UAF – Ukrainian Forces
RF – Russian Forces
MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket Systems
Summary of the Events
UAF have finally launched their counter-offensive in liberating the Kherson region. Ukraine claims to have already liberated several communities without naming them. In the meantime, the fighting continues in the Donbas, but RF have not been able to advance for at least a week now.
Battle for the Donbas
Target Bakhmut – Fierce fighting continues in Soledar and Bakhmutske, and after a two-pronged attack, Kodema is also now under assault. RF also attempted to move on Bakhmut, Vesela Dolyna, Zaitseve, and Shumy but were repulsed.
Target Avdiivka – UAF repelled RF attempting to advance towards Avdiivka and Opytne. RF had some success in moving north of Pisky near the Donetsk Airport.
Target Slovyansk – RF attempted to break through UAF lines towards Shnurky but failed. A reconnaissance element attacked UAF positions near Dolyna but were forced to retreat. RF attacked UAF at Bohorodychne but were repelled. And RF tried to improve their position near Ivano-Darivka but failed and were forced back to their original positions.
Southern Donetsk Line – Fighting continues for Marinka, but RF so far have been unable to advance. RF also advanced towards Novomykhailivka, and fighting continues. RF attacks on Pavlika, Pervomaiskyi, and Nevelske were repulsed.
Battle for Kherson (includes Mykolaiv)
The long-awaited counter-offensive to liberate the Kherson region has begun, but under a cloud of secrecy. Here is the little we know. In the southern drive to Kherson, fighting has begun in Pravdyne. In the center near Davydiv Brid fighting is reported at Sukhyi Stavok and Arkhanhelske. But most of the fighting is along the northern line as UAF are pushing RF south. The main assault was to break through the RF line at Petrivka. UAF suffered heavy losses including five tanks but managed to enter Petrivka.
Ukrainian MP Oleksii Kovalyov, a member of President Zelensky’s party, defected on the first days of the invasion and offered his services to Russia. He was serving as the deputy head of the Kherson region when he was assassinated on Sunday with a bullet to his head. His wife was hospitalized with a stab wound in the neck.
RF have responded with multiple missile attacks on Mykolaiv as expected. Two people were killed on Monday and another 24 injured.
RF attempted to build a pontoon bridge over the Dnipro River to resupply their forces in Kherson, but UAF immediately destroyed it.
Battle for Zaporizhia
RF fired missiles as residential neighborhoods where nuclear technicians and service personnel live. Of course, Russia claims it is Ukraine firing the missiles. Energoatom, the company that runs nuclear power plants throughout Ukraine, has placed the Zaporizhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) at high risk of radiation leaks due to the attacks. Ten people were injured.
The leaders of the G7 nations demanded that the International Atomic Energy agency have complete and unimpeded access to the ZNPP.
Zaporizhia was attacked with missiles as well, but no casualties have been reported.
Battle for Kharkiv
RF attempted to improve their position after taking Udy over the weekend but were stopped by UAF. RF fired missiles at the center of Kharkiv killing five civilians and injuring seven others.
Other Regions
Sumy – RF continue their shelling of UAF forces along the border to pin them down and prevent them from deploying to the Kherson region. There were no casualties.
Other News
According to British Intelligence, Russian President Vladimir Putin has removed his close friend Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu from the Russian Army Command due to the poor results of the war with Ukraine.
International Support
Sweden announced another $46.75 million in military aid to Ukraine to include anti-tank weapons, personal protective gear, and mine clearance equipment.