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Russo-Ukraine War - 14 October 2023 - Day 598

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 suffering a series of strikes in August and September, the Russian Black Sea Fleet (BSF) has highly likely doubled down on its defensive and reactive posture. It has relocated many of its prestige assets – including cruise missile capable ships and submarines – from Sevastopol to operating and basing areas further east, such as Novorossiysk.

Since July 2022, Ukraine has gained the initiative in the northwest Black Sea, forcing the powerful BSF to defend itself from uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), uncrewed air vehicles (UAVs) and missile attacks as well as special operations. With notable and embarrassing exceptions, however, the BSF has mostly continued to train, maintain and defend itself whilst launching cruise missiles into Ukraine. It can almost certainly continue to do so from the eastern Black Sea.

Despite the BSF's largely intact capabilities, there is only a realistic possibility of it using its conventional superiority in firepower to seize the initiative in the Western Black Sea. The risk of further military losses and the dire political consequences of Russian naval forces overtly attacking merchant shipping would highly likely outweigh any gain from attempting to enforce a blockade of Ukrainian-bound trade.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of October 14, there were 43x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 2x missile and 37x air strikes, 47x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed or damaged.

The operational situation in east and south of 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. More than 15x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Karpovychi, Zaliznyi Mist, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Iskryskivshchyna, Volfyne, Mohrytsya, Stepok, Pokrovka, Slavhorod (Sumy oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: Ukrainian soldiers repelled 5x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Syn'kivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces also conducted air strikes near Holubivka, Kup'yans'k, Petropavlivka and Podoly (Kharkiv oblast). The adversary fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Kucherivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Bilohorivka, Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Ukrainian defense forces repelled 5x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Makiivka (Luhansk oblast) and Tors'ke (Donetsk oblast). The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at about 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Novosadove, Tors'ke, Spirne, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Klishchiivka and Oleksandro-Shul'tyne (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Bila Hora, Kurdyumivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders are bravely holding the line, repelled 8x Russian attacks in the vicinity of Avdiivka and 7x more attacks near Tonen'ke and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of settlements of Keramik, Ocheretyne, Lastochkyne and Avdiivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Keramik, Ocheretyne, Lastochkyne, Karlivka, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: during the day of October 13, Ukrainian defense forces successfully repelled 10x Russian attacks in the vicinities of Mar'inka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces conducted air strikes near Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka. About 10x settlements, including Oleksandropil', Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), were under artillery and mortar fire of the Russian occupiers.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted air strikes near Urozhaine and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces made 5x unsuccessful attempts to regain the lost ground in the vicinity of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupants launched air strikes near Novodarivka and Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 10x settlements, including Novodarivka, Ol'hivs'ke, Hulyaipole, Mala Tokmachka, Novoandriivka, Stepove (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers launched an air strike near the settlement of Beryslav (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at Dudchany, Sadove, Inzhenerne, Antonivka (Kherson oblast), the city of Kherson, and Dmytrivka, Ochakiv (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 Russian occupation forces, exhausting the Russian forces all along the front line.

During the day of October 14, Ukrainian Air Force launched 12x air strikes on the concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 2x air strikes on anti-air missile systems.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post and 2x artillery systems of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, in the course of active operations, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, have repelled seven attacks by assault groups of 14th, 32nd, and 115th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Ivanovka, Sinkovka, and Timkovka (Kharkov region).

The actions of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been disrupted close to Liman Pervy (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 215 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, one tank, two infantry fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, and one Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, as a result of coordinated actions of units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, Army Aviation and artillery, two attacks by assault groups of the 67nd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been repelled north of Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

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

The enemy losses were up to 30 military personnel, two infantry fighting vehicles, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have repelled one enemy attack and also defeated AFU manpower and hardware near Andreevka, Kleshcheevka, Kurdyumovka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 185 servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and one Bukovel electronic warfare station.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with Army Aviation and artillery, have inflicted a fire attack on manpower concentration areas of AFU 79th air assault and 72nd mechanised brigades near Ugledar and Nikolskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 170 Ukrainian soldiers, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, and three motor vehicles.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have repelled five attacks by 23rd and 118th mechanised brigades of the AFU, as well as the 15th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine close to Verbovoye and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 35 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, three pickup trucks, one Msta-B howitzer, and one U.S.-manufactured M119 gun.

In Kherson direction, the AFU 126th Territorial Defence Brigade suffered a fire defeat of manpower and hardware near Berislav (Kherson region).

In addition, the activities of one AFU sabotage and reconnaissance group on the island of Alyoshkinsky have been suppressed.

The enemy losses were more than 40 Ukrainian servicemen, eight motor vehicles, one Giatsint-B howitzer, and three D-30 guns.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised manpower and military hardware in 115 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down 31 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles close to Nyrkovoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Verbovoye, Romanovskoye (Zapororozhye region), and Peschanovka (Kherson region).

In total, 488 airplanes, 250 helicopters, 7,821 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 12,598 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,163 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,764 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 14,230 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.