UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-08-04
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 22:00 on Aug 03 stated that day 892 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day,102 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 6 missile strikes, 49 air strikes, 542 drone strikes and more than 3,500 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 August 4, 2024, the enemy attacked Kharkiv region with two S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles and two Kh-59 guided air missiles from the airspace of the Kursk region. - in the Poltava region and 5 strike UAVs "Shahed", Primorsko-Akhtarsk launch area - Russian Federation.
Five "Shahed-131/136" UAVs were shot down in Kherson, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Zaporizhzhia regions by the forces and means of mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and electronic warfare units of the Air Force.
Ukrainian Air Force destroys more than 8,000 targets since the start of the full scale invasion
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk said in a post on Telegram on the occasion of the Ukrainian Air Force Day, that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Air Force has destroyed more than 8,000 enemy aerial targets, including hundreds of aircraft and helicopters and thousands of cruise missiles and drones. Ukrinform reports.
Oleshchuk said the battle for the sky continues. The enemy attacks Ukraine 24 hours a day with bombs and missiles, conducting aerial reconnaissance, and using strike drones every night. The Air Force, side by side with the air defense units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, repels the attacks.
“For the past two-and-a-half years, the Air Force has destroyed more than 8,000 enemy aerial targets: hundreds of airplanes and helicopters, thousands of cruise missiles and drones. Ukrainian pilots made more than 20,000 sorties, most of them for the combat use of air weapons. All this became possible thanks to powerful support from our Western partners. I thank them for their conscious position in protecting peace and democracy, our people!" Oleshchuk said.
The General said Ukrainian Air Force servicemen showed considerable courage, heroism, professionalism and ingenuity by using modern Western weapons in a quality and skillful manner.
During the full-scale invasion, 4,475 Air Force service members received state awards for their personal courage and self-sacrifice in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and 47 of them became Heroes of Ukraine, including 25 posthumously.
"Today, I congratulate all service members and veterans of the Air Force on the 20th anniversary. I am thankful to everyone who is making every effort for our victory! I am thankful to partners, volunteers, civil society, everyone who helps us become stronger in the fight for peace and freedom for our Ukraine!" Oleshchuk concluded.
Zelensky confirms F-16s already being used by Ukrainian Air Force
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Aug. 4 that the first batch of F-16s had arrived in Ukraine and were already being used by Ukrainian pilots. The Kyiv Independent reports.
"I am proud of all our guys who master these planes and have already started using them for our state. I thank all the partners who are really helping with the F-16 and the first countries that accepted our request for aircraft - Denmark, the Netherlands, the United States." Zelensky posted on social media.
The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American air superiority fighter that Kyiv has requested from its partners since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Kyiv finally received a number of F-16s a year after the launch of the Danish-Dutch-led "fighter jet coalition" at the NATO summit in Vilnius in July 2023.
Kyiv has been promised at least 79 F-16s from the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium. The Times reported on Aug. 1 that the first batch of planes included six jets provided by the Netherlands.
The Economist reported earlier on Aug. 4 that Ukraine received 10 F-16 jets at the end of July.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 3 Russian attacks, supported by aviation over the last day near Hlyboke, Vovchansk and Tykhe. 1 attack is ongoing.
Kupyansk axis: The enemy carried out 14 attacks 2 are ongoing. Sinkivka, Hlushkivka, Berestovoe, Kolesnikivka, Stelmakhivka and Andriivka
Lyman axis: Russia attacked 10 times in the direction of settlements of Makiivka, Nevske and Terny. One battle remains ongoing.
Siversk axis: Russian forces carried out 7 assaults in the vicinity of Verkhnokamianske, Spirne, Vyimka, Ivano-Darivka and Pereizne. 6 were repulsed and 1 are ongoing.
Kramatorsk axis: Russian forces carried out 8 unsuccessful offensive actions near Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar and Andriivka.
Toretsk axis: There have been 16 Russian attacks over that last day with air support, 4 battles are still ongoing. All the efforts of the enemy were directed to the areas of Pivinchne, Toretsk, Zalizne and Nui-York.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: The greatest activity over the past day was in this sector. The enemy conducted 34 attacks against Ukrainian defences in this area over the last day in the vicinity of Panteleimonivka, Kalynove, Vozdvizhenka, Ivanivka, Zhelanne, Novoselivka Persha and Yasnobrodivka.
Kurakhove axis: Russian forces tried to advance 5 times in the areas of settlements Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Paraskoviivka and Kostiantinivka. 4 were repulsed, 1 is in progress.
Vremivka axis: The Russians conducted 3 unsuccessful offensive actions in this sector over the last day
Orikhiv axis: The situation in this sector has not changed significantly. 1 enemy attack is ongoing in the vicinity of Robotyne.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: The situation in this sector has not changed significantly.
Two of five Russian airfields in occupied Crimea left without aircraft
Russian-occupied Crimea hosts five military airfields, but two of them have reportedly been left without aircraft, according to Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy. Speaking on Ukrainian TV, Obozrevatel reported.
Pletenchuk suggested that Russian occupiers may have relocated the aircraft to Russia, citing logistical challenges in providing fuel and other necessities. He did not specify which air bases had been abandoned
The five air bases in occupied Crimea are:
Saky Air Base: Located near the town of Novofedorivka, hosts Sukhoi Su-24 tactical bombers and Su-30SM fighter aircraft.
Belbek Air Base: Situated near Sevastopol on the southwestern coast, hosts Sukhoi Su-27 and Sukhoi Su-30 fighters.
Kacha Air Base: Near Sevastopol, this base primarily hosts Russian Navy’s air fixed- and rotary-wing assets.
Hvardiyske Air Base: Located in central Crimea, the base hosts Sukhoi Su-24M tactical bombers and the Su-25 ground attack aircraft.
Dzhankoi Air Base: Situated in northern Crimea, this base hosts Kamov Ka-52, Mil Mi-8, Mi-28, and Mi-35 helicopters.
This development comes amidst multiple recent Ukrainian aerial drone and missile attacks targeting Russian Aerospace Forces infrastructure in occupied Crimea, primarily focusing on air defence assets.
These attacks on aviation infrastructure are occurring in parallel with missile and naval drone strikes against Russian navy assets on the occupied peninsula, which have forced most Russian warships to relocate from occupied Sevastopol to Novorossiysk on Russia’s eastern Black Sea coast.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Zelenskyy wants coalition of NATO countries to shoot down missiles over Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Sunday with Ukraine’s new F-16s in the background that he had directed diplomats to explore the idea of forming a coalition of neighbour states to help shoot down Russian missiles over Ukrainian territory within the framework of the Ukraine-NATO Council. Intefax-Ukraine reports.
"We must investigate the technological feasibility of using combat aircraft from neighbouring countries to defend Ukraine against [Russian – ed.] missiles aimed at our neighbours. First and foremost, consider the Alliance's member countries."
In Zelenskyy’s opinion, this decision is "probably difficult for partners, because they are always afraid of excessive escalation".
"But we are working on it, and we shall continue working. I believe we have a good Ukraine-NATO Council. I assigned the proper responsibility to our diplomats to engage with NATO so that there was such a meeting and that the date when we may discuss this particular subject was worked out,
I'd want to use this instrument so that NATO countries can discuss the idea of forming a small coalition of neighbouring countries to shoot down enemy missiles [over Ukraine – ed.].
We definitely lack such a coalition now since it is a huge responsibility for one neighbouring country to accept responsibility and assist us in shooting down missiles. However, I believe that this was necessary. And was necessary for some time." Zelenskyy said.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Russia is recruiting Egyptians to fight in Ukraine
Russia has been deploying foreign volunteers, most recently it came to light, residents of Egypt, to fight in its war against Ukraine in Kharkiv Oblast, The Kyiv Independent reported citing Ukraine’s Operational Tactical Group "Kharkiv" on Aug. 4.
"The enemy is recruiting foreign volunteers, in particular, Egyptian citizens, to conduct hostilities."
Russia is known to have targeted men from countries including Cuba, Kazakhstan, Somalia, and Nepal to fight in its army.
Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War earlier reported that Russia is increasingly involving foreign mercenaries from countries with a "difficult economic situation" in its war in Ukraine.
In late June, a captured Nepali POW told Ukrainian authorities on video obtained exclusively by the Kyiv Independent that over 3,000 Nepalis may have joined the Russian army.
Leaked documents also reveal that Russia has been coercing Cuban citizens into the Russian Armed Forces with salaries of approximately $2,000 per month, in addition to offers of a Russian passport within months of signing up, a BBC investigation revealed on May 4.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Ukraine Wins Olympic Gold in Paris
Ukraine has won its first gold medal of the Olympic Games in Paris by defeating South Korea in the final of the women's team sabre fencing tournament on Aug 03. The Kyiv Independent reported.
The Ukrainian team of Olga Kharlan, Alina Komashchuk, Olena Kravatska and Yuliya Bakastova beat their South Korean opponents 45-42. At one point the Ukrainian team was down 6 points, but Kharlan, who as team captain took part in the last portion of the match was able to not only make up the deficit but to pull Ukraine ahead on points.
This victory makes Olga Kharlan the most decorated Olympian in Ukraine’s history by medal count.
Kharlan's achievements now include two gold medals, a 2016 silver medal in team events, along with three individual bronze medals (2012, 2016, 2024). Previously swimmer Yana Klochkova, who retired in 2008, held Ukraine's record with five medals.
In many ways, Kharlan has become a leading figure for Ukrainian athletes opposing Russia's aggression. Her status solidified in July 2023, when she refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent, Anna Smirnova, at the world championships in Milan. This stance led to her disqualification and cost her valuable Olympic qualifying points.
ISW - Kremlin buckles to international pressure and cancels weapons shipments to Houthis
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Aug 3 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that The Kremlin reportedly planned to transfer unspecified missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in Yemen but did not transfer the materiel following diplomatic pressure. Russia's reported plan highlights its growing military partnership with Iran and suggests that Russia likely aims to leverage Iranian proxies to indirectly confront the West and shape Western decision making.
CNN reported on August 2 that US officials and other sources familiar with the matter stated that Russia was preparing to deliver unspecified missiles and other military equipment to the Houthis in late July 2024 but backed down from the plan following US and Saudi diplomatic outreach.
US officials reportedly stated that they are unsure if Saudi protests were the determining factor for ending the planned transfer, however. CNN's sources stated that at least three Russian military officials travelled to Yemen in late July 2024 to advise the Houthis and possibly assist the Houthis with live fire exercises, which the Houthis later cancelled.
US officials reportedly stated that Russia viewed arming and advising the Houthis as a retaliatory measure for lifting some US restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons for strikes within Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed on June 6 that Russia would provide long-range strike capabilities to unspecified actors for strikes against the West as a "symmetrical response" to the lifting of some of these restrictions. Russia's reported plans to support the Houthis in order to indirectly confront the West and threaten further escalation cohere with several Russia information and hybrid operations that aim to encourage the West to self-deter from supporting Ukraine over fears of confrontation with Russia.
ISW considers Putin's willingness to consider supporting the Houthis as they attack Israel and international shipping is part of deepening Russian-Iranian military cooperation and Russia's increasing reliance on Iran for high-precision weapons and components.
Russia's deepening partnership with Iran will likely encourage Russia to consider supporting other Iranian proxies and leveraging these groups in other indirect attempts to threaten the West with escalation. Increased Russian willingness to use Iran and its proxies to indirectly confront the West will disrupt Russian attempts to portray Russian foreign policy in the Middle East as balanced and may further complicate Russian relations with countries concerned about Russian-Iranian cooperation.
MILITARY & TECH
German Skynex air defence systems have begun to protect Ukrainian skies
Footage of this system was released in an official video dedicated to the Day of the Air Force of Ukraine. The system was developed by German Rheinmetall Air Defense and is in service with the Air Force of Ukraine.
The system’s main task is point defence. Since the guns are not self-propelled, they are used to protect airfields, critical infrastructure, etc.
The Skynex system battery consists of four 35mm guns, a command post, and a radar that performs primary target detection and gun guidance.
It should be noted that the guns also have their own radar station, which is combined with an optical system.
They are primarily used to capture airborne targets, and the use of the optical system ensures high accuracy against small targets.
In 2022, Rheinmetall announced that it would produce two Skynex batteries for an unnamed European country and requested funding from the German Federal Government for these systems.
The direct transfer of the systems was included in the military aid package from the German government, which Ukraine received in early 2024.
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