Summary of the day: Russia launched another combined drone and missile strike on civilian infrastructure in Lviv and Kryvyi Rih, while reportedly advancing near Pokrovsk and Donetsk City. Ukrainian forces made marginal advances in Kursk Oblast and regained positions west of Donetsk City. International developments include Russia’s apparent efforts to evade Western sanctions through countries like India, Serbia, and China, while Germany announced plans to provide additional air defense systems to Ukraine. Amidst these events, Ukrainian authorities are investigating reports of Russian war crimes and have announced changes in senior cabinet positions.
Picture of the day:
Workers carry out search and rescue operations in the aftermath of a Russian missile strike on Poltava. The attack killed 55 people and injured 328, officials said. (Ukrainian Emergency Service/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Path To Peace
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer has offered Vienna as a venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. This comes after Russian leader Vladimir Putin claimed openness to negotiations, suggesting they be based on previous Istanbul talks. However, Ukraine’s President Zelensky has rejected Putin’s conditions, which include recognizing Russia’s annexation of Ukrainian regions. Instead, Ukraine proposes a 10-step peace formula requiring full Russian withdrawal. While both sides express willingness to negotiate, their preconditions remain incompatible. Ukraine plans a second peace summit in November, hoping for Russian participation, though Moscow remains skeptical.
Situation On The Land, Sea, and Air in Ukraine
Russia has relocated 90% of its aircraft used against Ukraine beyond the 300-kilometer range of U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles, according to U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby. The U.S. began providing ATACMS to Ukraine in spring 2024 but restricts their use to occupied territories, not Russian soil. Ukraine has requested these restrictions be lifted to strike Russian airbases. President Zelensky criticized the slow pace of Western military support decisions. In response, Ukraine is increasing domestic production of long-range weapons like ballistic missiles and drones to target Russia without Western limitations.
Ukrainian Navy Spokesperson Captain Dmytro Pletenchuk reported that Russia is gathering air defense systems in occupied Crimea to protect the Kerch Strait Bridge from Ukrainian attacks. These systems are reportedly being moved from other areas in Russia or occupied Ukraine. Pletenchuk suggested that Russia may need to rely more on the bridge for transporting supplies to Crimea following recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian transport ferries in the port of Kavkaz, Krasnodar Krai.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that its forces destroyed two Ukrainian naval drones in the northeastern Black Sea. However, this claim has not been independently verified or visually confirmed.
Ukrainian Operations in the Russian Federation – Initiative None
Ukrainian forces advanced south of Spalnoye in the southeastern part of their salient in Kursk Oblast, while Russian forces made limited gains north of Pogrebki in the northern part. Russian sources report ongoing Ukrainian attacks near Korenevo, Olgovka, Malaya Loknya, Kamyshevka, Maryevka, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Borki. Russian naval infantry units are reportedly operating near Spalnoye. The situation remains fluid with both sides making small territorial adjustments.
Russian authorities are forming new volunteer territorial defense units in response to the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the creation of “BARS-Belgorod” to protect infrastructure, conduct anti-drone measures, and perform other security tasks in Belgorod Oblast. Similar units, “BARS-Kursk” and “BARS-Bryansk,” are being established in Kursk and Bryansk Oblasts respectively. These volunteer detachments are part of Russia’s effort to bolster local defenses against Ukrainian incursions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin downplayed the impact of a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk Oblast, claiming it hasn’t forced troop redeployments or halted operations in eastern Ukraine. However, this contradicts reports from Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi and U.S. intelligence officials. They state that Russia has moved an estimated 30,000 troops, including elite units, from Ukraine to Kursk, impacting Russia’s priority operations. The incursion has shifted the balance of initiative in the conflict, preventing a planned Russian attack on Sumy Oblast and reducing threats to northern Ukraine.
Putin is attempting to convince the Russian public that a limited Ukrainian presence in Kursk is acceptable in exchange for advances in Pokrovsk, Ukraine. This marks a significant shift from Russia’s traditional stance on border inviolability. Putin has delayed strong counter-measures in Kursk, prioritizing the Pokrovsk offensive instead. This approach may also be an attempt to influence Western opinion, possibly hoping to pressure Ukraine into withdrawing from Kursk without Russia needing to redeploy additional forces.
Kharkiv Front – Initiative Russia
Ukrainian forces have recaptured positions north of Kharkiv City, as shown by footage from September 4. Russian forces continue to attack areas north and northeast of Kharkiv City, including near Hlyboke and Vovchansk. Reports indicate that Russian troops near Lukyantsi are facing water shortages and refusing some operations.
Luhansk Front – Initiative Russia
Russian forces have made a small advance southeast of Kupyansk, near Pishchane, as evidenced by footage from September 4. They continue to conduct offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, targeting multiple settlements including Synkivka, Tabaivka, Hlushkivka, Druzhelyubivka, and Torske, among others.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia
Siversk
Russian forces reportedly advanced near Siversk though no confirmed gains were made. Some Russian sources claimed the capture of Pereizne, south of Siversk, but this remains unverified. Offensive operations continued around Verkhnokamyanske, Ivano-Darivka, and Spirne.
Chasiv Yar
Russian forces advanced near Chasiv Yar, particularly west of Klishchiivka along the Siverskyi-Donets Donbas Canal. They continued offensive operations around Chasiv Yar, including near Kalynivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Predtechyne, and Ivanopillia.
Toretsk
Russian forces continued their offensive near Toretsk. Some Russian sources claimed a 600-meter advance in Druzhba, northeast of Toretsk, but this remains unconfirmed. Fighting also occurred near Nelipivka and Niu York, south of Toretsk. No confirmed changes to the frontline were reported.
Pokrovsk
Russian forces continued operations around Pokrovsk and nearby settlements in Donetsk Oblast, including Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Hrodivka, Ukrainsk, Lisivka, Myrolyubivka, Mykhailivka, Selydove, Mykolaivka, and Novohrodivka. They claimed to seize Zavitne, though this was confirmed earlier, and reported unverified advances near Selydove. Intensified glide bomb strikes damaged a bridge on the E-50 highway near Pokrovsk. Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi asserted that Ukrainian forces halted Russian advances in the area, noting a weakened Russian offensive despite the concentration of their best units there. Contradictorily, the UK Defense Ministry reported accelerated Russian advances towards Pokrovsk. President Zelensky stated that over 60,000 Russian troops were diverted to Kursk Oblast due to Ukraine’s operation, potentially impacting other fronts.
Pokrovsk’s train station in Donetsk Oblast closed for civilian evacuations due to worsening security. Evacuations will now depart from Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 100 km west. This follows an August 15 evacuation call when Russian forces neared Pokrovsk. The UK Defense Ministry reported accelerated Russian advances in the area. Of Pokrovsk’s pre-war population of 60,000, 26,000 remain, including 1,076 children. Governor Vadym Filashkin stated 20,000 people evacuated in the past month. Ukrzaliznytsia urges quick evacuation from front-line areas in Donetsk.
West and Southwest of Donetsk City
Russian forces have intensified their offensive in western Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, aiming to eliminate the Ukrainian salient west and southwest of Donetsk City and advance along the H-15 highway. The offensive spans from Pokrovsk to Vuhledar, with recent advances in Prechystivka, near the Pivdennodonbaska Mine No. 1, and reportedly taking Zolota Nyva. They’ve also made progress near Ukrainsk and Hirnyk, attempting to encircle Kurakhove. A notable mechanized assault near Kostyantynivka was repelled by Ukrainian forces. President Putin claimed a 5–7-kilometer advance in the area on September 3.
The Russian military aims to capture Kurakhove and Vuhledar to facilitate faster advances along the H-15 highway but faces significant challenges. Vuhledar’s capture would remove a key Ukrainian strongpoint but is still 23 kilometers from the highway, with open fields in between requiring successful mechanized assaults. Taking Kurakhove would eliminate another Ukrainian defensive position, but further settlements along H-15 could still be defended. Russian forces are now pursuing gradual advances on multiple fronts, reflecting a shift in their campaign strategy.
While intensifying efforts in western Donetsk Oblast, the Russian military continues to prioritize its offensive on Pokrovsk as the main operation. They are working to widen the Pokrovsk salient along the Selydove-Ukrainsk-Hirnyk line in preparation for a major push on Pokrovsk itself. This strategy aims to pin down Ukrainian forces, preventing their redeployment to defend Pokrovsk. However, maintaining multiple intense offensives in Donetsk Oblast, coupled with the pressure from Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Oblast, may lead to a premature culmination of Russian operations, contrary to their command’s intentions.
Russian forces have advanced about 40 kilometers from the 2022 frontline in Pokrovsk Raion, Donetsk Oblast, since October 2023. While capturing Pokrovsk would complicate Ukrainian logistics and affect morale, it’s not inevitable. Russian forces have yet to seize Chasiv Yar or threaten Ukraine’s fortress belt from Slovyansk to Kostyantynivka. The outcome of Russian operations in Donetsk and the effects of Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk remain uncertain. The US and other allies can still impact the situation by addressing Ukraine’s manpower, training, and equipment needs for future operations.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative None
Zaporizhia-Donetsk Border Area
There were no reports of fighting along the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area from either Russian or Ukrainian sources.
Zaporizhia Line
Russian forces continued their offensive in western Zaporizhia Oblast. They launched attacks near Robotyne and Verbove, as well as north of Robotyne towards Novoandriivka. Despite these ongoing assaults, there were no confirmed changes to the frontline in this area.
Kherson (Dnipro River) Front – Initiative None
Geolocated footage from September 4 reveals that Russian troops have captured positions on the eastern part of Kozulyskyi Island, located in the Dnipro River Delta southwest of Kherson City.
Ukraine News
Russian forces launched a significant aerial attack on Ukraine. They fired an Iskander-M ballistic missile from occupied Crimea and 78 Shahed drones from various locations. Ukrainian forces reportedly shot down 60 drones across multiple oblasts, while 15 drones missed their targets and three entered Russian and Belarusian airspace. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed an Iskander-M strike on Ukrainian forces near Rudnivka, Sumy Oblast, but this has not been independently verified.
Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, approved several key cabinet appointments. Andrii Sybiha is the new Foreign Minister, Herman Smetanin takes over as Strategic Industries Minister, Olha Stefanishyna becomes Justice Minister, Oleksiy Kuleba is now Minister for Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure, and Nataliya Kalmykova is appointed as Veterans Affairs Minister. These changes represent a significant reshuffling of Ukraine’s senior government positions.
Innocent Victims Of War
The casualty count of civilians in the past 24 hours: (Russian War Crimes)
DEATHS: 4 INJURIES: 52
- Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast experienced a prolonged drone attack, with air raid alerts lasting 11 hours in the region and over 9 hours in the capital. Ukrainian authorities reported that all drones targeting Kyiv were successfully intercepted. While falling debris caused damage to several houses in Kyiv Oblast, no casualties were reported.
- Russian attacks in Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast have resulted in two deaths and ten injuries, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin. The town of Kostiantynivka was hit, leaving one dead and six wounded, with damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Another fatality occurred in Kurakhove, while Toretsk and Pokrovsk also reported casualties.
- Two civilians were injured in Russian attacks on Kharkiv Oblast. In Vovchansk, a 19-year-old volunteer was hospitalized, while in Kurylivka, a 71-year-old man was wounded. Both victims required medical care following the strikes on these settlements in northeastern Ukraine.
- Russian forces targeted Kherson Oblast, injuring three people and damaging critical infrastructure. The attacks affected a cell tower, an administration building, and civilian homes, continuing the pattern of strikes on non-military targets in southern Ukraine.
- Russian attacks on Sumy Oblast injured seven people. An airstrike on the Yampil community wounded six individuals, while a rocket attack on the Svesa community injured one woman.
- The death toll from a Russian strike on the Ukrainian city of Poltava on September 3 has increased to 55, with 328 people wounded. Rescue efforts continue as more victims may be trapped under debris, underscoring the severe impact of this attack on the central Ukrainian city.
Ukraine’s Allies
In September 2024, Ukrainian Parliament Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk met with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson in Italy to discuss lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range Western weapons, including ATACMS, for strikes deep into Russian territory. Stefanchuk emphasized the need for Ukraine to defend itself without limitations. The U.S. currently prohibits such strikes, citing escalation concerns. However, Ukraine argues these restrictions hinder its war efforts, especially amid its incursion into Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The White House maintains its position, claiming 90% of Russian warplanes are already beyond ATACMS range. The leaders also discussed strengthening sanctions against Russia.
The UK has announced a new military aid package for Ukraine, including 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) worth over $213 million. The announcement precedes a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany. UK Defense Secretary John Healey will present the package at the summit, following a recent meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in London. The first LMM missiles are expected to arrive in Ukraine by year-end. These UK-made missiles, produced by Thales in Belfast, have a range of over 6 kilometers and can counter various threats, including drones. The aid comes in response to recent Russian attacks on Poltava and Lviv.
Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis has signed a decree approving the donation of a Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. This follows recent calls from Ukrainian officials for more Patriots, which are crucial for protecting Ukraine’s airspace and can intercept advanced missiles like Kinzhals.
Life in Russian-Occupied Ukraine
The Ukraine Conflict Observatory reported that Russian forces have damaged ancient burial mounds, known as kurgans, in Zaporizhzhia Oblast’s Vasylivka district. These mounds, dating back to 3000 BC, contain valuable archaeological artifacts from prehistoric Ukraine, including the Scythian era. The damage includes military construction on the sites and potential looting, possibly violating international law and the Hague and Geneva Conventions. This is part of a broader impact on Ukraine’s cultural heritage, with around 2,000 cultural sites damaged and 1.5 million museum artifacts in occupied territories. In June, PACE adopted a resolution recognizing Russia’s actions as genocidal intent against Ukraine’s cultural identity.
Russia News
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a seemingly sarcastic remark about preferring Democratic candidate Kamala Harris as the next U.S. president. This comes shortly after the U.S. announced a crackdown on Russian election interference. Putin claimed he favored Biden, but since Biden recommended Harris, he would support her. He justified this by saying Trump imposed heavy sanctions on Russia. The statement follows accusations that Russia backed Trump in previous elections.
Russian Mobilization and Defense Industrial Base
According to Ukrainian Luhansk Oblast Head Artem Lysohor, Russian forces are continuing their practice of forcibly redeploying mobilized personnel from occupied areas of Ukraine to frontline positions. Lysohor reported that Ukrainians who were mobilized in 2022 from occupied Luhansk Oblast are being forced to return to the front. This move appears to be part of Russia’s ongoing efforts to bolster its troop numbers through what’s been termed “crypto-mobilization.”
Russia’s Allies
Russia is strengthening economic ties with non-Western countries at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. President Putin met with officials from Malaysia and China to discuss cooperation. Malaysia expressed interest in joining BRICS and collaborating on Islamic finance. India plans to increase Russian oil imports and develop a new interbank system. Rosatom is working with India and Vietnam on the Northern Sea Route. Despite these efforts, a joint Russia-China coal project in Siberia is facing challenges due to concerns about Western sanctions.
Belarus reportedly shot down several Russian drones that entered its airspace from Ukraine. The Belarusian Defense Ministry confirmed the interception, while an independent monitoring group specified they were Russian Shahed drones. The incident occurred near the Belarus-Ukraine border in Gomel Oblast, with reports suggesting the downed drones caused a fire and damaged nearby buildings.
Russia and India have reportedly developed covert trade links to help Russia acquire components for its war effort, according to leaked documents seen by the Financial Times. The plan involves using rupees from oil sales to India to finance the acquisition of critical electronics and potentially build production facilities in India. While it’s unclear how much of this plan has been implemented, trade data suggests a growing relationship between the two countries. India has maintained close ties with Russia, becoming the largest importer of Russian oil in July 2023. However, India is also developing relations with Ukraine, with Prime Minister Modi recently visiting Kyiv for the first time since diplomatic relations were established.
Controlling the Narrative and Russian Propaganda
In early September 2024, the US Treasury’s OFAC imposed sanctions on 12 Russian entities and individuals, including RT Editor-in-Chief Margarita Simonyan, for conducting malign influence operations against the United States. OFAC reported that RT executives had been attempting to secretly recruit unsuspecting US citizens to support these operations since the beginning of 2024.
The U.S. Justice Department has charged Russian-born U.S. citizens Dimitri and Anastasia Simes with violating sanctions against Russia. Dimitri Simes, a former adviser to President Trump, now works for the sanctioned Russian state TV Channel One. The couple is accused of providing services to and accepting over $1 million from Channel One Russia. Additionally, Anastasia Simes is charged with helping sanctioned Russian oligarch Alexander Udodov purchase and store art and antiques. Both face multiple charges, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence. The indictments are part of a broader crackdown on Russian propagandists ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The Simes are believed to currently reside in Russia.
At a September 2024 economic forum, Russian President Putin repeated a claim that Western officials forced Ukraine to reject a favorable deal during March 2022 peace talks in Istanbul. This narrative aims to portray the West as controlling Ukraine’s decisions, undermining Ukraine’s independence in negotiations and potentially its sovereignty.
Source Material
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com