Russia’s war on Ukraine. 28.05.2024

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OG) “Kharkiv” on the Kharkiv direction, there were 10 combat engagements. Six enemy attacks were repelled in the areas of Lyptsi, Starytsya, and Vovchansk. Battles are ongoing near Starytsya and Tykhe.

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, seven attacks by Russian invaders were repelled in the areas of Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Hrekivka, and Nevske. The enemy had partial success in one sector. Battles continue near Myasozharivka. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are taking measures to stabilize the situation and prevent enemy advances. On the Lyman direction, the enemy attempted to advance five times towards Terny. Three attacks were repelled, and two engagements are ongoing. On the Siversk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled five enemy assaults in the areas of Verkhnyokamianske, Spirne, and Vyimka. The enemy failed. The situation remains tense near Bilohorivka, where fighting is currently ongoing. On the Kramatorsk direction, the Ukrainian Defense Forces halted eight enemy attempts to approach Chasiv Yar.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone, on the Pokrovsk direction, the OSG units repelled 21 enemy attacks. Eleven Russian assault attempts to break through further from Ocheretyne were unsuccessful. The Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 5 enemy attacks in the area of Novoselivka Persha. Fighting continues near Sokol, Novoselivka Persha, Yasnobrodivka, and Nevelske. The situation is tense in some areas. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are taking active measures to prevent enemy advances. On the Kurakhove direction, there were 8 combat engagements. Fighting continues in the area of Krasnohorivka. The situation is complex south of Kostyantynivka, where the Ukrainian Defense Forces are conducting active stabilization measures. On the Vremivka direction, 4 enemy assaults towards Urozhaine and 2 towards Staromayorske were repelled. The enemy continues attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses near Staromayorske. On the Orikhiv direction, Russian invaders suffered another failure in attempting to storm positions of the Ukrainian Defense Forces near Robotyne.

In the operational zone of the “Odesa” OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, 7 enemy attempts to push units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces back from the left bank of the Dnipro River in the area of Krynky were unsuccessful.

General conclusion: 

• The healthcare system in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, is in a state of collapse, with the losses of the enemy’s “Sever” Operational Grouping significantly exceeding projections.
• Due to the powerful airstrikes by the enemy’s Aerospace Forces, the Ukrainian Defense Forces are not using traditional linear defense along the Siversky Donets-Donbas canal near Chasiv Yar. Instead, they are employing artillery and strike UAVs to target approaching enemy vehicles and infantry. This forces the infantry to dismount and the vehicles to retreat. During the retreat, the vehicles are hit again by artillery and UAVs, and the remaining infantry is then cleared out without support.
• Last year, the Russian Armed Forces mobilized 385,000 personnel, averaging 32,000 per month.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 97 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kharkiv direction, units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces made some advances towards Lyptsi, reclaiming part of the fields north of the village. They maintained their presence at the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant in the city center and on the northern bank of the Vovcha River.
• Russian forces continued their attacks near Lyptsi, Ternova, and Starytsya. They repelled a Ukrainian attack near Hlyboke and made slight advances along Lenin Street in central Vovchansk, where heavy fighting continues.
• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces advanced east of Myasozharivka and west of Novovodyane, captured Ivanivka, and moved towards Stelmakhivka. They also advanced northwest of Novoselivske, 300 meters within Berestove, and continued offensive actions in the areas of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka, Ivanivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Berestove, Myasozharivka, Hrekivka, Druzhelyubivka, Novoyehorivka, and Novovodyane.
• On the Lyman direction, Russian forces advanced within Bilohorivka and launched attacks near Nevske, Terny, Hryhorivka, and Bilohorivka.
• On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces continued their assaults in the areas of Vyimka, Verkhnyokamianske, and Spirne.
• On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces advanced on the eastern and southern outskirts of the “Kanal” neighborhood, continued attacks in the “Novyi” neighborhood, and near Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka.
• On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced west of Ocheretyne, northeast of Sokol, west of Solovyove, captured Netaylove and Umanske, and advanced northwest and south of the settlement. Fighting continued near Kalynove, Novooleksandrivka, Novoselivka Persha, Umanske, Yasnobrodivka, and Nevelske.
• Advances northwest were hindered by attacks from the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Defense Forces on Solovyove, where the brigade recaptured several forest belts. The counterattack prevented the enemy from advancing west and southwest, exerting pressure on the “Tavriya” OSG defending in the northwest.
• On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced west of Novomykhailivka and near Paraskoviivka. Fighting continued near Krasnohorivka, Pobieda, Kostyantynivka, and Solodke. The Ukrainian Defense Forces are counterattacking near Krasnohorivka.
• On the Vremivka direction, Russian forces attempted to advance on the northwestern outskirts of Staromayorske and west of Urozhaine but were repelled by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Azov Sea: 1 ship.
  • Black Sea: 1 ship.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• The 245th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 47th Tank Division, 1st Tank Army, the 25th “Anvar” BARS detachment, and units of the “African Corps” are engaged in combat operations in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast.
• Units of the 5th Separate Tank Brigade, 36th Combined Arms Army, are operating in the Velyka Novosilka direction.
• The Russian Aerospace Forces have relocated 8 Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters, 2 Su-24MR reconnaissance aircraft, and 4 Su-30SM fighter jets to the Baranovichi airbase in Belarus.

Escalation indicators:

• The enemy is increasing the number of its troops to 50,000-75,000 along the state border on the Siversk direction.

Possible operation situation developments:

• On the Sumy direction, the enemy grouping is stationed in concentration areas. The 128th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 44th Army Corps is concentrating in the Graivoron area (information is being verified). Sudzha – Sumy and Graivoron – Velyka Pysarivka could be the likely directions of its actions.
• The enemy’s possible objective on the Kharkiv direction could involve advancing towards Lyptsi and reaching the Slobozhanske – Vesele line. Following the capture of Vovchansk, they may deploy a development echelon (up to 7 motorized rifle battalions and 1 tank battalion from the 44th Army Corps) to move to the Buhaiivka – Bilyi Kolodyaz – Prykolotne – Vilkhuvatka line. The subsequent offensive by the 6th Combined Arms Army, the 44th Army Corps, and elements of the 47th Tank Division of the 1st Tank Army could then aim to reach the Pervomaiske – Velykyi Burluk – Hryhorivka – Odradne line.
• The Russian military command may redeploy the 7th and 76th Air Assault Divisions from the Robotyne area to the Luhansk, Kherson Oblasts in Ukraine or Kursk Oblast in Russia.
• 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.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 28.05.24  

Personnel – almost 503,800 (+1460); 

Tanks 7,692 (+21); 

Armored combat vehicles – 14,858 (+40); 

Artillery systems – 12,029 (+48);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,085 (+1);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 815 (0);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 17,740 (+46);

Aircraft – 357 (0);

Helicopters – 326 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 10,482 (+15);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,221 (0);

Boats/ships – 28 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• According to information provided by the Situation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russian forces shelled 10 regions of Ukraine over the past day. A total of 93 towns and villages and 130 infrastructure objects were attacked with various types of weapons. The number of casualties is being updated/clarified.
• During the night of May 28, Russian occupiers attacked Ukraine with three Shahed-131/136 strike UAVs. All enemy drones were successfully destroyed.
• Ukrainian law enforcement and military officials confirmed that on May 26, around 4:00 PM, Russian forces struck Zaporizhzhia International Airport with an X-59 missile, destroying the terminal building.
• As a result of Russian shelling in Donetsk Oblast on May 27, one person was killed and three others were injured.
• On Tuesday morning, Russian forces dropped a 1.5-ton volumetric-detonating aerial bomb with a gliding and correction module on the town of Oleksiyevo-Druzhkivka in Donetsk Oblast. A child and five adults were injured. Additionally, around one hundred houses were damaged, three of which were almost destroyed.
• On May 28, 2024, at 6:00 PM, Russian forces attacked the city of Toretsk in Donetsk Oblast with three aerial bombs. Two people were reported killed and three others were injured.
• On the evening of May 28, Russian forces shelled the village of Havrylivka in the Beryslav district of Kherson Oblast, killing a man.
• In Kharkiv Oblast, firefighters are extinguishing 18 forest fires covering an area of over 2,300 hectares. Most of the fires were caused by Russian shelling.

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