Ukraine War Update NEWS (20230828): Overnight & Other News
Table of Contents 📖
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"Corruption is bad enough in peacetime, right? But here, this kind of corruption can cost people lives."
Hello Team!
Jonathan notes it is his twin's birthday today which will affect his video schedule. He will try to get the news updates out but makes no promises due to birthday celebrations.
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Russian Losses
The Ukrainian general staff reports the following Russian losses for the previous day:
- 490 personnel (consistent with recent figures)
- 4 tanks (lower than some recent days)
- 8 armoured personnel vehicles
- 22 artillery systems (a consistently high number)
- 2 MLRS
- 1 anti-aircraft system
- 5 drones, 4 cruise missiles (likely the ones shot down overnight)
- 12 vehicles/fuel tanks
- 1 piece of special equipment
Jonathan notes the artillery losses are significant if accurate. Tank losses are lower likely because Russia is being more cautious with their diminished tank supply.
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Equipment Losses
Oryx's tally of visually confirmed losses from the previous day:
- Russia: 19 (mostly APVs, IFVs, MRAPs, APCs, a few tanks, artillery, MLRS, trucks, drone)
- Ukraine: 10 (2 L-39 trainer jets from crash, radar system, a few other pieces)
The 2:1 ratio favors Ukraine. Andrew Perpetua's tally from video footage also shows at least a 2:1 loss ratio, mainly APVs and a few tanks, favoring Ukraine.
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Crimea Partisan Activity
A Russian source claims 14 Russian soldiers were killed in their sleep by "unknown saboteurs" at their barracks in Crimea. Some had their throats slit, others stabbed in the heart. If true, this is significant partisan activity showing an ability to infiltrate and strike Russian forces in occupied territory. This will have a major psychological impact.
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Drone Attack in Kursk
Reports claim 16 Ukrainian kamikaze drones attacked targets at a Kursk airbase, including:
- 4 Su-30 and 1 MiG-29 jets
- S-300 air defense radars
- 2 Pantsir air defense systems
Allegedly only 3 of the 16 drones were shot down, the rest hit their targets. The drones were likely the Australian-made "cardboard" SYPAQ drones which can carry 3-5kg warheads. If true, this could mean significant damage to Russian assets. However, Jonathan cautions the claims are unconfirmed.
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Russian Soldiers Surrender
In an unconfirmed report, 52 mobilized Russian soldiers near Robotyne allegedly beat their commander and surrendered with him to Ukraine after complaining about lack of food and ammunition. If true, this could foreshadow more Russian surrenders as Ukraine's counteroffensive progresses.
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Russia Uses Cluster and Incendiary Munitions
Russia struck Orizhiv, near the Mokri Yaly river, with cluster and incendiary munitions. Use of such controversial weapons has been seen in Kherson, Bakhmut and elsewhere. Russia is now using them defensively as Ukraine advances.
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Fires and Explosions in Russia and Occupied Ukraine
- Large fire in Berdyansk, occupied Ukraine. Cause unclear but some claim a Ukrainian strike.
- Overnight, Russia fired 6 missiles at Ukraine (4 Kalibrs, 2 Kh-59). 4 were shot down. 2 hit an industrial facility in Myrhorod, Poltava, killing 2 and injuring 5.
- Russia claims 2 drones shot down over Bryansk and 1 over Moscow. A drone was shot down 5km from a Moscow helicopter plant. Large explosion heard on video, unclear if from drone impact or air defenses.
- Fire/explosion in Murmansk, Russia. Cause unknown.
US Assessment of Ukrainian Offensive
Unnamed US officials are reportedly still convinced of the need to firmly back Ukraine, rather than seek a quick diplomatic solution, despite a Washington Post article with negative outlooks. The article claims US commanders believe Ukraine is wasting artillery ammo on massive Soviet-style barrages, nearly exhausting Western stockpiles. It also alleges the Pentagon urged Ukraine to rely less on drones and more on ground recon troops to assess Russian positions. However, these claims have been met with major pushback and skepticism from many analysts who argue drones are invaluable for recon and that ground troops would be far less effective and at much higher risk. The credibility of the unnamed Pentagon sources is questioned.
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Corruption in Ukraine
President Zelenskyy wants corruption to be equated with high treason under martial law. Jonathan argues wartime corruption is doubly bad as it can cost lives, such as troops receiving shoddy equipment due to corrupt procurement. He believes cracking down harshly on corruption is the right approach.
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Assassination Attempts on Intel Chief
Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov has survived over 10 assassination attempts since 2014 according to a spokesman. As a likely top Russian target after Zelenskyy, it's unsurprising Russia wants him dead.
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Wrap up
Jonathan gives a shout-out to Maria Veshenova, a pro-Ukraine YouTuber who frequently comments on his videos. He encourages viewers to check out her channel. He thanks viewers for their support and promises to try his best to put out more content today around birthday celebrations, but makes no guarantees. He signs off wishing everyone well.
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