UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-08-15
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
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its Operational Information update at 22:00 on Aug 14 stated that day 993 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 153 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out missile strikes, air strikes, drone strikes and more than 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 15, 2024, the enemy attacked with 3 Kh-59 guided air missiles from the airspace of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. and 29 strike UAVs of the "Shahed" type from the regions of Primorsko-Akhtars, Yeisk, Kursk - Russian Federation.
As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, 29 enemy UAVs were shot down in the Mykolaiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Kherson, Zaporizhzhya, Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions by the calculations of mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, aviation, anti-aircraft missile units, and EW means of the Air Force.
The Russian Border Incursion
Ukraine continues to advance in Kursk
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Aug 14 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces marginally advanced in Kursk Oblast amid a generally slower tempo of Ukrainian operations as Russian forces continue attempts to stabilize the frontline in the area. Ukrainian outlet Suspilne reported on August 14 that its sources in the Ukrainian military stated that the tempo of Ukrainian advances in Kursk Oblast has slowed due to the increasing Russian resistance in the direction of Kursk City.
Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces are gradually stabilizing the frontline in Kursk Oblast and that unspecified Russian reinforcements are arriving from unspecified areas and are establishing communications with Russian units already in the area.
Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces advanced into Krasnooktyabrskoye (southwest of Korenevo and 15km from the international border). Geolocated footage published on August 13 shows Ukrainian forces operating in eastern Zhuravli (west of Korenevo and 20km from the international border), indicating that Ukrainian forces advanced in the eastern part of the settlement.
Geolocated footage published on August 14 showing a Ukrainian journalist reporting from central Sudzha indicates that Ukrainian forces control at least part of the settlement and like parts of its surroundings.
Suspilne's sources in the Ukrainian military stated that Ukrainian forces advanced beyond Martynovka (just northeast of Sudzha), although Russian milbloggers claimed that fighting is still ongoing in the settlement.
Geolocated footage published on August 13 shows a Russian journalist reporting from Giri and Ozerki (both southeast of Sudzha and just east of Kamyshnoye), although Russian sources later claimed on August 14 that Ukrainian forces began operating near Giri and Belitsa (just north of Giri), suggesting that Ukrainian forces may be contesting the area east of Kamyshnoye.
Geolocated footage published on August 13 and 14 showing Ukrainian forces operating well within the maximalist claimed limit of Ukrainian advances indicates that Ukrainian forces also continue operating closer to the international border within Kursk Oblast.
A company of Russian soldiers surrendered in the Kursk region
More than a hundred Russian soldiers laid down their arms and surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers in the Kursk region. Militarnyi reports, citing The “I Want to Live” project.
On August 14, a large group of Russian soldiers who had been abandoned by their commanders decided to surrender.
“More than a hundred Russians abandoned by their commanders made the right decision and surrendered. They can be understood, it is difficult to fight when you are commanded by autocrats and bezzlers, and your flanks are “covered” by Kadyrov’s bandits who abandon everyone and everything to avoid being captured themselves,” the statement reads.
The released drone video shows about 60 captured soldiers tied up or lying down.
In the course of the operation, the Special Group “Alpha” of the SSU captured and cleared an extensive, concrete, and well-fortified stronghold of the 488th Motor Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces. Previously, information about the capture of the Russian command post of the 488th regiment by soldiers of the 225th Separate Assault Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was also posted online.
Ukrainian forces advance 0.5-1.5 kilometres into Russia's Kursk Oblast and now control 82 settlements
Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, at a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on 15 August Ukrainska Pravda reported.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine have advanced up to 1.5 kilometres on some axes in Kursk Oblast since the beginning of the day and now control 82 settlements in Russia.
Syrskyi reported that since the beginning of the day on 15 August the defence forces of Ukraine advanced a distance from 500 metres to 1.5 kilometres on some axes in Kursk Oblast and repelled three Russian attacks. The Ukrainian offensive is underway.
In total, since the beginning of the operation in Kursk Oblast, the Ukrainians advanced 35 kilometres and gained control over 1,150 square kilometres of Russian territory.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: There were 4 Russian attacks over the last day near Vovchansk and Tykhe. 2 battles are ongoing.
Kupyansk axis: The enemy carried out 9 attacks against Ukrainian positions near Sinkivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove,the situation is tense. 1 engagement is still ongoing.
Lyman axis: Russia attacked 15 times unsuccessfully in the direction of settlements of, Makiivka and Nevske. 2 attacks continue.
Siversk axis: Russian forces carried out 24 unsuccessful assaults in the vicinity of Bilohorivka, Verkhnokamianske, Spirne and Vyimka. 7 clashes are ongoing.
Kramatorsk axis: Russian forces carried out 5 offensive actions near Chasiv Yar and Andriivka. 1 attack continues.
Toretsk axis: There have been 21 Russian attacks over that last day with air support. All the efforts of the enemy were directed to the areas of Toretsk, Pivinchne and Nui-York. 3 battles continue.
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 55 attacks against Ukrainian defences in this area over the last day concentrating in the vicinity of Vozdvizhenka, Hrodivka, and Zhelanne. 15 battles continue.
Kurakhove axis: Russian forces unsuccessfully tried to advance 5 times in the area of settlements Krasnohorivka and Kostiantinivka.
Vremivka axis: In this sector the situation is under control, Russian forces made 6 Russian assaults against Ukrainian positions near Vodiane and Vuhledar, 2 battles are ongoing.
Orikhiv axis: The situation in this sector has not changed significantly. 2 enemy attack was repulsed over the last day in the vicinity of Mala Tokmachka
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, the situation has not changed significantly. Russian forces made 5 unsuccessful attempts to force Ukrainian units from their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro.
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Ukraine’s rail energy system damaged by this week’s Russian attacks, restoration efforts underway
Ukraine’s railway energy system suffered damage from Russian strikes this week, leading to temporary power outages and infrastructure damage in northern Ukraine, Euromaidan reports citing Ukrzaliznytsia.
This week, Russian forces conducted multiple attacks on Ukraine’s railway energy system, damaging infrastructure in the northern regions, according to a report by Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways).
The strikes targeted power substations, resulting in temporary power outages across various sections of the rail network. Despite the damage, train delays were minimized to approximately 40 minutes, and power was swiftly restored to residential areas affected by the outages.
Ukrainian Railways said it is currently working to restore the damaged energy system.
Earlier this week, the Russian forces targeted Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts on multiple occasions. On 13 August, a missile and bomb strike in Sumy Oblast damaged critical infrastructure, including power lines, a gas pipeline, and a hospital. The following day, in the early hours of 14 August, Russian forces used Shahed-type kamikaze drones to hit an infrastructure target in the Nizhyn district of Chernihiv Oblast. Earlier, on 13 August, the city of Bakhmach in Chernihiv Oblast also suffered damage when Russian strikes hit civilian infrastructure.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Kyiv opens hotline for Russian citizens in Kursk Oblast to request aid, evacuation to Ukraine
Ukraine has opened a hotline for Russian citizens in Kursk Oblast who wish to receive humanitarian aid or want to be evacuated to Ukraine amid the ongoing fighting in the area, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Aug. 14. The Kyiv Independent reports.
Writing in Russian so that "Russians can understand," Vereshchuk said that Ukraine "must be prepared to receive Russian refugees."
"The Reintegration Ministry opened a 24-hour hotline for residents of Kursk Oblast who need humanitarian aid or want to evacuate to Ukraine," she wrote. The Kyiv Independent has reached out to Vereshchuk's office for comment on the hotline and potential evacuation of Russians into Ukraine, but has not received an answer at the time of this publication.
Ukraine’s Kursk incursion generates negative impacts for Russia
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US based think tank, in its Aug 14 Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment reported that ongoing Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast are generating tangible defensive, logistical, and security impacts within Russia. Commercially available satellite imagery collected by Maxar on August 12 shows a newly dug series of field fortifications, including trenches and anti-vehicle ditches southwest of Lgov along the E38 Lgov-Rylsk-Hlukhiv highway (northwest of Sudzha).
Additional satellite imagery published on August 13 and collected between August 6 and 11 shows the recent appearance of field fortifications near the 38K-024 highway just south of Lgov. These new fortifications are about 17 kilometres north of the furthest claimed limit of Ukrainian advances in Kursk Oblast, which suggests that Russian forces are concerned about potential continued and rapid Ukrainian mechanised northward advances within Kursk Oblast. Russian forces appear particularly concerned about major highways and are likely trying to preemptively safeguard important ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to inhibit Ukrainian manoeuvre, particularly along the E38 and 38K routes.
Ukrainian operations in Kursk Oblast are also reportedly impacting Russian railway logistics — the Belarusian Railway Workers Community claimed on August 13 that its internal sources are reporting that Russian state-owned railway company Russian Railways informed Belarusian state-owned railway company Belarusian Railways to stop directing trains from all Belarusian Railway stations to stations along the Oryol-Kursk branch of the Moscow Railway starting on August 12 due to a "large-scale operational transfer of troops in the direction of Kursk Oblast" and the movement of freight trains for military logistical purposes.
Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov also announced a state of emergency in Belgorod Oblast on August 14, which will allow Belgorod Oblast authorities the power to restrict movement within emergency areas likely either to secure Russian logistical support for Belgorod Oblast border areas or Russian defensive measures within Kursk Oblast.
Drone attack on Lipetsk airbase destroyed more than 700 bombs
A drone strike against a military airbase in Russia's Lipetsk Oblast on Aug. 9 set off a chain explosion that detonated more than 700 bombs, the Kyiv Independent reported citing a Ukrainian intelligence source.
Earlier, Russian authorities said that a fire broke out at a military airfield, and an energy facility was damaged in a drone attack in the oblast. The source told the Kyiv Independent that there were fighter jets and helicopters stored at the airbase. It is unknown how many were damaged or destroyed in the attack.
The source said the attack was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in collaboration with the Ukrainian army and the Special Operation Forces. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed the attack on the airfield but said that the damage was still being clarified.
Ukrainian forces have previously launched drone attacks at military and industrial targets in Lipetsk Oblast, which is located some 450 kilometres (279 miles) from the Ukrainian border. It is northeast of Kursk Oblast, where fighting is currently ongoing after an unprecedented Ukrainian cross-border incursion that began on Aug. 6.
Videos shared on Russian Telegram channels showed a massive explosion in the distance, although it was unclear what was directly impacted by it or where it was located.
The intelligence source said that the explosion occurred at the Lipetsk-2 military airfield, located just outside the city of Lipetsk, which has a population of around 500,000.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Iran to deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia soon, intel sources say
Dozens of Russian military personnel are being trained in Iran to use the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system, two European intelligence sources told Reuters, adding that they expected the imminent delivery of hundreds of the satellite-guided weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. Reuters reports.
Russian defence ministry representatives are believed to have signed a contract on Dec. 13 in Tehran with Iranian officials for the Fath-360 and another ballistic missile system built by Iran's government-owned Aerospace Industries Organization (AIO) called the Ababil, according to the intelligence officials, who requested anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.
Citing multiple confidential intelligence sources, the officials said that Russian personnel have visited Iran to learn how to operate the Fath-360 defence system, which launches missiles with a maximum range of 120 km (75 miles) and a warhead of 150 kg. One of the sources said that "the only next possible" step after training would be actual delivery of the missiles to Russia.
Moscow possesses an array of its own ballistic missiles, but the supply of Fath-360s could allow Russia to use more of its arsenal for targets beyond the front line, while employing Iranian warheads for closer-range targets, a military expert said.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukraine deploys British Challenger 2 tanks in Russia incursion
British Challenger 2 tanks have been used during Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Russia that has been ongoing since last week, the BBC and Sky News reported on Aug. 15, citing undisclosed sources.
The U.K. Defense Ministry previously confirmed that there has been no change of policy and Ukraine has the right to use British-supplied weapons – except for long-range Storm Shadow missiles – on Russian territory.
While the ministry did not comment on what specific weapons this entails, sources told the BBC and Sky News that this includes the modern Challenger 2 tanks, 14 of which have been in service with Ukraine at least since January 2023.
At least one British tank was confirmed as destroyed in September 2023. This was the only confirmed destruction of a Challenger 2 tank since its inception and all of the crew survived.
Equipped with state-of-the-art targeting technology and advanced armour, the Challenger 2 is considered to be superior to the Soviet-era tanks currently operated by both sides in the war.
Ukrainian troops capture Russia’s new electronic warfare system
Ukrainian military forces have reportedly captured a Russian “Volnorez” electronic warfare system in the Kursk region, complete with documentation that could potentially reveal its technical specifications. Defence Blog reports.
According to Militarniy, the “Volnorez” system, still in its factory packaging when found, is designed to create a protective dome around military assets, particularly tanks, shielding them from drone attacks. This system first emerged within Russian military units in the fall of last year, specifically engineered to combat FPV (First-Person View) drones, which have become a critical tool in modern warfare.
Russian forces have kept the technical details of the “Volnorez” system under wraps, but the captured documentation may provide Ukrainian experts with insights into its capabilities. The system works by disrupting the connection between an incoming drone and its control station, causing the drone to lose its flight path and allowing the protected vehicle to avoid being hit.
“Upon activation, the ‘Volnorez’ system is intended to sever the link between the drone and its operator, leading the drone to veer off course,” Militarniy reported. This technology is particularly effective against improvised FPV drones, which, when they lose signal, typically crash to the ground, rendering them ineffective.
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