Day 659
Articles and Reporting
The Institute for the Study of War provided an interesting overview of many positions taken by Russian dictator Putin during his annual “Direct Line” (staged phone call Q&A session) event with regards to the war in Ukraine and wider geopolitical events, which can be read in full below.
Relevant Statistics
All vehicle losses are visually confirmed only and thus represent the lowest possibly figure (sourced from Oryx, here and here); they are updated to the nearest 25 daily. All personnel losses are estimates or projections and should be viewed as such; they are updated as new information becomes available.
Russia
Ukraine
War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity
Russian forces in Ukraine have committed and continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity in the occupied regions of Ukraine, in violation of international law and basic human decency. Russian crimes in Ukraine constitute genocide and ethnic cleansing, with Russia’s stated war aims including the elimination of Ukrainians as a separate country, language, culture, and people.
No especially notable atrocities reported today.
Overview
To the surprise of many, the member-states of the European Union agreed to begin talks aimed at inducting Ukraine into the EU, despite dogged protests from Hungarian Prime Minister Orban, whose refusal could have (and were widely expected to) stopped the decision.
However, the EU also failed to pass a major Ukraine aid bill worth over $50 billion due to Hungarian protests, indicating ongoing friction. Ironically, Hungary is one of the EU’s largest net-recipients of EU aid money.
Regional Military Updates
Note: MilitaryLand maps are one day old.
Northern Theatre
Svatove Front
Limited action. Russian attacks northeast of Kupyansk repelled. Russian attacks east of Kupyansk repelled. Russian attacks west of Kreminna repelled. Russian attack south of Kreminna repelled.
Bakhmut Front
Limited action. Fighting reported around Vesele. Fighting reported north of Soledar. Russian attacks northwest of Bakhmut possibly made gains. Russian attacks west of Bakhmut possibly repelled. Fighting reported around Klishchiivka; unclear. Russian attacks around Andriivka repelled.
Southern Theatre
Donetsk Front
Significant action. The Russian Avdiivka Offensive is ongoing. Russian attacks southeast of Novokalynove repelled. Russian attacks northwest of Stepove made marginal gains. Russian attacks southeast of Avdiivka possibly made gains. Russian attacks around Sieverne repelled. Russian attacks around Pervomaiske repelled. Russian attacks around Krasnohorivka repelled. Russian attacks near Novomykhailivka repelled.
Velyka Novosilka Front
Limited action. Russian attacks southwest of Velyka Novosilka repelled.
Zaporizhzhia Front
Limited action. Russian attacks around Verbove likely repelled. Russian attacks around Robotyne likely repelled.
Kherson Front [Provisional]
Skirmishing continues to be reported along much of the left bank of the Dnieper River, most especially in and around Krynky.
Daily Conclusion
No report or assessment for today.
