Russo-Ukraine War - 03 March 2023 - Day 373

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A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

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The UK Ministry of Defence reported that despite the war in Ukraine, Russian defence companies continue to showcase their products at major international arms fairs.

The Arena-E active protection system (APS), designed to improve the survivability of armoured vehicles, was displayed at a recent event. Its promotional literature states that it 'defeats the threats that are most dangerous for armoured vehicles…if you value your armour and crews you need Arena-E'.

There has been no evidence of Arena-E systems being installed on Russia's own vehicles in Ukraine, where it has lost over 5,000 armoured vehicles. This is likely due to Russian industry's inability to manufacture high-tech systems at scale; a problem which is exacerbated by the effect of international sanctions.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day, Russian forces fired 30 air and 6 missile strikes, fired more than 20 shelling from battalion-fire jet systems, including civilian infrastructure.

The threat of the task of the Russian Federation of Missile Strikes remains high throughout Ukraine.

Russia focuses the main efforts on the offensive in the Kupyan, Limansky, Bakhmutsky, Avdiiv and Shakhtar directions.

In Volyn, Polísʹkomu, síversʹkomu and slobožansʹkomu directions operational environment without significant changes. The opponent continues to hold designated units in the border areas with Ukraine. During the past day, Russian forces carried out mortar and artillery shelling at settlements of Medvedivka, Chernihiv region; Sobki, Bachivsk, Ulanove, Starikove, Athenske, Pavlivka, Ryasne Sumy region and districts of about 10 settlements in Kharkiv region. Among them are Strelecha, Starytsya, Vovchansk, Budarki, Ambarne.
In the Kupyan and Limansky directions, Russian forces continued to lead offensive actions in the areas of the settlements of Belogorivka Luhansk region and Spirne Donetsk region, without success. Russian forces carried out artillery shelling of settlements near the line of collision. Among them are Dvorichna, Kupiansk, Krokhmalne of Kharkiv region; Makiyivka, Kreminna, Dibrova and Bílogorivka - Luhansk and Siversk and Rozdolivka of Donetsk region.
In the Bakhmutsʹkomu direction, Russia does not leave an attempt to surround the city of Bakhmut. During the day, Ukrainian defenders were repelled by numerous attacks in the areas of the settlements of Vasyukívka, Dubovo-Vasilivka and Bakhmut Donetsk region. Russian shellings were suffered by the areas of settlements that are next to the area of combat, including Fedorivka, Orikhovo-Vasilivka, Dubovo-Vasylivka, Bakhmut, Ivanívske, Stupočki, Klí облаvka, Kurdyumivka, Ozaryanivka, Dilievka, Majorsk and Northern Donetsk region.
In the Avdiivka and Shakhtar directions, Russian forces unsuccessfully attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Krasnogorívka, Kamyanka, Avdiivka, Maryinka and Pobeda. Russian forces carried out artillery and mortar shelling in the areas of almost 20 settlements. Among them are Vesele, Berdychi, Avdiivka, Victory, Novomikhailivka, Vodâne, Vugledar and Great Novosilka of Donetsk region.
In Zaporizhzhya and Kherson directions, Russia leads defense, trying to improve the tactical position to recover the offense. Russian forces carried out artillery shelling of 15 settlements. In particular, this is Vremivka, Novosílka, Green Field of Donetsk region; Gulyajpole, Railway and Kamiansʹke Zaporizhzhia region; Berislav, Cossack, Bilozerka and Dniprovsk of Kherson region and the city of Kherson, as well as the city of Ochakov in Mykolaiv region. There are dead and wounded among the civilians.

In Luhansk region, the so-called occupation authorities continue to put pressure on the local population, including the least protected communities. In the settlements of the Svativ district, immigrants deprived people of the opportunity to receive pensions and other social payments by shutting down ATMs. Pensioners and other categories of the population in need of social security are offered to receive cash payments on selected days. However, because of such an organization, people mostly physically cannot receive money.

The Defense Forces aviation struck 5 strikes in the areas of concentration of Russian personnel and military equipment in a day. Also Ukrainian defenders shot down a Russian plane su-34 and bpla type "Zala".

Missile troops and artillery units during the day hit the control point, 3 enemy focus areas, ammunition warehouse, 2 PMM warehouses and the Russian REB station.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reporeted that, during the day, the RF Armed Forces carried out strikes on 212 enemy troop concentration areas and 92 artillery positions. In addition, the Su-24 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force was shot down by fighters near the city of Krasnoarmeysk. A HIMARS missile and 18 unmanned aerial vehicles were also intercepted.

In the Kupyansk direction, the "Western" group of troops attacked the manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army (AFU) in the areas of Kurilovka, Pershotravnevy, Masyutovka and Novoselovsky. At the same time, the enemy lost up to 100 killed and wounded, a tank, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 2 pickup trucks, an Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer and a Grad installation.

In the Yenakiyevo region east of Gorlovka in the DPR, a Russian Aerospace Forces plane crashed, which was confirmed by the local mayor. The pilots were able to eject, having previously taken the burning car away from the city.

The situation in the Donbass

The RF Armed Forces carried out air and artillery strikes on enemy units in the areas of Torskoy, Yampolovka and Chervonopopovka. More than 200 Ukrainian servicemen, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 8 armored vehicles, 2 pickup trucks and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed here.

In the Donetsk direction, up to 210 Ukrainian servicemen, 5 armored combat vehicles, 3 vehicles, a Krab self-propelled artillery mount, an Gvozdika artillery mount, 2 Grad MLRS, 2 D-30 howitzers and a D-20 gun were liquidated. In addition, the mobile communication center of the 110th brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was destroyed in Avdiivka.

In the South-Donetsk and Zaporizhia directions, enemy concentrations in Vodyany, Privolnoye and Ugledar were hit. More than 70 Ukrainian servicemen, 2 tanks, 2 armored combat vehicles, 2 pickup trucks, a Gvozdika self-propelled gun and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed.

In the Kherson region, up to 60 Ukrainian servicemen, 6 vehicles, Gvozdika, Giacint-B and Msta-B howitzers, as well as three D-30 guns were liquidated.

Meanwhile, stubborn battles for Bakhmut and its environs continue. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, in an attempt to contain the advancing forces of the Wagner PMC, began to undermine bridges across the rivers located in the area.