UAF – Ukrainian Forces
RF – Russian Forces
MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket Systems
Summary of the Events
The expected mass bombing of Ukraine by Russia on Ukraine’s Independence Day did not happen. RF attacks actually decreased, and the enemy was unable to advance anywhere. RF have gained only 174 square miles of territory since they started their new offensive six weeks ago. That is roughly the size of Andorra. In comparison, Ukraine has retaken 17,500 square miles of territory since March 21, the high-water mark of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That is an area larger than Denmark.
Belarus
Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said that he is convinced there is no military threat at this time from Belarus.
Battle for the Donbas
A shopping center in occupied Donetsk was hit by missiles. It is not clear whether RF forces fired on the mall as a false-flag attack, or whether UAF fired on the mall.
Target Siversk – RF shelled Siversk and two other nearby communities.
Target Bakhmut – The battles for Soledar and Bakhmutske continue with UAF holding their ground. RF attempted to improve their position against Bakhmut but were repelled. RF forces attacking Kodema were forced to retreat. RF shelled Bakhmut, Soledar, Zaitseve, and Bilohorivka. And RF assaults on Kurdyumivka and Zaitseve were also repulsed.
Target Sloviansk – RF shelled two cities on the front lines and attempted reconnaissance near Bohorodychne but were fired upon by UAF and forced to flee. RF forces were also stopped from advancing on Nova Dmytrivka.
Avdiivka/Novopavlivka/Zaporizhia Line – RF shelled twelve cities along the line and carried out three air strikes. They attempted to recapture Pisky and take Nevelske and Pervomaiskyi but were unsuccessful. Fighting continues on the Western edge of Pisky. RF were fiercely defeated in an attack towards Krasnohorivka. RF attacked UAF positions near Pobieda and Novomykhailivka but came under intense UAF artillery fire and were forced to retreat. Likewise, RF attempts to break through the UAF defense line at Velyka Novosilka, Zolota Nvy, and Pavlivka were all thwarted.
Battle for Kherson (includes Mykolaiv)
RF conducted ten air strikes on UAF positions on Tuesday but there were no casualties. UAF conducted three air strikes killing 13 Russian soldiers and hitting three weapon depots. In addition to the depots being destroyed, a self-propelled howitzer and three vehicles were also destroyed.
RF shelled Mykolaiv in the evening creating fires. But no other details have been released.
RF attempted an assault in the direction of Mykolaivka but were not successful.
Battle for Kharkiv
On the ground, there have been no attacks on Kharkiv region over the last 48 hours.
Around midnight in the early hours of Wednesday, RF fired missiles at Kharkiv, but there were no casualties. Then later in the early hours RF shelled twelve communities north of Kharkiv and conducted three air strikes.
RF fired cluster bombs against the village of Mala Danylivka injuring two people. Private homes were damaged in the attack.
Other Regions
Cherkassy – RF fired a missile into the region, but it was intercepted by UAF air defense.
Chernihiv – RF fired a missile into the region, but it was intercepted by UAF air defense.
Dnipropetrovsk – RF fired missiles on Dnipro and MLRS on Nikopol and cities around Kryvyi Rih. Houses were destroyed in Nikopol and Chervonohryhorivka, and a power line was severed in Koshov. One child was killed in the attacks.
In the evening RF fired missiles on the town of Chaplyne. Homes and the local railroad station were hit killing 22 civilians and injuring more than 50 people. Five people were died in a burning car and an 11-year-old child died when a missile hit his home.
Khmelnitsky – Four missiles were fired on Khmelnitsky region, but no information on damage or casualties have been released.
Poltava – RF fired four missiles at infrastructure targets in the city of Myrhorod.
Sumy – RF bombarded four communities along the border with Russia. A power line was damaged.
Vinnytsia – RF fired a missile into the region, but it was intercepted by UAF air defense.
Zaporizhia – RF fired missiles on two cities in the Zaporizhia area hitting infrastructure targets. Then later in the early morning a missile was fired on Zaporizhia hitting another infrastructure target. The only information released so far is that six apartment buildings were damaged in the attack on Zaporizhia.
Ivan Sushko, the Russian appointed governor over occupied Zaporizhia region, was killed by partisans while driving his car.
Other News
President Zelensky addressed the nation on National Flag Day celebrated on Tuesday with a vow that the Ukrainian flag would once again fly on all its sovereign territory. Today Ukraine celebrates its 31st Independence Day.
The UN Security Council met to discuss the dangerous situation concerning the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Ukraine demanded that Russia pull all its troops out of the territory. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, deploring the shelling at the site without taking a side in the conflict. Russia has invited the IAEA to inspect the site. Russia detained two employees of the ZNPP for alleged cooperation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
International Support
The United States announced another $3 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
Many countries reasserted their support of Ukraine on Independence Day including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
The International Crimea Platform gathered online with more pomp and glory than the first gathering. Polish President Andrzej Duda physically came to Kyiv to show support and dared Russia to attack Kyiv while he was there. Other prominent international leaders joined online including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei, Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceño, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. US President Joe Biden was on vacation, but US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken did attend. But the highlight was the appearance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who announced that Turkey is no longer taking a neutral stance and stands firmly behind Ukraine. The goal of these meetings is to remain committed to Ukraine’s sovereignty over Crimea. In a joint statement the member nations called on Russia to withdraw all its military forces from Crimea and to release all Ukrainian political prisoners. Forty-four countries sent delegates to the meeting this year.
Germany has announced they will supply Ukraine with their most advanced air defense system in the coming weeks.