UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-05-23
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 23 stated that day 820 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine was about to begin.
During the past day, 121 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 4 missile strikes, 37 air strikes, 376 drone strikes and 3,280 shellings across the positions of our troops.
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 disrupt the plans of Russian occupiers to advance deeper into the territory of Ukraine.
Today, the enemy concentrated his efforts in the Kharkiv region, as well as on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove directions. The defense forces are aware of the enemy's plans and do whatever it takes to thwart them.
Aviation, missile troops and artillery units struck 4 personnel concentrations, 2 control points, 2 communication stations, 1 radar device, 2 artillery batteries and a C-400 SAM system. Information regarding the results of the impact is being clarified.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kharkiv axis: The enemy made 8 assaults attempting to break through the defences of Ukrainian forces in the areas of Lyptsi, Starytsya, and Vovchansk. The situation is under control.
Kupyansk axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 22 attacks by the enemy in the vicinity of Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) and Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). The situation is under control.
Lyman axis: The enemy made 6 unsuccessful assaults against Ukrainian positions in the Lyman direction over the last day.
Siversk axis: Russia made 10 assaults on this front in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Verkhnokmianske and Vyimka (Donetsk oblast)
Kramatorsk axis: There were 10 Russian assaults on this front over the last day, Ukrainian forces repelled all Russian attempts to advance.
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Pokrovsk axis: Fighting was heavy on this front today with the enemy making 25 assaults. The situation remains tense but under control. Additionally Ukrainian forces successfully shot down a Russian SU-25 in the area.
AFU shoots down another SU-25
The Armed Forces of Ukraine Disclosed details of a fifth Su-25 downed so far this month. The aircraft was shot down on May 22 over the Povrovsk front. The brigade spokesman said in an interview with ArmyInform, that the aircraft had been shot down from ambush.
He notes that russian pilots are constantly trying to change routes, but Ukrainian soldiers have learned to predict them.
The representative did not disclose how exactly and with what weapon the aircraft was shot down.
Kurakhove axis: Russia made 18 assaults on this front over the last day in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka , Heofhiivka, Paraskoviivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast)
Vremika axis: Nothing to report.
Orikhiv axis: Nothing to report.
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Prydniprovsk axis: Nothing to report.
UK intel: Successful Ukrainian strike removes Russian Kalibr missile threat in Black Sea
Further to our report posted May 22, The UK Ministry of Defense in its May 23 Intelligence Update reported that a Ukrainian strike on 19 May “almost certainly resulted in the sinking of the KARAKURT-Class Corvette ‘TSIKLON‘” in Sevastopol, one of just four such Russian Kalibr cruise missile-capable corvettes operating in the Black Sea since 2022, with two others have likely been moved to the Caspian Sea following previous Ukrainian strikes, while the fourth was heavily damaged last November.
With Ukraine’s Navy virtually non-existent, Ukraine employs missiles and the newly-created fleet of various maritime suicide drones to counter Russia’s dominance in the Black Sea. These tactics led to the destruction or severe damage to at least 17 vessels of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, including the sinking of the Moskva, the Fleet’s flagship, early in the all-out war.
The loss of the ‘Tsiklon’ deprives Russia of a key multi-purpose naval platform able to provide Kalibr missile strikes, air defense, and other frontline capabilities in the Black Sea theatre. As Ukraine sustains pressure, Russia’s eroding maritime forces face an increasingly challenging security environment in their operations around Crimea, the Ministry wrote.
“Although this is unlikely to significantly change the impact the Russian Navy is having on Ukrainian operations, it does highlight a continued danger to Russian forces operating in the Crimea and Black Sea region and continued Ukrainian success when conducting coordinated strikes.”
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence: This is not an assault on Kharkiv
Andrii Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence, stated on May 23 that as of today, Russian forces were still conducting border operations in Kharkiv Oblast, but there was no attempt to assault the city of Kharkiv. In Sumy Oblast, the Russian plans and actions are closely monitored. Ukrainska Pravda reports.
Yusov asserts that the Russians did not even come close to achieving what they had planned due to the actions of Ukraine's Security and Defence Forces.
In general, the Russians gathered their forces near Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts, numbering more than 50,000.
Regarding the fighting in Kharkiv Oblast, Yusov noted that "at the moment what we see is an operation in border oblasts. What is happening is not an assault on Kharkiv."
In regards the threats to the Sumy front, Yusov emphasised the following: "Of course, if there are any concerns, they will be disclosed properly. The situation is well recognised, as are the enemy's plans and resources."
Russia hits Kharkiv with 15 missiles
On May 23, Russia attacked Kharkiv and the surrounding area with S-300 or S-400 missiles. There were at least ten explosions in the city. There are dead and wounded. Suspline reported
According to Oleg Sinegubov head of the Kharkiv oblast administration Kharkiv’s industrial district was targeted multiple times, among the targets was a printing facility causing a large fire.
Russia attacked railway infrastructure in the region, 6 railway employees were injured.
Kharkiv mayor Igor Terekhov at 13:38 That the death toll in Kharkiv had risen to 7. The majority of the dead are women who worked in a printing house. As of 16:00 State Emergency Services estimate the number of injured as 20. That number may increase,
Video courtesy of State Emergency Services
Ukraine lacks air defence systems, it's world's weakness – Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, has urged world leaders to be more decisive in their counteraction against Russia’s terror after the new heinous Russian attack on the city of Kharkiv and Kharkiv Oblast, calling on them to allow Ukraine to effectively destroy Russian launchers on the territory of the Russian Federation. In a new statement released on social media.
"An extremely heinous Russian attack against Kharkiv and Liubotyn – early reports say, 15 missiles at once were launched. Sadly, people have been killed and injured. Emergency services are already on the site of the attacks, and every person injured will receive the necessary treatment.
The Russian terrorists [soldiers – ed.] benefit from the lack of air defence in Ukraine and its inability to destroy the missile launchers of the terrorists at their exact locations near our borders. And this weakness is not our weakness but the weakness of the world which, for more than two years, has not had enough courage to give the terrorists the treatment they deserve."
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy stressed that the terror must be defeated everywhere, under any circumstances and in any continent. And this is a duty of everyone in the world who is able to protect life from terror. Ukraine does everything within its power but more decisiveness from world leaders is needed.
RUSSIAN WORLD
“Five-Watt happiness” The latest Russian military scandal
Lieutenant-General Vadim Shamarin, Deputy Chief of the Russian General Staff has, like his predecessor been arrested on corruption charges. BBC Russia reports.
“On May 22, the court chose a preventive measure for Shamarin in the form of detention for a period of two months,” a court official was quoted as saying by the agency.
The official added that Shamarin is accused of accepting a bribe “at an especially large scale” while awarding state contracts, but no other details were provided. He is the third active high-ranking military figure to be arrested over the past month in an apparent crackdown in the Russian Defense Ministry.
However the hawkish Russian “milblogger” community is positively aflutter. It seems that Shamarin was at the centre of what some are calling the “Five-wall Chinese happiness” scandal.
Shamarin was responsible for very lucrative deal which saw the Russian Ministry of Defense purchasing expensive Azart communication systems portable radios that do not meet the declared characteristics and are unsuitable for use at the front.
The name comes from the complaint of a milblogger and former soldier voicing the complaints of Russian soldiers at the front who claim that the radios transmissions are easily detectable by Ukrainians.
“The headquarters talks to subordinates who are crawling under the enemy’s nose... in plain text? Moreover, all this five-watt Chinese happiness glows like a Christmas tree for enemy electronic warfare,” he wrote. In February 2024
“Shamarin has enough complaints about fraud, instigating reports about how good everything is, and unfounded organisational decisions that harmed the organisation of communications in the troops,” another milblogger wrote.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
Polish Foreign Ministry responds to Ukraine's request to down Russian missiles
Paweł Wroński, a spokesman for the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated, in an interview that Ukraine's request to shoot down Russian missiles from NATO territory is a matter for discussion. Wroński noted that Ukraine is indeed asking its neighbours to shoot down Russian missiles from their territory.
"The Ukrainian side is making such a request that Polish military forces and Polish air defence systems shoot down missiles flying over Ukrainian territory," Wroński said.
He mentioned that this is a matter for discussion, and added that potential missile interceptions are associated with a number of prerequisites.
"For example, technical issues concerning the range of these missiles, as well as legal issues. What will happen if the wreckage of such a missile destroys someone's property or causes someone's death because, ultimately, the missile will not dissolve in the air," he said.
US Ambassador Brink says Ukraine’s reforms positively impact economy amid Russia’s war
The US is positively assessing Ukraine’s recent economic reforms and the enactment of a law aimed at enhancing corporate governance. This move, said US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, is expected to bolster international capital trust, foster transparency, and ensure greater accountability in managing state assets, according to UkrInform.
Ukraine has implemented numerous significant economic reforms, which have had a positive impact on its economy, especially amid Russia’s war. With growth reaching 5% last year and projected to remain between 3 and 5% this year, the US ambassador added that these numbers are seen as a success for Ukraine.
Brink emphasised the significance of promoting transparent state ownership through effective management practices and robust corporate governance, citing their proven ability to boost investor confidence, reduce costs, and expedite investments.
The ambassadors also positively evaluated the recent enactment of legislation aimed at improving corporate governance (No. 3587), which further advances Ukraine’s transition from a post-Soviet economy to a transparent and market-driven one.
“The adoption of this law was one of the major priorities in Ukraine’s economic reform agenda. Achieving legislation of such complexity is never easy, particularly amid the ongoing challenges posed by Russia’s large-scale invasion,” noted the ambassador.
The Debate Over Letting Ukraine Shoot U.S. Weapons Into Russia
Since the first American shipments of sophisticated weapons to Ukraine, President Biden has never wavered on one prohibition: President Volodymyr Zelensky had to agree to never fire them into Russian territory, insisting that would violate Mr. Biden’s mandate to “avoid World War III.” The New York Times reports.
But the consensus around that policy is fraying. Propelled by the State Department, there is now a vigorous debate inside the administration over relaxing the ban to allow the Ukrainians to hit missile and artillery launch sites just over the border in Russia — targets that Mr. Zelensky says have enabled Moscow’s recent territorial gains.
The proposal, pressed by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken after a sobering visit to Kyiv last week, is still in the formative stages, and it is not clear how many of his colleagues among Mr. Biden’s inner circle have signed on. It has not yet been formally presented to the president, who has traditionally been the most cautious, officials said.
Pressure is mounting on the United States to help Ukraine target Russian military sites, even if Washington wants to maintain its ban on attacking oil refineries and other Russian infrastructure with American-provided arms. Britain, usually in lockstep with Washington on war strategy, has quietly lifted its own restrictions, so that its “Storm Shadow” cruise systems can be used to target Russia more broadly.
MILITARY & TECH
"Certain progress" in talks on Patriot air defence systems for Ukraine
Nataliia Halibarenko, Ukraine's Ambassador to NATO, has noted "some progress" in discussions on supplying the country's military with additional Patriot air defence systems. Ukrainska Pravda reports.
"Not all NATO countries have the Patriot systems that we need to shoot down Russian ballistic missiles. Those countries that do have Patriots, except for the United States, have only a few such systems and have to take into account their capabilities in terms of their own national security, the political situation in the country, and sometimes the upcoming elections,"
"I can't speak about it in detail, but some countries are expressing potential readiness to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems. They are, of course, raising the question of what to replace these systems with, and we must also take this into account,"
— Nataliia Halibarenko, Ukrainian Ambassador to NATO
On 22 May, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis noted that the condition for providing Ukraine with a Romanian Patriot system is that it should not lead to a weakening of Romania's air defence.
Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, hopes for "brave decisions" from the United States in anticipation of the desperately needed Patriot air defence systems.
So far, only Germany has responded to Ukraine's request to provide a Patriot battery, and training for this purpose is already underway.
BAE Systems to provide new CV90s for Sweden and Ukraine
BAE Systems has announced a new contract with Sweden for the delivery of advanced CV9035 MkIIIC combat vehicles, a move that will enhance Sweden’s military capabilities. Defence Blog reports.
The agreement includes the latest version of the CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, known for its superior mobility, protection, and firepower.
This contract, valued at a significant amount, will see BAE Systems providing a range of vehicles equipped with advanced technology to the Swedish Army. These vehicles will include improved battlefield management systems, enhanced survivability features, and greater firepower.
“These new CV9035 MkIIICs will extend the capabilities of both the Swedish and Ukrainian armies and provide crews improved combat awareness, increased mobility, protection, and lethality,” said Tommy Gustafsson-Rask, Managing Director of BAE Systems Hägglunds, which designs and produces the CV90.
The CV90 platform has been a staple in Sweden’s military arsenal, continuously upgraded to meet modern defence requirements. The new vehicles will replace older models, ensuring that Sweden’s armed forces remain at the cutting edge of military technology.
Grumpy Here - The CV90 has proved a very capable fighting machine in Ukraine and the AFU is eager to receive more of them. The new CV90 will be equipped with a 35 mm autocannon with programmable ammunition and anti tank missiles (the one feature the current generation of CV90s lack). Rumour is they will also be equipped with the Israeli Iron Fist active protection system
The CV9035 MkIIIC is a modernised version of the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, designed to provide improved combat capabilities for the Swedish Army and other military forces. The MkIIIC variant is built to the same standard as the newest CV90 mid-life upgrade program for the Netherlands.
Key Features include:
New turret design: The CV9035 MkIIIC features a new turret design, which provides a significant leap forward in terms of design and functionality.
Ergonomic improvements: The vehicle’s crew benefits from significant ergonomic improvements, enhancing their comfort and effectiveness during operations.
Improved combat awareness: The MkIIIC variant is equipped with advanced sensors and systems, providing enhanced combat awareness and situational awareness for the crew.
Increased mobility: The vehicle’s mobility has been improved, allowing it to quickly respond to changing battlefield conditions.
Enhanced protection: The CV9035 MkIIIC provides improved protection for its crew, thanks to its advanced armour and design.
Increased lethality: The vehicle is equipped with advanced firepower, making it a formidable opponent on the battlefield.
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