Ukraine Update: Day 82, 83, and 84
Russian Advances in the Donbass
Russian and separatist troops seem to have taken Orikhove, Novozvanivka, and Vrubivka around Popasna.
Both sides report heavy fighting in Komyshuvakha, Toshkivka, Zolote, Avdiivka, Novoselivka, Volodymyrivka, and Vodiane. Fighting is now being conducted in Severodonetsk’s suburbs.
Pro-Russian media report fighting in Bilohorivka and Privillya. This would mean the Russians managed to cross the Siverskyi Donets River. There is no confirmation or indication that they have done so.
Confusing news about Liman: Some reports mention that Ukrainian forces have blown up the bridge to Liman. Other sources talk about a small dam having been destroyed by Ukrainian sappers to slow down the Russians. Whatever it was, it seems the Ukrainian garrison in Liman is now isolated and surrounded by Russian forces on three sides.
Ukrainian sappers have also detonated the railway bridges linking Rubizhne to Severodonetsk.
Azostal Garrison Surrenders
In a statement, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have announced that “Ukrainian forces have completed their combat mission in Mariupol and commanders of units stationed at Azovstal Steelworks have been ordered to save the lives of their personnel.”
Western media adopted “Newspeak” to report on the situation in Mariupol and have spoken of the “transfer” of the Azovstal garrison, never once mentioning the word “surrender.” However, what we are talking about here is indeed a surrender. The garrison was disarmed and ferried away. The wounded were transported to local hospitals. The others have been transferred to separatist and Russian POW camps. What comes next for those men is unknown: Details of the agreement brokered between the two sides, as well as the UN and the Red Cross, have been kept secret. The Ukrainian side speaks of a future prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Separatists talk about a war tribunal judging the men of the Azovstal garrison. In Moscow, some members of the Duma want to sign a law preventing the inclusion of “nazis” in any future prisoner swap deals between the two countries.
Russian Strikes
Barracks of the 169th Training Centre in Desna (Chernihiv Oblast) were hit by several Russian missiles. The damage is extensive and there must have been casualties, but Kiev usually does not communicate on military losses.
– Russian strikes on Kharkiv and Nikolayev.
– Russian strikes on Yavoriv involving at least a dozen missiles: Some targeted the Yavoriv military base, which also hosts Ukraine–NATO Partnership for Peace program facilities. Other missiles targeted railway infrastructure in the city.
– Russian strike on a fuel depot and a factory in Bakhmut.
– Russian strike on a factory in Soledar.
– Russian strike on Slavyansk.
– Russian strikes in the vicinity of the Zatoka bridge in the Odessa region.
Ukrainian Operations in the Kharkiv Oblast
The focal points seem to be the Russian presence along the Russian border (North of Kharkiv) and Ukrainian forces probing Russian defenses along the Western bank of the Siverskyi Donets River.
Seven South African “Mamba” armoured vehicles are now in Ukrainian service.
Italy has approved the delivery of FH70 155mm howitzers to Ukraine.
Three “American” Mi-17 have arrived in Ukraine. 11 such platforms are earmarked for delivery to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Ukraine has now become the largest recipient of US military aid ahead of Israel and Egypt.
Diplomatic Tensions and Russian Visit to Kherson
Russia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced the expulsion of 85 Spanish, French, and Italian diplomats. A tit-for-tat move in reaction to Russian diplomats that were declared persona non grata in the aforementioned countries earlier this year.
The Russian deputy prime minister visited Kherson and said that the region “will take its rightful place in the Russian Family.”
