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Russo-Ukraine War - 15 August 2023 - Day 538

Su	M	Tu	W	Th	F	Sa
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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 in an online post on 10 August 2023, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov acknowledged the efforts of the Chechen Vostok Akhmat Battalion in the heavily contested Orhikiv sector in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Kadyrov's comments highlighted the continuing role of one of the premier Chechen units in this key area. Vostok officially comes under the command of the Southern Military District's 42nd Motor Rifle Division which has been active around the village of Robotyne.

Chechen forces comprise a relatively small but high-profile component of Russian forces in Ukraine. Kadyrov likely heavily promotes his units' roles partially to burnish his credentials as a Putin loyalist.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of August 15, the Russian occupiers launched 42x missile strikes, 44x air strikes as well as 24x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have killed and wounded civilians, including children. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged.

The likelihood of missile and air strikes across Ukraine remains high.

During the day of August 15, there were more than 23x combat engagements.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Stepne (Sumy oblast). The invsders fired mortars and artillery at more than 20x settlements, including Tymonovychi, Khotiivka, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Fotovyzh, Atyns'ke, Katerynivka, Vodolahy (Sumy oblast), Veterynarne, Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Kreidyanka, Ambarne (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensives in the areas southeast of Vil'shany and east of Petropavlivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ivanivka, Zahryzove, Vil'shanka (Kharkiv oblast) and Stel'makhivka (Luhansk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at Kup'yans'k, Pishchane, Cherneshchyna (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Sivers'k, Spirne, Vesele (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery at Kolodyazi and Sivers'k (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vasyukivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Pryvillya, Markove, Bohdanivka, Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Bila Hora (Donetsk oblast), suffered from Russian artillery shelling.
Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted unsuccessful offensives in the area south of Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Avdiivka and Nevel's'ke. More than 10x settlements, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast) came under artillery fire.
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the Russian offensive in the vicinity of the cities of Mar'inka and Krasnohorivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery at more than 10x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Mar'inka, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka, Yelyzavetivka (Donetsk oblast).
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces made attempts to regain the lost position in the area of Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Velyka Novosilka, Makarivka, Staromaiors'ke and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery at more than 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Velyka Novosilka, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Omel'nyk, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Novodarivka, Poltavka, Zaliznychne, Charivne, Novoandriivka, Stepove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), suffered from Russian artillery shelling.
Kherson axis: the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Mykolaivka and Sadove (Kherson oblast). The city of Kherson, Ponyativka (Kherson oblast) and the city of Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) came under Russian artillery fire.

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' and Berdyans'k axes, consolidating their positions, and conducting counter-battery fire.

During the day of August 15, Ukrainian Air Force launched 7x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment.

During the day of August 15, the Ukrainian missile and artillery troops hit 2x artillery assets at their firing positions, 1x anti-aircraft missile system and 1x critical facility of the Russian adversary.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have launched a concentrated strike with long-range air- and sea-based precision weapons against key enterprises of the Kiev regime's military industry.

The goal of the attack has been reached. All the assigned targets have been neutralised.

Ukraine's military-industrial complex has suffered significant damage.

The AFU continued to attempt offensive actions in Zaporozhye, Kupyansk, Donetsk, Krasny Liman, and South Donetsk directions.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian grouping of troops, supported by Army Aviation and artillery, repelled three attacks by assault units of the 82nd Airborne Assault Brigade of the AFU Strategic Reserve near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 200 Ukrainian servicemen, five tanks, six infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and two Msta-B howitzers.

In Kupyansk direction, as a result of active and coordinated actions by units of the Zapad Group of Forces, Army Aviation and artillery, six attacks by assault groups of the 14th, 32nd mechanised and 95th airborne assault brigades of the AFU have been repelled close to Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Olshana and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 100 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, Polish-manufactured Krab and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, two Slovak-manufactured Zuzana-2 self-propelled howitzers on a wheeled chassis, one D-20 gun, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar station.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in close cooperation with aviation and artillery, have successfully repelled 11 attacks by AFU units close to Belogorovka, Razdolovka, Krasnogorovka and Nevelskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 230 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, six motor vehicles, U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin and Akatsiya self-propelled artillery systems, as well as D-20 howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of professional actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, Army Aviation and artillery, three attacks by assault groups of the 68th Infantry Brigade and the 42nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU have been repelled close to Novoegorovka and Kuzmino (Lugansk People's Republic) and Vesyoloye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 80 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and one D-30 howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, aviation, artillery, heavy flamethrower systems, and units of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a comprehensive fire attack on the enemy near Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, the actions of one sabotage and reconnaissance group of the 31st Mechanised Brigade of the AFU have been suppressed.

The enemy losses were up to 200 Ukrainian servicemen, four armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system, one Msta-B howitzer, and one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar station.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 35 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, as well as one D-20 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised manpower and military hardware in 172 areas.

In addition, the command post of electronic warfare and air defence facilities of the AFU has been hit near Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

One ammunition depot of the 43rd Artillery Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed close to Omelnik (Zaporozhye region).

Air defence facilities have intercepted four French-manufactured SCALP-EG long-range cruise missiles and two Uragan multiple-launch rocket system projectiles.

In addition, 25 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Lisichansk, Svatovo (Lugansk People's Republic), Volnovakha, Gorlovka, Makeevka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Tokmak (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 458 airplanes, 246 helicopters, 5,761 unmanned aerial vehicles, 431 air defence missile systems, 11,315 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,144 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,893 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 12,246 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.