UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-02-26
Slava Ukraini! Since June 2023 I have provided a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 40 sources daily much of which ends up in the script. I will make this Draft available here for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
INSIDE UKRAINE
ALONG THE CONTACT LINE
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its situation update at 06:00 on Feb. 26 stated that it was day 733 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 95 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 11 missile strikes, 98 air strikes, and 129 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.
The Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 7 concentrations of troops and 2 anti-aircraft missile systems of the adversary. Ukrainian defenders also destroyed 3 missiles and 9 Shahed UAVs.
Ukrainian Missile forces hit 3 artillery positions of the russian invaders.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Kup’yans’k, Lyman, and Bakhmut axes, in the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kup’yans’k axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 6 attacks of the enemy near the settlements Syn’kivka and Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast)
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 5 attacks near Terny, (Donetsk oblast) and Bilhorivka (Luhansk oblast)
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 8 attacks near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast)
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Avdiivka, Mar’inka, Shaktars’ke, and Zaporizhzhia axes, in the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 25 enemy attacks nearBerdychi, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Sjeverne, and Nevel’s’ke(Donetsk oblast).
Mar’inka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the occupiers in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka Heorhiivka, Pobjeda and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). Troops repelled 40 attacks in that area.
Shakhtarske axis: the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6 attacks near Robotyne and 1 attack in the vicinity of Huliaipilske (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Kherson axis: Ukrainian defenders continue to expand the bridgehead. Despite significant losses, the enemy does not abandon its attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Over the past day, the enemy carried out 4 unsuccessful assaults on the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
Ukraine Dominates in the Western Part of the Black Sea
The UK Ministry of Defence in their Feb. 25 Intelligence Report stated that at the outset of the war with Ukraine in February 2022, the russian Navy (RFN) maintained the freedom to manoeuvre throughout the entirety of the Black Sea, most significantly in the north-west.
Following Ukraine's success in employing asymmetric alternatives to its lack of a traditional navy (various guided missiles and uncrewed vessels), the RFN has been repeatedly forced to reassess its appetite for risk. Ukraine has continued to push russian threat perception to new highs through combined strike activities on land and at sea, forcing Black Sea Fleet (BSF) units to relocate their main operating areas to the eastern Black Sea.
The ongoing success of Ukrainian attacks has persistently forced the BSF onto the back foot, with recent events such as the sinking of the TARANTUL Ill-class IVANOVETS and ROPUCHA-class CAESAR KUNIKOV leading to the dismissal of the second BSF commander since the war began. Despite russia’s continued ability to strike Ukraine using vessels in the relative safety of the eastern Black Sea, it is increasingly evident that the defensive posture adopted to mitigate against Ukraine’s non-conventional approach to maritime warfare is not working as intended.
At a strategic level, Ukraine's approach has denied russia the ability to interfere with its maritime trade routes. Since the collapse of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), Ukraine’s momentum has allowed it to dominate the western Black Sea. This has resulted in an increase in its exports via the unilateral Humanitarian Corridor, delivering higher trade volumes than under the BSGI, putting them on par with pre-war levels.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Ukraine destroys 9 drones, 3 guided missiles overnight in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk oblasts
Ukraine’s Air Defense shot down nine Shahed drones and three Kh-59 guided missiles on the night of 26 February, Ukraine’s Air Forces reported.
Russian troops launched against Ukraine overnight an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Russian-occupied Crimea, two S-300 air defence systems from Belgorod Oblast, Russia, three Kh-59 guided missiles, a Kh-31P anti-radar missile from the occupied area in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and 14 Shahed attack drones from Kursk Oblast, Russia.
Ukraine’s Air Defense destroyed Russian drones and missiles over Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts.
Two Russian missiles launched from S-300 air defence systems hit the Pisochyn region In Kharkiv Oblast, local Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
The attack destroyed two civilian hangars with grain, the company’s equipment: tractors and storm vehicles. No casualties were reported.
In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, the Russian military hit Pokrovsk and Myrove communities with drones, damaging an enterprise, ten residential buildings, and cars, local Governor Serhii Lysak said.
Ukraine hopes for a positive decision by its partners on providing the long-awaited assistance
Ukraine expects positive decisions on financial and military support from its allies to strengthen its forces on the battlefield. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference at the forum "Ukraine. Year 2024".
"I met with senators, with both parties, and all the signals in different formats are known to President Biden, the government and the opposition. They know that we need this decision within a month," Zelenskyy emphasised.
According to him, for the most part, these funds remain in the United States, in companies that manufacture weapons that Ukraine needs, including air defence systems and missiles.
"There are serious specifics about funding, and we insisted on these specifics for a reason, because we see challenges in the United States. But I expect that the United States will remain the leader of democracy in the world," the Head of State noted.
As for the long-range weapons, in particular ATACMS with a range of up to 300 km, the President said he has positive expectations in this regard.
"Indeed, we have been working on this issue for a long time. To summarise, I am positive about the recent conversations with our partners," he added.
Ukraine has no alternatives to US air defence systems, says Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during the press conference following the Ukraine.Year 2024 conference that Ukraine has no alternative to military assistance from the United States because there is a limited amount of air defence systems and their American analogues worldwide, particularly the Patriot systems.
"When discussing American assistance, we must understand that it is not a question of financial reserves – it is about weapons. The majority of these funds are weapons, so you understand what the outcome [of the US supplies] will be. I don't have a reserve here; we have the weapons that we have.
We will seek other opportunities to buy weapons, secure additional funds and loans, pressure our partners, and ask them insistently. It's about specific packages of weapons. For example, a Patriot system costs US$1.5 billion, but you won't be able to buy it without the US [approval]. That's the answer – can we strengthen Ukraine's air defence without the US? No.
There are no equivalent systems in the world. What exists as an alternative is in low quantities, so when we discuss an alternative to US assistance or money – we'll find the money, but we won't find that amount of weapons."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy believes Ukraine will achieve results in Taurus missile negotiations
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during a press conference following the Ukraine.Year 2024 conference, has commented on negotiations with Germany regarding supplies of Taurus missiles, saying he believes that Ukraine "will achieve [the desired] results".
In response to a question about Taurus missiles, President Zelenskyy began by thanking Chancellor Olaf Scholz for all the support Germany has provided. "He has shown leadership in Europe. He has a strong agreement with us and serious support [for us]," Zelenskyy said.
The president emphasised how important Taurus missiles, which Scholz has not yet agreed to provide, are for Ukraine. He hinted that Germany may make a favourable decision, following the example of the US in sending Ukraine ATACMS missiles.
"This weapon is very important for us, as you mentioned. Let me tell you something: the United States [acts first], then Germany [follows], and it's always like that in everything. I’m not saying that the chancellor depends on the president [Joe Biden], but in my experience, that’s how the sequence of actions regarding decisions on certain types of weapons has always been. If the United States takes a step forward, then we can talk about it and cite it as an example to others," Zelenskyy pointed out.
Zelenskyy signs law on demobilisation of conscripts
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law into force on the demobilisation of conscripts. Censor.NET reports this is evidenced by the card of the draft law on amendments to Chapter XII "Final Provisions" of the Law of Ukraine "On Military Duty and Military Service" regarding the terms of military service.
Earlier, the Rada adopted a draft law on the demobilisation of conscripts with a 12-month deferral from further mobilisation.
"Conscripts whose term of military service, established by part one of Article 23 of this Law, expired during martial law and whose military service was extended beyond the established terms in accordance with part nine of Article 23 of this Law shall be discharged from military service to the reserve within the terms determined by a Decree of the President of Ukraine," the draft law says.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Video shows Russians execute surrendering Ukrainian soldiers again
Ukrainian ombudsman Dmitry Lubinets released a video showing Russian troops shooting at least 7 Ukrainians who were trying to surrender. This war crime took place on Feb. 24 near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast.
The Russians executed at least seven Ukrainians, although the exact number is still unknown, Lubinets reported. He also said he knows which Russian military unit did this. And he called on international organisations to document Russia’s latest violation of international law norms.
The Prosecutor General’s Office specified this happened during an assault on Ukrainian positions between Ivanivske and Khromove villages in Donetsk Oblast.
Ukraine has launched a pre-trial investigation into the laws and customs of war violations combined with premeditated murder.
Overall, Ukraine is currently investigating 19 criminal cases over the murders of 45 Ukrainian POWs, the Prosecutor General’s Office reported.
Russia has not fully rebuilt Crimean Bridge, Russian oil refinery exports reduced by a third
Vasyl Maliuk, head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU), has stated during a panel discussion of the UkraineYear 2024 forum, that Russia is not using the Crimean Bridge as a military logistics facility since it has not been fully restored. Maliuk added that Russia has to use ferry crossings to transport the weapons and equipment.
"You must understand that the Crimean Bridge has not been fully rebuilt by the Russians and is not being used for logistics at the moment but rather for the transportation of armament, means of destruction, that is, their ammunition."
Maliuk also said that Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries have reduced Russian exports of oil products by a third.
"If we take a look at the last two months alone, and the number of enemy refineries that have been successfully hit – in fact, we have reduced exports of [Russian] oil products by a third. And 55% of their military budget is foreign exchange earnings from the export of oil products. And these are our legitimate goals."
Large warehouse ablaze near Moscow
On Sunday, a fire broke out in a 2,000-sq.-m industrial warehouse in Podolsk, near Moscow, Russia Russian propaganda outlets report. According to the emergency services, the fire has been contained and no one was injured.
More than 50 firefighters with 15 appliances are working at the scene.
WORLD NEWS
160 tons of Ukrainian grain dumped in Poland
Unknown perpetrators spilled 160 tons of Ukrainian grain from a train at the Kotomierz railway station in Poland, marking the most significant sabotage incident against Ukraine’s agricultural exports since Russia invaded in February 2022.
Eight railcars were unsealed and had their contents spilled, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Territorial Development Oleksandr Kubrakov. The grain shipment was destined for the Port of Gdansk prior to export overseas.
He also noted that Ukraine is fulfilling agreements with Poland and is not exporting grain, corn or canola there. Products only transit through Poland. Polish media reports that the railcars were carrying corn. Local authorities and police arrived at the scene.
Polish protesters have been obstructing the Ukrainian border for four months, with grain cargo first deliberately spilled in February. Polish authorities apologised for an earlier spill incident involving Ukrainian grain trucks crossing at Dorohusk. The Polish farmers are demanding that their government and the EU prohibit the sale of agricultural products from Ukraine.
Biden, Congressional Leaders to Meet at White House on Tuesday
President Joe Biden will meet with top congressional leaders including House Speaker Mike Johnson at the White House on Tuesday in a bid to unlock billions of dollars in emergency aid to allies including Ukraine and avert a US government shutdown. Bloomberg reports.
Biden “will discuss the urgency of passing the bipartisan national security supplemental and keeping the government open,” the White House said in a weekly schedule released Sunday.
Johnson’s office confirmed the speaker plans to attend. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will also be at the meeting, according to a congressional aide.
MILITARY & TECH
Budanov denies Iran has transferred long range missiles to Russia
Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) reported at the Ukraine. 2024 forum that Iran did not transfer long-range missiles to the Russian Federation.
Reuters recently reported on the shipment of short-range Zolfaghar short-range ballistic missiles, which are based on the Fateh-110, to Russia.
When asked by reporters about this at the forum Budanov answered “There are none. None of this is true,”
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!
Great report as usual, sir!