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Russo-Ukraine War - 27 February 2024 - Day 734

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 on 23 February 2024, a Russian A-50U MAINSTAY D was destroyed, almost certainly by a surface to air missile, while operating South of the Sea of Azov, over the Russian territory of Krasnodar. There is a remote chance that the Russians inadvertently shot down their own aircraft while attempting to protect it.

This is the second A-50 destroyed in as many months. Russia only began operating A-50 aircraft over the Sea of Azov in November 2023. On 14 January 2024, Ukraine successfully targeted an A-50 in that area. This forced Russian decision makers to consider safer operating areas for the aircraft. This latest Ukrainian success has demonstrated a continued Russian inability to protect high value air assets. It brings into question the efficacy of Russian air planners.

The Russian air force will be able to cover the immediate loss of the A-50 because they have seven operational airframes remaining. Yet the loss of two experienced specialist mission crews in as many months is highly likely to induce further strain and combat fatigue on the remaining force if they are to sustain constant operations. It is likely that the Russian air force will again consider different operating locations, but Ukraine is demonstrating an ability to adapt quickly and continues to pose a threat.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 27, there were 86x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 4x missile and 52x air strikes, carried out 94x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Unfortunately, Russian attacks resulted in killed and wounded civilians. Residential private and apartment buildings, as well as other 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. The Russian adversary launched air strikes in the vicinities of Chernats'ke, Chuikivka, Khrapivshchyna, Hrabovs'ke, Yunakivka (Sumy oblast) and Bolohivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Khrinivka (Chernihiv oblast), Znob-Trubchevs'ka, Seredyna-Buda, Stara Huta (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Ohirtseve, Hatyshche, Pletenivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 11x attacks near Syn'kivka and Tabaivka, where the Russian occupiers made unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Syn'kivka, Stepova Novoselivka, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 9x assaults near Terny (Donetsk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense, to no success. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Vyimka and Vesele (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Serebryanka, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes near Bohdanivka and Druzhba (Donetsk oblast). More than10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Orikhovo-Vasylivka, Hryhorivka, Ivanivske (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 18x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Novoselivka Persha, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Novobakhmutivka, Semenivka, Orlivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back Russian forces in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka and west of Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces made 15x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. On top of that, Ukrainian defenders repelled 4x attacks south of Vuhledar, Staromaiors'ke and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Kurakhove, Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, Staromaiors'ke and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Paraskoviivka, Kostyantynivka, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast).
Orikhiv axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 6x attacks in the vicinities of Malynivka and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Levadne, Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 15x settlements, including Poltavka, Charivne, Bilohir'ya, Robotyne, Novodanylivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
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. During the day, Russian forces made 1x attempt to assault positions of Ukrainian troops. Russian forces launched an air strike near Molodizhne (Kherson oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Tyahynka, Tokarivka, Krynky, Ivanivka, L'vove, Ponyativka (Kherson oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of February 27, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 15x concentrations of enemy troops. On top of that, Ukrainian Air Force units destroyed 2x Su-34 fighter-bombers and 4x reconnaissance UAVs.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 3x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 2x artillery systems, 1x air defense system and 1x radar station of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous positions, as well as inflicted losses on AFU manpower and hardware near Sinkovka and Ivanovka (Kharkov region).

In addition, two counterattacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 95th Air Assault Brigade were repelled near Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 3rd Assault Brigade, 28th, 72nd mechanised brigades near Bogdanovka, Kurdyumovka, Antonovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Seven counterattacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 46th Air Mobile Brigade, 79th Air Assault Brigade were repelled near Krasnogorovka, Georgiyevka, Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 420 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 howitzer, one UK-made FH-70 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and one UK-made L119 howitzer.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Severnoye, took more advantageous lines and positions, as well as inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 24th, 110th mechanised brigades, and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Mayorsk, Berdichi, and Rozovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Nine AFU assault detachments counterattacks were repelled near Novgorodskoye, Pervomayskoye, and Petrovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 485 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, including one U.S.-made Abrams tank, three infantry fighting vehicles, including one Bradley infantry fighting vehicle, six armoured fighting vehicles, 13 motor vehicles, and two D-30 howitzers.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation delivered strikes at manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 127th and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region), Urozhaynoye, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and repelled three attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade near Marfopol (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 130 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one UK-made FH-70 towed howitzer, and one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station.

In Kherson direction, as a result of active actions, Russian units took more advantageous positions and repelled three counterattacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 118th Mechanised Brigade near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 23rd Ukrainian National Guard Brigade, and 121st Territorial Defence Brigade near Nesteryanka (Zaporozhye region) and Ilyinka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. One Bukovel-AD electronic warfare station was destroyed.

Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one fuel depot for AFU military hardware, one P-18 air target detection and tracking radar station, one command post of the AFU 128th Territorial Defence Brigade, as well as engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 112 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down one Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 aircraft near Mikhailovka (Nikolaev region).

Moreover, 69 unmanned aerial vehicles were intercepted near Olshana (Kharkov region), Chernopopovka, Zhitlovka (Lugansk People's Republic), Yegorovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Chubaryovka, Chistopolye, Sladkaya Balka (Zaporozhye region), Vasilieyvka, Korsunka (Kherson region), as well as one HIMARS MLRS projectile.

In total, 575 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 13,523 unmanned aerial vehicles, 474 air defence missile systems, 15,252 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,226 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,176 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,138 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.