UKRAINE WAR BRIEF DAILY DRAFT
For: 2024-03-03
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 Mar. 6 stated that it was day 739 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 71 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 1 missile strikes, 50 air strikes, and 112 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.
During the day, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 8 concentrations of enemy troops.
Also, the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 1 Su-34 fighter-bomber.
Ukrainian missile forces struck 1 enemy artillery system.
Russian daily losses in February reach war-time peak
The UK Ministry of Defence in their Mar. 3 Intelligence Update reported that the Average daily losses of the Russian army in February 2024 were the highest since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"The average daily number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) in Ukraine throughout February 2024 was the highest rate it has been, since the start of the war, at 983 per day," the summary states.
The UK MOD estimates that Russia has incurred around 355,000 military casualties in the war against Ukraine, including killed and wounded.
"The increase in the daily average almost certainly reflects Russia's commitment to mass and attritional warfare. Although costly in terms of human lives, the resulting effect has increased the pressure on Ukraine's positions across the frontline," intelligence adds.
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 4 attacks of the enemy near the settlement of Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast)
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 8 attacks near Terny and Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast)
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian forces repelled 15 attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast)
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Avdiivka, Mar’inka, Shaktars’ke, and Orikhiv axes, in the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 24 enemy attacks near Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonen’ke, and Nevel’s’ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar’inka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the occupiers in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka Heorhiivka, and Novomvahkilivka (Donetsk oblast). Troops repelled 25 attacks in that area.
Shakhtarske axis: The enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations.
Orikhiv axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 4 attacks near Robotyne and west of Novoprokopivka (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 maintain their positions Over the past day, the enemy carried out 1 unsuccessful assault on the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of the settlement of Krynky
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Occupiers' oil refinery in Feodosia, Qirim destroyed
In the occupied Qirim, explosions occurred in occupied Feodosia last night. It was reported online that there was allegedly a drone attack, so the anti-aircraft defense was activated. RBC-Ukraine reported.
Moreover, some Telegram channels wrote that the explosions occurred near the oil base. Allegedly, fire trucks and ambulances were dispatched there.
Later, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported a "repelled attack" in Crimea. Shoigu claimed that they allegedly shot down as many as 38 drones.
However, an oil refinery in Feodosia belonging to the Russian occupiers was reportedly destroyed, according to the partisan movement Ateşh.
"The consequences were cleared until the early morning. The losses are colossal," the message states.
THE HOME FRONT
Attack on Odesa: death toll rises to 10
The death toll from a Russian Shahed drone attack on a multi-storey building in Odesa on Saturday night was 8 according to the State Emergency Services of Ukraine. However, as of 09:00 on Mar. 3, the number of casualties has risen to 10 people, including the body of a mother and a small child.
16 people injured as a result of a Russian strike on Kurakhove in Donetsk.
16 people were wounded as a result of Russian attack on Kurakhove in the Donetsk region, which has been partially occupied since 2014 according to the head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration Vadym Filashkin.
"All the wounded are in hospital and are receiving all the necessary medical care," he said.
At least 15 multi-story buildings were damaged. According to preliminary data, the Russians used a guided aerial bomb to strike the settlement.
It will be recalled that on the night of March 3, Russians attacked seven regions of Ukraine. There were killed and wounded in the Kherson, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Explosion rocks Russia’s Yekaterinburg power station supplying defence plants
An explosion occurred at a power station in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on the evening of Mar.1. The facility reportedly provides energy to three defence enterprises, including the Kalinin Machine-Building Plant, the Turbomotor Plant, and Uralmash, which operate in the fields of metallurgy, cement industry, and lifting-transport equipment for mining complexes.
Mash reported that a homemade explosive device caused the explosion, while Russian official sources attribute the incident to “malfunctions at the Kalinin substation.” It is speculated that a timer triggered the detonation. No casualties were reported.
The discrepancy between the unofficial and official explanations for the explosion has not been resolved, and the exact cause remains under investigation. The blast’s impact on the defence plants’ production capabilities and the broader implications for Russia’s defense industry are yet to be assessed.
WORLD NEWS
Defence firms seeking to arm Ukraine hamstrung by ‘nightmare’ MoD
British defence firms say they are being prevented from sending weapons and kit to help Ukraine because of a lack of engagement from the Ministry of Defence. The Telegraph writes.
Companies have complained that trying to get hold of officials to discuss how they can help the war effort is a “nightmare”, with the MoD lacking the resources to look at proposals from smaller firms.
Ukraine’s war with Russia is at a delicate stage and president Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that a shortage of weapons played a part in his forces having to withdraw from the town of Avdiivka last month.
Rishi Sunak has committed to providing £2.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2024-25, to help push back Russia’s invasion.
Andrew Kinniburgh, the director general of Make UK Defence, said that until recently firms wishing to help Ukraine were being directed to the Department for Business and Trade, as if the transfer of military hardware to help a war was akin to run-of-the mill business exports.
Mr Kinniburgh told The Telegraph: “We are one of two national defence trade associations in the UK and although recently there have been some briefings by MoD officials to industry they are in effect ‘broadcast only’, because they have no capacity to deal with enquiries from our members. MoD simply don’t have the staff.”
“This seems a curious approach and is effectively preventing many UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and mid-tiers, from engaging meaningfully in the much bigger issue of industrial capacity and how SMEs and mid-tier defence companies might be able to help Ukrainian companies.”
An MoD spokesman said: “We have a long-standing target to improve access for SMEs to defence opportunities, both directly with the department and through prime suppliers’ supply-chains.
Russian Orthodox Church stripped of state grant by Swedish Government
After the start of Russia's attack war against Ukraine, the Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund (SST) has taken note of the statement by the Russian Orthodox Church Moscow Patriarchate head, Patriark Kirill, who in various ways expressed their support for the war and chose to emerge as the protector of the Russian attack war. Myndigheten SST reports.
Myndigheten för stöd till trossamfund (SST) is a government agency under the Ministry of Social Affairs. The purpose of the support is to create the conditions for the religious community to pursue an active and long-term religious activity in the form of worship, self-care, teaching and care. This means that the authority makes recommendations to the government regarding which religious organisations the government provides a yearly grant to.
As a result of this information, SST has conducted a dialogue with the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Sweden with the aim of obtaining information about the religious community in its activities supporting the war in Ukraine. Representatives of the faith community have emphasised during the talks that they do not support the war in Ukraine or advocate violence and that the faith community exclusively follows spiritual and peace-making goals.
At the request of SST, the Security Police conducted an investigation in Dec. 2023 and provided an opinion to SST. It appears that representatives of the faith community have been in contact with persons working for Russian security and intelligence services. The Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Sweden has received significant funding from the Russian state on several occasions and representatives have acted in a manner deemed encouraging support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Security Police considers that the Russian state uses the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Sweden as a platform for gathering intelligence and other security-threatening activities.
According to SST's assessment, it must be clear that calls for support for Russia's attack war against Ukraine, the use of the religious community as a platform for intelligence gathering and other security-threatening activities against Sweden, cannot be considered compatible with respect for democratic governance and in accordance with the basic principles of democracy. Therefore, there is no prerequisite for awarding organisational grants to the faith community for 2024.
Cars registered in Russia must leave Lithuania by Mar. 11 or face confiscation
Lithuanian Customs has issued a directive requiring cars registered in Russia to leave Lithuania and all EU territory by 11 March 2024, according to a statement published on the website of the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania. Failure to comply will result in penalties under the Administrative Offences Code, including fines and confiscation of vehicles.
Lithuania, along with its Baltic neighbours Estonia and Latvia, staunchly supports Ukraine, providing substantial military and humanitarian aid for Kyiv and advocating for Ukraine’s accession to the EU and NATO. The Baltic states fear Russia’s aggression in Ukraine could signal future threats to their own sovereignty.
The customs agency says Lithuania is implementing the sanctions requirements specified in Article 3 of European Council Regulation No. 833/2014, which allowed cars that entered the EU before December 19, 2023, to be registered in the EU, while starting from 11 March 2024, cars registered in Russia cannot stay in Lithuania unless they are re-registered through the import process and registered with the Lithuanian Road Traffic Safety Directorate.
MILITARY & TECH
Why it’s easier for Patriots to shoot down SU-34s than SU-35s
On Mar. 2 there was an incident that illustrated this. Ukraine fired Patriot PAC-2/GEM+ anti-aicraft missiles at both an SU-34 and an SU-35 flying sorties well behind the front line. Initially two kills were claimed but it was later revealed that the SU-35 escaped. Defence Express explained the probable reason for this discrepancy.
The guidance system of this missile is radio-command, with the target coordinates specified through the semi-active missile head (Track-via-missile - TVM). With such a guidance system, even before the missile is launched, the onboard equipment of any combat aircraft, including russian ones, will first detect the Patriot radar operating on it. And then the radar will switch from tracking mode to firing mode, which will mean the start of the countdown in seconds.
The pilot has mere seconds to take evasive action according to instructions. The easiest way to deal with this situation is when the aircraft is at altitude and cruising speed. In this case the pilot needs to dive down with a maximum speed and break the distance using afterburner.
In this situation, every second counts ands a lot depends on the aircraft itself, its maneuverability and the permitted stress overloading.
For the Su-35 fighter, it is approximately 9G, but for the Su-34 frontline bomber it is 7G. The Su-34 is about four tons heavier than the Su-35 (when empty) and has a lower payload. Before the maneuver is performed, the Su-34 has to drop its bombs, which imposes additional restrictions on the maneuver.
As a result, the Su-34 has fewer chances to escape than the Su-35 aircraft, which is perfectly reflected in the statistics: from February 17 to March 2, 12 Su-34 as well as two Su-35 aircraft were shot down by the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
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!
While the #Amerikans are dawdling politically over the much needed tranch of supplies to be sent to the frontlines of #Ukraine, the HEROIC #GEN-Z Cargo Pilot `Leytenant Maksim #Kuz-Minov` who defected to #Ukraine in the Fall of 2023 with his #Russian-chopper was found LIQUIDATED by #RazPutin-forces (on `European Union` soil) at the somber Ash Wednesday commemoration in the village of #Villa-joy-o-sa, Alicante España, #EU … A clear violation of Article 5 of the #NATO-alliance. Note. #GEN-Z’rs are those humanos born between 1995 and 2012 that supersede the #Millennial-generation that were born between 1980 and 1994. Leytenant #Kuz-Minov was a cargo pilot in the 319th brigade of the Russian Aerospace Forces, or #VVS and was responsible for “feeding the beast” of offensive war with shipments of munitions sourced in from both #Iran and #NorthKorea. His reasons for defecting from #Russia were both moral and sound. His loss, however, is now catastrophic to our effort of combating the forces of evil unleashed by #RazPutin and his many nefarious accomplices. We cannot allow this evil act of aggression to go unpunished because #RazPutin FEEDS on weaknesses of any kind. “Remember man that you are dust. And, dust you shall return!” ~ Pope Francis, Vatican City #SlavaUkraini