Russo-Ukraine War - 17 September 2023 - Day 571

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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 recent days, Russian forces have likely reinforced their defences around the occupied town of Tokmak in southern Ukraine, which is approximately 16 km behind the current front line.

Russia is likely deploying additional checkpoints, 'hedgehog' anti-tank defences and digging new trenches in the area, which is held by its 58th Combined Arms Army.

Tokmak is preparing to become a lynchpin of Russian's second main line of defences. Improvements to the town's defences likely indicates Russia's growing concern about Ukrainian tactical penetrations of the first main defensive line to the north.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 17, there were 25x combat engagements. Also, the Russian Federation launched another strike against Ukraine with air-launched cruise missiles and Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs. As a result of combat operations, air defense destroyed 6x cruise missiles and 6x Shaheds. In total, the Russian invaders launched 15x missile strikes, 44x air strikes and 35x MLRS strikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements.

The operational situation in the east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. There are no signs of offensive groups being formed. Certain units of the Belarusian armed forces are performing tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the border areas, continues shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Hirky, Pavlivka, Popivka (Sumy oblast). More than 20x settlements suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Halahanivka, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Koren'ok, Volfyne, Myropillya, Velyka Pysarivka (Sumy oblast), Ivashky, Kozacha Lopan', Nesterne, Kam'yanka (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). The settlements of Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Krokhmal'ne (Kharkiv oblast) came under Russian artillery and mortars fire.
Lyman axis: Russian forces did not conduct offensive (assault) actions. The adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Terny, Tors'ke, Sivers'k, Vesele (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Zarichne, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Vesele (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Forces successfully repelled 5x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Klishchiivka and Bila Hora (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces tried to restore the lost position in the vicinity of Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). The occupiers launched air strikes near Andriivka and New York (Donetsk oblast). More than 15x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Druzhba, Zalizne (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted offensives in the vicinity of Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast) to no success. The settlement of Avdiivka suffered Russian air strike. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Stepove, Orlivka, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Nevel's'ke, Keramik, (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: during the day of September 17, the Ukrainian defenders repelled as many as 10x Russian forces attacks in the vicinity of Mar'inka. The adversary launched an air strike near Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russia continues to shell artillery and mortars. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at various settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast).
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched an air strike near the settlement of Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Various settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortars fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Russian occupiers launched air strikes near the settlements of Verbove, Robotyne and Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Ol'hivs'ke, Chervone, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Novoandriivka, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Kherson axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near the settlements of Odradokam'yanka and Mykolaivka (Kherson oblast) The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Novovorontsovka, Kachkarivka, Boryslav, L'vove, Kizomys (Kherson oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensives (assaults) on Bakhmut axis, destroying the Russian enemy and step by step liberating the occupied territories.

During the day of September 17, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 9x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the Russian adversary.

Missile troops hit 3x anti-aircraft missile systems, 9x artillery systems, 1x ammunition depot and 1x electronic warfare station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces' units, aviation and artillery repelled three attacks of AFU 53rd mechanised infantry and 79th air assault brigades' units near Khimik and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 180 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one German-manufactured Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled artillery system, and one Grad MLRS system.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian grouping of troops, aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems have repelled one attack by the 47th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

AFU 82nd air assault, 71st chaser, and 47th mechanised brigades' manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit close to Verbovoye, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

During combat actions, the enemy losses were up to 140 servicemen, one U.S.-manufactured Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, and four motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one M777 artillery system, one U.S.-manufactured M119 howitzer, and one D-30 howitzer were destroyed.

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

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of competent actions by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, two attacks by assault groups of the 12th Special Forces Brigade and the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU have been repelled close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

In addition, AFU 21st, 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades have been hit close to Yampolovka, Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Serebryanskoye forestry.

Up to 65 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two pickup trucks have been eliminated.

In South Donetsk direction, the courageous and decisive actions of the Vostok Group of Forces, aviation and artillery repelled three attacks of AFU 35th, 36th marine brigades' assault groups near Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

Aviation and artillery launched attacks at manpower and hardware of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade near Ugledar (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as the 108th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Voskresenka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, and one electronic warfare station.

In Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces' aviation and artillery launched attacks at manpower and hardware of AFU 32nd, 115th mechanised, 25th, 95th airborne brigades close to Boldyrevka, Sinkovka, Ivanovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

Up to 50 Ukrainian personnel and 4 motor vehicles have been destroyed.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, two U.S.-manufactured M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzers, one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system, as well as one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system were destroyed.

Moreover, two U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counterbattery warfare radars have been destroyed near Peschanoye and Petropavlovka (Kharkov region).

In Kherson direction, up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, as well as one UAV control post have been eliminated close to Dneprovskoye (Kherson region).

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised manpower and military hardware in 114 areas.

In addition, a missile strike hit the production workshops of the Kharkov Armoured Plant, where AFU armoured vehicles were being repaired and restored close to Kharkov.

Command and observation posts of AFU 100th territorial defence, and 67th mechanised brigades were destroyed near Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The Russian anti-aircraft defence means have intercepted two JDAM guided aerial bombs, one HARM anti-radar missile and one U.S.-manufactured HIMARS MLRS projectile.

28 UAVs were destroyed and suppressed by electronic warfare means close to Vasilevka, Nevelskoye, Spornoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Olshana, Golikovo, Kremennaya (Lugansk People's Republic), Azov, Novoye, Romanovskoye, Ocheretovatoye (Zaporozhye region), and Radensk (Kherson region).

In total, 472 airplanes, 249 helicopters, 6,838 unmanned aerial vehicles, 437 air defence missile systems, 11,919 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,151 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,411 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,090 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.