Ukraine War Update NEWS (20230815a): Pt 1 - Overnight & Other News
Table of Contents 📖
Topic ID | Topic Title | Timestamp |
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"The shells are melting, but the guys are standing. They need support, reinforcement, rotation, help."
Hello Team!
Jonathan welcomes viewers to the first part of the Ukraine War News Update for August 15, 2023.
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🪦 DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL STAFF LOSSES DATA
- These are real people with real lives and real families who love them. Don’t let the numbers sap your humanity.
- These numbers probably aren’t accurate but they’re the best we have and we don’t need them to be accurate to be indicative of patterns of activity.
- All losses are estimates. Losses cannot be counted with accuracy because of the conditions on the ground.
- Both sides would see it to be of their advantage to minimize their own losses maximize the other side’s losses.
- Neither side releases their losses but we have enough transparency from the Ukrainian side to have confidence in they are indicative.
- Personnel losses are hard to count. If a soldier gets injured, heals up, and returns to the front line only to get injured again, is that one loss or two? Also, how to deal with losses from PMC’s or soldiers fighting with RF from occupied territories?
- Equipment losses are hard to count. If an AA complex involves several parts and one part gets disabled, is that a loss, or a fraction of a loss? If a tank gets disabled, repaired, back into the fight, then disabled again, is that one lost tank or two?
- All recorded losses are vulnerable to multiple reporting. We have already seen numerous cases of multiple drones in the air reporting the same loss from different angles as multiple engagements.
- Losses are not always reported on the same day they occurred. It is frequent that drone losses are reported at least 24 hours after other terrestrial equipment losses. Certain losses may not be reported for days or weeks for military intelligence reasons.
Russian Losses
- 540 KIA for the Russians, consistent with recent weeks
- Significant losses of tanks (7), APVs (16), artillery systems (29), anti-aircraft warfare systems (3), and vehicles/fuel tanks (22)
- The attrition of Russian artillery is impacting their counter-battery capabilities
- Loss of anti-aircraft systems like Strela is beneficial for Ukrainian close air support
Comparison of Russian and Ukrainian Losses
- Andrew Perpetua's analysis shows an 8:1 ratio of Russian to Ukrainian tank losses and 9:1 for infantry fighting vehicles
- Significant losses for Russia, including high-value targets like T-90 tanks
- Ukraine lost a radar system and two S-300 launchers, which is a heavy loss
Helicopter and Plane Losses
- Ukrainian forces shot down a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter in Bakhmut
- A Russian L-39 twin-seat military training plane crashed in Krasnodar due to reported maintenance issues, highlighting the high number of Russian aircraft losses within their own territory
HIMARS Strike on Construction Convoy
Video footage shows a HIMARS strike on a Russian construction convoy, with tungsten ball bearings damaging vehicles and equipment, rendering them ineffective.
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Misinformation and Propaganda
A Russian claim about destroying two Ukrainian Leopard tanks was supported by an image from a computer game, highlighting the need for skepticism when assessing such claims.
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Elderly Russian POW
- Video of an elderly Russian POW sparks discussion about Russia's desperate mobilization of older, less fit individuals
- Dmitry from War Translator criticizes Western commentators for not speaking out against Putin's actions
- Some captured Russians reportedly ask not to be exchanged to avoid returning to the war
Conflicts Among Russian Units
- Conflict between Kadyrov and Dagestan soldiers in Zaporizhzhia region resulted in over 20 dead and 40 wounded on both sides
- Incidents of infighting among Russian units are becoming more common
Sabotage and Explosions in Russia
- Railway relay box burned out near Chelyabinsk International Airport
- Powerful explosion at a gas station in Makhachkala, Dagestan, killed 27 and injured over 100
- The cause was reportedly a detonation of saltpeter, highlighting poor safety standards in Russia
Storm Shadow Missile Strikes
- Russian Colonel Viktor Kovalev killed in a Storm Shadow attack on Urivka
- Storm Shadow missiles continue to be used effectively against high-value targets like command posts along the occupied coastline
Damage to Crimean Bridge
Satellite imagery shows damage to the roadside of the Crimean Bridge, possibly from recent strikes, with reports of disrupted traffic flow.
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Russian Cruise Missile Attack
- Significant cruise missile attack across Ukraine, particularly in the west
- 28 cruise missiles fired, 16 shot down by Ukrainian air defences
- Civilian infrastructure hit in Lviv, Lutsk, Kramatorsk, and Slovyansk
- Military targets like the PA Pivdenmash complex in Dnipropetrovsk region also struck
- The scale of the attack and successful strikes may indicate issues with Ukrainian air defences
Russian War Crimes
- GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie visited a grave of 160 civilians executed by Russians, many with signs of torture
- Jonathan emphasizes the clear moral distinction between Russia as the "bad guys" committing strategic, institutional war crimes and Ukraine as the "good guys"
Impact of Sanctions on Russian Airlines
Two out of three Boeing 777s of a Russian airline broke down simultaneously due to the prohibition of spare parts imports, highlighting the long-term effects of sanctions on Russia's domestic airline industry.
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Russian Milblogger's Sober Assessment
- Russian milblogger Zhivov discusses the difficulties faced by Russian troops along the front
- Highlights the need for support, reinforcement, rotation, and help for exhausted soldiers
- Criticizes the lack of aviation, high-precision, and long-range weapons support
- Suggests Russia is reaching a critical point in the war
Wrap up
Jonathan concludes the first part of the update, promising to bring the second part soon, and thanks viewers for their support.
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