Ukraine Update: Day 66 and 67
Russian Strikes and Military Actions
Russian strikes on Kharkiv, Kiev, Odessa, Kramatorsk, and Nikolayev. The logistics/cargo complex of the Odessa Airport was hit at least three times. The airport at Kramatorsk was also hit. Moscow claims western arms were stored in Odessa.
Fighting in Adiivka, Rubizhne, Popasna, Yampil, and Sulyhivka. Ukrainian troops yield ground in the open but hold on to urbanised areas. Russian troops are using UR-77 demining vehicles in an attempt to clear out entire streets/buildings at once in Rubizhne.
Conflicting Reports and Strategic Moves
Conflicting reports regarding the battle of the Siverskyi Donets River. Russian sources claim the Ukrainian armed forces are evacuating the Severodonetsk salient to avoid encirclement. Ukrainian sources claim the Ukrainian 4th and 17th Tank Brigades were deployed there to shore up the Ukrainian defence in the area.
Nevertheless, Russian troops keep on grinding forward on a daily basis across the region. Inch by inch, the Ukrainians are giving ground. The question is: Which side will crack first? Which side has the most reserves, and which side is the most committed?
Threats and Offensive Movements
One of the threats the Russian forces in Donbass are faced with is the slow but steady Ukrainian Offensive N-E of Kharkiv. Russian forces there have inadequate resources to deal with this Ukrainian move and they need to react soon or the Ukrainians might be able to sever or disrupt Russian communication and supply lines to Izyum.
In the Kherson Oblast, both Ukrainians and Russians are settling in their new positions and are digging in.
Mariupol
A handful of civilians decided to use the “green corridor” to evacuate out of the Azostal Steelworks. Russian and separatist forces are still fighting in and around the complex. Russian SPGs are now used in direct fire mode to reduce the remaining Ukrainian resistance nests.
A railway bridge in the Kursk region (Russia) has been sabotaged.
Miscellaneous Updates
Ukraine has cut off mobile comms and internet in Russian-controlled areas. Moscow has reacted smugly, stating that while Russia pays the pensions of retired Ukrainians within the occupied territories, Kiev cuts their phones and internet off.
British tankers loaded with kerosene were spotted on the move in Italy. Probably bound for Ukraine.
The US Army is preparing M113 to be sent to Ukraine. Denmark has also apparently approved sending M113 to Ukraine.
In Stuttgart, a train loaded with Pzh 2000 SPGs and M270 MLRS was spotted. Probably bound for Poland (Ukraine).
