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Russo-Ukraine War - 28 February 2024 - Day 735

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 war in Ukraine has contributed to a significant shift in Russia's relationship with the countries of the former Soviet Union. Russia almost certainly continues to see maintaining its influence in these countries as a foreign policy priority, crucial to domestic security and economic prosperity. Since February 2022, while there are variations between countries, Russia's overall influence in its near neighbours has declined.

The resources Russia has committed in Ukraine and its failure to achieve a military breakthrough have called into question Russia's traditional position as a regional security guarantor. Russia's violation of Ukrainian sovereignty has raised the prospect of a security threat from Russia itself. The decline in the Russian economy and the risk of secondary sanctions has intensified concerns around economic dependence on Russia.

In response to these trends, states across the former Soviet Union have intensified efforts to diversify their economic, political and security relationships to reduce their dependence on Russia. While Russia maintains a significant presence, both overt and covert, in the region, the Kremlin's ability to achieve its aims and objectives has almost certainly declined significantly over the past two years.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of February 28, there were 79x combat engagements.

Russian forces launched a total of 5x missile and 91x air strikes, carried out 102x 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. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Ploske, Budarky, Varvarivka (Kharkiv oblast). More than 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Prohres (Chernihiv oblast), Fotovyzh, Seredyna-Buda, Stara Huta (Sumy oblast), Strilecha, Luk'yantsi, Starytsya, Vovchans'k (Kharkiv oblast).
Kup'yans'k axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attacks near Tabaivka, where the occupiers made attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Kup'yans'k and Syn'kivka (Kharkiv oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Zapadne, Syn'kivka, Ivanivka, Kotlyarivka (Kharkiv oblast).
Lyman axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 6x assaults near Terny, Yampolivka (Donetsk oblast) and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), where Russian forces made attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes in the vicinities of Novojehorivka, Makiivka, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Terny, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Yampolivka, Tors'ke, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 8x attacks in the vicinities of Ivanivske, Klishchiivka (Donetsk oblast), where the Russian occupiers made attempts to improve their tactical situation. Russian forces launched air strikes near Vasyutyns'ke and Chasiv Yar (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Hryhorivka, Chasiv Yar, Andriivka, Druzhba (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the Ukrainian defenders repelled 20x attacks in the vicinities of Berdychi, Orlivka, Tonen'ke, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces launched air strikes near Oleksandropil', Ocheretyne, Novobakhmutivka, Novoselivka Persha, Orlivka, Netailove (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at around 20x settlements, including Keramik, Novokalynove, Novobakhmutivka, Semenivka, Orlivka, Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the invaders in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). In that area, Russian forces, with air support, made 25x attempts to breach Ukrainian defense. Russian forces launched air strikes near Kurakhove, Vuhledar, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 20x settlements, including Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Novomykhailivka, Kostyantynivka, Vuhledar, Blahodatne, Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast).
Orikhiv axis: the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 1x attack east of Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Russian forces launched an air strike in the vicinity of Malynivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). Around 20x settlements, including Malynivka, Chervone, Mala Tokmachka, Novodanylivka, P'yatykhatky (Zaporizhzhia oblast), were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.
Odesa operational-strategic group, Kherson axis: the Russian occupiers 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 3x attempt to assault positions of Ukrainian troops. Around 20x settlements, including L'vove, Ponyativka, Kherson, Antonivka (Kherson oblast), came under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

During the day of February 28, the Ukrainian Air Force launched air strikes on 7x concentrations of Russian troops.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 1x command post, 1x concentration of troops, weapons and military equipment, 4x artillery systems, 1x air defense system and 1x electronic warfare station, 1x important target of the Russian invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and delivered strikes at enemy manpower and hardware near Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

In addition, seven attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 32nd Mechanised Brigade, 77th Air Mobile Brigade, 95th Air Assault Brigade, and 57th Motorised Rifle Brigade were repelled near Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terni (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 145 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, and two pickup trucks.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer were neutralised.

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 5th, 92nd assault brigades, 28th, 93rd mechanised brigades, 107th and 241st territorial defence brigades near Krasnoye, Bogdanovka, Kleschcheyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Moreover, three counterattacks of the AFU 46th Air Mobile Brigade were repelled near Georgiyevka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 230 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, two infantry fighting vehicles, and six motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, two D-20 howitzers, one Rapira anti-tank gun, one U.S.-made M119 towed howitzer, and one AFU ammunition depot were destroyed.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Petrovskoye, took more advantageous lines, and repelled 11 counterattacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU near Leninskoye, Novgorodskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Tonenkoye, Orlovka, and Pervomayskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 165 Ukrainian troops, four tanks, two Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, and five motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, three D-20 howitzers, one Msta-B howitzer, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and five D-30 howitzers were wiped out.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by aviation inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Urozhaynoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 115 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one Rapira anti-tank gun, and one ammunition depot.

In Kherson direction, as a result of active actions, Russian units took more advantageous positions, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware clusters of the AFU 128th Mountain Assault Brigade and 121st Territorial Defence Brigade near Primorskoye, Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region), and Dudchany (Kherson region).

One counterattack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 117th Mechanised Brigade was repelled near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 Ukrainian troops and two motor vehicles.

In the course of counterbattery warfare, one French-made CAESAR self-propelled artillery system, three D-20 howitzers, one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one D-30 howitzer were neutralised.

Operational-Tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces wiped out one S-300 anti-aircraft missile system radar, one ammunition depot, one AFU POL depot, one unmanned aerial vehicles storage and manufacture facility, as well as engaged manpower and hardware in 131 areas during the day.

Air defence units shot down 99 unmanned aerial vehicles close to Zovtnevoye (Kharkov region), Arapovka, Troitskoye, Novonikolskoye (Lugansk People's Republic), Yelenovka, Shevchenko (Donetsk People's Republic), as well as intercepted three HIMARS MLRS shells.

In total, 575 airplanes and 267 helicopters, 13,622 unmanned aerial vehicles, 474 air defence missile systems, 15,266 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,226 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,203 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 19,179 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.