Summary: Russian forces made marginal advances along the frontlines. Ukraine and the UK signed a major agreement on security cooperation.
Human Cost Of The War
Russia launched 310 projectiles against residential targets in Kherson killing three civilians, including an 80-year-old woman, and wounding three.
Situation On The Ground
Sloboda Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Kupyansk
Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed nor claimed advances in the sector.
Siversky Donets Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Zherebets River, Siversk, Chasiv Yar
Siversk – Russian forces marginally advanced east of Vesele (9 miles S of Siversk) to improve their tactical positions.
Chasiv Yar (Around Bakhmut) – Positional fighting continues but there were no confirmed nor claimed advances.
Donetsk Front – Initiative Russia – Current Targets: Avdiivka, Pervomaiske, Novomykhailivka, and to advance from occupied Marinka
Avdiivka – Russian forces advanced just east of the Avdiivka Coke Plant in northwestern outskirts of Avdiivka.
Pervomaiske – Russian sources claim that Russian forces have advanced on the eastern outskirts of Pervomaiske, but this has not been confirmed.
Novomykhailivka – Russian forces made marginal gains south of Novomykhailivka.
Zaporizhia Front – Initiative Russia – Target: Recapture Robotyne
Russian forces have marginally advanced west of Verbove (6.5 miles E of Robotyne) capturing Ukrainian trench positions.
Left Bank Front – Initiative Russia – Current Target: Recapture Krynky
Russian forces marginally advanced in Krynky.
Ukraine Ally Support
Twenty-four countries have now signed the G7’s July 2023 Joint Declaration of support for Ukraine. But the UK is the first country to sign an agreement with Ukraine based on that declaration. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak met with President Zelensky in Kyiv and both countries signed the UK-Ukraine Agreement on Security Cooperation. The UK agreed to assist Ukraine in its accession efforts to join NATO, aid and protection to restore Ukraine’s territorial integrity, prevent future aggression by Russia against Ukraine, and supporting Ukraine’s integration into Western institutions. The agreement also states that the UK will help Ukraine develop its own defense industrial base in producing weapons. Sunak also announced a $3.19 billion military aid package which will provide long-range missiles, air defense systems, artillery, and funds to produce drones. The UK also pledged $23 million to fortify Ukraine’s energy infrastructure from Russian strikes.
In comparison, US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby announced that the US has suspended security assistance to Ukraine and will not resume sending aid to Ukraine until the US Congress approves funding.
120 members of the European Union parliament have signed a petition to suspend the voting rights of EU member Hungary whose veto power is blocking the EU’s $50 billion in military support to Ukraine. This is a long shot as a majority of EU members must approve and no EU country has ever had their voting rights suspended.
Life in Occupied Ukraine
Ukrainians in occupied Kherson will only receive energy to heat their homes this winter if they abandon their Ukrainian passports and become Russian citizens.
Monitors from the International Atomic Energy Agency are still being denied entrance to three of the six reactors at the Russian occupied Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant hindering their ability to maintain the safety at the nuclear power plant.
Source Materials
Institute for the Study of War – understandingwar.org
The Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com
The Kyiv Independent – kyivindependent.com
Militaryland.net (maps)