THE RUSSO-UKRAINE WAR BRIEF
For: 2024-09-25
Slava Ukraini! In early 2022 I began a Telegram channel aggregating news from a number of sources daily on the war in Ukraine. In June 2023 I began providing a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 70 sources daily, much of which formed the basis of the script. While the Podcast no longer exists I have continued to make this Brief available both on my own Substack and The People’s Media for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
All the latest news on the Russo-Ukraine War 6 days per week
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 22:00 on Sep 24 stated that day 945 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 137 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out missile strikes, 57 air strikes, 730 drone strikes and more than 3,600 artillery strikes across the positions of Ukrainian forces.
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.
Air Force Daily Report
On the night of September 25, 2024, the Russian occupiers attacked Kharkiv Oblast with a S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile and three missiles of an unspecified type, Odesa Oblast with four Kh-59/69 guided aviation missiles from the airspace of the Black Sea, as well as 32 strike UAVs of the type "Shahed" (launch areas: Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk - Russian Federation).
Air force, anti-aircraft missile forces, mobile fire groups and units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine were involved in repelling the enemy's air attack.
As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, 28 attack UAVs and four Kh-59/69 guided air missiles were shot down. Another four enemy drones were lost in location in several regions of Ukraine (information about casualties or destruction was not received).
Anti-aircraft defense worked in Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Sumy, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Odesa and Kherson regions.
The Russian Border Incursion
Ukraine continues its offensive in Kursk
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Sep 24 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that Ukrainian forces recently advanced in Glushkovsky Raion west of the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast amid continued offensive operations in the area on Sep 24. Geolocated footage published on September 23 shows that Ukrainian forces advanced during a mechanized attack southeast of Veseloye (southwest of Glushkovo), and Russian milbloggers similarly claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted a mechanized attack and advanced in the area. Additional geolocated footage published on Sep 20 shows that Ukrainian forces also recently advanced in fields east of Veseloye. Russian sources, including the Russian MoD, claimed that Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks in the directions of Novy Put and Medvezhye (both south of Glushkovo) on Sep 23 and 24.
Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations along their salient within Kursk Oblast on Sep 24, but there were no confirmed changes to the frontline. A Russian milblogger claimed that Ukrainian forces seized part of a forest north of Martynovka (northeast of Sudzha) and that there is contradictory information about whether or not Russian forces still maintain positions within Malaya Loknya (north of Sudzha). Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces continued attacks near Olgovka (east of Korenevo), Lyubimovka (southeast of Korenevo), Tolstyy Lug (south of Lyubimovka), Malaya Lokya, and Obukhovka (south of Korenevo).
Geolocated footage published on Sep 23 shows Ukrainian forces striking a Russian Buk-M3 air defense system east of Rylsk, Kursk Oblast, about 20km northwest of the Kursk Oblast salient.
Russian forces continued offensive operations in the Ukrainian salient in Kursk Oblast on Sep 24 but did not make confirmed advances. Chechen Akhmat Spetsnaz Commander Apty Alaudinov claimed on Sep 24 that Russian forces have recaptured 12 settlements since the start of the "Kursk operation," likely referring to Russian efforts to push Ukrainian forces from their salient. ISW currently assesses that Russian forces have recaptured 11 settlements in Kursk Oblast. Elements of the Russian 83rd Airborne (VDV) Brigade, 51st and 119th VDV regiments (106th VDV Division), 56th VDV Regiment (7th VDV Division), and 155th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet, Eastern Military District [EMD]) reportedly continue fighting in Kursk Oblast.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv Sector: Over the last day Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3 Russian attacks assisted by aviation, near Vovchansk.
Kupyansk Sector: Russian Forces carried out 11 unsuccessful offensive actions against Ukrainian defensive positions near Synkivka, Pishchane, Kruhlyakivka, Lozova Stelmahivka and Andiivka. 1 engagement continues.
Lyman Sector: Russian Forces carried out 22 offensive actions against Ukrainian defensive positions near Cherneshchyna, Druzhelyubivka, Hrekivka, Makiivka, Nevske, Novosadove, Zarichne and Torske. 7 engagements continue.
Siversk Sector: Russian forces carried out assaults in the vicinity of Verkhnokamianske and Vyimka.
Kramatorsk Sector: Russian forces carried out 7 offensive actions, assisted by aviation near Minkivka, Kalinina, Stupochky and Bila Hora. 2 engagements continue.
Toretsk Sector: Russian forces carried out 10 offensive actions with air support near Toretsk and Shcherbynivka. All were repelled.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk Sector : The main efforts of the enemy were directed in the direction of Pokrovsk. Russian forces conducted 24 attacks against Ukrainian defences in this area over the last day in the vicinity of Zelene Pole, Vozdvyzhenko, Novotoretske, Mykolaivka, Krasnyi Yar, Novohrodivka and Marynivka. 1 engagement continues.
Kurakhove Sector: The enemy, supported by aviation, made 19 assaults on Ukrainian positions near Ukrainsk, Tsukuryne, Zhelanne Druhe, Heorhiivka, Dalnie, Katerynivka and Konstantinivka. 4 engagements are ongoing.
Vremivka Sector: Russian forces made 8 assaults against Ukrainian positions near Pavlivka, Vuhledar and Vodiane. 4 engagements are ongoing.
Orikhiv Sector: There has been no significant change in the combat environment in the last 24 hours.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk Sector: In this sector, over the last day, the situation has not changed significantly. Russian forces made 3 unsuccessful attempts to force Ukrainian units from their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
UN Commission finds new evidence of russian torture and sexual violence as form of torture
The UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has uncovered new evidence of Russia's torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war in the occupied territories. The findings indicate that Russian forces are operating in a coordinated manner across all torture chambers and regularly commit acts of sexual violence. Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reports, citing a new report by the Commission.
“The wide geographical coverage and widespread patterns of torture demonstrate that torture was carried out as a common and acceptable practice with a sense of impunity," said Eric Möse, head of the UN Commission of Inquiry in Ukraine.
The commission identified additional common elements in the use of torture by the Russian authorities, confirming the conclusion that it was systematic. One of the elements is the consistency of practices in remand centers where detained citizens of Ukraine were held and the replication of this practice in several large penitentiary centers in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Another common feature is the regular use of sexual violence as a form of torture in almost all of these detention centers.
The Commission draws attention to the testimony of former prisoners, according to which the employees of the penitentiary institutions of the aggressor country referred to the orders of cruel treatment.
A worrying factor reported in many places of detention is the lack of adequate medical care for those who desperately need it. In one institution, even the doctors of the penitentiary took part in the torture.
These violations have caused serious or irreparable physical harm and injury to many victims. Most of them emphasized the deep psychological impact of the experience on them and their families. Some victims reported significant difficulties with reintegration into society and restoration of relationships with loved ones. They emphasized the need for psychological and social support both for themselves and their families.
THE HOME FRONT
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill at least 11, injure 69 over past day
Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least 11 people and injured 69 others over the past day, regional authorities said on Sept. 25. The Kyiv Independent reports.
Ukrainian forces downed 28 out of 32 Shahed-type drones and all four Kh-59/69 cruise missiles launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Four more drones were "lost" in a few regions, it added.
Russian forces struck Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, killing at least three people and injuring 36 others, Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported.
Russia attacked the city with guided aerial bombs, targeting densely populated districts, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said. Four districts in the city were attacked, with residential high-rise buildings damaged in the Kyivskyi and Saltivskyi districts. One suffered a direct hit.
The number of casualties may increase as the rescue operation is still ongoing.
In Kharkiv Oblast, an attack on Kupiansk killed a 93-year-old woman, according to the governor. Another woman, aged 57, was injured.
Russian forces also attacked the village of Varvarivka with a first-person-view (FPV) drone, killing a 61-year-old man, Syniehubov said. Two more people were injured.
A Russian overnight attack on the city of Zaporizhzhia injured at least seven people, according to Governor Ivan Fedorov.
A 55-year-old man was killed in a Russian attack near the town of Polohy in the region.
Russian attacks on the Nova Sloboda community in Sumy Oblast killed a civilian, local authorities reported.
One person was killed in the town of Kostiantynivka and two others in the town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin said.
A total of five people suffered injuries in the region over the past day, he added.
In Kherson Oblast, Russian forces targeted 20 settlements, including the regional centre of Kherson. One person was killed and 18 were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.
Zelenskyy warns of Russian plans to attack Ukrainian nuclear plants.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised alarm over Russia’s alleged intentions to strike three Ukrainian nuclear power plants as winter approaches. The president made this startling claim during a UN Security Council meeting, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. Voice of America reported.
“We are now entering the third winter of this war. Russia is once again trying to destroy our energy infrastructure. And this time, they are even more cynical: they want to attack three of our nuclear power plants. We have this information and evidence,” Zelenskyy stated.
The Ukrainian leader stressed the severity of Russia’s potential actions, saying, “If Russia is willing to go this far, it means that Russia has no values. This cynicism of Russia will continue if they are allowed to do so.”
“The recent information is that Russia has been using Chinese satellites and taking photos of the details of the objects on nuclear facilities,” Zelenskyy told ABC News. “And in our experience, if Russia takes photos of certain objects, then there is a threat of strikes against the nuclear objects.”
Zelenskyy did not specify whether the satellites were commercial or controlled by the Chinese government but stated he would share Ukraine’s information with leaders at the UN General Assembly this week.
During the UN Security Council meeting, Zelenskyy also mentioned that the Peace Formula aims to protect the UN Charter and extended invitations to China and Brazil for the second Peace Summit, with India having been invited earlier.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Kremlin spokesman claims Russia 'cannot be forced into peace'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declared that Russia "cannot be forced into peace," according to Russian state-run media RIA Novosti on Wednesday, Sep. 25. New Voice reports.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his address to the UN Security Council, urged Western nations to compel Russia, the aggressor, to seek peace, arguing that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, its army has committed acts that are indefensible under the UN Charter.
Peskov responded to Zelenskyy’s remarks, calling such a stance a "fatal mistake."
The Kremlin also issued its customary threats of "consequences" for Ukraine’s government. Peskov went further, falsely claiming that Russia is a "supporter of peace."
“But only on the condition that its security is guaranteed and the objectives of the ‘Special Military Operation’ (the Kremlin’s term for the war against Ukraine) are met. Without achieving these goals, forcing Russia into peace is impossible,” Peskov said.
Earlier, Peskov had stated that Russia would review Zelenskyy’s victory plan once it’s published through official channels.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
UK tells Putin: You’re a slave-owning mafia boss
Britain’s top diplomat directly accused Vladimir Putin of running a “mafia state” and likened him to a slave-owner in a fiery address at the United Nations Security Council. Politico reports.
David Lammy, the U.K.’s foreign secretary, took aim at the Russian president during the New York gathering Tuesday, telling Russia’s representative: “We know who you are.”
Lammy invoked the legacy of slavery to take aim at Putin’s conduct in the invasion of Ukraine, and accused the Russian government of running “roughshod over international law” while claiming to stand up for the “Global South.”
“Your invasion is in your own interests,” he said. “Yours alone. To expand your mafia state into a mafia empire. An empire built on corruption.”
He added, “Mr President, I speak not only as a Briton, as a Londoner, and as a foreign secretary.
“But I say to the Russian representative, on his phone as I speak, that I stand here also as a Black man whose ancestors were taken in chains from Africa, at the barrel of a gun to be enslaved, whose ancestors rose up and fought in a great rebellion of the enslaved.
“Imperialism: I know it when I see it. And I will call it out for what it is,” Lammy said.
Russia threatens to send anti-ship missiles to Yemen's Houthis
Iran has brokered ongoing secret talks between Russia and Yemen's Houthi rebels to transfer anti-ship missiles to the militant group, three Western and regional sources said, a development that highlights Tehran's deepening ties to Moscow. Reuters reports.
Seven sources said that Russia has yet to decide to transfer the Yakhont missiles – also known as P-800 Oniks - which experts said would allow the militant group to more accurately strike commercial vessels in the Red Sea and increase the threat to the U.S. and European warships defending them.
The Wall Street Journal reported in July that Russia was considering sending the missiles. Iran's role as an intermediary has not been previously reported.
The Houthis have launched repeated drone and missile strikes on ships in the crucial Red Sea shipping channels since November to show support for Palestinians in the Gaza war with Israel.
Two regional officials aware of the talks said that the Houthis and Russians met in Tehran at least twice this year and that the talks to provide dozens of the missiles, which have a range of about 300 km (186 miles), were ongoing with further Tehran meetings expected in coming weeks.
One of the sources said the talks started under Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May.
"Russia is negotiating with the Houthis for the transfer of Yakhont supersonic anti-ship missiles," said a Western intelligence source. "The Iranians are brokering the talks but do not want to have their signature over it."
One motivation for Moscow to arm the Houthis, three sources said, is the possibility that Western states could decide to allow Ukraine to use their weapons to strike farther into Russian territory.
The senior U.S. official said the Russia-Houthi talks “seem to be related to our posture in Ukraine and what we’re willing or not willing to do” regarding Kyiv’s requests for the lifting of restrictions on its use of long-range U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia.
The senior U.S. official warned of dire consequences if the transfer takes place.
“The Saudis are alarmed. We are alarmed, and other regional partners are alarmed,” the official said. “The Houthis are already creating enough damage in the Red Sea, and this would enable them to do more.”
Blinken: US must halt Russia’s military cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for immediate action to counter Russia’s growing military cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China to promote peace in Ukraine, Euromaidan Press reports.
At a UN Security Council meeting on 24 September, Blinken emphasised two urgent steps: “First, we must respond to Russia’s growing cooperation with North Korea and Iran.”
The Secretary of State highlighted Iran’s supply of drones to Russia and the recent transfer of “hundreds of short-range ballistic missiles.” He also noted North Korea’s shipments of weapons and ammunition to Russia, including rocket launchers and millions of artillery shells.
“These actions by Iran, North Korea, and Russia violate numerous UN Security Council resolutions that Russia voted for and, as a permanent member, bears special responsibility for implementing,” Blinken stated.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukraine's Air Force receives German-supplied Skynex air defence systems
Ukraine's Air Force has conducted training exercises involving a German-supplied Skynex anti-aircraft system.
The exercises involved engaging various types of aerial targets. The video captures the system being loaded, aimed at a target, and successfully attacking it.
The Skynex air defence system, developed by the German company Rheinmetall Air Defence, was unveiled in 2021.
At the end of May 2024, the German government announced the delivery of another batch of military aid to Ukraine. It included additional air defence equipment, notably a Skynex anti-aircraft system, along with ammunition, ordnance, and armoured vehicles.
The system's battery comprises four 35-mm guns, a control node and a radar system that facilitates the primary detection of air targets for gun guidance.
Grumpy Here - It is likely that Skynex will be deployed as a point defence system to protect tactically important targets such as airfields or energy infrastructure.
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