Oorlog in Oekra�ne #1001 Long live Kursk People's Republic

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Op vrijdag 9 augustus 2024 23:18 schreef oheng het volgende:

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Mja, revanchisme is een bitch. Vraag Frankrijk en Duitsland maar sinds 1648.

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Elite Ukrainian Assault Brigade Joins Reported Incursion into Kursk Region, Says Forbes
Forbes reports, that one of Ukraine’s most elite and rapid brigades has joined the Russian invasion, as part of the ongoing operation in southern Russia’s Kursk Region.

A video shared on social media on Thursday shows a column of military vehicles, including a T-64BV or T-80BV tank, a UR-77 mine-clearing vehicle, an IMR-2 engineering vehicle, BTR-80s, and US-made Stryker wheeled armored personnel carriers passing by a Ukrainian mortar crew. All vehicles are equipped with anti-drone cages, and infantry can be seen on top of the BTR-80s. The video, featuring an 82-millimeter mortar firing, captures the early stages of a significant Ukrainian assault on Russian positions.

The 80th Air Assault Brigade is the only unit that utilizes this specific mix of ex-Soviet and ex-American equipment. Further information comes from a separate video, captured by a Russian drone, showing strikes on ex-German Marder tracked fighting vehicles in Kursk Oblast.

The 80th Air Assault Brigade, similar to its counterpart the 82nd Air Assault Brigade, operates both Marders and Strykers. The Marders are heavy, while the Strykers are fast, aligning with the brigade’s preference for swift and powerful strikes.

The report states that, unlike previous small-scale raids into southern Russia, this operation may involve at least three brigades—22nd and 88th Mechanized Brigades and the 80th Air Assault Brigade—along with critical support from artillery, drones, and air defenses.

According to Forbes, the exact number of Ukrainian troops involved may be around 10,000 and the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces, which defends the border area, comprises approximately 48,000 troops, the Northern Grouping is currently engaged in Vovchansk, a Ukrainian border town 90 miles southeast of Sudzha.

Ukrainian forces appear to have intentionally crossed the border at a point where the Northern Grouping was weakest. The Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies noted, “The Ukrainian defense forces’ command has successfully achieved operational surprise.”

The rapid pace and scale of the Ukrainian offensive have caught Russian commanders off guard, as reflected by a noticeable delay in decision-making, according to the Ukrainian Center for Defense Strategies. “A noticeable delay in decision-making by the command of the enemy’s… [northern] operational grouping indicates a misjudgment of the likely nature of the Ukrainian defense forces’ actions,” CDS report stated.

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According to Forbes, the exact number of Ukrainian troops involved may be around 10,000 and the Russian Northern Grouping of Forces, which defends the border area, comprises approximately 48,000 troops, the Northern Grouping is currently engaged in Vovchansk, a Ukrainian border town 90 miles southeast of Sudzha.

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Russian army loses 115 troops, 56 equipment units in Kharkiv direction over past day
In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian army lost 115 troops and 56 equipment units over the past day, reported the “Kharkiv” group of forces.

Russia started its new offensive north and northeast in the Kharkiv region in May, but Ukrainian troops have stabilized the frontline in this section since. Now, heavy battles are ongoing in and around Vovchansk (three miles from the border, 46 miles away from Kharkiv) and near Lyptsi (six miles from the border, 12 miles from Kharkiv.)

Over the past day, the Ukrainian army damaged one Russian tank, one armored combat vehicle, four artillery systems, 25 vehicles, five pieces of special equipment, and 20 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

In addition, the Ukrainian army destroyed 67 Russian personnel shelters, one UAV launch pad, and two ammunition storage sites.

The General Staff reported that Russians kept up their attacks in the Kharkiv direction. Over the past day, there have been six combat clashes near Vovchansk.

In the Kupiansk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled three Russian assaults near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, and in the direction of Hlushkivka.

Read more
In the Kharkiv direction, Russian troops are suffering losses but are preparing for new assaults, building up their surveillance system, and amassing firepower, reported the “Kharkiv” group of forces in their Telegram channel.

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Russian Mayor Reports Fighting Close to Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
The Mayor of Kurchatov in the Russian Kursk region reported on August 9 that military actions are taking place "a few dozen kilometers from the city border," where the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is located.

"Fighting is ongoing a few dozen kilometers from the borders of our town. The situation is tense. The state of emergency is in place," he wrote.

The Kursk NPP is also called the "second Chernobyl," since it is equipped with the same reactors as the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant (RBMK-1000).

In the fall of 2022, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate reported that the Kursk NPP was used to store and service missiles, including missiles for the S-300 complexes. Although Russia reported that the NPP was operating normally, such use of the industrial site of a nuclear facility is a flagrant violation of all international nuclear safety rules.

On the morning of August 6, the governor of Russia's Kursk region reported an attempt by Ukrainian Forces to break through the Kursk border. On August 7, Russian media reported that “enemy forces” had advanced toward the city of Sudzha in the Kursk region.

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National Resistance Centre has received technical data on air defence systems that Russians are transferring to Crimea

The Centre of National Resistance has published technical documentation of Russian air defence systems "Pantsir-S" and "TOR-M1", which the invaders are moving to the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea.
According to Ukrinform, this was reported by the National Security Service.

"In connection with the successful withdrawal of the air defence of Crimea, the Kremlin is chaotically transferring reinforcements from different regions of Russia," the statement said.

According to the National Emergency Centre, however, not all members of the Russian air force are willing to be targeted.

Therefore, people who are not indifferent handed over technical documentation for the Pantsir-S and TOR-M1 surface-to-air missile systems to the SSC.

The National Security Center calls on the media to help disseminate this documentation, as the relevant information is disseminated to drone manufacturers to effectively establish a system for bypassing Russian air defences.

As reported by Ukrinform, in the temporarily occupied Crimea, guerrillas recorded the deployment of Russian air defence closer to the Kerch Bridge - to the Taman Peninsula.

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Fighting in Kursk region: Map of gray zones as on August 9

^{Photo: fighting in the Kursk region has been going on for four days (Russian media)}

The military operation in the border area of the Kursk region continues for the fourth day. The Russian side claims that the fighting is allegedly already taking place 30 kilometers from the Kursk nuclear power plant and 15 kilometers from another district center, Lgov. Meanwhile, Ukrainian analysts have for the first time marked gray and liberated zones on the map of the fighting.

RBC-Ukraine has compiled the latest developments in the Kursk region on the fourth day of fighting, maps, and possible options for Russian troops.

According to the morning estimates of the Russian media outlet Important Stories, the battle zone has already stretched over 800 square kilometers, and up to 450 square kilometers are allegedly under the fire control of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russian media claimed that Ukrainian forces had gone about 30 km deep into Russia and occupied or stormed 22 settlements, including two district centers: Korenevo and Sudzha.

The situation in another district center, the city of Lgov, is also alarming for Russians, as locals have already begun to leave en masse. Russian Telegram channels write that allegedly Ukrainian soldiers can go not only to Kursk but also to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, which is located in the city of Kurchatov. There are about 50 kilometers from this settlement to the nearest place of fighting, although Z-channels say it is 30 kilometers. In addition, some Russian military reporters write about the fighting for Rylsk, which is also a regional center.

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Ukrainian troops destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Ocheretyne, the Donetsk region

^{The destroyed Russian depot in Ocheretyne, the Donetsk region. August 2024. Photo credits: @Melnit2005 on X (ed. Twitter)}

The Ukrainian military destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Ocheretyne, the Donetsk region.

The relevant footage was published by the Unmanned Systems Battalion of the 110th Mechanized Brigade.

The Russian invasion forces turned one of the high-rise buildings into their ammunition depot.

During combat operations, a Ukrainian drone, presumably from an unnamed adjacent unit of the Defense Forces, has hit this depot.

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MT-LB with 9K55 Grad-1 launcher spotted in the Kursk region

^{MT-LB with the installed 9K55 Grad-1 MRL launcher. Source: RIA Novosti}

In the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, an unusual MT-LB tracked tractor with a 9K55 Grad-1 multiple rocket launcher was spotted.

The relevant footage was published by the Russian RIA Novosti.

It is worth noting that the installation of the Grad launcher on the MT-LB chassis and its modification for the 2S1 self-propelled artillery system was discussed back in the Soviet Union.

The combat vehicle existed in three versions: 9K55 Grad-1 on the MT-LB chassis and 2S1 and 9K51 Grad on the MT-LB chassis.

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Russian lawmakers seek to allay popular fears of mass draft amid Ukrainian incursion
Despite the intensification of fighting in Russia’s southwestern Kursk region over the past few days as an unprecedented Ukrainian incursion shows no sign of slowing, Russian lawmakers were at pains to stress on Friday that a second wave of mobilisation would not be necessary.

“We have enough forces, there are already successes there, our aviation is working,” Russian lawmaker Victor Zavarzin told state-aligned Moscow radio station Govorit Moskva on Friday when asked if the situation in the Kursk region warranted a full-scale draft effort.

Zavarzin added that the 700,000 professional soldiers currently serving in the Russian military would be enough to repel the Ukrainian forces.

The Russian authorities declared a federal emergency on Friday following a Ukrainian incursion into the Kursk region, as local authorities warned that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) were approaching the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Kurchatov.

The biggest AFU cross-border raid into Russia to date saw Ukrainian troops gaining control of around 100 square kilometres of Russian territory by Thursday evening and capturing “hundreds” of Russian troops, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while dozens of Russian soldiers appear to have been killed in a coordinated missile strike on a military convoy travelling to bolster its troops in the Kursk region.

Another Russian State Duma member, Viktor Sobolev, echoed Zabarzin’s statement on Friday, stressing that “everything was proceeding as planned”, telling Russian state-affiliated news outlet RTVI that there would be “no additional mobilisation for now”.

Though the Russian authorities seemed to be attempting to quell popular fears that another draft could be imminent, mercenaries supplied by the notorious Wagner Group have already been redeployed to the Kursk region to support the Russian military response to the AFU’s ongoing incursion, multiple pro-war Telegram channels claimed on Thursday.

Russia has not declared a full military draft since Vladimir Putin’s “partial mobilisation” decree in September 2022, when Russia’s Defence Ministry conscripted up to 300,000 reservists. Since then, the Russian army has relied on professional soldiers and those enlisting voluntarily to fight in Ukraine.

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Magyar’s Birds Destroy 22 Howitzers in Under a Week

^{D-30A howitzer of the invaders, August 6, 2024. Photo credits: "Birds of Magyar"}

The 414th Marine Strike UAV Regiment has destroyed 22 towed howitzers of the invaders in six days.

A video of the combat missions was posted on the unit’s page.

From August 1 to August 6, the regiment’s operators used FPV strike drones to critically damage 22 D-30 howitzers that were discovered by an aerial reconnaissance unit on the battlefield.

The drones, equipped with a cumulative warhead, targeted the barrel and breech of each artillery system, making it impossible to use and impractical to repair due to a shortage of barrels for the old systems.

In particular, as noted by the regiment’s commander, Robert Brovdy, on August 6 alone, one crew managed to disable eight enemy guns.

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CAR Report: Kh-101 Missile That Hit Kyiv Hospital Was Freshly Manufactured

^{A Russian Kh-101 cruise missile before hitting the "Okhmatdyt" (children's hospital) in Kyiv. 07/08/2024. Ukraine. A frame from the KiyvToday Telegram channel video}

The missile that hit Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital on July 8, 2024, was manufactured in the Russian Federation just weeks, or possibly days, before the attack.

This was established by Conflict Armament Research (CAR) investigators.

On July 30, 2024, CAR investigators documented the remains of a missile that struck the National Children’s Specialized Hospital “Okhmatdyt” in Kyiv.

CAR identified the missile as an Kh-101. This assessment aligns with statements made by other research organizations, which reached similar conclusions after analyzing video footage of the attack.

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Russian media report that Kursk Nuclear Power Plant prepares for defence


Russia is preparing to defend the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) because of some groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine allegedly approaching the nuclear facility.

Source: Vazhnye Istorii (Important Stories), a Russian news outlet

Details: Russian media outlets reported that Russian forces blocked the entrances to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant on the afternoon of 9 August.

A Vazhnye Istorii source at the plant reported earlier that all men had been removed from the station's security, leaving only female fighters of the Russian Guard (Rosgvardia). Immediately afterward, Rosgvardia reported that security at the Kursk NPP had been strengthened. An employee of the plant confirmed to Vazhnye Istorii today that the male Rosgvardia officers have been returned to duty.

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Lipetsk airfield. First satellite images show Ukrainian strike aftermath
Destroyed buildings and traces of fire are visible

Satellite images showing the aftermath of a nighttime strike by Ukrainian Defense Forces on a Russian airfield in the Lipetsk Oblast have emerged, revealing destroyed buildings and traces of fire. Radio Svoboda's Schemes project published the relevant photos from Planet Labs.

The satellite images from August 9 show the consequences of Ukrainian strikes on the airfield near the Russian city of Lipetsk.

The pictures show a destroyed section of the airfield's premises (likely warehouses), and traces of fire can be seen on the airfield.

For comparison, photos before and after the August 9 strike are provided:


Additionally, craters are visible on the ground, which could have appeared as a result of Ukrainian weapon impacts:

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Iran training Russians on short-range missile, arms transfer expected soon — sources
Dozens of Russian military personnel are being trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system, two European intelligence sources tell Reuters, adding that they expect the imminent delivery of hundreds of the satellite-guided weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine.

Russian defense ministry representatives are believed to have signed a contract on Dec. 13 in Tehran with Iranian officials for the Fath-360 and another ballistic missile system built by Iran’s government-owned Aerospace Industries Organization called the Ababil, say the two intelligence officials, who request anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.

Citing multiple confidential intelligence sources, the officials say that Russian personnel have visited Iran to learn how to operate the Fath-360 defense system, which launches missiles with a maximum range of 120 km (75 miles) and a warhead of 150 kg. One of the sources says that “the only next possible” step after training would be actual delivery of the missiles to Russia.

Moscow possesses its own ballistic missiles, but the supply of Fath-360s could allow Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets beyond the front line, while employing Iranian warheads for closer-range targets, a military expert says.

A spokesman for the US National Security Council said the United States and its NATO allies and G7 partners “are prepared to deliver a swift and severe response if Iran were to move forward with such transfers.”

It “would represent a dramatic escalation in Iran’s support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” the spokesman says. “The White House has repeatedly warned of the deepening security partnership between Russia and Iran since the outset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.”

Russia’s defense ministry does not respond to a request for comment.

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500 people remain in Chasiv Yar, they are not going to evacuate, it is impossible to deliver humanitarian aid - Filashkin
There are cities in the Donetsk region where, despite the lack of food, water, medical care, civilians continue to live. They refuse to evacuate to safer places.

As Censor.NET informs, the head of the Donetsk RMA, Vadym Filashkin, told about this in an interview with Glavkom.

He emphasized that there has been no water and electricity in Chasiv Yar for more than a year, but civilians remain there.

"There is no water, no electricity, no gas, nothing. It's just a dead city. Up to 500 people live there. They survive on the food they have accumulated from the remains of humanitarian aid," he says.

Filashkin noted that whenever there is an opportunity, humanitarian aid is brought to people, having previously coordinated their actions with the military. But how much of what was brought is enough for people - the question is. At the same time, it is not clear that the locals wanted to leave.

"They adapt to everything. Even if the stew is expired, the main thing is that it is there. So, there is no need to leave anywhere. Such is the logic. They sit and wait." - says Filashkin.

The head of the RMA added. that also the occupiers do not allow food and humanitarian aid to be delivered to Toretsk and Krasnohorivka.

"It's almost impossible to get to Toretsk, it's also impossible to get to the Ocheretyne district, it's been impossible to get humanitarian aid to Krasnohorivka for three weeks now. The city management together with the military tries to get to Vugledar once a week. It doesn't always work, it depends on the security situation and events on the front line. There are cities that have already become partially occupied recently," says Filashkin.

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Lithuania to Provide New Military Aid Package to Ukraine in August

^{Armored vehicles that Lithuania transferred to Ukraine. June 2024. Photo: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania}

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will be delivered in August.

The press service of the Lithuanian Defense Ministry reported on this.

In particular, Lithuania will transfer military equipment, anti-aircraft systems, transport and logistics equipment, as well as some old weapons.

“We have, we are and we will continue helping Ukraine fight the aggressor. Lithuania will soon hand over to Ukraine the critically needed short-range air defense systems as a contribution to the German, U.S. and French-led Air and Missile Defense Capability Coalition, Lithuania is a part of. We will also transfer more equipment, systems and weapons needed on the battlefield on a daily basis. Our assistance is an investment in our own security,” stated Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

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Pro-Ukrainian resistance fighters in Kursk call for expulsion of Russian army
In a video message, a participant of the pro-Ukrainian Kursk resistance has made a fervent plea, stating that Russian soldiers, who have left their peaceful homes to fight for money, are unwelcome in the region.

The resistance group invites locals to join and assist in eliminating the Russian army, said the men calling themselves the "Kursk Resistance," asserting that no one in Kursk is waiting for the Russian soldiers.

“We, the Kursk Resistance, send our regards to our guests from the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Try not to destroy everything here. To our army, we say, you are not welcome here," stated one member, noting that there were never any problems with Ukrainians, and they were never shelled until the Russians arrived.

A masked man in the video added that the Russian military, who have come from their warm, peaceful homes to fight for money, should go back.

“Get the hell out of Kursk region. You are not welcome here,” he declared.

The resistance members also expressed their gratitude to friends in the Ukrainian Special Operations Forces for providing weapons and other support, which they use effectively.

“Guys from Kursk, Kursk region, if you want to join us, you can find us through this website - opir.org.ua. Just indicate that you are with us,” stated the men standing before a sign reading “Sudzha”.

Earlier, pro-Ukrainian partisans have reported that Russia lost control of 800 sq. km of territory during recent fighting in the Kursk region.

To expand the area free from Kremlin control, Russians are encouraged to join the resistance and provide intelligence to units involved in the breakthrough in the Kursk region. Detailed instructions on how to do this have been shared on the Telegram channel of the Legion "Freedom of Russia".

On August 9, Ukrainian forces took control of Sudzha in the Kursk region. They assured that the city remains calm and all houses are intact. Meanwhile, the "strategic object" of Gazprom (gas transmitting station) in Sudzha is under the control of the 99th Battalion of the 61st Brigade. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding the capture of Sudzha in the Kursk region.

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Russia implements 'counter-terrorism operation' in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, Belgorod oblasts amid ongoing fighting
Russian authorities have introduced a so-called "counter-terrorism operation" in bordering Kursk, Bryansk, and Belgorod oblasts in response to Ukraine's incursion into the Kursk region, Russian state-media outlet RIA Novosti reported on Aug. 10.

Following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces across the border days earlier, fighting has continued in the oblast, with Ukraine reportedly making gains deeper into Russian territory.

Russia's Defense Ministry acknowledged on Aug. 9 that its forces were fighting the Ukrainian army on the outskirts of the town of Sudzha in Kursk Oblast.

Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee introduced new restrictive measures in the three oblasts including monitoring residents' phone conversations and restricting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians, New Voice reported.

Other measures include the temporary relocation of residents as well as loosely defined "public order protection."

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Translation:

"I'm Vasiliev Maksim Sergeyevich, serve as an instructor of the recon group of the FSB Border Service (Pskov branch). We arrived on 26 of July, 45 people in total, under command of Capt. Shved. In the following span of three days we were actively engaged by FPV drones, Baba Yagas, arty, etc. Captain made attempts to get a clearance to retreat by calling the command in Sudzha, without any luck. After that the comms were lost: first the radio, then the cell connection after Baba Yaga's hits. In the early hours of the morning of Aug 6 we got worked on by either a tank or arty, hard to tell... There were over 30 hits... We were forced to seek cover downstairs in the shelter, and thought about ways to retreat, until we heard some shots next to us, which also sounded like an ammo cache that caught on fire... In reality, at that moment our position was taken, and Capt. Shved and Pt. Kirsanov were killed by grenade. Realizing that we were surrounded, we laid down our weapons and surrendered. Since we had conscripted servicemen among us, it was a prudent decision to surrender, rather than risk the lives of young kids. Very grateful that our lives were spared..."

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He is sorry for "misunderstanding". Akhmat never left their positions and never was hiding behind conscripts left to die.