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CDS Daily brief (26.09.22) | CDS comments on key events

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Humanitarian aspect:

About 1.5 million Ukrainians, primarily women and children are currently in Russia and cannot return home. Their relatives cannot get in touch with them, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olga Stefanishyna said during an event on the sidelines of UNGA. Stefanishyna added that now more than ever, it is important to use all international human rights protection instruments and redouble efforts to prevent the forceful exploitation of Ukrainians.

On the evening of September 26, the Russian army attacked Kryvyi Rih, the head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Valentyn Reznichenko reported. “The Russians hit the airport with an X-59 missile. Its infrastructure was destroyed,” Reznichenko wrote. No people were injured during the attack.

On the night of September 26, Russian troops fired 130 shells at four communities in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, namely Nikopol, Marhanets, Chervonhrigoriv, and Myriv. As a result, civilian objects and power lines were damaged, leaving 3000 families without electricity.

On September 26, from 04:50, the enemy attacked Ochakiv, Mykolayiv Oblast. Head of Mykolayiv Oblast Military Administration Vitaliy Kim said there were no casualties. Around 01:00, the Russian forces shelled the village of Khrystoforivka; more than 15 houses and a school were damaged. Again, there were no victims, according to preliminary reports.

As a result of a kamikaze drone attack on a military target in Odesa, a large-scale fire and the detonation of ammunition took place. The evacuation of the civilian population was organized. There were no casualties. Odesa was again attacked in the evening.

As a result of the Russian shelling, 3 civilians were killed and 11 wounded in Donetsk Oblast on September 25.

On Monday, September 26, Russian forces shelled the center of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast, Kramatorsk Mayor Oleksandr Honcharenko said. High-rise buildings and a square were damaged. 4 people were injured, and one person is in serious condition.

During September 25, the Russian forces shelled Kupyanskyi, Chuguyivskyi, Izyumskyi, Kharkivskyi, and Bohodukhivskyi districts of Kharkiv Oblast. According to the regional Center for Emergency Medical Assistance, 6 people were hospitalized during the day.

Around 2 p.m., the Russian forces launched a rocket attack on Pervomaisky, Kharkiv Oblast, two private houses were damaged, and 7 people, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed, Mayor of the city Mykola Baksheev reported.

In the village of Lyptsi, Kharkiv Oblast, the security service of Ukraine discovered a location where representatives of the so-called “people’s militia of the LPR” and the Russian military kept and tortured local residents who refused to cooperate with the occupying authorities and then forcibly took them to Russia. Investigation to identify all victims and torturers continues.

On September 26, the electricity supply was restored in the recently liberated Balakliya, Kharkiv Oblast. Izyum is next to be connected to the power supply, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said. Administrative and banking services, local self-government, etc. will be able to work effectively.

According to EWL Group’s survey of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Romania, most of those who fled the war to these countries plan to return to Ukraine. In particular, 58% of Ukrainians in Poland say they intend to return to Ukraine. Another 30% are going to stay in Poland for a longer period, and 12% want to move to other countries. In the Czech Republic, 56% of respondents say they intend to return to Ukraine. 24% intend to stay in the Czech Republic longer, and 20% plan to leave for another country. In Romania, the percentage of those who plan to return is 54%, 28% intend to stay in Romania for the time being, and another 18% intend to leave for another country, Evropeyska Pravda reported.

Occupied territories

According to Ivan Fedorov,   the   legally   elected   Ukrainian   Mayor   of   temporarily occupied Melitopol, Zaporizhzhya Oblast, due to the catastrophically low turnout of “voters,” members of the occupation “voting commissions” began making repeated door-to-door rounds. The small number of residents of the city, who opened their doors to impostors, are forced to vote for absent family members and neighbors as well as those who evacuated from the occupation.

The head of the Russian occupying administration in Zaporizhzhya Oblast said that once the sham referenda in the occupied territories are done, their residents will be drafted into the Russian army. He claimed it was going to be a “volunteer” battalion.

More than 2,000 former Ukrainian military servicemen from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol were mobilized into the Russian Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Rodionov, Deputy Commander of the Black Sea Fleet for Military-Political Work, said.

Operational situation

It is the 215th day of the strategic air-ground offensive operation of the Russian Armed Forces against Ukraine (in the official terminology of the Russian Federation – “operation to protect Donbas”).

The enemy continues to concentrate its efforts on establishing full control over the territory of Donetsk Oblast, maintaining control over the captured territories, and disrupting the intensive actions of the Ukrainian troops in certain directions. It fires at the positions of the Ukrainian troops along the contact line, tries to recapture lost positions, and continuously conducts aerial

reconnaissance. It inflicts strikes on civilian infrastructure and peaceful residential buildings, violating the norms of international humanitarian law, the laws, and customs of war.

The threat of Russian air and missile strikes persists throughout the entire territory of Ukraine. Thus, the Russian military has launched 5 missile and 12 air strikes over the past day and carried out more than 83 MLRS attacks. The Russin forces employed 4 assault UAVs for strikes on civilian infrastructure targets.

More than 40 Ukrainian towns and villages were affected by the Russian fire, in particular, Kupyansk, Kramatorsk, Bakhmut, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Kamianka, Kurakhove, Pavlivka, Zaporizhzhya, Nikopol, Ochakiv, Mykolaiv, and Odesa, the village of Oleksandrivka located near the state border was shelled in Sumy Oblast.

The partial mobilization, announced by the Russian military-political leadership, is continuing in the Russian Federation. Rostov Oblast is closed for entry and exit. Persons who are not found at their residence are ordered via their relatives to appear within three days. Personnel arriving at assembly points in Belgorod Oblast are given a list of what they need to purchase at their own expense, in particular warm clothing.

The Russian authorities are carrying out similar measures in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. On September 24, the training of mobilized soldiers began in Sevastopol, based on the automobile battalion of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

In the city of Svatove, Luhansk Oblast, mobilization notices are handed out to persons who have reached the age of eighteen. Truck drivers are immediately sent to military units.

Aviation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces carried out 33 strikes. As a result, it was confirmed that 25 areas of the Russian manpower and military equipment concentration and 8 anti-aircraft missile systems positions were hit. In addition, Ukrainian Air Defense units destroyed one Su-25 aircraft, a Mi-8 helicopter, and 2 Russian UAVs.

Ukrainian Missile forces and artillery have inflicted fire damage on 6 enemy command and control points, 12 personnel and military equipment concentration areas, 2 air defense positions, 3 artillery positions, 6 ammunition depots, and 9 other important targets.

The morale and psychological state of the personnel of the invasion forces remain low.

Kharkiv direction
  • Zolochiv-Balakleya section: approximate length of combat line – 147 km, number of BTGs of theRF Armed Forces – 10-12, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 13.3 km;
  • Deployed enemy BTGs: 26th, 153rd, and 197th tank regiments, 245th motorized rifle regiment of the 47th tank division, 6th and 239th tank regiments, 228th motorized rifle regiment of the 90th tank division, 1st motorized rifle regiment, 1st tank regiment of the 2nd motorized rifle division, 25th and 138th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 6th Combined Arms Army, 27th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Tank Army, 275th and 280th motorized rifle regiments, 11th tank regiment of the 18th motorized rifle division of the 11 Army Corps, 7th motorized rifle regiment of the 11th Army Corps, 80th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 14th Army Corps, 2nd and 45th separate SOF brigades of the Airborne Forces, 1st Army Corps of so-called DPR, PMCs.

The Russian military fired tanks, mortars, and barrel artillery in the areas around Strilecha, Odnorobivka, Veterynarne, Hatyshche, Kam’yanka, Holubivka, and Senkove.

Kramatorsk direction
  • Balakleya Siversk section: approximate length of the combat line – 184 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 17-20, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 9.6 km;
  • 252nd and 752nd motorized rifle regiments of the 3rd motorized rifle division, 1st, 13th, and 12th tank regiments, 423rd motorized rifle regiment of the 4th tank division, 201st military base, 15th, 21st, 30th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 2nd Combined Arms Army, 35th, 55th and 74th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army, 3rd and 14th separate SOF brigades, 2nd and 4th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 2nd Army Corps, 7th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 1st Army Corps, PMCs.

The Russian forces shelled the Ukrainian Defense Forces with tanks, mortars, barrel and jet artillery in the areas of Novoselivka, Shchurovka, Siversk, Hryhorivka, Bilohorivka, Zakytne, Dibrova, Verkhnokamyanske, Vesele, Rozdolivka, Ozerne, and Spirne.

The Russian military attacked (with the forces of the 4th separated motorized rifle division of the 2nd Army Corps) in the direction of Verkhnokamyanske, Spirne. Still, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled all attacks.

The Russian military is regrouping and moving part of its forces to new prepared defense lines: from Starobilsk (Luhansk Oblast) in the direction of Svatove and from Pankivka (Luhansk Oblast) in the direction of Starobilsk.

The enemy deployed a Buk-M2 anti-aircraft missile system in the Baranikyvka area (Luhansk Oblast) to cover the rear areas of troop concentration.

Donetsk direction
  • Siversk – Maryinka section: approximate length of the combat line – 235 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 13-15, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 17 km;
  • Deployed BTGs: 68th and 163rd tank regiments, 102nd and 103rd motorized rifle regiments of the 150 motorized rifle division, 80th tank regiment of the 90th tank division, 35th, 55th, and 74th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 41st Combined Arms Army, 31st separate airborne assault brigade, 61st separate marines brigade of the Joint Strategic Command “Northern Fleet,” 336th separate marines brigade, 24th separate SOF brigade, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 15th, and 100th separate motorized rifle brigades, 9th and 11th separate motorized rifle regiment of the 1st Army

Corps of the so-called DPR, 6th motorized rifle regiment of the 2nd Army Corps of the so-called LPR, PMCs.

The Russian military fired at the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces near Soledar, Bakhmut, Bakhmutske, Odradivka, Zaitseve, Klishchivka, Vesela Dolyna, Yakovlivka, Mayorsk, Nelipovka, Vyimka, Bilohorivka, Avdiivka, Opytne, Pervomaiske, Novomykhailivka, and Paraskoviivka. They carried out airstrikes on the targets in Krasnohorivka (with a pair of Mi-8s), Maryinka (with a pair of Su-25s), and Kamianka (with a pair of Ka-52s).

Units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled Russian attacks in the areas of Soledar, Mayorsk, Bakhmut, Pidhorodne, Vyimka, Kurdyumivka, Zaitseve, Novomykhailivka, Pervomaiske, Kamianka, Pobyeda, and Pavlivka.

The Russian military carried out the following attacks:

  • the 7th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 2nd Army Corps – Striapivka, Soledar;
  • the 131st rifle battalion of the mobilization reserve – Zaitseve (lower), Mayorsk;
  • PMC “Wagner” – Pokrovske, Bakhmut; Klynove, Pidhorodnie;
  • the 9th separate motorized rifle regiment of the 1st Army Corps in the directions of Verkhnotoretske, Kamianka;
  • the 71st motorized rifle regiment of the 42nd motorized rifle division  of the 58th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District – Luhansk, Pobyeda.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces repulsed all attacks.

The Russian military plans to strengthen the grouping of its troops in the Donetsk operational area. The transfer of the BTG of the 71st motorized rifle regiment (Kalinovska) of the 42nd motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District from the permanent dislocation to the Rostov Oblast (Taganrog district) is planned for September 25.

Zaporizhzhya direction
  • Maryinka – Vasylivka section: approximate length of the line of combat – 200 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 17, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 11.7 km;
  • Deployed BTGs: 36th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 29th Combined Arms Army, 38th and 64th separate motorized rifle brigades, 69th separate cover brigade of the 35th Combined Arms Army, 5th separate tank brigade, 37 separate motorized rifle brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army, 135th, 429th, 503rd and 693rd motorized rifle regiments of the 19th motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 70th, 71st and 291st motorized rifle regiments of the 42nd motorized rifle division of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 136th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 58 Combined Arms Army, 46th and 49th machine gun artillery regiments of the 18th machine gun artillery division of the 68th Army Corps, 39th separate motorized rifle brigade of the 68th Army Corps, 83th separate airborne assault brigade, 40th and 155th separate marines brigades, 22nd separate SOF brigade, 1st Army Corps of the so-called DPR, and 2nd Army Corps of the so-called LPR, PMCs.

The Russian military fired at the positions of the Ukrainian troops with tanks, mortars, and barrel and jet artillery. 18 towns and villages were hit in the areas under the shelling, including Yehorivka, Pavlivka, Zaliznychne, Novoandriivka, Hulyaipilske, Hulyaipole, Uspenivka, Novosilka, Vremivka, and Chervone.

The Russian military advanced in the direction of Yehorivka and Pavlivka (employing the forces of the 155th separate marines brigade of the Pacific Fleet). Still, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repulsed the attack.

The deployment of the command post of the 19th motorized rifle division of the 58th combined armed army of the Southern Military District on PJSC “Tokmak Forging and Stamping Plant” territory has been confirmed.

Kherson direction
  • Vasylivka–Nova Zburyivka and Stanislav section: approximate length of the battle line – 252 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 27, the average width of the combat area of one BTG – 9.3 km;
  • Deployed BTGs: 114th, 143rd, and 394th motorized rifle regiments, 218th tank regiment of the 127th motorized rifle division of the 5th Combined Arms Army, 57th and 60th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 5th Combined Arms Army, 135th, 503rd and 693rd motorized rifle regiments of the 19th motorized rifle division, 70th, 71st and 291st motorized rifle regiments of the 42nd motorized rifle division, 51st and 137th parachute airborne regiments of the 106th parachute airborne division, 7th military base of the 49th Combined Arms Army, 16th and 346th separate SOF brigades.

There is no change in the operational situation. A precise hit [by Ukrainian Forces] on September 24 at the Russian equipment concentration area in the industrial zone of Kherson was confirmed. The Russian military lost up to 10 units of military equipment; personnel losses are being calculated.

On September 24, a group of representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, accompanied by guards and representatives of the Russian FSB, arrived in the Chulakivka district of Kherson Oblast. They inspect and coordinate the Iranian UAV launches by the Russian occupiers. According to preliminary data, the Iranian specialists settled in houses on Melnichenko street and Pershoho Travnya street.

The enemy moved 12 additional boats for towing ferries to Kherson Oblast to support the functioning of the temporary pontoon and pontoon-ferry crossings across the Dnipro River.

Kherson-Berislav bridgehead
  • Velyka Lepetikha – Oleksandrivka section: approximate length of the battle line – 250 km, the number of BTGs of the RF Armed Forces – 22, the average width of the combat area of one BTG –11.8 km;
  • Deployed BTGs: 108th Air assault regiment, 171st separate airborne assault brigade of the 7th Air assault division, 4th military base of the 58th Combined Arms Army, 429th motorized rifle regiment of the 19th motorized rifle division, 33rd and 255th motorized rifle regiments of the 20th motorized rifle division, 34th, and 205th separate motorized rifle brigades of the 49th Combined Arms Army, 224th, 237th and 239th Air assault regiments of the 76th Air assault division, 217th and 331 Air assault regiments of the 98th Air assault division, 126th separate coastal defense brigade, 127th separate ranger brigade, 11th separate airborne assault brigade, 10th separate SOF brigade, PMC.

The Russian military shelled the positions of the Ukrainian troops with tanks, mortars, barrel and jet artillery in the areas of Ukrainka, Pravdyne, Oleksandrivka, Stepova Dolyna, Myrne, Novohryhorivka, Partyzanske, Shyroke, Kyselivka, Kobzartsi, Blahodativka, Bereznehuvate, Mala Seideminukha, Bila Krynytsia, Bilohirka, Sukhy Stavok, Kavkaz, Bezymenne, Odesa, Bilyaivka, Olhyne, Osokorivka, Vysokopillya, Ivanivka, Petrivka, Trudolyubivka, Novovoznesenske. They struck the headquarters of the “South” (Odesa) military command center with four “Shahed-136” UAVs (three hit the headquarters building, one was shot down by air defense. There are no losses on the Ukrainian side).

Azov-Black Sea Maritime Operational Area:

The forces of the Russian Black Sea Fleet continue to project force on the coast and the continental part of Ukraine and control the northwestern part of the Black Sea. The ultimate goal is to deprive Ukraine of access to the sea and connect unrecognized Transnistria with the Russian Federation by land through the coast of the Black and Azov seas.

Currently, there are 15 enemy warships at sea providing reconnaissance and blocking shipping in the Azov-Black Sea water basin. Up to 28 Kalibr missiles on four carriers, namely two 1135.6 frigates and two Buyan-M missile corvettes, are ready for a salvo.

All 4 submarines of project 636.3 that are currently in the Black Sea are at the port of Novorossiysk.

Russian aviation continues to fly from the Crimean airfields of Belbek and Hvardiyske over the northwestern part of the Black Sea. Over the past day, 12 Su-27, Su-30, and Su-24 aircraft from Belbek and Saki airfields were involved.

No signs of the formation of amphibious groups for the landing of marine landings were detected.

The Russian forces continue to carry out intensive missile and artillery, and air strikes on the objects of the civil and military infrastructure of the seaports of Ukraine.

The Russian military continues to use “Shahid-136” kamikaze drones in the maritime zone of Ukraine. The launch site for the drones on the Kinburn spit has been identified. Kamikaze drones are launched from car trailers, up to 8-10 units from one trailer. On the morning of September 26, two Shahid-136 drones hit a military administrative building in downtown Odessa.

“Grain initiative”: 4 ships with 88.17 thousand tons of agricultural products for the countries of Asia and Europe left the ports of “Odesa” and “Pivdenny.”

MAINLAND, NEW FAITH, USICHEM left the berths of Odesa port. KATERIA departed from the “Pivdenny” port. Since the departure of the first ship with Ukrainian food, including today’s ships,

4.9 million tons of agricultural products have been exported. A total of 222 ships left Ukrainian ports with agricultural products that were sent to the countries of Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Russian operational losses from 24.02 to 26.09

Personnel – almost 57,200 people (+500);

Tanks – 2,290 (+15);

Armored combat vehicles – 4,857 (+25);

Artillery systems – 1,369 (+1);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 330 (+2); Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 172 (+1); Vehicles and fuel tanks – 3,711 (+10); Aircraft – 260 (+1);

Helicopters – 224 (+4);

UAV operational and tactical level – 970 (+4); Intercepted cruise missiles – 241 (0);

Boats / ships – 15 (0).

Ukraine, general news

Since the “Business Relocation” program launch in Ukraine, more than 745 enterprises have been relocated to safe territories, and more than 550 have started operations, Deputy Minister of Economy Tetyana Berezhna informed.

Kyiv does not plan to call up more people to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in response to mobilization in the Russian Federation since Ukraine has already created reserves “through the system of territorial defense,” adviser to the office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podolyak told the Tagesschau program of the German ARD TV channel.

International diplomatic aspect

The US commits $457.5 million in civilian security assistance to enhance the efforts of Ukrainian law enforcement and criminal justice agencies to improve their operational capacity and save lives. A portion of the new aid will support the Ukrainian government’s efforts to document, investigate, and prosecute atrocities perpetrated by Russia’s forces.

“We found a large mass burial with half a thousand people [in Izyum, previously reported] … They [Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies] found two more mass burials, large graves with hundreds of people. It is also about the small town of Izyum. There are two more mass burials in the small town,” said President Zelensky. Ukraine’s Security Service has found yet another torture chamber

in the liberated village of Lyptsi, where Russian troops and collaborators had been torturing Ukrainians during the occupation. So far, as many as 18 Russian torture chambers in Kharkiv Oblast have been discovered, with some 1,000 Russian servicemen involved in war crimes identified by the Ukrainian police.

“We must show that those who pick up a gun or load a missile do not benefit from impunity,” emphasized Karim Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Forty-three states referred to the situation in Ukraine ICC. In September, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, Poland, France, Romania, Sweden, the US, and Germany filed declarations of joining the ICJ case concerning allegations of Russia committing genocide in Ukraine.

President Zelensky thanked the US for providing Ukraine with a national advanced surface-to-air missile system (NASAMS). However, it’s unclear whether the first system has been delivered to Ukraine or Zelensky referred to the decision to send two systems within two months.

As a result of negotiations on a new spending bill, an agreement was reached to include about

$12 billion in new aid to Ukraine in response to a request from the Biden administration.

The UK has announced a package of sanctions in response to the Russian regime’s illegal sham “referenda” in Ukraine. Sanctions target top Russian officials enforcing the illegal votes in four Ukrainian regions and a few oligarchs. Among those sanctioned are 55 board members and CEOs from entities that “continue to bankroll the Russian war machine,” Gazprombank, Sberbank, and Sovcombank. “Sham referendums held at the barrel of a gun cannot be free or fair, and we will never recognize their results. They follow a clear pattern of violence, intimidation, torture, and forced deportations in the areas of Ukraine Russia has seized’, stated the Foreign Secretary.

Russia, relevant news

Russia plans to carry out massive cyberattacks on critical infrastructure facilities in Ukraine; in particular, it intends to target the energy industry to amplify the effect of the earlier shelling campaign. It also plans to increase the number of DDoS attacks on institutions in Poland and the Baltic states, the press service of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said.

In Makhachkala (the capital of Dagestan, Russian Federation), 101 people were detained for anti- mobilization actions, independent protest monitoring group OVD-Info said. The detentions that could be seen on video looked very harsh. According to estimates of the Russian BBC service, at least 301 servicemen from Dagestan died in the war with Ukraine. This exceeds the death toll among Moscow servicemen by more than 10 times, although the population of Moscow is about five times that of Dagestan.

A 25-year-old draftee shot the head of the draft commission in the city of Ust Ilimsk, Irkutsk Oblast, the Russian media reported. The official was wounded but is reported to have survived.

Nearly 17,000 Russian nationals crossed the border into Finland over the past weekend, up 80% from a week earlier, Reuters reported, citing the country’s authorities.

About 3.5 thousand cars are waiting to pass at the Verkhny Lars checkpoint between Russia and North Ossetia (Georgia), the press service of the regional government head reported.

Dushanbe City Bank, one of the largest banks in Tajikistan, suspended the service of the Russian “Mir” payment system cards.


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