UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-14
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 23:00 on May 13 stated that we are about to start day 811 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 148 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 6 missile strikes, 30 air strikes, and 40 MLRS attacks across the positions of our troops and settlements. As a result of the Russian attacks, unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population. Destruction and damage to residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.
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.
More than settlements in Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts came under enemy fire.
Ukrainian missile forces struck
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force in its situation update at 06:00 stated that on the night of May 14, 2024, the enemy attacked 18th "Shahed" UAVs from Cape Chauda and one Iskander-M ballistic missile from temporarily occupied Crimea.
The Fighter Aviation and Zenit Missile Troops of the Air Force, mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and radio-electronic combat units fought back.
As a result of anti-aircraft combat, all 18 enemy Shahed UAVs within the Kyiv, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Zaporizhia, Kherson and Khmelnytsky oblasts were shot down.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: The enemy, with the air support, launched 13 attacks against the positions of Ukrainian defenders north of Lyptsi and Vovchansk (Kharkiv oblast).
Khortytsia operational-strategic group - Ukrainian Defense forces control the situation in Kharkiv
Active hostilities continue in the north of Kharkiv region. The situation remains difficult and dynamic, but the Defense Forces are in control of the situation. Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia operational-strategic group, stated UNN reports.
The situation there is such that active hostilities are ongoing in that settlement. In particular, the operational situation remains complex and dynamic. The defense forces are in control of the situation, and defensive battles are ongoing along a large part of our border strip. There are also settlements in the north of the Kharkiv region that have actually become a combat zone, and the occupiers are trying to gain a foothold in some of them, and some of them are trying to use them for their further advancement. The situation is controlled by the Defense Forces, the enemy is trying to gain a foothold in their positions with heavy fire, but our Defense Forces are equipping defensive positions, inflicting fire damage, pushing them back and carrying out mopping-up operations, in particular on the northern outskirts of the town of Vovchansk.
— Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Khortytsia operational-strategic group
He added that Ukrainian defenders in Vovchansk are combing through the city's buildings, trying to stabilize the front line where the enemy is trying to advance.
Voloshyn also commented on the information about the enemy's attack on the Vovchansk meat processing plant.
"According to the official information of the city authorities of Vovchansk, there were no occupants in the city, all the fighting is going on near the city. Information about the presence of the occupiers has not been officially confirmed. The enemy is trying to spread panic among the population and spread false information," added Voloshyn.
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian Forces repelled 20 attacks in the vicinities of Synkivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast), Stel’makhivka and Rozivka (Luhansk oblast),
Lyman axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3 attacks in the vicinities of Makiivka, (Luhansk oblast), and Ivanivka, (Donetsk oblast) where the enemy, with air support, attempted to breach Ukrainian defences.
Siversk axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 15 attacks in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhn’okam’yans’ke, Spirne, and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Kramatorsk axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 35 attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). With the air support, the invaders attempted to improve their tactical position in that area.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 33 attacks near the settlements of Kalynove, Arkhanhelske, Novooleksandrivka, and Yevhenivka (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy, with air support, attempted to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
Kurakhove axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy near Krasnohorivka and west of Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where the invaders, using air strikes, made 4 attempts to breach Ukrainian defense.
Vremika axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks in the vicinities of Vodyane, Urozhaine and Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast), where the enemy made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions.
Orikhiv axis: The enemy launched 1 assault on positions of Ukrainian defenders in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: The enemy continues to attempt to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Over the past day, they launched 4 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Krynky (Kherson oblast).
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Russian Soldier Rescued Two Wounded Ukrainian Paratroopers During HUR Special Operation
A Russian soldier helped Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) conduct special operation “Prapor” [Flag] to extract two Ukrainian paratroopers from the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. Kyiv Post reported.
Last summer, the Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Navy received information about two Ukrainian paratroopers born in 1993 and 1997, who were seriously wounded at the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion and ended up in the occupied territory, in a town in Luhansk region, where they were treated. On Sept. 28, 2023, the paratroopers were successfully evacuated to Ukrainian-controlled territory.
During a press conference on May 10, a HUR representative, Andriy Yusov, said that an important participant in this special operation was a Russian army service member who has now become a pro-Ukrainian fighter with the Legion of Freedom of Russia.
Dmytro, a Russian Army soldier who was mobilized in April 2023, applied to the I Want to Live project. After that, two special operations missions merged into one: “the return of the Armed Forces guys and Dmytro’s transfer to the side of truth,” Yusov said.
According to Yusov, it took two months to organize this multi-level operation, and the rest of the time was spent on ensuring the safety of all participants. Yusov said documents were made for Dmytro that allowed him to leave the occupied territory. In addition, the defecting Russian soldier hijacked a car in which they all managed to drive through 18 checkpoints together, disguised in Russian army uniforms.
Previously, HUR couldn’t reveal details about the success of this special operation for security reasons. Now the agency can disclose that the Russian soldier’s family is in a Ukrainian-controlled area, while the AFU paratroopers, “Chopa” and “Malyi,” continue to serve in the Air Assault Forces.
Ukrainian forces reportedly conducted successful missile strikes against a Russian air defense base in occupied Oirim
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its May 13 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment stated that Russian opposition news outlet Astra reported, citing a source in the Crimean occupation Ministry of Emergency Services, that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian air defense base of the 3rd Radio Engineering Regiment (Russian Aerospace Forces' [VKS] radio engineering troops) on Mount Ai-Petri in occupied Qirim on May 13, likely with several Storm Shadow missiles.
Astra reported that the strike killed an unspecified number of Russian personnel and likely the commander of the 3rd Radio Engineering Regiment. Ukrainian outlet Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 13 that one of its sources in the Ukrainian military confirmed the Mount Ai-Petri strike. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) claimed that Russian forces shot down four Storm Shadow missiles and seven drones over Qirim.
THE HOME FRONT
More than 6,700 residents have already been evacuated from the border settlements of Kharkiv Oblast
More than 6,700 residents,including 535 children and 128 people with reduced mobility, have been evacuated from the border settlements of the Kharkiv region by joint efforts as of 4 pm May 14. Ukrainian State Emergency Services report.
Today, employees of the State Emergency Service and the National Police, together with volunteers and representatives of local communities, continue to carry out evacuation measures. The public is constantly being notified about the need to evacuate from border settlements.
Psychologists of the State Emergency Service work on the territory of intermediate evacuation points and provide support to people who are forced to leave their homes due to active hostilities.
Nine people injured as a result of Russian strikes on Kharkiv
As a result of a series of strikes on Kharkiv on May 14 Russians hit the 10th floor of a 12-storey building in the city center. Authorities are currently conducting a door-to-door inspection. In addition, the Russians hit garages on the territory of a residential building, causing fires.
The total number of injured has risen to 9, according to Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov, UNN reports.
According to the head of the Kharkiv RMA, Oleg Sinegubov, all the of the injuries were of a minor nature, or acute stress reactions.
Russia targets Firefighters in Kharkiv region
In the Kherson region, on the afternoon of May 14 the enemy dropped explosives from a drone on a fire engine while rescuers were working at the site of enemy shelling in the village of Kizomys. There was a fire in a residential building. Fortunately, the firefighters were not injured because they were fighting the fire at the time. State Emergency Services reported.
During the analysis of the destroyed structures of the house, a human body was also discovered.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Ukraine hits more targets in Russia
Suspilne reported on May 13 that its sources in Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) stated that the SBU conducted a drone strike against the Oskolneftesnabzheniye oil depot near Stary Oskol, Belgorod Oblast, and the Yeletskaya electrical substation in Lipetsk Oblast, which supplies traction substations to Russian Railways, the Stanovaya oil pumping station, and transit between Lipetsk, Oryol, and Bryansk oblasts' power systems.
Lipetsk Oblast Governor Igor Artamonov claimed that Russian forces suppressed drones in Lipetsk Oblast and stated that a fire occurred at an electrical substation, presumably due to one of the Ukrainian drones.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
EU finally approves Ukraine Plan for implementation of Ukraine Facility – Shmyhal
The European Union has finally approved the Ukraine Plan, necessary for the implementation of the Ukraine Facility program in the amount of EUR 50 billion, according to Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal Interfax Ukraine reports.
"The approval of the Plan allows us to fully launch the Ukraine Facility - our state will receive EUR 1.89 billion in preliminary funding. In general, this year we expect to attract EUR 16 billion as part of the program. This will strengthen our financial stability in the conditions of a full-scale war with Russia," Shmyhal wrote on the Telegram channel.
The Prime Minister also thanked Belgium, which chairs the EU Council, and the EU member states for their high assessment of the Ukraine Plan.
Biden Signs Ban on Imports of Russian Nuclear Reactor Fuel
President Joe Biden on Monday signed legislation banning the import of Russian enriched uranium, starting a 90-day countdown until limits on shipments of the reactor fuel take effect. Blomberg reports.
Biden’s signature also unlocks some $2.7 billion in spending, previously approved by Congress, to build up domestic uranium supplies for US nuclear plants. That money was contingent on the federal government imposing limits on Russian uranium imports.
The move, which comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine grinds into its third year, carries risks. Russia is America’s top foreign source of the fuel, supplying about a quarter of the uranium used in US reactors, according to Energy Department data. Russia makes about $1 billion a year from those sales. Cutting off that supply could raise uranium prices 20%, according to Jonathan Hinze, president of nuclear fuel market research firm UxC.
US nuclear plant owners have been planning for a ban. A spokesman for Constellation, the largest U.S. nuclear plant operator, said the company has worked with suppliers to secure enough fuel to power their operations into 2029, with contracts extending beyond then.
The US was once a leading supplier of enriched uranium but lost its edge in the industry decades ago. The country now has just one commercial enrichment facility in New Mexico, owned by Urenco Ltd., a British, Dutch and German consortium. Centrus, based in Bethesda, Maryland, began production in October at a pilot project in Piketon, Ohio, and eventually expects the site to supply as much as 900 kilograms a year of specialized, highly enriched reactor fuel to be used in a new breed of advanced reactors.
Poland increases intelligence budget amid rising Russian threat
In response to mounting concerns over Russian aggression, Poland is ramping up its defenses. Reuters reports.
Poland will allocate over $25 million to boost its intelligence services, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk amid rising threat from Russia. The country warns that it has become a key target for Russia’s intelligence agencies as it serves as a distribution hub for supplies to Ukraine.
Poland plans to obtain EU funds to help strengthen its border security with Belarus close to Russia or use funds that will not be spent from the COVID national recovery program. Currently, the Baltics and Poland are conducting a multi-national military drill, the Astral Knight 2024, which is focused on exercising Integrated Air and Missile Defense and the incremental development of theater-wide security capabilities.
Tusk said that Russian efforts to destabilize European countries, particularly Poland and the Baltic states, will intensify ahead of the European elections in June 2024.
On 14 May, the Polish Foreign Ministry approved Tomasz Chłoń for the position of commissioner for international disinformation amid Russia’s hybrid threats, as reported by Rmf Fm.
The key responsibilities of the commissioner include identifying disinformation content and assessing its impact and origin. Additionally, the official will have the authority to make decisions on combating disinformation and create a strategy for its prevention.
MILITARY & TECH
Nothing to report.
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!