church situated 2 miles northwest of Marinka. However, independent sources have yet to confirm this advancement.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia – Targets: Recapture Staromaiorske, Urozhaine, & Robotyne
After a prolonged period of stalemate, the conflict near Vuhledar has reignited, with Russian forces achieving a slight progression north of Mykilske, located approximately 3.5 miles southeast of Vuhledar.
Ukrainian forces have reported modest advances southward from Urozhaine, effectively countering the progress Russian forces had made in the area just 48 hours prior. Russian reports additionally acknowledge that Ukrainian troops have reclaimed territory to the west of Verbove, which is situated 6.5 miles southeast of Robotyne.
Left Bank Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Krynky
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed nor claimed advances in the sector. Russian forces are refusing to conduct assaults because of the lack of armored vehicle support.
Ukraine News
Russia deployed eight drones of Iranian manufacture in an offensive against Ukraine; however, Ukrainian defense systems successfully intercepted and neutralized all of them. Concurrently, a Russian missile assault targeted energy facilities in Kharkiv. While the full scope of the damage to the infrastructure remains unspecified, initial reports confirm that there were no casualties resulting from the strike.
President Zelensky has enacted a decree entitled “On the Territories of the Russian Federation Historically Inhabited by Ukrainians.” This decree denounces the systematic oppression faced by Ukrainians residing within Russia. It also mandates the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers to devise a strategic plan aimed at preserving and promoting Ukrainian cultural identity in areas that were historically part of Ukraine. Notably, the decree explicitly refrains from making any territorial claims on these regions, thereby not constituting a threat to the Russian Federation.
President Zelensky has declared his intention to introduce legislation to the Verkhovna Rada that would permit Ukrainians to possess multiple citizenships. This initiative is designed to maintain ties with Ukrainians who have left the country, ensuring their continued connection to Ukraine. However, the proposed bill will specifically exclude Russian citizenship from the multi-citizenship provision.
The Ukrainian government is poised to present a motion to the National Security and Defense Council advocating for a 50-year prohibition on the entry of vehicles registered in Russia or owned by Russian nationals into Ukraine. This extensive ban is set to include all forms of transportation, effectively barring Russian airlines from operating direct flights to Ukraine, denying access to Ukrainian ports for Russian ships, and precluding all Russian buses, trucks, and railway services from entering the country.
Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have reported the confiscation of 260 properties belonging to Russian citizens, with the combined value of these assets approaching $750 million.
Russia has reportedly deported an additional 17 Ukrainian children to Russian territory. These children, identified as having conditions affecting their nervous and musculoskeletal systems, are said to have been placed in the “Ogonyok” rehabilitation center near Moscow. This latest incident contributes to the alarming tally of approximately 19,000 Ukrainian children who have reportedly been forcibly removed from their homeland thus far.
Ukraine Ally Support
Poland’s newly elected Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, chose Kyiv as the destination for his inaugural foreign visit, underscoring his commitment to Ukraine’s cause. During the visit, he engaged in discussions about collaborative military equipment production initiatives. Tusk revealed plans for a new package of military aid to Ukraine, although he did not disclose its specifics or monetary value. Furthermore, he announced Poland’s appointment of a dedicated commissioner to manage the country’s role in Ukraine’s post-conflict reconstruction efforts.
The European Union is adjusting its approach to support Ukraine after encountering a roadblock from Hungary, which is stalling the original proposal to allocate $50 billion in military aid. The EU’s initial scheme envisioned distributing funds directly to member states that extend new military assistance to Ukraine. Pivoting from this, the revised strategy involves disbursing $22 billion to member countries as compensation for previous military aid furnished to Ukraine, with the expectation that these nations will, in turn, relay new support to Ukraine. Additionally, the EU has concurred on a plan to redirect frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, a decision set to receive formal endorsement at the forthcoming Foreign Affairs Council session in two weeks.
Belgium has committed to providing Ukraine with $665 million in military aid for the year 2024.
Russia News
At a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting convened to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—a session requested by Russia—Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attributed the prolongation of the conflict to Western nations, citing their provision of defensive armaments to Ukraine amid allegations of a Russian campaign against Ukrainian culture. Lavrov asserted that a resolution to the war would necessitate the ousting of Ukraine’s current leadership, rejecting the legitimacy of the Ukrainian nation and contending that the Ukrainian populace is disinclined to engage in conflict with Russia. He dismissed the prospects of President Zelensky’s Peace Formula, warning that further resistance to Russian dominance could result in Russia expanding its territorial claims as a condition for peace.
Russian authorities have levied charges against family members for breaching anti-COVID-19 protocols during a gathering last weekend, where they called for the repatriation of their relatives currently engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.
A video surfaced online depicting a confrontation at a checkpoint near Melitopol between Russian troops and Chechen forces, who are ostensibly allies in the conflict against Ukraine. The footage shows a Russian soldier detaining Chechen commander Vakha Khambulatov due to a lack of proper identification. Subsequently, Chechen soldiers accompanying Khambulatov are seen issuing lethal threats against the Russian soldier. Russian military bloggers reacting to the video criticized the Chechen soldiers, pointing to their ‘too clean uniforms and cars’ as evidence that they may not be actively participating in combat operations in the war.
Russia Ally Support
Kyrgyzstan has issued a formal denunciation of the recent Russian operation at a factory outlet center aimed at detaining migrant workers for conscription into the Russian military. The Kyrgyz government is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the detention of 40 Kyrgyz nationals during the raid. It is illegal for a Kyrgyz citizen to fight as a mercenary for Russia. Kyrgyz law explicitly prohibits its nationals from serving as mercenaries in foreign armies, including Russia.
The newly elected Prime Minister of Slovakia granted a media interview in which he expressed the view that Ukraine lacks full sovereignty and is subject to significant influence from the United States. Additionally, he stated his opposition to Ukraine’s potential accession to NATO.
Source Materials
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Militaryland.net (maps)