Russia 1
Russian forces had claimed to have captured Synkivka on the way towards Kupyansk, but fighting continues around the city, so the most is that Russia has entered the city and it is now under contest. But there is no confirmation that this is what happened.
Russia 2
No change on the ground has been made over the last five days.
Russia 3
Although Russia has not made any confirmed or claimed advances in this region over the last five days, Ukraine has. Ukrainian forces moved farther east of Nevelske towards occupied Donets city.
Ukraine 1
Russian forces gained some ground north of Bakhmut near Yahidne on Sunday.
Ukraine 2
Ukraine has not advanced any farther since taking Urozhaine last week as they consolidate their territorial gain and shift their efforts in Ukraine 3 sector to capture Robotyne, an even more strategic capture.
Ukraine 3
Over the last five days, this has been the most active location for Ukraine’s counteroffensive which finally ended with the liberation of Robotyne and the first clear path through Russia’s first defense of minefields has been penetrated. Of course, Russia is flooding troops that they are moving from other segments of the defense line (they have no more reserves). This may open another spot on the front that has been weakened. Ukrainian forces also advanced west of Verbove and towards occupied Novopokrovka.
This video tells the story of several elderly people who have been trapped for over a year since Russia captured their village of Robotyne. Ukrainian troops provided phones for many of them to call their loved ones to let them know they were now free. You may not be able to understand what they are saying, but watch how happy they are to be back in Ukraine after 1.5 years under Russian occupation.
Ukraine 4
Russia claims to have forced Ukrainian troops back to the western side of the Dnipro River, but that has not been confirmed.
Reports are being released in the U.S. making evaluations that Ukraine cannot win this war against Russia. But these are the same people who said before the invasion that if it happened, Ukraine would not last five days. I am still betting on Ukraine.
Russia continues to strike Ukraine with missiles and drones nearly a daily basis. After a one-day lull, Russia conducted a missile strike on Saturday after a drone attack in the early hours of the day. Missiles hit the Taras Shevchenko Theater in Chernihiv that was hosting a drone expedition. Seven people were killed and 117 injured. Then on Saturday evening another five missiles and 17 drones were launched throughout Ukraine. Fifteen of the drones were shot down causing sporadic fires where the debris fell. Eight people were injured in the attack and an ammunition depot was hit.
Ukraine has been increasing their attacks with military drones now that they are the country with the most drones in the world. Russian ships in the Black Sea are constantly being targeted, but so far, no marine drones have hit a Russian ship for two weeks. Russian patrol boats Pytivy and Vasily Bykov were targeted last Friday morning but destroyed the drones before they were hit. Another drone was shot down as it flew into Moscow and crashed in the Expo Center causing damage. Although the video footage linked above suggests it was not shot down and hit its target. On Saturday, Ukraine launched a drone attack against Soltsy Air Force base destroying two TU-22M3 supersonic bombers. A huge explosion was caught on film on Sunday at Novorossiysk Air base.
The Netherlands and Denmark have pledged to send 42 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine which should arrive early next year. The US also pledged to provide F-16 fighter jets next year but did not state how many. And Greece announced they will begin training Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 fighter jets. Germany has delivered another two air defense systems to Ukraine.
Slovakia top general visited the Ukrainian front line troops last Thursday making him the highest-ranking NATO officer to visit Ukrainian troops on the frontline.
Russia continues to conduct war crimes by deporting Ukrainian children from occupied territories. 150 children were sent to Moscow for “rest” and an undetermined group was sent to another region within Russia on Friday. Another group of 18 children was announced heading to Kabardino-Balkaria Republic in September.
Russia is opening their fourth military academy, but his one is inside occupied Ukrainian territory. As they do not need another academy based on the number of officers being trained, the academy may have been placed in Ukraine to prevent officers in training to escape and hide somewhere in Russia.