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Russo-Ukraine War - 02 February 2024 - Day 709

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 following a review of over a thousand military bribery cases, on 30 January 2024 independent Russian newspaper Verstka published an article on corruption in the Russian Army. Their research identified patterns of corruption and a system of bribes used by Russian servicemembers and their commanders. Bribes were given or demanded for various 'services' such as: leave, certification of physical training, military rank, driver licenses, and avoiding disciplinary action against soldiers for using smartphones or who get drunk.

After February 2022 the set of 'services' was expanded to include injury certificates, awards for participating in the 'Special Military Operation' and avoiding being sent on a combat mission. This activity can be very lucrative for corrupt officers. Verstka published the going rates for these 'services, ranging from 40,000 roubles (GBP £425) to avoid being sent to the front line up to 1 million roubles (GBP £10,575) for an injury certificate.

Corruption has long been a problem in the Russian Armed Forces. The journalist Dmitry Kholodov investigated military corruption in the 1990s and was killed in Moscow by a bomb in a briefcase in October 1994. It is likely that corruption significantly undermines the effectiveness of the Russian military. There is only a remote chance that significant progress will be made in reducing corruption levels.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 2, there were 55x combat engagements. Russian forces launched 50x air strikes and carried out 19x 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 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 an air strike in the vicinity of Vil'khuvatka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Sen'kivka, Prohres, Zorya, Hrem'yach (Chernihiv oblast), Seredyna-Buda, Bachivs'k, Iskryskivshchyna, Volodymyrivka, Hrabovs'ke, Popivka (Sumy oblast), Udy, Vovchans'k, Mala Vovcha, Potykhonove (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x assaults near Syn'kivka and Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). In that area Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. The Russian occupiers launched air strikes near Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Dvorichna, Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 3x assaults in the vicinity of Terny (Donetsk oblast). In that area Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Spirne, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 2x attacks in the vicinities of Bohdanivka and Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to improve their tactical situation. More than 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vasyukivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, New York (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 19x attacks near Avdiivka and 10x more attacks near Pervomais'ke and Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Oleksandropil', Novokalynove, Ocheretyne (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars more than 15x settlements, including Berdychi, Stepove, Lastochkyne, Avdiivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Mar'inka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 6x unsuccessful attempts to improve its tactical situation. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Shakhtars'ke axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 1x attack south of Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vuhledar and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 10x settlements, including Vuhledar, Urozhaine, Staromaiors'ke, Rivnopil' (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 3x attacks near Robotyne and west of Verbove (Zaporizhzhia oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Around 20x settlements, including Levadne, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Orikhiv, Novoandriivka, P'yatykhatky (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 6x unsuccessful assaults on positions of Ukrainian troops. The Russian adversary fired artillery at the city of Kherson, the settlements of Beryslav, Inhulets' (Kherson oblast) as well as Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast). On top of that, Russian forces launched air strikes at the vicinities of Kherson and Respublikanets' (Kherson oblast).

During the day of February 2, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 10x concentrations of Russian troops, weapons and military equipment.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x ammunition depots of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces repelled five attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 30th, 44th mechanised brigades, and 95th Air Assault Brigade near Terni (Donetsk People's Republic) and Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up 45 Ukrainian troops, two pickup trucks, and one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and with support of artillery repelled three attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 60th Mechanised Brigade near Yampolovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 270 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-made M119 howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 22nd Mechanised Brigade and 114th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kleshcheyevka and Krasnoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

Two attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 81st Airmobile Brigade were repelled near Belogorovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 290 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, including one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, and 17 motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one Msta-B howitzer, one D-20 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one D-30 howitzer, and one Grad MLRS combat vehicle were neutralised. In addition, four field ammunition depots were destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation inflicted losses on units of the AFU 58th Mechanised Brigade and 127th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 100 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two D-30 howitzers.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 118th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, and 82nd Air Assault Brigade near Rabotino, Nesteryanka, and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 55 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pickup trucks, and one D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, units of the AFU 38th Marines Brigade suffered losses. The AFU losses amounted to up to 35 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one ammunition depot of the AFU 110th Mechanised Brigade, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 102 areas during the day.

Air defence units intercepted two Olkha MLRS projectiles over the past 24 hours.

In addition, 40 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down during the day near Berestovoye (Kharkov region), Novoselovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Novaya Mayachka (Kherson region), Semenovka, and Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 568 airplanes and 265 helicopters, 11,620 unmanned aerial vehicles, 457 air defence missile systems, 14,888 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,215 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,946 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 18,156 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.