UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-27
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 23:30 on May 26 stated that day 824 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 95 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 14 missile strikes, 46 air strikes, 311 drone strikes and 2,600 shellings across the positions of our troops.
Ukrainian soldiers give battle to the enemy, and in individual directions - carry out effective assault actions themselves to improve defence resilience and restore positions. On May 26, the Air Force and missile troops and artillery hit 16 areas of the occupiers' live force concentration.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 10 attacks in the areas of Lyptsi, Vovchansk and Starytsya are ongoing. The situation is under control.
Khortytsia group: Ukrainian Defense Forces completely stop enemy near Strilecha-Hlyboke
On Kharkiv front, the operational situation remains complex and is changing dynamically; the defense forces have completely stopped the enemy in the direction of Strilecha-Hlyboke and are knocking them out of their positions, Speaker of the Khortytsia operational-strategic group of forces, Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn reported to Interfax-Ukraine.
"In the Strilecha-Hlyboke direction, the enemy's offensive was stopped completely, and now systematic work is underway to knock the enemy out of the positions he occupied," Voloshyn told Interfax-Ukraine.
He said Ukrainian forces are equipping occupied lines and strengthening defence in the border areas of Kharkiv region.
The spokesman also said the enemy is not abandoning attempts to capture Vovchansk, since this is likely one of the tactical goals of the enemy's offensive operations in the north of the region. According to him, the enemy's tactics do not change; the invaders enter in small infantry groups of up to ten people, using cars, buggies or golf carts. In addition, they loot the houses of local residents, taking away valuables.
Kupyansk axis: Russian forces assaulted Ukrainian positions 22 times in the last day near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove, Novoseiivske, Hrekivka and Nevske.
Lyman axis: Russia made 3 attempts to breach Ukrainian defences in the area of Terny. Fighting is ongoing
Siversk axis: There were no significant engagements in this area.
Kramatorsk axis: A Russian attack was repelled near Ivanívka. Another combat encounter is underway in the Andriyivka area. The situation is under control by our units.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
Pokrovsk axis: In total there were 31 combat engagements. Russian continued to try to breach Ukrainian defences from the area of the settlement of Ocheretyne. There were also assaults in the area of Sokil and Umanske. In some areas, the enemy had partial success. Our defenders are taking active measures to stabilise the situation.
Kurakhove axis: There were no significant engagements in this area.
Vremika axis: There were no significant engagements in this area.
Orikhiv axis: There were no significant engagements in this area.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: There were no significant engagements in this area.
Russia withdraws more warships from the Black Sea
The Ukrainian Navy released a statement on May 27 informing that currently the Russian Black Sea Fleet has three ships operating in the Black Sea. None of these vessels are capable of carrying missiles. Army Inform reports.
There are no enemy ships currently operating in the Azov or Mediterranean seas.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Ukrenergo announces energy shortages will continue throughout the day
The press service of the Ukrenergo, Ukraines national energy company, stated that on Monday, electricity consumption limits apply in all regions of Ukraine for industrial and household consumers from 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
During the day, it is planned to import electricity from Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, and Moldova with a total volume of 16,258 MWh, with the maximum capacity in individual hours up to 1,700 MW.
SBI launches investigation into the Kharkiv Incursion.
The State Bureau of Investigation has opened an investigation into the circumstances of the Russian incursion into northern Kharkiv region that began on May 10. UNN reports.
According to the SBI, on May 10, the occupiers managed to break through the first echelon of defence and seize several settlements along the Ukrainian-Russian border, causing losses to the Armed Forces and civilians.
Given the high-profile nature of the proceedings, the best investigators and management of the SBI Main Investigation Department are involved in the investigation, and there is close cooperation with the SBU operational units. There is also full communication and support from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Kharkiv JTF and the Khortytsia JTF.
As part of the pre-trial investigation, the Bureau comprehensively checks the level of supply and staffing of the Armed Forces units, the construction of fortifications, interaction between military units, etc. It also checks the actions of the leadership of all levels in the region during, before and after the enemy's offensive, and investigates possible facts of unjustified abandonment of combat positions by the Armed Forces.
Sabotage of Odesa region railway system planned - FSB agents arrested.
SBU officers exposed and detained a cell of agents of the Russian Federal Security Service, (FSB) which was engaged in reconnaissance and subversive activities in Odesa region and passed to the enemy the coordinates of railway infrastructure facilities for possible attacks to disrupt train traffic. UNN reports.
According to the investigation, the “head” of the agent group was an Odesa resident, a hand-to-hand and knife fighting instructor, one of the activists of the Odesa “Anti-Maidan”. The man was personally in touch with representatives of the Russian secret service. He involved his close relative in illegal activities,
— SBU statement
On the instructions of the FSB, the defendants were supposed to photograph and send the coordinates of the railway infrastructure in Odesa region. The Nazis planned to use this information to destroy these locations, which was supposed to make it impossible to move along some of the tracks. In addition, the FSB involved these individuals in information and subversive activities against our country.
According to the investigation, the "head" of the agent group personally administered a group of supporters of the so-called "Novorossiya" in one of the social networks. There, he organised a fundraiser for militants of the "L/DNR" terrorist organisations.
The defendant also created and disseminated materials on the Internet calling for the seizure of power and changes in the borders of Ukraine. Among other things, he did this through the novorus.info resource - the so-called “central news agency of Novorossia”.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Ukrainian drone attacks Russian radar station in Orsk 1,600 km from the front
A Ukrainian military intelligence’s drone conducted a long-range strike on the “Voronezh M” radar station in the Russian city of Orsk in Orenburg Oblast near Kazakhstan some 1,600 km away from the frontline. According to Liga’s intelligence source, the drone traveled over 1,800 km to reach and attack the target, setting a new record range for Ukrainian drone strikes.
The “Voronezh M” is part of Russia’s family of long-range over-the-horizon radar systems designed to detect spacecraft, aircraft, and missiles at ranges up to 6,000 km. Liga.net reported.
A source in the Ukrainian military intelligence agency HUR confirmed the attack to Liga.net "The Ukrainian drone covered a distance of more than 1,800 kilometers to the enemy object, setting a new record for the range of lesions for kamikaze drones," – said the source.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Russia Steps Up a Covert Sabotage Campaign Aimed at Europe
U.S. and allied intelligence officials are tracking an increase in low-level sabotage operations in Europe that they say are part of a Russian campaign led by the GRU to undermine support for Ukraine’s war effort. The New York Times reported.
The covert operations have mostly been arsons or attempted arsons targeting a wide range of sites, including a warehouse in England, a paint factory in Poland, homes in Latvia and, most oddly, an Ikea store in Lithuania.
But people accused of being Russian operatives have also been arrested on charges of plotting attacks on U.S. military bases.
While the acts might appear random, American and European security officials say they are part of a concerted effort by Russia to slow arms transfers to Kyiv and create the appearance of growing European opposition to support for Ukraine. And the officials say Russia’s military intelligence arm, the G.R.U., is leading the campaign.
NATO and European leaders have been warning of the growing threat. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia said last week that Russia was conducting a “shadow war” against Europe. Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland announced the arrest of 12 people accused of carrying out “beatings, arson and attempted arson” for Russian intelligence.
One of the first of the recent sabotage acts attributed to Russia was a March fire at a warehouse in London. Authorities say the warehouse was connected with the effort to supply Ukraine but have provided few details.
Security officials briefed on the incident said G.R.U. operatives used a Russian diplomatic building in Sussex, England, to recruit locals to carry out the arson. Four British men have been charged with arson in the attack, and one of them has been charged with assisting a foreign intelligence service.
Zelenskyy arrives in Spain to sign security agreement
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Spain to sign the security agreement. Zelenskyy announced this in the Telegram channel
"It is a special honor for Ukraine and Ukrainians: after arriving in Spain, our delegation was personally met by His Majesty King Felipe VI. During the visit, a bilateral security agreement will be signed and negotiations will be held with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez," he said.
Zelenskyy said that during the visit, he will talk about the continuation of defence cooperation, the preparation of a new package of military aid, the training of the Ukrainian military, as well as the preparation for two summits: the Peace Summit and the Summit of the European Council.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, according to the media, Spain will announce the transfer of a record-breaking package of military aid during Zelenskyy's visit. This trip had been planned for mid May but was postponed due to the Kharkiv incursion.
Sikorsky: Putin uses traditionalism as a weapon
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of using traditionalism as a weapon to influence the Western right and called him “an absurd leader of international conservatism” UNN reports.
“He is an absurd leader of international conservatism. We are talking about a KGB colonel. I think the Russians did a survey about 15 years ago, or maybe they just noticed that on some issues, such as attitudes toward homosexuality, gender, all kinds of identities, you can drive wedges into our societies.”
— Radoslaw Sikorski
Sikorski warned that Putin is trying to win over the right-wing in Europe and the United States by using traditionalism as a weapon.
Zelenskyy: 90 countries confirm their attendance at Peace Summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy,at a press conference in Madrid on Monday during his visit to Spain, said that 90 countries have already confirmed their attendance at the Peace Summit in Switzerland in June. Ukrainska Pravda reported.
"A total of 90 countries have confirmed their attendance so far, and we continue to work with world leaders to ensure broader representation," Zelenskyy said.
"It is there, at the summit, that we will see who really believes in international law and is ready to protect it effectively. Every leader who does not want this war to go on and the Russian Federation to continue its aggression can demonstrate their true interest in peace at the summit,"
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy
The president expressed gratitude to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez for confirming his attendance at the summit.
MILITARY & TECH
Spain to transfer Patriot missiles, Leopard tanks to Ukraine
El Pais newspaper reported earlier on Monday that Spain would commit to send Ukraine a dozen U.S.-made Patriot anti-aircraft missiles and 19 second-hand German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks, as well as other Spanish-made weapons such as anti-drone gear and ammunition. According to Reuters.
The 12 missiles to be handed over to Ukraine do not include full missile defence systems, El Pais said. Sanchez said it was not possible to send Patriot launchers but Spain was already providing the missiles announced in April, El Pais newspaper reports, citing its own sources.
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