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Russo-Ukraine War - 23 September 2023 - Day 577

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 since February 2022, three successive commanders of one of Russia's most prestigious airborne regiments have either resigned or been killed.

The 247th Guards Air Assault Landing Regiment commander Colonel Vasily Popov was likely killed in the heavily contested Orikhiv sector in early September 2023. Only weeks before, in August 2023, his predecessor, Colonel Pytor Popov, likely resigned his command. Independent Russian media sources claim he acted in protest over the military's failure to recover the bodies of Russian casualties.

In the early weeks of the invasion, then 247th commander Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky was killed near Mykolaiv. The experience of the 247th highlights the extreme attrition and high turnover in Russia's deployed military, even amongst relatively senior ranks.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of September 23, there were 15x combat engagements. Also, the Russian Federation launched another strike at Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 type kamikaze drones. As a result of combat operations, the Air Force along with the air defense of other units of the Defense Forces shot down 14x out of 15x Shaheds. Russian forces launched 5x missile strikes, 44x air strikes, 22x MLRS strikes at the positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian targets. Unfortunately, Russian terrorist attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

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. More than 20x settlements suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Tur'ya, Bleshnya, Prohres, Yanzhulivka, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Novovasylivka, Marchykhyna Buda, Iskryskivshchyna, Zapsillya, Pozhnya (Sumy oblast), Udy, Morokhovets', Neskuchne, Budarky, Topoli (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinity of Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast) and Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Berestove, Masyutivka, Kucherivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka (Kharkiv oblast), suffered Russian artillery and mortars shelling.
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled a Russian attack in the vicinities of Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast). The Russian adversary launched air strikes at the settlements of Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast) and Serebryanka, Spirne, Vesele (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Novosadove, Tors'ke, Hryhorivka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast), suffered Russian artillery and mortars fire.
Bakhmut axis: Russian forces tried to regain lost ground near Klishchiiivka (Donetsk oblast), but was unsuccessful. The occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 15x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortars fire, including Vasyukivka, Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Bila Hora, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces are successfully holding the line. The Russian invaders launched an air strike in the vicinity of Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at the settlements of Keramik, Novobakhmutivka, Stepove, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: during the day of September 23, the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled 9x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike near Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevel's'ke, Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast).
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near the settlements of Vuhledar, Urozhaine and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortars fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation. In particular, in the vicinity of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), Ukrainian defenders are forcing Russian forces out of their positions and consolidating the line. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Chervone, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipole, Novoandriivka, Shcherbaky, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Kherson axis: the Russian invaders launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kozats'ke, Mykolaivka, Ol'hivka (Kherson oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Novooleksandrivka, Dudchany, Zmiivka, Tokarivka, Veletens'ke, 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, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, and exhausting Russian forces along the entire front line.

During the day of September 23, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 8x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 4x strikes against anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian adversary.

Missile troops hit 1x concentration of troops, weapons, and military equipment, 1x anti-aircraft missile system, 5x artillery systems and 1x radar station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in the period from 17 to 23 September 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 12 group strikes with long-range ground-based and air-launched precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities for the repair of aircraft and armoured vehicles, oil refineries, storage depots for ammunition, precision weapons, and weapons of foreign manufacture, centres for the reconnaissance and training of Ukrainian militants, as well as locations where foreign mercenaries were stationed.

As a result of the strikes, significant damage was inflicted on the logistics system of the AFU groups operating in Kherson and Zaporozhye directions, the capabilities of the enemy's repair and recovery bodies were reduced, and part of the stocks of cruise missiles and depleted uranium ammo, launchers of multiple-launch rocket launchers, and anti-aircraft missile systems transferred by the West to Ukraine were destroyed.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have repelled 28 attacks launched by assault groups of the 53rd and 110th Mechanised, 79th Air Assault, and 3rd Assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Kleshcheyevka, Avdeevka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic) during this period.

Over the past week, as a result of air, missile, and artillery strikes in this direction, the enemy's losses amounted to more than 1,455 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, 16 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, 15 field artillery pieces, and three MLRS combat vehicles. In addition, three ammunition depots and two military echelons of the 37th AFU Marine Brigade were destroyed at loading stations.

In South Donetsk direction, Russian units have repelled five enemy attacks with concerted action during the week, continuing to defeat clusters of AFU manpower and hardware. The enemy's losses in this direction amounted to over 950 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 32 motor vehicles, and five field artillery pieces. In addition, two ammunition depots were wiped out.

As a result of the significant losses and the low morale, the Kiev regime is withdrawing units of the 38th Marine Brigade and the 110th Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU to rear areas to restore combat capability.

In Zaporozhye direction, Russian troops repelled eight attacks by combined assault groups of the 71st Jeager, 47th Mechanised, and 46th Airmobile brigades of the AFU near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). During the fighting, more than 515 Ukrainian servicemen, 24 armoured fighting vehicles and 19 motor vehicles were destroyed. In addition, 35 enemy field artillery pieces were neutralised as part of counter-battery warfare.

In Kupyansk direction, Russian units continued to hit the manpower and equipment of the 14th, 30th and 32nd mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU in the areas of Sinkovka, Ivanovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region). More than 215 Ukrainian troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, 24 field artillery guns, and one U.S.-made M1097 Avenger missile system were destroyed in this area.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades and the 12th Special Operations Brigade made unsuccessful attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops near Yampolovka and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic) Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic) and Serebryansky forestry. As a result of courageous action by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, air strikes, artillery fire and heavy flame-throwing systems, 15 enemy attacks were repelled.

The enemy's losses in this direction amounted to up to 435 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, and eight guns.

In Kherson direction, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to seize bridgeheads on islands and the left bank of the Dnepr River. In military operations, the AFU have lost up to 445 Ukrainian troops, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 35 motor vehicles, 11 field artillery guns. In addition, eight sabotage and reconnaissance groups were disabled.

During the week, the enemy attempted to strike facilities on the Crimean Peninsula with cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. In the course of repelling the attacks, Russian air defence systems destroyed five cruise missiles, one Neptun anti-ship missile, and 37 attack drones.

Fighter jets of the Russian Armed Forces and air defence system have destroyed the following aircraft over the past week: Su-24m, Mig-29, and two Su-25 ground-attack aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Novovladimirovka (Nikolayev region) and Novorozovka and Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, Russian strike drones hit a Ukrainian Mig-29 fighter jet at the Dolgintsevo airfield (Dnepropetrovsk region), as well as two ST-68 radar stations for detecting low-altitude aerial targets near Volnyansk (Zaporozhye region) and P-18 and PRV-16 radar stations for detecting aerial targets near Novopetrovka (Kherson region).

Air defence and electronic warfare systems have shot down and suppressed 257 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the week and intercepted 46 HIMARS MLRS shells, nine Storm Shadow cruise missiles, two JDAM air bombs, and three HARM anti-radiation missiles.

In total, 477 airplanes and 249 helicopters, 7,067 unmanned aerial vehicles, 438 air defence missile systems, 12,071 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,154 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,502 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,351 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.