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Russo-Ukraine War - 01 February 2024 - Day 708

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 the Russian National Guard, Rosgvardia, is incorporating three former Wagner assault detachments, the 15th, 16th and 17th, into its first Volunteer Corps formation. On 25 December 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law authorising Rosgvardia to form its own volunteer formations.

Rosgvardia will likely deploy its new volunteer detachments to Ukraine and Africa. Rosgvardia is reportedly offering volunteers six-month contracts for service in Ukraine, and nine-month contracts for service in Africa.

The incorporation of former Wagner assault detachments into Rosgvardia's Volunteer Corps highly likely indicates that Wagner has been successfully subordinated to Rosgvardia, increasing the Russian state's command and control over the Wagner Group.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 1, there were 58x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 2x missile strikes, one of them with 1x Kh-59 guided missile at the civilian infrastructure of Myrnohrad (Donetsk oblast). On top of that, Russian forces launched 66x air strikes, carried out 38x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, the Russian attacks have resulted in civilian injuries. Residential private and apartment buildings, a school and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

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 its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vovchans'k and Vil'khuvatka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 40x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Klyusy (Chernihiv oblast), Volfyne, Katerynivka, Volodymyrivka, Pysarivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Vovchans'k, Mala Vovcha (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 5x assaults near Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area the occupies made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes near Kolodyazne, Syn'kivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Tabaivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x assault in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast). In that area the Russian adversary, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike in the vicinity of Spirne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack in the vicinity of Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Bohdanivka, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 15x attacks near Avdiivka and 5x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, the Russian occupiers, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Sukha Balka, Novobakhmutivka, Novokalynove, Ocheretyne and Orlivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars more than 15x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Berdychi, Stepove, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 11x unsuccessful attempts to improve its tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kostyantynivka, Yelyzavetivka (Donetsk oblast). The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Kurakhove, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: Russian forces conducted no offensives. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vuhledar, Novodonets'ke and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Poltavka, Chervone, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, Kam'yans'ke (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: Russian forces do not abandon their intention to drive Ukrainian units out of their footholds on the left bank of the Dnipro. Thus, during the day, Russian forces made 13x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novokairy, Chervonyi Mayak, Novoberyslav, Krynky (Kherson oblast). Russian forces fired artillery at the city of Kherson as well as Solonchaky, Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). On top of that, the invaders launched MLRS strikes at the vicinities of Ol'hivka, Krynky, Tyahynka, Ivanivka, Novotyahynka, Tokarivka, Chornobaivka (Kherson oblast).

During the day of February 1, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 13x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 1x air defense system.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment, 4x artillery systems, 1x electronic warfare station.

Also, on the night of February 1, forces of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) destroyed a missile boat of the 41st brigade of missile boats of the Russian Black Sea fleet in the western part of the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation repelled seven attacks launched by assault groups of 30th, 44th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region), and Terny (Donetsk People's Republic) The enemy losses were over 125 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles.

In conterbattery warfare, the Russian troops hit one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved their positions along the front line and inflicted fire damage on AFU and Ukriane's National Guard units near the Serebryansky forestry.

In addition, three attacks launched by assault groups of the 60th and 63rd mechanised brigades have been repelled near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). The enemy losses were over 290 troops, one tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made Paladin self-propelled artillery system.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and defeated clusters of manpower and hardware of 28th, 42nd, 54th, and 93rd mechanised, 81st Airmobile, 5th Assault, 95th Air Assault brigades of the AFU near Belogorovka, Kleshcheyevka, and Kurdyumovka, (Donetsk People's Republic). The Russian troops repelled four attacks launched by assault groups of the 22nd Mechanised, 46th Airmobile, and 79th Air Assault brigades of the AFU close to Georgiyevka, Novomikhailovka, and Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic)

The enemy lost over 210 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles. In addition, in the course of counter-battery warfare during the day, the Russian troops hit: one Grad MLRS vehicle, one UK-made AS-90 self-propelled artillery system, three U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, two Msta-B howitzers, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one Giatsint-B gun, five Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, one Bukovel electronic warfare system, and one ammunition depot.

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces, supported by air and artillery, repelled two attacks and overwhelmed units of the 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades near Staromayorskoye and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic) and Priyutnoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU's losses were up to 80 troops, one tank, two armoured personnel carriers, and two motor vehicles. In counter-battery warfare, the following were hit: one Grad MLRS vehicle, two UK-made FH-70 howitzers, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one D-30 gun.

In Zaporozhye direction, the Russian Group of Forces in cooperation with aircraft repelled an attack and defeated manpower and hardware of the AFU's 128th mountain assault, 33rd and 65th mechanised brigades close to Lugovskoye, Rabotino, Zherebyanka, and Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU lost up to 50 troops and three pickup trucks. In addition, in counter-battery warfare, the following were hit: one Grad MLRS vehicle, two D-20 and two D-30 howitzers.

In Kherson direction, as a result of competent action by units of the Dnepr Group of Forces and complex fire defeat, enemy losses amounted to up to 50 servicemen, three tanks, two armoured personnel carriers, two motor vehicles, and two U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radars.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised a radar station of the Norwegian-made NASAMS anti-aircraft missile system, a 35D6M air target detection radar station, two AFU fuel depots as well as manpower and military hardware in 137 areas.

Russia's air defence systems shot down 20 aerial guided missiles and 17 HIMARS MLRS projectiles. In addition, 68 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed close to Olshana and Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Zhytlovka and Krivosheyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Yasinovataya and Makeyevka (Donetsk People's Republic), Pologi, Gulyaypole, and Tokmak (Zaporozhye region) and Radensk and Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,580 unmanned aerial vehicles, 457 air defence missile systems, 14,877 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,214 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,931 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,124 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.