THE RUSSO-UKRAINE WAR BRIEF
For: 2024-08-28
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
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 22:00 on Aug 27 stated that day 916 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 125 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 2 missile strikes, 64 air strikes, 558 drone strikes and more than 2,800 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.
The Russian Border Incursion
Ukraine continues offensive operations in Kursk and reportedly advance into Belgorod
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Aug 27 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment assessed that
Ukrainian forces reportedly attempted to advance into two areas of Belgorod Oblast on August 27 amid continued Ukrainian offensive operations in Kursk Oblast. Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed on August 27 that Russian authorities restricted access to Vyazovoye (less than two kilometers from the Sumy Oblast border and northwest of Grayvoron) due to an unspecified "difficult operational situation" in the area and later claimed that Ukrainian forces attempted to cross the international border into Belgorod Oblast.
Russian sources claimed that Russian forces also repelled several Ukrainian attacks near Nekhoteevka and Zhuravlyovka (both southeast of Grayvoron and south of Belgorod City), although Russian sources issued competing claims about the size of these attacks.
Select Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces also attacked near the Shebekino border checkpoint (south of Belgorod City), which is currently behind ISW's assessed Russian forward line of owned troops (FLOT) in northern Kharkiv Oblast. Geolocated footage published on August 26 and 27 indicates that Ukrainian forces continue to operate immediately southeast of Korenevo and near Viktorovka (south of Koreveno); near Sudzha; and north of Sudzha within Cherkasskoye Porechnoye and Mikhailovka.
Russian sources claimed that Russian forces, possibly elements of the 1009th Motorized Rifle Regiment (a mobilized unit reportedly subordinated to the 6th Combined Arms Army [CAA], Leningrad Military District [LMD]), repelled several Ukrainian attacks near Malaya Loknya (northwest of Sudzha) and are preparing defensive positions near a penal colony in the settlement.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 8 Russian attacks over the last day near Vovchansk. 1 attack continues.
Kupyansk axis: The enemy carried out 16 attacks against Ukrainian positions near Sinkivka, Petropavlika, Kolisnikivka and Stelmahivka. 4 engagements are still ongoing.
Lyman axis: The enemy carried out 7 attacks against Ukrainian positions near Druzhelyubivka, Novosadove and Nevske, 2 battles continue.
Siversk axis: Russian forces carried out 1 unsuccessful assault in the vicinity of Verkhnokamianske
Kramatorsk axis: Russian forces carried out 12 offensive actions near Hryhorivka, Ivanivka, Klishchiivka and Andriviika. 1 battle continue. The situation is under control
Toretsk axis: There have been 16 Russian attacks over that last day. All the efforts of the enemy were directed to the areas of Toretsk and Nelipivka. 1 assaults is ongoing.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: The greatest activity of the enemy today occurred in this sector. The enemy conducted 36 attacks against Ukrainian defences in this area over the last day concentrating in the vicinity of Sukha Balka, Zelene Pole, Vozdvizhenko, Novooleksandrivka, Myrolyubivka, Mykhailivka, Novogrodivka, Selydove. 6 battles continue.
Kurakhove axis: Russian forces unsuccessfully tried to advance 15 times in the area of settlements Karlivka, Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka. 5 battles are ongoing.
Vremivka axis: Russian forces made 6 assaults against Ukrainian positions near Voidane, Vuhledar and Prechystivka.
Orikhiv axis: The situation in this sector has not changed significantly. 4 enemy attack was repulsed over the last day in the vicinity of Mala Tokmachka and Robotyne
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: In this sector, over the last day, the situation has not changed significantly. Russian forces made 2 unsuccessful attempts to force Ukrainian units from their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih injures at least 9
Russian forces launched a missile attack against the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast city of Kryvyi Rih on Aug. 28, The Kyiv Independent reported citing local authorities. At least nine people have been injured in the attack.
Four men aged 29, 41, 44, and 60 were hospitalized with shrapnel wounds, bruises, and other injuries, Governor Serhii Lysak initially reported. A 54-year-old woman was also among the injured but did not require hospitalization.
Later during the day, men aged 64, 29, and 18 were also confirmed as injured. The first two of them were hospitalized.
A 46-year-old woman was provided with medical help at the scene, Lysak reported at around 2:30 p.m. local time.
Interpol places fugitive ex-SBU official on wanted list at Kyiv's request
Interpol put Andrii Naumov, a former head of the internal security department of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), on the international wanted list at Ukraine's request, the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) said on Aug. 28. The Kyiv Independent reports.
Naumov fled Ukraine in 2022 and was subsequently detained in Serbia on suspicions of money laundering.
The ex-official was released from custody last December, but the trial proceedings against him in Serbia continue. Naumov is wanted in Ukraine, but Serbian authorities have rejected a request for his extradition.
Naumov was detained on the border between Serbia and North Macedonia on June 7, 2022, reportedly carrying undeclared cash amounting to around 600,000 euros ($652,000), $120,000, and two emeralds.
The aforementioned assets are listed in the bureau's indictment from May 3, in addition to two cars, a Toyota Land Cruiser and a BMW X6.
The suspect acquired these assets while in high-level positions at the SBU. He is also suspected of illicitly acquiring over 3.2 million (over $80,000) during his tenure as the head of a state-owned company between 2019 and 2021.
Debris removal continues at Kyiv HPP; No threat of breach, says Ukrhydroenergo
Debris removal is ongoing at the Kyiv Hydroelectric Power Station (HPP) following a massive Russian strike on Aug. 26, according to Ukrhydroenergo General Director Ihor Syrota. New Voice reports.
Syrota stated that experts are still unable to fully assess the technical consequences of the attack – “what we have lost and the time needed for recovery.” However, he emphasized that there is no threat of flooding or dam breach.
“The station is operating in the mode it can… We will determine the full impact of the missile strike by the end of the week,” said Syrota.
On Aug. 26, Russia launched 127 missiles and 109 strike drones against Ukraine. The Air Force intercepted 102 missiles and 99 drones.
According to the Air Force, this was the most extensive air attack since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The terrorist state targeted critical infrastructure, including the fuel and energy sector.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported that 15 oblasts were affected by the attack. Ukraine’s Minister of Energy Herman Halushchenko stated that the situation in the sector is complex.
Occupiers also attempted to attack the Kyiv HPP. Kyiv Oblast Military Administration Head Ruslan Kravchenko reported that the HPP did not sustain significant damage and that traffic over the dam was reopened in the afternoon.
The attack resulted in seven deaths across Ukraine, with at least 47 people injured.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russia deploys untrained conscripts against Ukrainian forces in Kursk Oblast
The Russian military is deploying conscript soldiers, who have not received training, to counter the Ukrainian offensive in Kursk Oblast, according to Russian publication Astra on Aug. 28. New Voice reports.
Conscripts from the 290th Missile Regiment of Mari El are being deployed to Kursk Oblast, where Ukrainian forces are advancing, according to reports.
Some soldiers are being pressured to sign contracts for continued service. The father of one conscript from Ivanovo confirmed the deployment, while the mother of another soldier from Moscow Oblast said her son was compelled to sign a contract and is being sent to Kursk.
Both sources mentioned that conscripts are being told to protect Russian territory.
Additionally, journalist Oleksiy Mashkevich reported that his son, called up in spring 2024, is also being sent to Kursk Oblast as part of the 217th regiment of the 98th Airborne Division.
Drone strike hits Kirov Oblast in Russia - 1,500 km from Ukraine
On 28 August, Ukrainian drones reportedly conducted their first attack on Kirov Oblast, Russia, striking an oil storage facility in the city of Kotelnich, approximately 1,500 km from the Ukrainian border. Euromaidan Press reports.
The region’s Governor Aleksandr Sokolov initially reported at around 11:00 that drones had attacked an oil storage tank in Kotelnich.
Later, Sokolov claimed that Kirov Oblast had been under attack by enemy drones since 10:00. He reported that two drones were shot down, while three “fell” on the premises of the Zenit plant in Kotelnich and caught fire, but were quickly extinguished.
Meanwhile, the Russian Telegram channel Astra reported that Ukrainian Armed Forces drones successfully hit tanks on the territory of the Rosrezerv’s Zenit plant. Local residents reportedly heard six explosions. Russian TASS state-funded news agency, citing governor Sokolov, stated that five drone strikes occurred in the area, while local residents in chat rooms mentioned six strikes. Another source, Russian Telegram channel Shot, claimed that four UAV attacked the facility, and two Zenit tanks were on fire and that the attacking drones were launched from Ukraine’s Sumy Oblast.
The remarkable career rise of Putin’s “niece”
The UK Ministry of Defence in their Aug 28 Intelligence Update on Ukraine has analysed the rapid career development of Anna Tsivilyova, the cousin once removed of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
The ministry reports that Tsivilyova, the daughter of his cousin (often referred to as his niece) was, on Aug 17, appointed as State Secretary of the Russian Ministry of Defence. At the same time, she has retained her previous position as a deputy minister of defence (which she was appointed to in June). Tsivilyova is married to Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsivilev.
As state secretary, Tsivilyova is above the rank and file of other deputy defence ministers (of which there are 7) and is responsible for the MoD's relations with the legislature and other government agencies, the intelligence service said.
"Tsivilyova's original appointment in June drew muted criticism from the Russian press for the nepotism that tested even Russian tolerance for corrupt practice. There is a realistic possibility that her further elevation is indicative of the increasing insularity of the Russian elite,"
Before 2023, Tsivilyova had no known background or relationship to defence issues: she studied to be a psychiatrist and then made money in a number of companies involved in the supply of medicines.
In 2023, she became the head of the state support fund Defenders of the Fatherland, which organised voluntary donations to support the war of aggression in Ukraine.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
ISW debunks US claims Russia has moved all of its important assets outside of ATACMS range
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, released an interactive map today disputing US Government claims that permission to use US long range weapons to strike Russian assets inside Russia is a moot point because Russia had moved them.
Hundreds of known Russian military and paramilitary objects in Russia are in range of Ukrainian ATACMS. ISW presents the following list and interactive map of known military and paramilitary objects to illustrate the extent to which US restrictions on Ukraine’s use of ATACMS constrain Ukraine’s ability to strike important military infrastructure in Russia.
Politico reported on August 23 that an unnamed senior Biden administration national security official stated that Russian forces have moved some objects out of range of Western-provided Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles. An unnamed administration official also reportedly stated that Russian forces have moved 90 percent of the aircraft that conduct glide bomb strikes from Russian airspace away from airfields within range of Storm Shadow and ATACMS missiles.
Sixteen Russian air bases are located in range of Ukrainian ATACMS in Russia, and ISW has observed confirmation of redeployments of Russian aircraft to air bases out of range of Western-provided long-range weapons.
The redeployment of Russian aircraft from 16 Russian air bases in range of ATACMS does not reduce the importance of allowing Ukraine to use ATACMS against hundreds of other Russian military objects, however, nor does the reportedly small number of ATACMS the US has provided.
US policy continues to restrict Ukraine from using ATACMS to strike no fewer than 245 known Russian military and paramilitary objects – of which only 16 (6.5%) are air bases –as of August 26, 2024.
(ISW previously assessed that 250 objects – including 17 air bases – were in range of Ukrainian ATACMS based on a control of terrain assessment conducted in May 2024.) The maximum range of Ukrainian HIMARS – which the US allows Ukraine to use in Russia under limited circumstances – encompasses 20 of these objects.
At least 225 known objects are in range of ATACMS but not within the range of HIMARS. At least 209 of 245 (over 85%) known Russian military objects in range of ATACMS are not air bases. Ukrainian forces are using indigenous long-range strike systems to hit some of these targets, but they do not appear to have many such systems—so the relatively small number of ATACMS Ukraine has reportedly received could make significant difference.
The argument that the limited redeployment of Russian aircraft from 16 airfields makes the discussion of lifting US restrictions on the use of ATACMS somehow moot ignores the hundreds of these facilities laid out within this report. Ukrainian officials are reportedly preparing to present senior US officials a list of objects in Russia that Ukrainian officials believe Kyiv could strike if Washington lifted its restrictions on US weapons. ISW has not seen the Ukrainian list and offers no assessment of the possible overlap between the list published in this report and the list Ukrainian officials have prepared.
UK privately backs Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow inside Russia but US refuses
Downing Street believed to support weapons’ use but will not say so publicly amid disagreements with US The Telegraph reports.
The UK backs the use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine in Russia but will not publicly call for the move amid concern it would provoke a row with the US.
Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly asked to use the weapons, which can avoid enemy radar and hit precise targets up to 190 miles away, to strike deep inside Russia.
Despite confusion over the Government’s position, The Telegraph understands that Downing Street supports this.
However, the missiles are generally used alongside classified US systems, which requires the permission of Washington.
The Telegraph understands that the UK has not made a formal request to the US for Ukraine to use the missiles inside Russia. It is understood that US concerns about the move have been made clear.
A White House source told The Telegraph the Biden administration has concerns that their use, even without US approval, could escalate matters and lead to American troops being drawn into the conflict.
Sir Keir Starmer is understood not to want to provoke a row over the issue and is said to be taking a “consultative approach” to negotiations with the US on the issue after previous diplomatic rows under the Tories.
A Whitehall source said “We want to have discussions with allies on these sorts of things rather than wanting to push on and do it.”
MILITARY & TECH
Ukraine introduces a new Infantry Fighting Vehicle Concept
The Ukrainian defence industry has introduced a new concept for an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) named Inguar-7. The vehicle, developed by Inguar Defense, was recently unveiled, although specific technical details have not been disclosed. Observers are left to speculate about its characteristics based on the released graphic. Defence Industry Europe reports.
The hull of the Inguar-7 appears to be heavily armoured, as indicated by the thick side modules of additional armour visible in the graphic. The absence of a wave deflector and propulsion systems suggests that the vehicle will not have amphibious capabilities.
The armament of the Inguar-7 is expected to include an unmanned turret, structurally similar to the BM-7 Parus module, though with significant modifications. The turret seems to house a 30mm automatic cannon, likely the Ukrainian ZTM-2, which is a variant of the Russian 2A72. Complementing the cannon is a dual launcher for Ukrainian-made Stugna-P anti-tank guided missiles. The turret is also equipped with an electro-optical gunner’s sight and a panoramic electro-optical commander’s sight. Additionally, a set of smoke grenade launchers is mounted at the rear of the turret.
The T-84 Oplot Tank Makes Debut in Defense of Kharkiv Region
The 3rd Tank Brigade confirms the deployment of the T-84 Oplot tank in the ongoing defence against Russian forces. Defense Express reports.
The press service of the 3rd Tank Brigade highlighted the T-84 Oplot main battle tank in a Facebook post, revealing that one of the brigade’s units is utilising it to defend Kharkiv region from russian forces.
While the announcement doesn’t provide further details, it is significant as it marks the first mention of the Oplot tank being deployed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. Prior to this, the Oplot tank has been seldom referenced in public sources throughout the war.
Notably, the only related statement is from May 2023, when then Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov mentioned plans to procure the Oplot tanks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and to initiate serial production. The use of rare domestic weaponry by Ukrainian defenders consistently attracts considerable attention.
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