The Russian-Ukrainian War of 2022 (News and battle updates only)

[TruckDriver9]

Avdiivka - 08.03.2023

"The situation in the Avdiivka direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ March 8, 2023

▪️ Russian troops are conducting a positional attack on the Ukrainian strongholds around the Avdiivka fortified area. The assault on Avdiivka in a frontal attack would be fraught with huge losses, so the RF Armed Forces use the tactics of "creeping" advance in order to bypass Avdiivka from two sides with the goal of cutting of the enemy's supply lines.
▪️ North of Avdiivka, Russian troops resumed their offensive in the direction of Krasnohorivka. During fierce battles near the pond and the dam, the RF Armed Forces liberated the village of Vesle and advanced further. Now the fighting is going on in the area of the forest belt and near the Krasnohorivska Pond. Ukrainian formations are equipping firing positions for heavy machine guns in the Krasnohorivka area.
▪️ To the north, near Novokalynove, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue the preparations for a counterattack against Novobakhmutivka with a group of ten armored combat vehicles.
▪️ South of Avdiivka, clashes resumed near the dominant heights north of Vodyane. Soldiers of the RF Armed Forces, supported by artillery, are advancing towards the village of Sjeverne."

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Work of Russian air force in the Avdiivka direction.

 

[TruckDriver9]

March 9 night time (local time) drone and missile strikes all over ukraine.

"Ukrainian channels are reporting Tu-95s airborne, air alarms across much of Ukraine."

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"2 UAVs detected over the Poltava region."

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"In Chernigov 2 groups fly towards Kiev."

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"Explosions reported in Kirovograd region.

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"Explosions Dnepropetrovsk."

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"Explosions in Kherson."

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"Explosions in Chernigov."

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"Explosions in Odessa and Nikolaev."
"Due to the threat of a missile attack in Odessa and the region, emergency shutdowns were introduced."

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"Repeated explosions in Dnepropetrovsk and Odessa."

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"Power outages in Kharkov."

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"Explosions in Nikolaev region."

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"Explosions in Cherkassy."

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"Explosions in Zaporozhye."

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"Again explosions in Dnepropetrovsk and Odessa."

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"Explosions in Zhytomyr."

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"Explosions in Vinnitsa region."

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"Ukrainian channels report that more launches are possible in about an hour."

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"Explosions in Vinnitsa region, again."

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"Explosions in Lvov region."

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"Explosions in Kharkov region."

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"Explosions in Zaporozhye."

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"Explosions in Zhytomyr region."

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"Explosions in Kiev region."

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"Explosions in Khmelnitsky region."

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"Explosions in Ivano-Frankovsk region."

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"Explosions in Poltava."

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"Explosions in Ternopol region."

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"Explosions in Odessa, again."

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"Lawn mowers over Kiev region."

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"Explosions in Kharkov region, again."
"Power is out in Kharkov."
"Kharkov TG Channels reported at least 10 explosions."

"As a result of one of the hits on an energy infrastructure facilities of the Kharkov region, a strong fire started. Thick black smoke is visible in the sky above the city."

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"Power is out in Odessa."

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"A new wave is expected in Ukraine."

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"Explosions in Kiev, again."

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"Missiles on the way to Sumy, Poltava, Cherkasy."

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"Explosions in Dnepropetrovsk region, again."

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"Explosions in Sumy region."

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"Explosions in Rivne and Lutsk."

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"Explosions in Kirovograd region."

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"Geran-2 over Lvov."
"Explosions in Lvov region."
"Lvov has some power problems."

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"Explosions in Volyn."

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"Explosions in Kiev region, again."

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"Explosions in Ternopol region."

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[TruckDriver9]

^
Preliminary reports

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Air defence at work

 

[911]

 

[TruckDriver9]

Soledar - 11.03.2023

"The situation in the Soledar direction as of 20:00 /Moscow time/ March 11, 2023

▪️ Despite the difficult situation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue defending their positions. Four to six Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft, from the airfield in Dnepropetrovsk, operate daily in the air, from the direction of Kramatorsk.
▪️ Russian artillery and aviation are conducting massive fire on all fortified positions of Ukrainian formations from Bohdanivka to Toretsk. As a result of one of the recent attacks on the headquarters of the Right Sector 67th Mechanized Brigade "DUK" of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, recently transferred to the Bakhmut direction, the battalion commander of the 1st Mechanized Battalion "DaVinci Wolves" was liquidated.
▪️ At the same time, the command of the Ukrainian group in the Soledar direction continues to transfer forces to the second line of defense. A battalion of an unidentified formation arrived in Kramatorsk.

Soledar direction
▪️ Russian troops are attacking the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the direction of Orikhovo-Vasylivka - Zaliznyanske line. Assault detachments managed to advance along the M03 highway. At Zaliznyanske, fighting continues on the outskirts of the settlement.

Bakhmut direction
▪️ In the north of Bakhmut, the assault detachments of the PMC Wagner are attacking on the territory of the "AZOM" - Artyomovskiy Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant, used by the formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a stronghold.
▪️ After clearing the eastern bank of the Bakhmutka River, active clashes moved to the south and southwest of the city. In the areas of Sobachevka and Budenovka the Wagnerites storm the enemy's strongholds on the streets of Korsunsky and Chaikovsky, as well as in the direction of the MiG-17 Monument.
▪️ According to some reports, one of Russian reconnaissance and sabotage groups crossed the Bakhmutka River near Nizhnyaya Street, in an attempt to gain a foothold on the opposite bank.

Chasiv Yar direction
▪️ Positional battles are going on near Khromove and Krasne/Ivanivske.
▪️ Assault detachments of the PMC Wagner regularly carry out sorties on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the Kostyantynivka-Chasiv Yar-Bakhmut highway. Such maneuvers make it possible to tie down the formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in specific areas."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Kupyansk-Kreminna - 11.03.2023

"The situation in the Starobilsk direction by the end of March 11, 2023

Kupyansk direction
▪️ There are no significant changes at the Kupyansk sector. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are waiting for the activation of the offensive of the Russian Army and are preparing their lines for defense.
▪️ Artillerymen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation conduct massive fire preparation.

Svatove-Kreminna direction
▪️ At the Nevske-Terny line, Ukrainian Air Assault Forces tried to carry out a counterattack, but the RF Armed Forces repulsed the attack and went on the offensive, expanding the zone of control south of Ploshchanka and in the area of the Zhuravka gully.
▪️ As a result of a successful assault and massive artillery strikes, more than 40 people from the 1st battalion of the 25th Airborne and the 13th battalion of the 95th Air Assault brigades were injured. The exact number of dead is unknown, Ukrainian units retreated.
▪️ At the Lyman sector, units of the 144th Motor Rifle Division of the RF Armed Forces resumed their offensive against the positions of the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 19th rifle battalion of the territorial defense in the Serebryanka forests.
▪️ During a successful attack by Russian fighters, with the support of tank groups, artillery and aviation, control was established over several enemy strongholds, and part of the enemy personnel surrendered.
▪️ Formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are supported by tactical aircraft from Mirhorod, as well as Mi-8 helicopters from the airfield in Pasika.

Siversk direction
▪️ At the Lysychansk sector, by March 15, one of the battalions of the 81st Airmobile Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Bilohorivka is expected to be withdrawn to reserve positions. The unit is only 20% staffed with people, and there are almost no vehicles and armaments left."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Avdiivka - 12.03.2023

"Battle for Avdiivka situation as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ March 12, 2023

▪️ To the north of Avdiivka, Russian units attacked the fortified area of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Krasnohorivka. As a result of intense fighting, the RF Armed Forces entered the village and entrenched themselves on the eastern outskirts. Now clashes continue in the central and western regions.
▪️ Despite the circulating information about the complete control over Krasnohorivka, the settlement has not yet been liberated, a cleansing is underway.
▪️ At the same time, the Ukrainian command deployed units of the 1st Presidential Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine to the area of the village to assist the defending forces.
▪️ In addition, the Russian Armed Forces, after establishing full control over Vesele, moved south along the dam and came close to the village of Kamyanka, south of Novoselivka Druha.
▪️ Tactical success in this area and potential control over Krasnohorivka and Kamyanka will allow the RF Armed Forces to physically take the Avdiivka fortified area into a semi-encirclement and advance further to the railway near Petrivske. The supply lines for the grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the suburbs of Donetsk passes through this railway line. Cutting this logistic hub will significantly reduce the capabilities of Ukrainian formations in Avdiivka and create the prospect of squeezing the Armed Forces of Ukraine out of the settlement."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Bakhmut - 12.03.2023

"Battle for Bakhmut situation as of 17:00 /Moscow time/ March 12, 2023

▪️ To the northwest of Bakhmut, after the first unsuccessful attempt to attack the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Orikhovo-Vasylivka, assault detachments of the PMC Wagner broke through the defenses of Ukrainian formations through the fields south of the village.
▪️ As the sources of the Military Chronicle suggest, the settlement itself consists of four well-fortified strongholds. At the moment, a confident control has been established over two of them, the cleanup is underway on the third and fourth.
▪️ Near the village cemetery, 30 people, from the 30th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 116th brigade of the territorial defense, were killed.
▪️ The Armed Forces of Ukraine are unsuccessfully trying to recapture the lost territories, several attacks have already been carried out by forces of the 1st Special Forces Detachment of the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of a tank platoon of the 4th Tank Brigade. As a result of the fighting, the Wagnerites destroyed two tanks, and only in the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine losses amount to about 120 people killed and wounded in the last two days. Ukrainian formations suffer losses due to difficulties with the evacuation of the wounded, the lack of reconnaissance and logistics support, and insufficiently intensive fire support - mortar and artillery crews have a limit on the consumption of ammo.
▪️ For now, the Ukrainian formations have retreated to the Holubivka area, the seriously wounded are being transported to Slavyansk and Lyman.
▪️ From Minkivka, Holubivka and Pryvillya, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are shelling the areas of advance of the PMC Wagner with artillery and mortars.

▪️ To the southwest of Bakhmut, PMC assault detachments approached close to the Kostyantynivka-Chasiv Yar-Bakhmut highway. The attack on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is taking place on the Stupochky-Krasne/Ivanivske and Krasne/Ivanivske-Bakhmut sections of the road.
▪️ To support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a mortar battery was transferred to Kostyantynivka from Slavyansk.
▪️ At the same time, Russian units advanced slightly in the Budenovsky district in southern Bakhmut, improving their tactical position and leveling the front line.

▪️ Advancing to the northwest along the M03 Slavyansk highway allows the PMC Wagner to expand the buffer zone near Bakhmut and secure the flanks from counterattacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration has already accumulated large reserves, which, under certain circumstances, can be thrown into battle to tie down Russian fighters.
▪️ In addition, movement in this direction creates the prospect of a further offensive in two directions:
To encircle the Seversk agglomeration, which, together with the actions of the 144th Motor Rifle Division of the RF Armed Forces in the Serebryanka forestry, is very logical.
As well as to bypass the fortified area in Chasiv Yar - the city is located on the dominant heights relative to the areas from which the Wagnerites are now advancing. A frontal attack is extremely dangerous due to the terrain, and a direct assault on Chasiv Yar would be like attacking Ugledar from the lowlands.
▪️ Simultaneous advance to the north with successes in the south of Bakhmut and southwest of the city fetters the formations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in one area, which, given the shortage of ammunition among Ukrainian artillerymen, allows the RF Armed Forces to develop success in other directions."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Kupyansk-Kreminna - 13.03.2023

"The situation in the Starobilsk direction as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ March 13, 2023

Kupyansk direction
▪️ At the Kupyansk sector, the enemy is equipping forward positions of the 28th separate rifle battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the Krasne Pershe-Dvorichna line and the 109th brigade of the territorial defense in the Synkivka area. To maintain combat readiness, ammunition was transported to the strongholds of the 36th separate rifle battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Kamenka.
▪️ Mortar crews of the 40th separate rifle battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are regularly shelling Russian positions in Hryanykivka. Target designation to the enemy is provided by drones.
▪️ Both parties are fighting in the area of the village of Yahidne. Fire support for the Russian troops is provided by Su-25 tactical aircraft, as well as Mi-8 helicopters.
▪️ In Kyslivka, Ukrainian UAV crews use Mavik-3 copters to track the activities of Russian troops, and sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operate at the Kyslivka-Krokhmalne line.

Kreminna direction
▪️ At the Lyman sector, six assault groups of the 25th Airborne Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of several armored vehicles, tried to counterattack the positions of the 144th Motor Rifle Division of the RF Armed Forces in order to return to previously lost strongholds in the Zhuravka gully area. Russian troops repulsed the attack, the enemy retreated with losses.
▪️ In order to slow down the advance of the RF Armed Forces, the Ukrainian command transferred operational reserve units to the front line, which made another unsuccessful attempt at a counterattack. Over the past two days, the paratroopers of the 25th brigade lost 20 people killed and 32 wounded.
▪️ The enemy is carrying out a planned rotation of the personnel of the 13th battalion of the 95th Air Assault Brigade in the vicinity of Torske, and is also transferring reserves to strengthen the forward positions west of the Dibrova village."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Soledar - 14.03.2023

"The situation in the Soledar direction as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ March 14, 2023

Soledar direction
▪️ To the northwest of Bakhmut, the Wagnerites established control over the hills near Orikhovo-Vasylivka and Zaliznyanske. Now the fighting continues in Orikhovo-Vasylivka and on the road to Minkivka and Pryvillya.
▪️ The Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of mortar and artillery crews, tried to counterattack, using the advantage in personnel, but the attack was repulsed, and part of the forces of the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine had to be withdrawn to Malynivka.

Bakhmut direction
▪️ In the north of Bakhmut, assault detachments of PMC Wagner cleared the territory of the "Vostokmash" building at the "AZOM" - Artyomovskiy Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant. Now the Wagnerites are moving deeper into the enterprise.

▪️ In the south of the city, the Wagnerites approached Korsunsky Street, occupying part of the residential areas in the Budenovsky district of the city. There is also a advancement from the Lesnoye garage cooperative.

Chasiv Yar direction
▪️ To the southwest, positional battles are taking place near Krasne/Ivanivske, where Russian units continue to launch sorties to the strongholds of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, hampering their defensive capabilities.

▪️ Ukrainian formations are actively using small-sized drones and quadcopters to aim artillery. During the day, the use of 53 UAVs of various types was noted. In addition, two Bayraktar UAVs operated over Druzhkivka and Kostyantynivka.
▪️ On March 14, the dispatch of those mobilized citizens who received combat coordination, from the Chernihiv and Sumy regions, began to Slavyansk and Kostyantynivka. Members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are distributing information about preparations for a counteroffensive in the Soledar direction in early April."

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Footage from the Vostokmash plant in Bakhmut. The AZOM metal processing plant was supposed to be the next Azovstal - it won't be.

 

[911]

Russia allegedly took down a USAF Global Hawk over the Black Sea, a $200M large high-end drone...

The $220million Air Force spy plane roaming empty skies above Ukraine

While Ukraine's airspace has been largely empty amid the crisis with Russia, a remotely piloted U.S. military vehicle called the RQ-4 Global Hawk has flown over the country in circles for hours at a time.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Given how close that thing was flying to Crimea, I am surprised they didn't do that earlier...

Edit: it looks like the drone was the cheaper smaller MQ-9 Reaper, "only" $30M a piece...

 

[TruckDriver9]

^
MQ-9 Reaper update

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Russian MoD official statement

 

[911]

The Sukhoi sprayed the drone with a fuel trail, which caused the drone`s turboprop engine to misfire. So it was a "contactless" event.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Bakhmut - 15.03.2023

"Battle for Bakhmut situation as of 16:00 /Moscow time/ March 15, 2023

▪️ To the northwest of Bakhmut, assault detachments of the Wagner PMC liberated the village of Zaliznyanske. Sources of the Military Chronicle report that during the fierce battles, individual units of the 30th Mechanized and the 61st Jaeger brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered heavy losses, about 150 people killed and wounded, and retreated from the village.
▪️ The liberation of Zaliznyanske opens the way for a simultaneous attack on the Bondarne-Vasyukivka line to the north from two sides: from Zaliznyanske and Krasnopillya. This will level the front line and improve the situation before further advancement on the Seversk agglomeration.
▪️ To the south of the M03 highway, fighting continues in Orikhovo-Vasylivka, where combined formations from the 30th Mechanized, 71st Jaeger and 17th Tank brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the territorial defense forces, are involved in the defense. Ukrainian units withdrew mortar and artillery crews to Malynivka due to the approach of the front line to the Minkivka-Holubivka-Pryvillya triangle.
▪️ At the same time, the Wagnerites advanced a little towards Bohdanivka from the direction of Dubovo-Vasylivka. In addition, separate reconnaissance and sabotage groups of Wagner PMCs are already operating between Bohdanivka and Khromove.
▪️ Information about the liberation of Khromove is not true yet. The forces of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine left the village in order, due to heavy losses, however, Russian units did not enter the settlement due to massive barrage fire of its environs by the Ukrainian artillery.
▪️ In Bakhmut, the Wagnerites continue to clean up the territory of the "AZOM" - Artyomovskiy Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant. After the capture of the Vostokmash building, further advancement deep into the complex is noted.
▪️ In southern Bakhmut, the assault squads crossed Korsunskogo Street and reached the center of the Samolet district. Fights are marked in the direction of the Bakhmut Industrial College."

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POV: direct fire control of the Khromove-Chasiv Yar road

 

[TruckDriver9]

Avdiivka - 15.03.2023

"Battle for Avdiivka situation as of 20:00 /Moscow time/ March 15, 2023

▪️ North of Avdiivka, Russian troops completely cleared out Krasnohorivka. The settlement came under full control of the RF Armed Forces. At the moment, the military personnel of the Russian Army are securing themselves in the liberated areas and advancing west of the village.
▪️ Due to the loss of Krasnohorivka, Ukrainian formations have been actively transferring ammunition and essential products to Avdiivka in the past few days in case the defense is breached. In addition, a platoon from the 116th brigade of the territorial defense of Ukraine arrived at the front line.
▪️ With the liberation of Krasnohorivka, the situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Avdiivka worsened, but it is too early to talk about the encirclement and the attack on the fortified area itself. Before that, it is necessary to create a favorable foothold by cutting the supply lines, which, among other things, run from the south from Orlivka and Lastochkyne.

▪️ South of Avdiivka, assault detachments from the 53rd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with several units of armored vehicles, were deployed to the area of Tonenke and Sjeverne.
▪️ In the Pervomaiske area, 4 km northwest, and 1.5 km north of the village, firing positions of M777 155mm howitzers are equipped. In Pervomaiske itself, at least one MLRS launcher is located.
▪️ Over the past 24 hours, an assault detachment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the combined forces from the 53rd Mechanized Brigade and from the 145th and 147th separate battalions conducted reconnaissance in force, advancing from the vicinity of Sjeverne. As a result, the Ukrainian formations managed to recapture one of previously lost positions, but they lost eight people and could not advance further."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Zaporozhye - 15.03.2023

"The situation in the Zaporozhye direction by the end of March 15, 2023

▪️ Today, March 15, after artillery and aviation preparation, Ukrainian units attempted to attack the positions of Russian troops in the Orihiv and Polohy sectors.
▪️ Northwest of Polohy, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on several units of armored vehicles, attempted to storm the defense lines of the 291st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motor Rifle Division and the 22nd Special Forces Brigade of the RF Armed Forces. The attack was repulsed by Russian fighters with the support of ATGM crews and artillery. The Armed Forces of Ukraine lost two tanks and several infantry fighting vehicles.
▪️ At the same time, Ukrainian assault detachments, on several tanks, attacked the defense lines of the 70th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motor Rifle Division of the RF Armed Forces near Novodanylivka in the Orihiv sector. Artillery and mortar strikes destroyed four tanks, and the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were killed.
▪️ To date, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have lost more than 40 people killed and at least eight units of armored vehicles.
▪️ At the moment the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the help of armored vehicles, are conducting a second offensive near Orihiv. The fighting continues."

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[Pointy Elbows]

Bakhmut - 15.03.2023
View attachment 55976
"Battle for Bakhmut situation as of 16:00 /Moscow time/ March 15, 2023

▪️ To the northwest of Bakhmut, assault detachments of the Wagner PMC liberated the village of Zaliznyanske. Sources of the Military Chronicle report that during the fierce battles, individual units of the 30th Mechanized and the 61st Jaeger brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine suffered heavy losses, about 150 people killed and wounded, and retreated from the village.
▪️ The liberation of Zaliznyanske opens the way for a simultaneous attack on the Bondarne-Vasyukivka line to the north from two sides: from Zaliznyanske and Krasnopillya. This will level the front line and improve the situation before further advancement on the Seversk agglomeration.
▪️ To the south of the M03 highway, fighting continues in Orikhovo-Vasylivka, where combined formations from the 30th Mechanized, 71st Jaeger and 17th Tank brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the territorial defense forces, are involved in the defense. Ukrainian units withdrew mortar and artillery crews to Malynivka due to the approach of the front line to the Minkivka-Holubivka-Pryvillya triangle.
▪️ At the same time, the Wagnerites advanced a little towards Bohdanivka from the direction of Dubovo-Vasylivka. In addition, separate reconnaissance and sabotage groups of Wagner PMCs are already operating between Bohdanivka and Khromove.
▪️ Information about the liberation of Khromove is not true yet. The forces of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine left the village in order, due to heavy losses, however, Russian units did not enter the settlement due to massive barrage fire of its environs by the Ukrainian artillery.
▪️ In Bakhmut, the Wagnerites continue to clean up the territory of the "AZOM" - Artyomovskiy Non-Ferrous Metals Processing Plant. After the capture of the Vostokmash building, further advancement deep into the complex is noted.
▪️ In southern Bakhmut, the assault squads crossed Korsunskogo Street and reached the center of the Samolet district. Fights are marked in the direction of the Bakhmut Industrial College."

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POV: direct fire control of the Khromove-Chasiv Yar road

If that geolocation piece is correct, then Russians are on the south side of that Khromove-Chasiv Yar road, as well as the north. The mapsheet only shows them on the north side, west of that curve south into Khromove. AFU guys have to drive through a direct fire ambush zone to get to Bakhmut proper from Chasiv Yar - now taking fire from both sides of the road? That can only last so long before it is turned into a blocking position. If I'm reading it wrong, please correct me.

 

[TruckDriver9]

If that geolocation piece is correct, then Russians are on the south side of that Khromove-Chasiv Yar road, as well as the north. The mapsheet only shows them on the north side, west of that curve south into Khromove. AFU guys have to drive through a direct fire ambush zone to get to Bakhmut proper from Chasiv Yar - now taking fire from both sides of the road? That can only last so long before it is turned into a blocking position. If I'm reading it wrong, please correct me.

Looks like You're right. There are no signs, on that POV clip, of any kind of barriers/obstacles that could prevent Wagner recon teams from crossing the road, so it's safe to assume that some small Wagner teams (kornet ATGM crews, sniper-scout pairs, etc.) infiltrate the perimeter to launch ambushes.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Zaporozhye - 16.03.2023
"The situation in the Zaporozhye direction as of 13:00 /Moscow time/ March 16, 2023

▪️ After yesterday's unsuccessful offensive in the Polohy and Orihiv sectors, the Armed Forces of Ukraine switched to positional battles. Along the line of contact, the activity of cannon and rocket artillery crews has increased, which may indicate preparations for the next offensive.
▪️ At the Vasylivka sector, sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the 65th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, with the support of the BM-21 Grad MLRS crews, conducted an unsuccessful sortie at the positions of the RF Armed Forces near Vasylivka. The attack was repulsed, and the 65th brigade lost two killed and ten wounded.
▪️ At the Polohy sector, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting a massive shelling of the positions of the 291st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 42nd Motor Rifle Division of the RF Armed Forces. With a high degree of probability, Ukrainian formations are planning another reconnaissance in force.
▪️ Positional battles are taking place in the area of Novozlatopol in the Hulyaipolye sector. To the north of the front line, two Mi-8 helicopters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine operate, and 120mm mortars with ammunition were delivered to the positions of the 110th brigade of the territorial defense of Ukraine.
▪️ According to existing signs, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine intend to continue to probe the defense of the Russian army in various sectors of the Zaporozhye direction. At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not expect a counteroffensive of the RF Armed Forces in the near future - the command of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine plans to transfer personnel (15th Mountain Infantry Battalion) to the Donetsk direction."

---

 

[dicknixon72]

The Sukhoi sprayed the drone with a fuel trail, which caused the drone`s turboprop engine to misfire. So it was a "contactless" event.

If you watch the video, its clear the Flanker made contact with the drone's propeller. You can see one blade has a bent tip after the second fly-by.

I know what they were trying to do, but its pretty cavalier to intentionally hit something cruising in the same envelope as your stall speed. Factually, the contact happened, its clear it wasn't intentional, and the Flanker obviously suffered some sort of damage, the extent of which is know only to the Russian ground crew who are probably not super thrilled with what the pilot did as they have to fix it.