Russia’s war on Ukraine. 08.05.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) “Khortytsia”, on the Kupyansk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 16 enemy attacks in the areas of Synkivka, Pishchane, Berestove, Stelmakhivka. On the Lyman direction, they repelled 3 attacks in the vicinity of Nevske and Terny. On the Bakhmut direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17 Russian attacks in the areas of Verkhnyokamianske, Vyimka, Spirne, Rozdolivka, Ivanivske, Novyi, and Andriivka. 

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone on the Avdiivka direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 27 enemy attacks in the areas of Oleksandrivka, Novooleksandrivka, Prohres, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Umanske, and Netaylove. On the Novopavlivka direction, they continued to hold back the enemy in the areas of Krasnohorivka, Kostyantynivka, Vodyane, and Urozhaine, where the adversary, supported by aviation, attempted to breach Ukrainian troops’ defenses 11 times. On the Orikhiv direction, the enemy attacked the positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces 6 times in the area of Staromayorske, Robotyne and northwest of Verbove.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Kherson direction, the enemy remains determined to dislodge the units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces from the bridgeheads on the left bank of the Dnipro River and launched 3 unsuccessful attacks.

General conclusion: 

• The enemy has halted military cargo transit over the Kerch Strait Bridge and has solely transported supplies to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea through the land bridge across occupied territories for the last three months.
• There has been a slight decrease in the intensity of combat operations on all fronts.
• The enemy’s military command continues efforts to establish a starting position for operations to encircle Toretsk, Vuhledar, and the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 84 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces continued their advance in the areas of Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka, Synkivka, Pishchane, Berestove, and Stelmakhivka.
• On the Lyman direction, fighting continued near Nevske, Terny, Yampolivka, Serebriansk Forest, and Bilohorivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces improved their tactical position in the Serebriansk Forest.
• On the Bakhmut direction, the enemy continued attacks in the areas of Verkhnyokamianske, Spirne, Vyimka, and Rozdolivka on the Siversk direction, near Bohdanivka, the “Novyi” neighborhood, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka on the Chasiv Yar direction.
• The Ukrainian Defense Forces are restoring bridges across the Siversky Donets-Donbas canal.
• On the Avdiivka direction, Russian forces have advanced along the railway line to the west of Ocheretyne, westward in the fields east of Novopokrovske and to its southern outskirts, 1.5 km deeper into the forest along the Novobakhmutivka-Berdychi line. The enemy attacked in the areas of Novooleksandrivka, Sokil, Prohres, Yevhenivka, Novoselivka Persha, Umanske, Yasnobrodivka, Netaylove, and Nevelske.
• On the Novopavlivka direction, Russian forces have slightly advanced in the western part of Novomykhailivka, continuing attacks near Krasnohorivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, and Vodyane.
• On the Berdyansk direction, fighting continued near Staromayorske and Urozhaine.
• On the Orikhiv direction, Russian forces have advanced along Skhidna Street in the southeast part of Robotyne and attacked northwest of Verbove.
• On the Kherson direction, positional battles continued on the eastern bank of Kherson Oblast, including near Krynky. Russian forces hold positions in the residential area north of the Krynky-Kozachi Laheri road, attempting to consolidate on Nestryha Island but unable to advance further inland due to heavy Ukrainian fire.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Black Sea: 2 ships, including 2 “Kalibr” sea launched cruise missile carrier. The total salvo is 12 cruise missiles.
  • Mediterranean Sea: 3 ships, including 2 “Kalibr” sea launched cruise missile carrier. The total salvo is 24 cruise missiles.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• The 83rd Separate Airborne Assault Brigade was spotted in the area of ​​Chasiv Yar.
• The 24th Separate SOF Brigade (“Arbat” and “Vega” units) continues to engage in combat operations on the Avdiivka direction. The 35th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Army is advancing near Ocheretyne.
• Combat operations are underway near Krasnohorivka involving the 14th Artillery Brigade of the 1st Army Corps of the 8th Army.
• The 218th Tank Regiment of the 127th Motorized Rifle Division of the 5th Army is advancing near Urozhaine.
• The 56th Airborne Regiment of the 7th Airborne Division is advancing near Robotyne. The “Storm-Osetia” unit is engaged in combat operations in the area of Zherebyanky-Pyatykhatky.
• The 810th Separate Marines Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet and the 126th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade of the 22nd Army Corps operate on the Kherson direction. The enemy’s Dnipro River flotilla currently poses no threat in Kherson Oblast due to resource shortages.

Possible operation situation developments:

• The enemy’s military leadership is gearing up for tactical raids in Kharkiv and Sumy Oblasts. They plan to engage forces from the 11th and 44th Army Corps, and possibly the 138th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 6th Army. Their goal is to distract the Ukrainian Defense Forces command and prevent the use of reserves, especially strategic ones, in more critical areas. By launching a limited offensive in Kharkiv, they aim to threaten a breakthrough towards the city and tie down a significant portion of the Ukrainian Defense Forces there.
• The adversary may attempt to bypass Chasiv Yar without directly assaulting the city, by operating from the south and southeast, while simultaneously forming a northern flank for the Toretsk operation.
• The “Center” Operational Grouping command is focused on executing the following operational plan: to establish conditions for the blockade and encirclement of the Kurakhove area or to create advantageous circumstances for launching an offensive operation to encircle “Tavriya” OSG’s defense in Toretsk area from the south.
• The enemy’s “Vostok” Operational Grouping is gearing up for active operations on the southern flank of the Kurakhove-Vuhledar bulge of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in coordination with the left flank of the “Yug” Operational Grouping, which is currently attempting to break through towards Kurakhove through Hryhorivka and Paraskoviivka-Kostyantynivka along the Vovcha and Sukhi Yaly Rivers.
• The isolation or complete capture of Kostyantynivka will significantly impair the Defense Forces’ ability to maintain the frontline in the southern part of Donetsk Oblast, as it will disrupt the main logistical route along Highway N-20.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 07.05.24  

Personnel – almost 477,430 (+970); 

Tanks 7,418 (+13); 

Armored combat vehicles – 14,246 (+19); 

Artillery systems – 12,317 (+30);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,057 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 792 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 16,549 (+40);

Aircraft – 349 (0);

Helicopters – 325 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 9,728 (+11);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,151 (+2);

Boats/ships – 27 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 17 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 93 towns and villages and 189 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• During the night of May 8th, Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 55 missiles of various types and 21 combat drones. 59 enemy aerial targets were successfully destroyed.
• Overnight on May 8, Russian forces launched mass attacks on power generation and transmission facilities in Poltava, Kirovohrad, Zaporizhzhia, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Vinnytsia Oblasts causing significant damage to the equipment. The Ministry of Energy of Ukraine’s press service has urged consumers to reduce the use of energy-intensive appliances during peak hours. The industrial sector is advised to review production processes to decrease the load on the energy system and to maximize imports to ensure the avoidance of disconnections and strengthen the resilience of the energy system.
• From 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM, there will be limitations on household and industrial electricity usage throughout Ukraine. These restrictions will be evenly applied across all regions, as communicated by the Ukrenergo press service.
• As a result of the Russian night attack in Kyiv Oblast, 14 residential buildings were destroyed or damaged, and 2 people were injured.
• During the night, Russian forces shelled Bilozirka in Kherson Oblast, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to three other people.
• In the morning of May 8th, Russia attacked the civilian railway infrastructure in Kherson. As a result of the strikes, the tracks and the city’s railway station were damaged.
• On May 8th, Russian military forces struck a soccer field in the Saltivsky district of Kharkiv, resulting in injuries to seven people. Among them were children aged 12, 13, and 15, who were playing soccer at the time of the attack.
• In the Chasiv Yar area of Donetsk Oblast, 679 civilians continue to refuse evacuation. With each passing day, delivering humanitarian aid to the city becomes increasingly difficult as all routes are being fired upon by the enemy.
• Two orphaned girls aged 10 and 13 have been returned to the territory under Ukrainian control. Additionally, nine children who have parents or one of them have also been brought back. Among them are five girls and four boys, aged from 1 to 16 years old.

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