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Russo-Ukraine War - 21 September 2023 - Day 575

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]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that today, 21 September 2023, is the anniversary of Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of the 2022 'partial mobilisation' which saw around 300,000 Russian reservists called up to serve in Ukraine.

On 15 September 2023, Russian State Duma Defence Committee Chair and former general Andrei Kartapolov reiterated that mobilised personnel were obliged to serve for the duration of the 'special military operation'. In a new admission of the stark situation at the front, he also said that it was not possible for personnel to be rotated out of the operational zone during their service.

The absence of regular unit rotations out of combat duty is highly likely one of the most important factors contributing to low Russian morale, and the Russian Army's failure to conduct higher-level training since the invasion. The lack of such training is highly likely contributing to Russia's difficulties in conducting successful complex offensive operations.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 21, there were more than 20x combat engagements. Also, according to updated information, on the night of September 21, the Russian Federation launched another massive missile attack on Ukraine's energy, industrial and civilian infrastructure with 44x X-101/X-555/X-55 air-launched cruise missiles and 6x S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles. As a result of combat operations, the Air Force along with the Air Defense Forces destroyed 38x cruise missiles. In total, during the day of September 21, the Russian invaders launched 52x missile, 44x air strikes and 43x MLRS strikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in deaths and injuries among civilians. Residential buildings, civilian educational institutions, medical facilities, dormitories and other civilian infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged.

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 Russian invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Dihtyarne (Sumy oblast). More than 20x settlements suffered enemy artillery and mortars fire, including Chernats'ke (Chernihiv oblast), Stara Huta, Zarichchya, Kucherivka, Shalyhyne, Yunakivka (Sumy oblast), Hrafs'ke, Hatyshche, Vovchans'k, Vovchans'ki Khutory (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Berestove, Kopanka, Shyikivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Kup'yans'k-Vuzlovyi, Kivsharivka (Kharkiv oblast), suffered Russian artillery and mortars shelling.
Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes on the settlements of Nevs'ke, (Luhansk oblast) and Dibrova (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Spirne, Berestove, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast), suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire.
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks in the area northeast of Hryhorivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces tried to restore the lost position near Andriivka (Donetsk oblast) to no success. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Andriivka, Min'kivka, Klishchiivka and Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast). More than 20x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, Stupochky, Bila Hora (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Russian occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Arkhanhel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Keramik, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: during the day of September 21, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 8x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Mar'inka and Krasnohorivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Yelyzavetivka (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Mar'inka, Heorhiivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast).
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled a Russian attack in the vicinity of Mykil's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near the settlements of Vuhledar, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Novoukrainka, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Velyka Novosilka (Donetsk oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortars fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled a Russian attack in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes near Bilohir'ya, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Stepove, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Kherson axis: the Russian invaders launched air strikes near the settlements of L'vove, and Tyahynka (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Beryslav, Mykolaivka, Kherson (Kherson oblast), Solonchaky, Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensives (assaults) on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.

During the day of September 21, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 10x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment of the Russian adversary.

Missile troops hit 1x command point, 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 9x artillery systems and 2x electronic warfare stations of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the previous night, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a group strike with long-range airborne precision weapons and strike drones against military industrial facilities, as well as centres for radio-technical reconnaissance and the training of sabotage groups of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the targets have been engaged.

In Zaporozhye direction, two attacks of AFU 71st Jaeger and 47th Mechanised brigades near Novopokrovka and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) were repelled by actions of the Russian Group of Forces units, air strikes and artillery fire.

Also, a cluster of manpower of the 46th Airmobile Brigade of the AFU near the locality of Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region) was hit by fire.

Up to 50 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, including Bradley IFV, and three motor vehicles were eliminated.

Also, two U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, three D-30 howitzers, and one U.S.-made M119 gun were hit during counter-battery warfare.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, repelled five attacks by Ukrainian Armed Forces near Orekhovo-Vasilyevka Kurdyumovka, Klescheevka, Veseloye, and Khimik (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 300 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one Olkha MLRS, as well as one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In the Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces units supported by aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on the enemy near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses were up to 20 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, coordinated actions of the Tsentr Group of Forces, as well as helicopters strikes and artillery fire repelled three attacks launched by AFU assault groups near Chervonaya Dibrova and Shipilovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

In addition, strikes were delivered at clusters of enemy manpower and hardware near Grigorovka, Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry.

The AFU losses amounted to more than 75 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, as well as one D-30 howitzer.

In South Donetsk, the Vostok Group of Forces, supported by helicopters and artillery inflicted fire damage on AFU units near Prechistovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and repelled one enemy attack close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

Up to 110 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, one Uragan MLRS, as well as one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system have been eliminated.

In Kherson direction, over 45 Ukrainian servicemen, three motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M777 howitzer have been neutralised.

One sabotage and reconnaissance group of the AFU 126th Territorial Defence Brigade has been obliterated close to Pereyaslavsky Island.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day.

In addition, one U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counterbattery radar station was destroyed near Kalinovo (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence systems have intercepted five Storm Shadow cruise missiles, four HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and one HARM anti-radiation missile.

In addition, 75 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were obliterated in the areas of Mirnoye, Tokmak, Chervonogorka, Pologi (Zaporozhye region), Volnovakha, Artyomovsk, Zolotarevka (Donetsk People's Republic), Golikovo, Lisichansk (Lugansk People's Republic), Olshana (Kharkov region), as well as Novaya Sburyevka, Sagi, Geroyskoye (Kherson region).

In total, 475 airplanes and 249 helicopters, 7,020 unmanned aerial vehicles, 438 air defence missile systems, 12,016 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,154 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,473 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,281 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.