AIR/MISSILE WARFARE

The last week, the VKS and the VSRF have tried to target Ukrainian air bases in the west of the country (foremost the Starokostyantyniv AB; will be discussing this in a separate feature). They have also collapsed the power grid in the Nikopol area (by a combination of air- and FPV-strikes).

The last 4-5 days, the VKS focused on either pulverising selected sectors of the Ukrainian frontlines, or interdicting the flow of supplies and reinforcements for the ZSU through bombing areas behind them. Heaviest hit were the areas south of Vovchansk and Kupyansk. In the south, the last few days the VKS has heavily bombed Urozhaine, Kherson (city), but also multiple villages along the Dnipro, used as staging points for Ukrainian operations on the left/eastern bank of the river.

In turn, back during the night from Monday to Tuesday, the 19th Missile Brigade knocked out another of the Russian S-300 SAM-sites in the Mariupol area - using Sharks of the SSO and ATACMS.

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NORTHERN KHARKIV

On 13-14 July, the ZSU has managed to recover the border village of Sotnytsky Kozachok. I.e. has pushed the Russians back across the border in that area.

Hlyboke… Ukrainians are in the process of cutting off the Russians that are still inside the centre of the ruined village.

Vovchansk… the ZSU is pushing northwards, the Russians are happily keeping Ukrainians busy by holding out in the centre.

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BATTLE OF DONBASS

Kupyansk-Svatove…Yes, there were news and some Russian advances in this area the last week (see Don’s update from two days ago), but, ever since, there’s nothing new.

Siversk… the Russians have completed the capture of Razdolivka, and are consolidating their positions there.

Chasiv Yar… the Russians are back to trying to cross the Siversky Donets – Donbas Canal. That said, they’re still preoccupied with trying to complete the seizure of Kalinina. At least all the Russian attacks over Klishchivka and into Andriivka have been repelled.

Toretsk… The Russian 27th Motor-Rifle Division made some incremental gains on the eastern side of Druzhba and in Khytryy Rivnok. The air strikes by the VKS, and repeated artillery barrages are meanwhile pulverising Toretsk. Further south, the Russian 132nd Motor-Rifle Brigade continued pushing into the centre of Niu York. A (bigger than the last week) counterattack by the Skala Battalion, ZSU, did manage to push it back, but failed to dislodge the Russians from the village: foremost, the Russians continued – and were successful – in widening their penetration of this sector towards the West (roughly in direction of Panteleimonivka).

Avdiivka-Pokrovsk… Attacking from Novooleksandrivka, the elements of the Russian Group Tsentr (2nd and 41st CAA) have reached the eastern side of Vozdvyzhenka, Lozuvatske (probably have that village under their control, already), and Prohres. Further south, they have secured Yevhenivka and Voskhod.

The Russians are inside northern and central Novoselivka Persha. Sure, the ZSU has counterattacked there, several times over the last week or so, but any gains were temporary by nature.

Mariinka… the battle for Krasnohorivka is going on and on. Sure, it’s an exgtremely slow battle: the Russians are pressing from the centre towards north, in usual fashion. See: they bomb and shell, then attack, attack, attack and attack until Ukrainians finally withdraw another house or two… but, the Russians are still grinding forwards.

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SOUTHERN UKRAINE

Staromaiorske... The worst news arrived on 13 July: the ZSU withdrew from Urozhaine. The entire village is under the Russian control. Reason: the Russian air- and FPV-strikes, plus artillery barrages, have demolished all the defence positions. There was nothing left to defend from….

Kherson-Dnipro… and another, similar news is making circles since the last night: two or three days ago, the Ukrainian Marines should have completed the evacuation of the Krynky bridgehead. With other words: months-long battles along the left side of the Dnipro are over.

The content is published with the permission of the author. First published here.​​​​