Russia’s war on Ukraine. 22.08.24

In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OTG) “Kharkiv” on the Kharkiv direction, 6 combat engagements occurred in the areas of Vovchansk and Lyptsi

In the “Khortytsia” Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, 16 enemy attacks took place, with Ukrainian Defense Forces repelling assaults near Petropavlivka, Synkivka, Stelmakhivka, Berestove, and in the vicinity of Andriivka.  On the Lyman direction, the enemy launched 19 attacks, attempting to advance near Torske, Novoserhiivka, Makiivka, Hrekivka, and Serhiivka. On the Siversk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled an enemy assault near Spirne. On the Kramatorsk direction, there were 8 enemy attacks near Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, and Predtechyne.  On the Toretsk direction, the enemy, supported by aviation, conducted 13 attacks near Pivnichne, Toretsk, and Zalizne.

In the “Tavriya” OSG operational zone, on the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 53 enemy attacks toward Panteleimonivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Myrolyubivka, Hrodivka, Mykolaivka, Novohrodivka, Mykhailivka, and Ptyche. The highest concentration of enemy attacks was near Novohrodivka and Mykhailivka. On the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 16 attacks in the direction of Heorhiivka, Kostyantynivka, and Pobeda. Occupation units attempted to advance twice toward Vodyane on the Vremivka direction.

On the Hulyaipole, Orikhiv, and Prydniprovskiy directions, the enemy slightly decreased its activity and did not conduct offensive actions but continues to destroy civilian infrastructure by all available means.

General conclusion:

• Ukrainian Defense Forces’ Operational Tactical Group (OTG) “Siversk” is engaged in the offensive operation on Russian territory. They face enemy Operational Groupings “Kursk,” “Kurchatov,” “Sudzha,” and the tactical direction “Tiotkino.” The “Siversk” OTG is operating with 4-5 brigade strong tactical groups, which include battalions from the 80th, 82nd, and 95th Air Assault Brigades, the 22nd and 61^st Separate Mechanized Brigades, the 101st and 103rd Territorial Defense Brigades, and several separate Territorial Defense battalions.
• In the area of Korenevo, Kursk Oblast, the enemy struck their own column with KAB with UMPC, presenting the video as a strike on Ukrainian Defense Forces. The Russian command center deployed in Kursk Oblast has only a vague idea of the location of its troops and those of Ukrainian Defense Forces.
• In Kursk Oblast, none of the enemy’s automated control systems for managing troops and weapons are operational. This incapacity prevents the retargeting of KAB munitions with UMPC during their Su-34 carrier aircraft missions.
• To support their Su-34 strike aircraft, the enemy would need to deploy their A-50, Il-20, and Il-22 platforms. However, they only have 10 operational aircraft, which would have to operate within range of the Ukrainian Defense Forces’ S-200 SAM system, controlled by the 138th Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade.
• Russian forces have reduced the use of tactical aviation in Kharkiv Oblast to prioritize airstrikes in other directions, particularly in Kursk Oblast.
• On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy is completing the first stage of their offensive operation and will soon regroup forces in the operational zone of the “Tsentr (Center)” Operational Grouping.
• Units of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division of the 2nd Combined Arms Army and the 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 51st Combined Arms Army have not only fully eliminated the “Tavriya” OSG’s bridgehead on the eastern bank of the Vovcha River but also advanced significantly westward toward Novoselivka Persha – Komyshivka, reaching the Mykolaivka – Ptyche line and preparing to break through to the northern outskirts of Selydove to approach the Karlivka – Selydove highway from the north. These tactical gains have secured the enemy’s left flank.
• In the zones of operation of the 15th and 30th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, reinforced by other units from the 51st Combined Arms Army, the enemy reached the Hrodivka – Novohrodivka line. The enemy conducts almost continuous attacks and assaults towards Zhuravka – Promin to break through to the southern outskirts of Myrnohrad, Mykolaivka – Novohrodivka, and Mykolaivka – Marynivka to reach the northern outskirts of Selydove and advance towards Pokrovsk along the railway.
• To slow the enemy’s advance on the Pokrovsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces should use the barrier along the Zhuravka and Kazenyi Torets rivers, utilize a cascade of small ponds and reservoirs, and establish a defensive line on the Yelyzavetivka – Selydove sector. This task is complicated by the fact that the enemy’s forward units are already engaged in combat in Krasnyi Yar and Hrodivka and continue to attack in the area of Novotoretske and Svyrydonivka.
• In the operational zone of the 2nd Combined Arms Army and the offensive strip of the 90th Tank Division of the 41st Combined Arms Army, which operates further south, the situation allows the “Tavriya” OSG to conduct counterattacks. This is due to the non-simultaneous advancement of the 27th Motorized Rifle Division, 15th, 30th, and 114th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigades, which actively attack along a broad front from Vozdvyzhenka to Karlivka. Ukrainian counterattack capabilities are limited by the availability of combat-ready reserves.
• “Tavria” OSG’s hold on Selydove and the Kalynove – Karlivka – Halytsynivka – Memryk area, located east of the city, increases the risk of a counterattack on the enemy’s left flank should they advance towards Novohrodivka.
• The enemy’s military command will need to carry out substantial work on the adjacent flank of the “Yug (South)” Operational Grouping (in the operational zone of the 51st Combined Arms Army) and in the offensive strips of the 55th and 41st Combined Arms Armies, primarily to coordinate the actions of forces and assets to continue the offensive on Pokrovsk.
• On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces have achieved their tactical goal of cutting the “Tavriya” OSG logistics route along the O0532 highway from Vuhledar to Kostyantynivka. This development will not significantly affect operations in this area for either Russia or Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Change in the line of contact (LoC):

• There were 143 combat engagements on various fronts.
• On the Kursk Direction: the enemy conducts airstrikes on Sudzha, Kremyanoe, and Russkoe Porechie, mistakenly believing they are targeting areas where Ukrainian Defense Forces are concentrated, disregarding the presence of their own civilian population. The enemy intensively shellі the area west of the Seym River, which they evacuated last week. The 810th Separate Marines Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet attacked Ukrainian Defense Forces in the area of Sheptukhovka – Kauchuk – Anastasievka. Its 1st Battalion counterattacked near Korenevo, resulting in the complete destruction of the 1st Battalion, critical losses in the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, and the remaining forces of the brigade were encircled east of Sheptukhovka. After intense bombing by the Russian Aerospace Forces in this area, the fate of the brigade’s remnants is unknown.
• After the destruction of the 810th Separate Marines Brigade, Ukrainian Defense Forces turned east and cut the Sudzha – Lgov highway near Shaposhnikovo, striking directly into the flank of enemy units attempting to advance along this route towards Mala Loknya to relieve the 9th Motorized Rifle Regiment’s company of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division, 11th Army Corps.
• Units of the “Siversk” OTG expanded their control over the Agronom – Kolmakov area towards Pushkarnoe and Russkaya Konopelka, secured positions in Belitsa and Giri, repelled enemy attacks near Otruba, and intensively attack enemy forces south of the Seym River, capturing Apanasovka and clearing Komarovka and Vishniovka.
• On the Kharkiv direction, localized positional battles continued, but the front line did not change. The Russian unit at the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant remains blocked, with its logistical routes under the control of Ukrainian Defense Forces. Fighting continued near Lyptsi, Hlyboke, in and around Vovchansk.
• On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces attacked in the areas of Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Berestove, Stelmakhivka, Andriivka, Serhiivka, and Novoserhiivka.
• On the Lyman direction, the enemy attacked near Novosadove, Makiivka, Hrekivka, Torske, and Dibrova.
• On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces continued localized offensive actions in the areas of Spirne, Vyimka, and Pereyizne.
• On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces continued their advance in the areas of Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Predtechyne, secured positions in the forest south of Hryhorivka, and advanced southeast of Orikhovo-Vasylivka.
• On the Toretsk direction, the enemy completely captured New York, advanced northward, entered Nelipivka, and took control of several streets on the eastern outskirts of Toretsk. Russian forces advanced in the fields northeast of Druzhba, northwest of Pivnichne, and began assaults near Zalizne, Nelipivka, New York, and in the Panteleimonivka area.
• On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced in the northwestern part of Zhuravka, northeast of Hrodivka, northeast of Novohrodivka, south of Mykolaivka, and north of Ptyche. They captured Komyshivka, Zhelanne, and continued offensive actions in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Zelene Pole, Myrolyubivka, Hrodivka, Kalynove, Mykolaivka, Novohrodivka, Mykhailivka, Ptyche, and Skuchne.
• On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces continued offensive actions in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Heorhiivka, but the front line did not change. The enemy advanced north of Kostyantynivka, southeast of Vodyane, northwest of Paraskoviivka, continued offensive actions near Pobeda, and approached another section of the O0532 (T0524) Vuhledar – Kostyantynivka highway near Vuhledar.
• On the Prydniprovskiy direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces launched a rocket strike using HIMARS on a large ammunition depot of the enemy’s “Dnepr” Operational Grouping.
• In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
  • Mediterranean Sea: 1 ship, including 0 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 0 cruise missiles.
• The enemy is attempting to repair Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels damaged by Ukrainian strikes. Ukrainian Defense Forces have disrupted the enemy’s ability to effectively use their main naval repair base in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea.
• The enemy’s naval command has relocated two Karakurt-class small missile ships, equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea.

Changes in the enemy disposition:

• Units of the 15th BARS detachment operate on the Pokrovsk direction, and a UAV company of the 33rd Cossack Artillery Brigade “Volga” is active near Novohrodivka.
• The 32nd BARS detachment operates in the Enerhodar area.

Escalation indicators:

• Escalation of combat intensity on the Pokrovsk direction.

Possible operation situation developments:

• The enemy will have to withdraw the units of the 155th Separate Marines Brigade of the Pacific Fleet from Kulbaki, as they are engaged in combat on the southern flank of the brigade and risk being cut off. It is expected that units of the 98th Airborne Division will be redeployed to the area south of the Seim River.
• On the Kupyansk direction, in the operational zone of the 1st Tank Army, command of the enemy’s “Zapad (West)” Operational Grouping will attempt to reach the Oskil River in the Hlushkivka – Zahryzove sector, the Petropavlivka – Kurylivka line, and storm Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi railway junction. To bind the “Khortytsia” OSG forces, the enemy will exert frontal pressure on their positions in the Stepova Novoselivka area.
• On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy will likely attempt to cut off the Pokrovsk–Kostyantynivka highway and prepare for an assault on the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration.
• The enemy’s advance through Hrodivka on the Pokrovsk direction is likely to slow down as Russian forces begin fighting in an urban environment. It will be difficult for them to maintain their current pace of advance, particularly as they attempt to push further west towards Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk, as these cities are even more urbanized.

Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 22.08.24  

Personnel – almost 604,140 (+1130); 

Tanks 8,529 (+7);

Armored combat vehicles – 16,567 (+25); 

Artillery systems – 17,262 (+46);

Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,166 (0);

Anti-aircraft warfare systems – 931 (+3);

Vehicles and fuel tanks – 23,280 (+59);

Aircraft – 367 (0);

Helicopters – 328 (0);

UAV operational and tactical level – 13, 998 (+96);

Intercepted cruise missiles – 2, 443 (+1);

Boats/ships – 29 (0).

Humanitarian+general:

• In the night of August 22, Russia launched a dozen kamikaze drones, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and used anti-radiation missiles against Ukraine. Air defense forces destroyed two UAVs and neutralized most of the missiles.
• On the morning of August 22, Russian forces struck the village of Tomaryne in Kherson Oblast, killing an 87-year-old woman. Russian troops also attacked settlements in the Beryslav, Kherson, and Kakhovka districts using artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, aviation, and UAVs. As a result, an 84-year-old woman was killed, and 14 other residents were injured.
• Around 1:00 PM on August 22, the occupiers dropped two KAB bombs on civilian infrastructure in the Esman community of Shostka district, killing two civilian men and injuring the wife of one of the deceased.
• On August 22, the Russian army launched a missile strike on the town of Bohodukhiv in Kharkiv Oblast, killing a 57-year-old man and injuring six others.
• Russian forces continued to shell Donetsk Oblast on August 22, with eight people injured in the Kramatorsk, Pokrovsk, and Bakhmut districts.
• Since May 2024, 14,000 residents, including 1,350 children, have been evacuated from the northeastern, northern, and eastern areas of Kharkiv Oblast.
• As part of the 2024 admission campaign, more than 4,000 applicants from temporarily occupied territories have enrolled in Ukrainian universities.
• Most Ukrainians (71%) have participated in volunteer efforts to support the army, internally displaced persons, or those affected by the war since the full-scale Russian invasion began. Specifically, 34% provided financial assistance, 15% offered physical help, and 22% contributed both physically and financially. Only 17% of people have not helped and do not plan to do so, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation in collaboration with the Razumkov Center’s sociological service from August 8 to 15, 2024.

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