UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-08-11
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 70 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
GSAFU Morning Report
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 22:00 on Aug 10 stated that day 899 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 92 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 1 missile strike, 53 air strikes, 577 drone strikes and 3,439 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 11, 2024, the enemy attacked with 4 KN-23 ballistic missiles from the Voronezh region and 57 "Shahed" type UAVs from the regions of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Yeisk, Kursk - Russian Federation. The occupiers also attacked the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, probably with rocket artillery.
As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, 53 enemy UAVs were shot down in the Mykolaiv, Odesa, Cherkasy, Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Kherson, Kyiv, Zaporizhzhya, Sumy, Rivne, and Cherkasy regions by the mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, aviation, anti-aircraft missile units and EW means of the Air Force.
“Regarding Russian strikes with North Korean missiles, I will say the following: KN-23 ballistic missiles, although they rarely reach the desired targets, pose a serious threat to the population. Take care of yourself and your loved ones.”
— Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk
The Russian Border Incursion
Ukraine expands Russia incursion, in morale boost for Kyiv
Ukraine’s surprise invasion of Russia stretched into a fifth day Saturday in what analysts and Western officials said increasingly looked like a prolonged operation to divert Russian forces, raising questions about Kyiv’s ultimate aim as its forces pushed deeper into Russia’s Kursk region. The Washington Post reports.
The move has turned the tables on Moscow, which invaded Ukraine more than two years ago, and has been a morale boost for Ukrainian forces after Russia previously gained the strategic initiative on the battlefield. It could also be used as leverage in potential negotiations with Moscow to end the fighting, analysts said.
“It’s not a raid, this is something different,” said Andriy Zagorodnyuk, former defense minister and chairman of Ukraine’s Center for Defense Strategies, an independent think tank. “It’s not a question about staying there forever or for a long time, it’s an issue of trying to stretch out their forces,” he added. “I doubt that Ukraine’s leadership has these plans to occupy Russian territory and to hold it indefinitely.”
Though Ukrainian officials have repeatedly declined to comment on the assault, their soldiers fighting in Russia have started posting more videos and photos to social media that purport to show them in Kursk and, most recently, in a second Russian border region, Belgorod.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin on Saturday announced heightened security measures in border areas — a sign of Moscow’s growing insecurity.
Whatever the endgame of Ukraine’s incursion into Russia, it has succeeded as a narrative-shifting lift for Kyiv. Instead of lamenting Russia’s advances on the eastern front every day, Ukrainians are eagerly monitoring — and snickering at — the news of their troops pushing deeper and deeper into Russia’s Kursk region, which borders Ukraine’s Sumy region.
“War is always a contest of wills, and morale is obviously intrinsically linked,” said Franz-Stefan Gady, a Vienna-based military analyst. “This is definitely one consideration that it is really a signal to the West and to Ukrainian allies and partners that Ukraine is still capable of launching offensive operations, that Ukraine is capable of conducting fairly complex operations into enemy territory.”
A Western diplomat in Kyiv, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, echoed that sentiment. After months of declining support and interest from Western partner countries, Ukraine has seized the spotlight again, the diplomat said.“Ukraine is showing the world that the country is able to fight back,” the official said. “This operation is perfect timing before the U.S. election to put this conflict back on the map.”
“It remains to be seen whether Russia is going to commit any resources at all from sectors on the Ukrainian front line to contain this assault,” Gady said. “There is some indication that Russia has already started fighting back with regular formations, but it’s unclear yet.”
Ukrainian officials have said bringing the war to Russia and making its civilians experience the same displacement and bombardment that Ukrainians have for the past two years will place pressure on President Vladimir Putin and improve Kyiv’s position in future negotiations to end the war.
The Western diplomat said that “before the operation, Ukraine had nothing to negotiate. Now it is different,” the person said.
Russian official claims Ukrainian soldiers entered into Belovsky district overnight
Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups entered the territory of the Belovsky district in Russia's Kursk region overnight on Aug. 11, head of the district, Nikolai Volobuev, claimed. According to Volobuev, the group's appearance created "a lot of panic." The Kyiv Independent reported on Aug 11.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 5 Russian attacks over the last day near Vovchansk
A closeup of the map for the city of Vovchansk shows that despite continued attacks Russian forces have been almost completely driven from the city.
Kupyansk axis: The enemy carried out 5 attacks against Ukrainian positions near Stelmahivka
Lyman axis: Russia attacked 13 times unsuccessfully in the direction of settlements of, Makiivka, Nevske and the Serebryanskyy Forest. 1 attack continues.
Siversk axis: Russian forces carried out 6 unsuccessful assaults in the vicinity of Bilohorivka, Spirne and Vyimka.
Kramatorsk axis: Russian forces carried out 6 offensive actions near Zaliznyanske, Chasiv Yar and Bila Hora.
Toretsk axis: There have been 9 Russian attacks over that last day with air support. All the efforts of the enemy were directed to the areas of Toretsk, Pivinchne, Zalizne and Nui-York.
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 the Pokrovsk sector. The enemy conducted 33 attacks against Ukrainian defences in this area over the last day concentrating in the vicinity of Hrodivka and Zhelanne but including 9 other settlements. 10 attacks are ongoing.
Kurakhove axis: Russian forces unsuccessfully tried to advance 9 times in the area of settlements Krasnohorivka, and Heorhivka.
Vremivka axis: In this sector the situation is under control, Russian forces made 1 Russian assault against Ukrainian positions near Vodiane is ongoing.
Orikhiv axis: The situation in this sector has not changed significantly.
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 Russian forces made 2 unsuccessful attempts to force Ukrainian units from their positions on the left bank of the Dnieper.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Zelenskyy acknowledges military operation in Russia's Kursk region
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged for the first time on Saturday that Ukrainian forces were fighting in Russia's Kursk region and said the operation was part of Kyiv's drive to restore justice after Russia's 2022 invasion. Reuters reports.
Russia said Ukrainian forces pushed into Kursk region last Tuesday and Russian military bloggers have acknowledged they made some headway, while saying the situation had since stabilised.
Zelenskyy had previously stayed silent about the operation.
In his nightly video address, the president said he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi, while not forgetting the battles troops face on the difficult eastern front.
"Today, I received several reports from commander-in-chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war onto the aggressor's territory," he said.
"I am grateful to every unit of the defence forces for ensuring that. Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor."
Zelenskiy had previously alluded to the operation, praising the military's ability "to surprise" and thanking them for taking Russian soldiers prisoner to be used in future negotiations, specifically referring to the past week.
In paying tribute to Ukrainian forces along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line, Zelenskiy made special mention of actions in northern Sumy region, across the border from Russia's Kursk region.
During his address, Zelenskyy reiterated that neither the US, UK or France have granted permission for the use of long range munitions inside Russia and that Ukraine is yet again seeking them.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Kursk governor calls for quicker evacuation
The acting governor of Kursk oblast, Alexei Smirnov, said on Telegram on Saturday night that he had told local authorities to accelerate efforts to move civilians from areas at risk of fighting with Ukrainian troops. DW reports.
Russian media quoted the regional Emergencies Ministry in the border region of Kursk as saying that more than 76,000 people have been relocated to safer areas in recent days since the surprise Ukrainian incursion.
There is no word on what happened to the current governor of Kursk.
Russian authorities claim large attack on Kursk, Voronezh and Belgorod oblasts overnight
Local Russian authorities have claimed that several Russian oblasts experienced a large-scale drone and missile attack on the night of 10-11 August. Ukrainska Pravda reports.
An apartment block in Kursk Oblast was damaged either by a Ukrainian or defence missile. Cars parked near the high-rise building also caught fire. At present, 13 people are known to have been injured, two of them are in a serious condition.
Windows from the ground floor to the fourth floor were smashed in the apartment block. Emergency services are working at the scene.
According to local authorities, Russian air defence units shot down 15 UAVs in Voronezh Oblast overnight. There were no casualties. A local authority building, a municipal facility and houses sustained damage.
Drones targeted the town of Shebekino in Belgorod Oblast. One high-rise building caught fire, and windows were smashed in two houses. Part of the town was cut off from the power supply.
An aircraft-type drone was also supposedly destroyed over Belgorod Oblast. There were no casualties or damage reported.
Russia's Defence Ministry claimed that air defence units had destroyed 14 UAVs and four Tochka-U tactical missiles over the territory of Kursk Oblast overnight.
Another 16 UAVs were "shot down over the territory of Voronezh Oblast and three UAVs over Belgorod Oblast".
One drone was supposedly destroyed over the territories of Bryansk and Oryol oblasts.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Dual Russian-German Citizen Held In U.S. For Operating Alleged 'Tech-Trafficking Syndicate'
A dual Russian-German citizen has been ordered held without bail in New York City on charges that he conspired to smuggle U.S. microelectronics to military manufacturers in Russia to aid its war in Ukraine. Radio Free Europe reports.
Arthur Petrov, 33, made a brief appearance in federal court on August 9, the U.S. Justice Department said in a news release. The department said the charges against him included export-control violations, smuggling, wire fraud, and money laundering.
Petrov's lawyer declined to comment on the numerous charges brought against his client, which collectively carry a potential penalty of over 150 years in prison, according to AP.
Petrov was arrested in Cyprus at the request of the United States and was extradited on August 8.
"Our charges allege that, after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the defendant and his co-conspirators formed an elaborate tech-trafficking syndicate to supply microelectronics to Russia's military-industrial complex," said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams added in the statement that Petrov concealed where he was sending the electronics and knew that shipping them violated U.S. export controls relating to Russia.
Court documents quoted in the statement say Petrov worked for LLC Electrocom VPK, a Russia-based supplier of critical electronics components for manufacturers supplying weaponry and other equipment to the Russian military. Petrov and two co-conspirators, who are identified only as Russian nationals also working for Electrocom, operated an illicit procurement network in Russia and elsewhere overseas.
"They fraudulently procured from U.S. distributors large quantities of microelectronics subject to U.S. export controls on behalf of Electrocom," the Justice Department said.
MILITARY & TECH
Russia produces a new batch of Su-30SM2 multi-role fighters
The Irkutsk Aviation Plant has manufactured and handed over new Su-30SM2 multi-role fighters to the Russian Defense Ministry. Militarnyi reports.
The Russian United Aircraft Corporation said that the planes had already passed the necessary ground and flight tests and had departed for their duty station.
The manufacturer and the Russian Defense Ministry keep information about the number of aircraft handed over in secret. However, the video shows that two planes are being prepared for flight.
The Su-30SM2 fighter jet is a further development of the aircraft in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces.
It is stated that the main difference between the Su-30SM2 and its predecessor, the Su-30SM, is that it replaces imported components with Russian counterparts.
The new aircraft also allegedly received an improved set of onboard electronic equipment.
“The range of detection and recognition of air targets has increased. New high-precision weapons of destroying air, land and sea targets at a range of several hundred kilometres have been added to the fighter’s armament,” the manufacturer says.
Previously, Russian Su-30SMs were fitted with a HUD 3022 indicator in the cockpit against the windshield manufactured by the French company Thales.
French equipment provided Russian aircraft with the display of symbolic and graphic information in a format convenient for the pilot.
Ukraine Got 10,000 Urgently Needed RAAM Artillery Rounds in the New U.S. Aid Package
The RAAM (Remote Anti-Armor Mine) is a 155mm munition for remote minelaying, and it's precisely the type of weapon Ukrainian forces need right now, considering the new format of military operations, Defense Express reports.
The security assistance package announced yesterday by the U.S. Department of Defense contains remote minelaying ammunition — specifically, the Remote Anti-Armor Mine systems deployed by 155mm artillery guns. The insight comes from comparing official fact sheets published on July 29th and the latest one released on August 9th.
The Remote Anti-Armor Mine is a shell-shaped container with nine anti-tank landmines inside. Launched from a standard 155mm artillery gun, it scatters the mines across a target area within a 17.6 km range.
This kind of weapon would be especially useful for the Ukrainian Defense Forces considering the new operational situation in certain areas of military activity where deploying a no-go area swiftly can strain russia's ability to bring reinforcements and reclaim the initiative.drawn from Pentagon's stocks and thus arrives at the destination within weeks from the announcement.
RAAM exists in two types, the only difference being the timer of self-destruction: 48 hours for the M718 variant and 4 hours for the M741. This factor defines their preferred usage.
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!