UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-29
Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. Since June 2023 I have provided a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 60 sources daily, much of which forms the basis of the script. While the Podcast is on hiatus I will make this Draft available here both on my own Substack and The People’s Media for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 22:30 on May 29 stated that day 826 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin. The situation on the front remains tense but controlled. Defense Forces continue to decisively oppose attempts by the enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, directing efforts to disrupt the occupiers' execution of their offensive plans.
During the past day, 110 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 4 missile strikes, 38 air strikes, 435 drone strikes and 2,849 shellings across the positions of our troops.
At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line and continue to disrupt the plans of Russian occupiers to advance deep into the territory of Ukraine.
Recent Russian offensives in Kharkiv - Donetsk region largely unsuccessful – ISW
The US “think tank” The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in it’s May 28 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that Russian forces recently conducted four reduced-company-sized or smaller mechanized assaults on multiple operational axes in Donetsk Oblast without making significant advances, likely to test Ukrainian reactions following the first wave of the Russian offensive effort in northern Kharkiv Oblast.
Footage published on May 27 and 28 shows Russian forces conducting reinforced platoon-sized mechanized attacks east of Chasiv Yar and east of Novopokrovske (northwest of Avdiivka) and roughly-company sized mechanized attacks near Novomykhailivka (southwest of Donetsk City) and in Staromayorske (south of Velyka Novosilka).
Russian forces only marginally advanced in the attacks east of Novopokrovske and in Staromayorske and did not make confirmed advances near Chasiv Yar or Novomykhailivka. Russian forces have reduced their tempo of attacks and advances in northern Kharkiv Oblast and increased their tempo of attacks in the Pokrovsk (Avdiivka) direction in recent days.
These Russian mechanized attacks – one across each of Russia's current four operational axes – are limited in comparison to prior Russian mechanized attacks at the start of or during a dedicated offensive effort. The May 27 and 28 attacks were likely intended to gauge Ukrainian forces' reactions and defensive abilities in the Donetsk direction. The recent Russian offensive effort in northern Kharkiv Oblast likely aimed to take advantage of Ukrainian manpower and materiel shortages before anticipated Western military assistance arrives at the frontline and create opportunities for Russian forces elsewhere, and Russian forces likely aimed to test whether and where any of these opportunities for exploitation may exist on the Donetsk Oblast frontline.
Grump Here - The Russian “Kharkiv Incursion” cannot be measured a success by any metric. Russia, even allowing for the fact that Ukrainian forces were woefully ill-prepared in this region at the time of the Russian attack were unable to achieve any concrete objectives in the region and suffered massive casualties.
This was firstly due to the US for once rapidly and efficiently moving essential ammunition to the front faster than the Russians anticipated was possible.
And secondly, but no less importantly Ukraine was able to quickly redeploy elite forces to the region to blunt the Russian offensive and begin retaking lost ground.
Air Force Daily Report
On the night of May 29, 2024 the occupiers attacked 14 Shahed UAVs from the Primorsk-Akhtarsk district (Russia).
As a result of an anti-air combat, 13 Shaheds in Mykolaiv, Kirovograd and Rivne regions were shot down.
Ukrainian Naval Update
The Ukrainian Navy published a new briefing on May29, Interfax Ukraine reported.
There is one Russian ship in the Black Sea, there are no ships in the Azov and Mediterranean seas, the Naval Forces of Ukraine reported.
In particular, as of 07:30 Wednesday May 29, there is one enemy ship in the Black Sea, and there are no enemy ships in the Azov and Mediterranean Seas.
"During the day, in the interests of Russia, seven vessels made passage through the Kerch Strait to the Sea of Azov, five of them moved from the Bosphorus Strait, nine vessels to the Black Sea, four of them continued to move towards the Bosphorus Strait," they noted.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 7 combat engagements in this direction over the last day in the regions of Starytsia and Vovchansk.
Kupyansk axis: 19 assaults took place in this direction over the last day in the vicinity of Sinkivka, Petropavlívka, Novoselivka, Druzhelyubivka, Novoegorivka and Nevske.
Lyman axis: 16 assaults took place in the vicinity of Terny, Torske and the Serebryanskyy Forest. Ukrainian forces are taking measures to strengthen their defenses.
Siversk axis: The enemy attacked Ukrainian positions near Bílohorivka 8 times. The situation is intense. Ukrainian defenders are making their best efforts to prevent the advancement of Russian occupiers further into the Ukrainian territory.
Kramatorsk axis: Russia made six attempts to attack Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Grigorivka, Klishchyivka and Andriyivka. All attempts were unsuccessful.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: Russian forces intensely attacked in this area carrying out 25 assault operations virtually along the entire line of contact. In some areas they had partial success. Defense Forces are taking measures to stabilize the situation and prevent the enemy from advancing.
Kurakhove axis: There were 9 combat engagements in the vicinity of Krasnogorivka, Konstantinivka and Vodyane. Defense Forces units repelled enemy attacks and reinforced their positions.
Vremika axis: Six attacks of the invaders were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the area of Staromaiorske.
Orikhiv axis: Russian forces made 3 unsuccessful assaults in the direction of Robotyne.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: Russia continues to try to dislodge Ukrainian defenders from their beachheads on the left side of the Dnipro. There were 10 combat assaults of the last day, significant changes in the environment in this area have not been made. Ukrainian forces continue to control the situation.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Local Media report a powerful explosion occurred in occupied Donetsk: clouds of smoke rise over the city
A strong explosion occurred in the Kiev district of occupied Donetsk. Local and Russian Telegram channels report clouds of smoke rising above the city, reports UNN.
In addition, the public is informed that according to preliminary data, there are victims. Their number is not known. Russian occupiers have not yet commented on the information about the explosions in Donetsk.
THE HOME FRONT
Search and Rescue at Epicenter shopping center completed
Search operations in the Epicenter building supplies hypermarket in Kharkiv have been completed. Police have identified all 19 bodies killed in Russian airstrikes carried out by the Russian military on Saturday, May 25. UNN reports.
Search operations in a construction hypermarket in Kharkiv have been completed. Police have identified all 19 bodies killed in Russian airstrikes carried out by the Russian military on Saturday, May 25. It wasn't easy. The victims were searched around the clock with the help of special equipment among the Ashes, promptly identified using a DNA laboratory
Interior Minister Igor Klimenko
According to the minister, criminologists conducted more than 100 studies. The police were contacted by 16 relatives of the missing persons, who provided biological samples for examination. We also involved dog handlers-a service dog found one body and one fragment.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russians construct protective hangars for aircraft 300 km from border with Ukraine
The Russians have begun constructing airfield hangars 300 kilometres from the border with Ukraine to safeguard aircraft from strike drones and missiles with cluster warheads. Militarnyi reports.
Satellite imagery shows the development of additional hangar structures at the Marinovka airfield in Russia's Volgograd Oblast, 300 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
The image depicts 12 new hangars that house Su-24 frontline bombers and Su-34 fighter-bombers.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Sweden provides record package of military aid to Ukraine.
The Swedish government has presented the 16th and largest military aid package to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The Swedish government website announced.
“Today, on May 29, the government presents the 16th and so far largest military support package to Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion began. Sweden assists Ukraine with a whole new capability that strengthens Ukraine's overall air defence. The package, which will be included in an upcoming extra amending budget, is worth SEK 13.3 billion and meets Ukraine's priority needs.
Ukraine's needs remain high and Russia is pushing Ukraine on several front sections at the moment. Russia is intensifying its air strikes against both military and civilian targets. The government is therefore assisting Ukraine with another record-breaking military support package. Swedish support helps to strengthen the overall Ukrainian military capability.”
Excerpt from Press release
Included in the package are:
Sweden’s entire stock of PB 302 armoured personnel carriers
155 mm artillery ammunition
RB 99 AMRAAM dual use missiles
An ASC 890 radar reconnaissance and control aircraft (see story below)
Canada’s Foreign Minister on weapons transferred to Ukraine: There were no conditions
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Jolie during a joint press conference with Swedish Minister Foreign Affairs, Tobias Bilström in Sweden on May 29. Was asked about Canada’s position regarding the use of weapons provided by Canada and whether they would permit Ukraine to use them on Russian soil stated: There were no conditions
"Why? Because Russia does not have "red lines", and therefore we must be sure that when it comes to the defense of Ukraine, we are ready to help them and show that, despite what is happening, we are on their side. And in Canada does not have any conditions for supplying weapons to Ukraine, and therefore we will continue to work with the Ukrainian armed forces,"
– Melanie Jolie, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
MILITARY & TECH
First Ukrainian F-16 pilots finish training in USA
Three Ukrainian pilots have graduated from F-16 training with the Arizona National Guard and a fourth is expected to graduate shortly, a U.S. official told Task & Purpose. The trio are the first Ukranians to be trained to fly and fight in the U.S. fighter. Jeff Scholgol wrote in Task & Purpose.
Eight Ukrainian pilots remain in the F-16 training pipeline with the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing in Tucson, the U.S. official said. The wing is a longtime training hub for F-16s, with both a traditional pilot training program for American flyers qualifying on the jet and the Air Force’s only schoolhouse dedicated to training pilots from 25 different countries on the advanced U.S. fighter.
So far Ukraine’s allies have pledged in the region of 60 F-16s as Politico reported
Denmark and the Netherlands are leading international efforts to train Ukrainian F-16 pilots with help from Belgium, Norway, and Romania. France is providing initial training for Ukrainian pilots even though it does not fly F-16s, and Britain is also involved with training Ukrainian pilots.
With a pre-invasion Air Force stocked only with Russian fighters, Ukraine has pleaded for western aircraft since after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of their country in February 2022. But it took more than a year before President Joe Biden approved sending Ukraine F-16s from Denmark and the Netherlands.
Ukraine won’t be able to blunt Russia’s momentum with just three F-16 pilots, said retired Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, who served as head of U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations from 2013 to 2016.
The Ukrainians need at least a squadron of F-16s and pilots to start to make a difference, Breedlove told Task & Purpose.
“Typically, a squadron will be manned at about 1.3 to 1.6 the number of airplanes,” Breedlove explained. “So, if you have 10 airplanes, it would be 15 or 16 pilots.”
The first Ukrainian F-16 pilots who have graduated from their initial training in Arizona must now also train for specific missions, such as close air support, air defense, night precision attack, and suppressing enemy air defenses, Breedlove said.
Sweden provides Ukraine with a high tech radar reconnaissance and control aircraft.
Sweden is handing over a radar reconnaissance and control aircraft to Ukraine (ASC 890), thus strengthening the capabilities of Ukrainian air defense. Army Inform reports.
ASC 890 will provide Ukraine with completely new opportunities for aerial radar reconnaissance and combat control against targets in the air and at sea. Ukraine will strengthen its ability to identify and combat long-range goals. Assistance includes training, technical equipment and methodological support for radar reconnaissance and air combat management.
That’s it for today’s Draft folks if you would like to keep up with events in Ukraine daily please consider subscribing, its free!
Feel free to share this update with your friends. Heroyam Slava!