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Russo-Ukraine War - 03 October 2023 - Day 587

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 new polling by Russia's state-owned Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VTsIOM) suggests that the authorities are successfully using the 'foreign agent' designation as a tool to manipulate public opinion behind the state's anti-West, pro-war narratives.

On 26 September 2023, VTsIOM reported the results of a poll of Russians' attitudes towards people and organisations registered as 'foreign agents'. VTsIOM claimed 61% of those surveyed said that they considered 'foreign agents' to be 'traitors' who 'disseminate lies' about Russia.

Russia has broadened the foreign agent legislation since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The measures significantly narrow the information space within Russia, making it increasingly difficult to articulate any viewpoint, including dissenting about the war, which deviates from the official line.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of October 3, there were 26x combat engagements. Also, the Russian Federation launched yet another strike at Ukraine using 1x Iskander-K cruise missile and 31x Iranian Shahed-136/131 strike UAVs from the southern, southeastern and northern directions. Air defense forces shot down 1x Iskander-K cruise missile and 29x Russian Shaheds. The Russian forces launched a total of 3x missile and 80x air strikes, 28x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian terrorist attacks have killed and wounded civilians. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

The operational situation in eastern and southern Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues to shell Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 25x settlements, including Karpovychi, Bleshnya, Yeline (Chernihiv oblast), Khotin', Yastrubyne, Volodymyrivka, Novodmytrivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Kozacha Lopan', Ivashky, Hatyshche (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Petropavlivka, Sen'kove, Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Kucherivka, Petropavlivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled about 10x Russian attack near Makiivka (Luhansk oblast). The settlements of Novoselivs'ke (Luhansk oblast), Nove, Kolodyazi, Yampolivka, Stavky, Vesele, Spirne (Donetsk oblast) suffered Russian air strikes. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Makiivka, Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Novosadove, Tors'ke, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Russian adversary made unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost ground in the vicinity of Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Kostyantynivka, Oleksandro-Shul'tyne, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast). About 15x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Bila Hora, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled all Russian attacks near Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). The invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Stepove, Avdiivka, Karlivka, Novokalynove, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: during the day of October 3, the Ukrainian Defense Forces successfully repelled 10x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka and 1x Russian attack in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka (Donetsk oblast). The adversary launched air strikes near Novomykhailivka and Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). About 10x settlements, including Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vodyane, Urozhaine, Shakhtars'ke (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Vuhledar, Novoukrainka, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces launched air strikes near the settlements of Novodarivka, Robotyne, Staromaiors'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 25x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Lobkove, Robotyne, P'yatykhatky, Orikhiv (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: the Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Antonivka and Ol'hivka (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Antonivka, Chornobaivka, Zmiivka (Kherson oblast), the city of Kherson and Dmytrivka (Mykolaiv oblast).

At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue their offensive operation on Melitopol' axis and offensive (assault) operations on Bakhmut axis, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the occupation forces, exhausting the Russian forces all along the front line.

During the day of October 3, Ukrainian Air Force launched 13x air strikes on the concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 4x air strikes on anti-aircraft missile systems of the Russian adversary.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment and 20x artillery systems of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces in close cooperation with aviation and artillery has successfully repelled three enemy attacks close to Kleshcheyevka and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses have amounted to up to 285 Ukrainian troops, and seven motor vehicles during the day.

In counterbattery warfare, the Russian troops hit: one Grad MLRS vehicle and one French-made Caesar howitzer.

In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces in coordination with helicopters and artillery repelled three attacks launched by the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 5th National Guard Brigade of Ukraine close to Torskoye and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Up to 65 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured combat vehicles, and two pick-up trucks were neutralised.

One Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, one D-20 and one D-30 howitzers have been obliterated during the day as part of the counter-battery warfare operation.

?? In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces repelled an attack launched by AFU assault group of the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

Moreover, ground-attack aircraft inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 58th Motorised Infantry, 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Urozhainoye and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to over 120 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and one D-20 gun.

In Kupyansk direction, aircraft, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers of the Zapad Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 25th Airborne, 14th, 92nd, and 115th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Sinkovka, Zagoruikovka, Berestovoye (Kharkov region), and Novolyubovka (Lugansk People's Republic).

The enemy's losses amounted to up to 60 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces supported by helicopters and ground-attack aircraft struck manpower and hardware of the 65th and 118th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Malaya Tokmachka, Novodanilovka, and north of Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy suffered losses of up to 90 Ukrainian troops, two armoured personnel carriers, and three motor vehicles.

Moreover, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 gun, and one U.S.-made M119 towed howitzer have been obliterated as part of counter-battery warfare.

In Kherson direction, the enemy suffered losses of up to 45 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer, and one D-30 gun.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Groups of Forces have inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware in 122 areas in the past 24 hours.

In addition, one self-propelled launcher of the Ukrainian Buk-M1 surface-to-air missile system was hit on the position close to Burlatskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Armament repair and recovery facilities of the Kharkov Armoured Plant were hit by the Russian Armed Forces.

Workshops of an enterprise producing solid rocket fuel and explosives were obliterated near Pavlograd.

Moreover, an ammunition depot of the AFU 41st Mechanised Brigade was destroyed close to Kupyansk (Kharkov region).

Russian air defence forces have intercepted two HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day.

In addition, 58 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted in the areas of Ploshchanka, Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Krasnaya Gora, Shevchenko, Pobeda, Oktyabrskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), Verbovoye, Mirnoye, Novoye (Zaporozhye region), Peschanovka and Golaya Pristan (Kherson region).

In total, 483 airplanes and 250 helicopters, 7,417 unmanned aerial vehicles, 440 air defence missile systems, 12,275 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,160 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,634 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,721 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.