Ukraine – 9/15/2023 Sitrep
By: Robert Homans & Bohdan Chomiak
September 15, 2023
The Ukraine War Ebook, “The Ukrainian People vs. The Russian Horde”
The Ukraine War Ebook we sent to those who were kind enough to support us, that included all our emails that we sent during the first week of the war, has been very well received. Since early July, when the Ebook was released, we have added several new email recipients. For new recipients, plus existing recipients who would like to receive the Ebook, we would be happy to send you a copy in return for your support for our efforts. If you would like to support us in any amount in any currency, and receive an Ebook as our gesture of gratitude, please click on the link HERE. Your support is greatly appreciated!
The Black Sea Grain Conference
The Black Sea Grain Conference is held every year, usually in April, that brings together buyers, sellers & traders active in the trade of Ukraine’s grain and oilseed production. The conference is organized by UkrAgroConsult (https://ukragroconsult.com/en/). Bohdan Chomiak, my collaborator on these emails, is a Principal of UkrAgroConsult.
According to Bohdan this year the conference attracted approximately 400 attendees, many of them smaller producers who had never attended before. The larger international companies were largely absent, forcing smaller Ukrainian producers to establish new sales channels in which to sell their produce. According to Bohdan, a key takeaway is that in 2022 10 companies, mostly international grain traders, handled 90% of the exports. The majors don't take risks. In 2023 more than 200 companies, mostly larger producers, are handling 90% of the exports.
Another key takeaway. With 30% of its territory currently unavailable Ukraine will exceed last years production and can once again export over 50 million metric tons of grains, 6 million metric tons of vegetable oil and about 5 million tons of vegetable protein cake.
Ramzan Kadyrov
It was reported today that the Chechen Leader is in critical condition and in a coma. When one of Kadyrov’s doctors didn’t succeed in curing him, Kadryov ordered him to be buried alive.
Another Naval Hit
Today, at about 4PM local time, another Russian surface ship, a small frigate capable of carrying 4 Kalibr cruise missiles was heavily damaged by a Ukrainian sea drone. It took place near the entrance to Sevastopol Harbor.
According to reports the drone was especially modified to operate in rough seas. Its low profile and the rough seas near the Sevastopol Harbor entrance made it very hard to hit, by someone firing a machine gun from the pitching deck of a relatively small ship.
Based on the time, late afternoon, and the orientation of the Sevastopol Harbor entrance, it is almost certain that the drone was coming out of the setting sun. The drone would have had to be coming from the west/northwest, in the general direction of Odesa, relative to the ship.
According to this report, the Russian Black Sea Fleet now has 13 ships remaining, including only 2 Kilo Class submarines. They have lost a total of 4 of the landing ships that Russia uses primarily to supply its troops in the south, the last one 2 days ago. The effective diminution, or loss, of Sevastopol Harbor would compound Russia’s problem. They would then have to rely on Novorossiysk, largely a commercial port focused on grain and oil exports, but with limited naval installations.
Covers the Ukrainian destruction of a Russian S-400 missile system near Yvevpatoriia, on Crimea’s west coast. This attack, plus previous attacks mentioned in the video, leaves Western Crimea, including the Port of Sevastopol, without any effective air cover.
A couple of other interesting points from video. Last year, Ukraine sank the Moskva using 3 Neptune anti-ship missiles. At the time the Neptune was relatively un-tested, and the 3 Neptunes used in the attack made up Ukraine’s entire inventory. The fact that Ukraine used Neptunes in yesterday’s attack against the S-400s, indicates that Ukraine has rebuilt its stock.
The other interesting development is the burned superstructure of the landing ship that Ukraine destroyed while the ship was in drydock. According to a report, the superstructure was made of aluminum. When Introduced to a heat source that is hot enough, like a missile, aluminum burns.
“Success or Failure in Ukraine’s Campaigns”/Gen. Mick Ryan via Substack
Unlike the Newspapers of Record, that appear to base their assessments only Ukraine’s offensive in the south, Ryan has identified 7 measures on which to Judge Ukraine’s success. Using Ryan’s 7 measures, here are my assessments:
1. Ukraine Achieves Surprise – Here I think the surprise is coming from Ukraine’s naval successes and the emasculation of Russia’s air defense in Crimea.
2. Ukraine destroys or degrades Russian tactical and operational reserves, C2 and logistics – Ukraine may be assisted by the fact that Russia is moving forces from the north and east, to shore up defenses in the south, offering Ukraine the opportunity to hit Russian forces that are on the move.
3. Ukraine takes back its territory – Since last Fall, Ukraine hasn’t taken back much additional territory, but the pace of its offensive appears to be accelerating. Last year, it took approximately 2 months for Ukraine to begin taking back territory in Kherson Oblast, on the Right Bank of the Dnipro. Something similar may be happening this year, around Robotyne, where progress was slow but not appears to be quickening. We should know more in 2-3 weeks, to see if Ukraine quickens the pace of its advance, as they were able to do last year.
4. Ukraine is well placed for actions to return Crimea at the end of the offensives - Ukraine seems to be making Crimea untenable for Russia by degrading the Port of Sevastopol, hitting the bridges, and destroying major air defense systems. This should continue, especially with the arrival of fixed wing aircraft, including the F-16s and possibly the Swedish Gripen.
5. Ukraine captures or destroys Russian forces – Most people talk about Gen. Surovikin’s success in building the defense lines that Ukraine has had so much difficulty penetrating. Fewer people mention the success Surovikin had moving 20,000 Russian troops, and their equipment, across the Dnipro in November 2022 avoiding being killed or captured. This was a significant failure for Ukraine. For that success, Surovikin got demoted.
6. Ukraine preserves sufficient combat power to continue defending some areas and conduct subsequent offensives in others – Ukraine appears to be successful in husbanding their people and equipment, while at the same time conducting more than one incursion. The Orix web site, that keep track of Russian and Ukrainian equipment losses, consistently reports greater Russian losses, even though Ukraine is on the offensive.
7. Ukraine’s supporters believe the offensives have been a success – The newspapers of record certainly haven’t thought so, although they seem more positive of late. Russia’s disinformation now seems to focus on the idea that “the killing has to stop,” in articles, “Xs,” and segments on news broadcasts, implying that it up to Ukraine to stop killing by agreeing to negotiate. It’s an effective ploy. After all, no one wants to continue the killing, and the intent is to put the blame for continued killing onto Ukraine.
9/15/2023 Sitrep (my comment in bold face)
Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon September 13 to 12:00 noon September 15, 2023
Abbreviations:
RMA = Regional Military Administration SBU = Security Service of Ukraine
RASHISTS = russian Facists/all russian invaders
INTERNATIONAL
Friday, September 15
12:03 am: Deputy Prime Minister Stefanyshina, at a meeting with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg in Brussels, proposed to hold a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council on energy security in the near future "in view of the possible intensification of Russian attacks on the energy complex of Ukraine."
12:16 am: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed dissatisfaction with the Berlin Opera's decision to resume cooperation with the Russian singer Hanna Netrebko
● "The voice of Ukraine in Germany should always be heard more than the soprano of Hanna Netrebko," the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reads.
● On the evening of Friday, September 15, Netrebko will take part in the premiere performance on the stage of the Berlin Opera.
● Several years ago, there was a photograph of Netrebko holding a DNR flag during a visit to Donetsk. Not long after, at the end of a performance at the Met in New York, someone got up on stage and unfurled a Ukrainian flag right in front of Netrebko. Hopefully her performance in Berlin will be another opportunity for something creative. Never doubt the creativity of Ukrainians.
12:35 am: The US Department of Justice has announced that the president's son, Hunter Biden, will face federal gun-related charges following the collapse of a settlement agreement in July.
● Biden Jr. is charged with three counts: two of making a false statement about a firearm and the third of possession of a firearm by a person under the influence of drugs.
● He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison on all three counts.
7:50 am: Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to visit the UN General Assembly in New York next week and meet with US President Joe Biden.
● This is reported by NBC News with reference to sources.
8:06 am: Japan's newly appointed Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken agreed in their first phone call to cooperate closely on security issues related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is reported by the Japanese diplomatic agency.
10:04 am: Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko met with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Berlin.
● "During informal communication, I emphasized the need to support Ukraine's accession to the EU. Because the integration of our state into European and transatlantic structures is a guarantee of peace and stability throughout Europe. The world order that Russia is trying to destroy," the message reads.
Thursday, September 14
12:00 am: In Brazil, the exit from the International Criminal Court was allowed due to the arrest warrant for Putin.
● "President Lula de Silva rightly warned that there is an imbalance in which some countries comply with the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court and others do not, such as the United States, China and other important countries," said Brazil's Minister of Justice and Public Security, Flavio Dino.
12:15 am: Pashinyan stated that it is necessary to abandon Russia as a guarantor of security. At the same time, he acknowledged that there is a long way to go before Western countries can be seen as offering the full support that Armenia needs.
● "Our partners, the EU and the US, support us when it comes to the program of democratic reforms," Pashinyan told POLITICO, adding that he could not say that the support and aid Armenia receives "is sufficient to achieve its goals and plans."
12:51 am: Elon Musk has decided to transfer to the Pentagon control over the part of the Starlink satellite Internet that is used in the war in Ukraine, so that he is no longer responsible for the limits and rules of use.
● This was reported by his biographer Walter Isaacson in an interview with the Washington Post.
12:56 am: Bulgaria has decided to place a NATO base on its territory.
● The cost of construction is estimated at 50 million euros, it is planned that it will be completed by 2025, - reports the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria.
8:03 am: The United States of America has approved the sale of 25 F-35 fighter jets to South Korea. Under the agreement, Seoul will receive Lockheed Martin Corp.'s main fighter jet. Along with engines, communications and support, - Bloomberg.
8:03 am: The Pentagon is creating a new team in Ukraine to monitor U.S. security aid to Kyiv as more Republican lawmakers call for tighter controls over the use of those funds, CNN, citing the U.S. Department of Defense inspector general.
9:21 am: Tonight, the first president of Moldova, Mircea Snegur, died of an incurable disease.
● This is written by the Moldovan publication NewsMaker with reference to the Vice-Prime Minister of Moldova in 1991-1992 Kostiantyn Tampiz.
● It is noted that Snegur was 83 years old.
1:36 pm: Israel attacked the Syrian port city of Tartus - 2 soldiers are reported dead and 6 wounded, Reuters.
● As the publication notes, one of the strikes was aimed at a military base used by Russia.
5:57 pm: The US introduced a new package of sanctions against more than 150 companies and individuals from the Russian Federation, Belgium, the UAE, Slovenia, Turkey and the CAR.
● This is reported by the US Ministry of Finance.
● US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen clarified that the new sanctions are aimed at the Russian elite and the Russian industrial base, financial institutions and technology suppliers.
● Among the Russian companies that have come under sanctions:
● 81st, 72nd and 71st armored repair factories;
● Rosavtodor;
● "AvtoVAZ";
● "Moskvich";
● "Saturn" (builds engines);
● Ulyanovsk Cartridge Plant.
● Also on the list is the Slovenian company Arktec, which specializes in electronics. In Turkey, there are 5 companies that helped Russia import components for drones, electronics and sensors.
6:30 pm: Kyiv and Berlin signed an agreement on the partnership of the two cities, the mayor of the capital Vitaliy Klitschko reported.
● "As a sign of the importance of our cooperation and as a sign of the solidarity of the German partners with the Ukrainians, a ceremony was held for the mayors of the two cities to pass through the Brandenburg Gate," Klitschko writes.
9:40 pm: Vitaliy and Volodymyr Klitschko attended the Bild 100 event in Berlin, where the German publication and publishing house Axel Springer annually gathers the most influential people.
● "And, taking advantage of the opportunity, I appealed to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who was also present, to provide long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible," - Mayor of Kyiv Vitaly Klitschko.
11:01 pm: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appointed Mustafa Levent Bilgen as ambassador to Ukraine.
● This is stated in the relevant decree of the President of Turkey.
● Also, new ambassadors of Turkey to Poland, Morocco, Burundi and Russia were appointed today.
11:46 pm: American nuclear submarine USS Florida entered the Norwegian port of Tromsø, - US Navy 6th Fleet.
● The Ohio-class submarine is equipped with 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1,600 km.
● Tromsø is located in the north of Norway only 382 km from the Russian border.
Wednesday, September 13
12:17 pm: In Romania, residents of villages bordering Ukraine received a message of danger during a night attack by Russian UAVs in the south of Ukraine, - Digi24
● The message warned about the possible fall of drone debris and asked residents to take shelter.
12:55 pm: Germany handed over a new batch of military aid to Ukraine. This is evidenced by updated data on the website of the German government.
● The new aid package includes:
o 20 Marder infantry fighting vehicles with ammunition;
o 3,000 shells of 155 mm caliber;
o two tanks for demining Wisent 1;
o materials for disposal of explosive ammunition;
o 1 satellite communication surveillance system;
o 2 mobile antenna-mast systems;
o 10 drone detection systems;
o 8x8 HX81 tractor unit and 4 semi-trailers;
o 5 forklifts 8x8;
o 9 units of automotive equipment;
o 3 ambulances;
o 1.5 million cartridges for firearms.
1:18 pm: Ukraine and Moldova should be granted EU membership to prevent them from falling under the influence of countries that do not share the bloc's values, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
● According to her, the European Union needs to expand its borders in order to recognize new geopolitical realities.
1:56 pm: In Romania, after the night attack of the Russians on the Ukrainian ports, the probable wreckage of the UAV was discovered again — Digi24.
● Currently, a special team has been sent to the site to conduct investigations and collect samples for examination.
● The Ministry of Defense of Romania has already condemned the Russian attacks on the Danube ports of Ukraine.
3:50 pm: The Council of the European Union announced today that it has extended for six months the personal sanctions introduced for encroachment on the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
● The restrictions will be valid for at least 6 months, namely until March 15, 2024.
4:12 p.m.: The European Commission submitted a submission regarding the extension of the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural products to five neighboring countries after September 15, — RMF24.
● It is noted that the proposal is based on an analysis of the market situation, taking into account low prices, the impossibility of storing grain in Ukraine's neighboring countries, and the growth of Ukrainian exports to other EU countries, bypassing Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary.
4:50 p.m.: Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Čolaku urged not to worry about drone wreckage in the country.
● "No one is attacking us, people. Let's calm down the populace, we're all going crazy... No one is attacking us," he said.
6:18 pm: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will hold a meeting tomorrow with the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olga Stefanishyna.
● The press service of NATO writes about it.
● The meeting will take place at the headquarters of the Alliance, and there will be no press opportunities at the event.
7:28 pm: Armenia ratifies the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in its entirety.
● This was stated by the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, reports Armenpress.
● "This has nothing to do with relations between Armenia and Russia, it concerns our security," the prime minister said.
10:44 pm: The European Parliament recognized Lukashenka as complicit in the war against Ukraine along with Putin and called on the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
● The corresponding resolution was adopted on September 13 in Strasbourg during the plenary session of the European Parliament.
11:01 pm: Romanian authorities have started building temporary bomb shelters in villages bordering Ukraine — Visegrád 24.
● "Almost daily attacks by Russian drones on the river ports of Ukraine on the Danube have created a situation in which Romanians are forced to seek shelter for their safety," the publication writes.
11:31 pm: Experienced Ukrainian pilots will be able to complete training in the USA on F-16 fighters in three months.
● This was stated by the Director of the Air Force of the US National Guard, Michael Law, at the annual convention of the Air Force Association in the state of Maryland, the Associated Press reports.
● "For someone who's already their experienced fighter pilot, flying sorties every day, defending their homeland, I think three months is absolutely realistic," Michael Law said.
● During the nine-month period, the F-16 will be able to train pilots who have no experience on fighter jets.
NATIONAL
Friday, September 15
12:54 am: Ukrainian children will study the works of Barskyi and Pivovarov
● The songs "There will be spring" by Maks Barskyi and "Manifesto" by Artem Pyvovarov were included in the Ukrainian language textbook for the 6th grade. The tracks became part of the program of the New Ukrainian School.
7:36 a.m.: During the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces made 10 strikes on the areas of the concentration of personnel of weapons and military equipment of the Russian Federation, - the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
● 1 control point, 3 anti-aircraft missile systems, 5 artillery units, 1 ammunition warehouse were damaged by units of missile troops and artillery and unmanned systems.
● Countering the threat of attack UAVs in the regions! - Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
9:46 a.m.: Ihor Kolomoisky was charged with the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
● Part 3 of Art. 27, Part 3 of Art. 28, Part 2 of Art. 200 (illegal actions with transfer documents, payment cards and other means of access to bank accounts, electronic money, equipment for their production);
● Part 3 of Art. 27, Part 5 of Art. 191 (appropriation of other people's property by abuse by an official of his official position, committed by an organized group, in particularly large amounts);
● Part 3 of Art. 27, Part 3 of Art. 209 (legalization of criminally obtained funds).
● According to the investigation, in the period from 2013 to 2014, Kolomoisky illegally took possession of UAH 5.8 billion. Currently, the pre-trial investigation is ongoing.
Thursday, September 14
6:33 am: Activity of enemy tactical aircraft on the east and south-east directions!, - Air Force.
● The threat of using aviation weapons!
8:17 am: 17 "Shahed-136/131" were destroyed tonight - Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
● A total of 22 "shaheeds" were launched in the direction of the Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhya, Dnipropetrovsk, and Sumy regions.
8:54 am: Over the past 24 hours, the Air Force of the Defense Forces carried out 12 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel of weapons and military equipment and 2 - on anti-aircraft missile complexes of the Russian Federation, the General Staff of the Armed Forces.
● 1 command post, 1 anti-aircraft missile complex, 1 area for the concentration of personnel of weapons and military equipment, 15 artillery pieces, 2 ammunition warehouses, and an electronic warfare station were hit by units of missile troops and artillery and unmanned systems.
2:18 pm: The Supreme Anti-Corruption Court arrested former Minister of Health Maksym Stepanov in absentia, law enforcement agencies reported.
● He is accused of embezzling 450 million hryvnias that belonged to the state-owned enterprise Polygraphic Combine "Ukraine". Stepanov headed the company in 2011-2016.
3:11 pm: The National Bank decided to reduce the discount rate from 22% to 20%, the press service of the NBU.
● "This is important for preserving the stability of the foreign exchange market and further reducing inflation, especially with the further implementation of the Strategy of softening currency restrictions, the transition to greater exchange rate flexibility and the return to inflation targeting," the NBU noted.
3:37 pm: Volodymyr Zelensky presented awards to tank soldiers.
● "When we congratulate our heroic tank troops and thank them, we thank them precisely for the fact that they are returning to Ukraine freedom, life, faith of our people in victory and making our forces stronger," said the President of Ukraine.
4:58 pm: In Ukraine, the fixed exchange rate of the dollar (36.56 UAH) will be abolished, — NBU.
● The NBU intends to return to a flexible dollar exchange rate. However, this will be preceded by several processes envisaged by the currency liberalization program agreed with the IMF.
6:46 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyi met with the Minister of Lands, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea Won Hee-ryong and representatives of Korean business.
● "I called for active work on the Ukrainian market. I am confident that such cooperation will enable us to provide new jobs and new economic growth for both Ukraine and the Republic of Korea," the president noted.
7:03 pm Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on September 14:
● "More than 20 combat clashes took place during the day.
● Also, today the Russian Federation carried out another massive airstrike by Iranian strike UAVs "Shahed-136/131" in the direction of Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhya, Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy regions.
● As a result of successful combat operations [...] 17 out of 22 enemy "shaheeds" were destroyed."
● "In total, the enemy launched 1 missile and 44 air strikes, carried out 37 attacks from rocket salvo systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas.
● As a result of Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population.
● Private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged."
● "As a result of the assault actions, the Defense Forces have partial success in the districts of Klishchiivka and Andriivka of the Donetsk region, dislodge the enemy from the occupied positions and secure themselves at the achieved boundaries."
● "During the day, the Air Force of the Defense Forces carried out 10 strikes on areas where the enemy's personnel, weapons and military equipment were concentrated.
● Units of the missile forces hit 1 control post, 2 anti-aircraft missile systems, 5 artillery pieces and 1 enemy ammunition depot."
7:29 pm: The Armed Forces hit two Russian patrol ships of the "Vasily Bykov" type, there is some damage.
● This is reported by StratCom of the ZSU.
8:08 pm: Activity of enemy tactical aviation in the eastern and southeastern directions, — Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
● The threat of using aviation weapons.
8:30 pm: Ukraine expects that after September 15, the EU will cancel all restrictions on the export of agricultural products.
● The relevant position was published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
● To remove reservations from European countries, Ukraine and the EU agreed:
o to increase the capacity of the Danube Corridor;
o transfer sanitary and phytosanitary control from the border to the destination countries of Ukrainian products.
8:40 pm: The Cabinet of Ministers submitted a draft law proposing to take UAH 120 billion from local budgets for the purchase of drones and the production of weapons.
● This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Denys Shmyhal.
● "During the full-scale invasion, the revenues of local budgets from the military personal income tax increased eightfold. The government draft law will allow to attract (for drones and weapons - ed.) 25.8 billion UAH this year and 93.7 billion UAH next [...]", - clarified Shmyhal.
● According to him, more than UAH 200 billion already accumulated in the accounts of local budgets and budget institutions will remain at the disposal of local authorities.
8:50 pm: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with US President Biden next week, NBC News.
9:50 pm: Volodymyr Zelensky met with representatives of the Ukrainian Jewish community — with soldiers and rabbis from various cities of Ukraine.
● The President thanked for the support of our country and our desire for peace.
10:11 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyi: Today there is something to celebrate the Security Service of Ukraine - the entire composition of the Service and our Naval Forces. Thank you for today's triumph: the air defense system of the occupiers on the land of our Crimea was destroyed. Very important, well done!
10:45 pm: The field office of the International Criminal Court has started work in Kyiv.
● Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin and ICC prosecutor Karim Khan informed about this during the briefing.
● "The work of the office will help strengthen the interaction between Ukraine and the International Criminal Court. It will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of responding to the crimes that Russia continues to commit against Ukraine and Ukrainians every day," the Prosecutor General noted.
Wednesday, September 13
12:03 pm: Schedules of blackouts have been developed in Ukraine, the press service of the Ministry of Energy reports.
● But they are not planning to use them if there are no energy strikes.
● "The electricity produced by Ukrainian power plants is sufficient to meet the needs of consumers. During the day, there is a surplus of capacity. Therefore, there are no plans to apply blackouts from October 1 in any region of the country," the report says.
2:30 pm: Ukraine has returned home three more children from Russia and the occupied territories, reported Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.
● Two girls and a boy have already met their relatives. In the near future, the children will receive rehabilitation, help from psychologists and lawyers.
6:36 pm: Nuclear power plants of Ukraine produced 19% more electricity than forecast for the three months of 2023 (June, July, August), — Energoatom.
● "Despite the calculations of NEC "Ukrenergo" regarding the decrease in electricity production and its significant deficit as a result of the repair campaign, no actual imbalance occurred in the summer period," the message says.
6:50 pm: A-95 gasoline does not meet the standards at a third of gas station networks, — Institute of Consumer Expertise
● The inspection revealed deviations from fuel quality standards in the following networks operating throughout Ukraine - BRSM-Nafta, U.GO, AVIAS, BVS, and in three local networks - 24/7, KCEM, DNIPRO OIL GROUP.
● OKKO, SOCAR, and WOG are among the networks whose fuel meets the Euro-5 standard with a safety margin. In particular, OKKO recorded the lowest sulfur content in gasoline - 3 mg/kg. The norm allows no more than 10 mg/kg, because an excess of sulfur in fuel can negatively affect engine parts and cause harmful emissions. In the fuel of this network, a high octane number of A-95 has been confirmed, other indicators are also at the same level. Thus, refueling here is absolutely safe for your car.
8:12 pm: The activity of enemy tactical aviation is observed in the eastern and southeastern directions, — the Air Force of the ZSU.
9:05 pm Operational information from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 on September 13:
● "Today, the Russian Federation carried out another massive airstrike by Iranian strike UAVs "Shahed-136/131" in the Odesa and Sumy regions.
● The main direction of the attack is the port infrastructure in the cities of Izmail and Reni, Odesa region.
● Anti-aircraft defense destroyed 34 out of 45 enemy "shahedis".
● "During the day, the enemy launched 1 missile and 80 air strikes, carried out 32 attacks from rocket salvo systems on the positions of our troops and populated areas.
● Port infrastructure, private residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.
● Also, 24 combat clashes took place during the day."
● "As a result of the assault actions, the Defense Forces have partial success in the districts of Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Kurdyumivka of the Donetsk region, dislodge the enemy from the occupied positions and secure themselves at the achieved boundaries."
● "During the day, the aviation of the Defense Forces carried out 10 strikes on the areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, and 2 - on the enemy's anti-aircraft missile systems.
● Units of the missile forces hit 1 control post, 1 anti-aircraft missile system, 10 artillery pieces, 2 ammunition depots and the enemy's EW station.
9:56 pm: The Security Service conducts large-scale raids to check radiation safety due to Russian provocations regarding the use of a "dirty" bomb.
● "The SBU has focused special attention on monitoring roadblocks in front-line and de-occupied areas, border crossing points, etc.," the SBU press service reports.
● In just one week, law enforcement officers inspected hundreds of places of mass gathering of people and objects of critical infrastructure.
10:03 pm: The launch of approximately 6 groups of "Shakheds" from Primorsko-Akhtarsk (Kuban, Russian Federation) and Chauda (Crimea) was recorded, — the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
● "They are moving on a course to Odesa (the direction may change). Estimated time of approach is around 23.30 - 00.00.
10:10 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyi: Today he held a meeting with Prime Minister Shmyhal and Finance Minister Marchenko - regarding next year's budget. Outlined the main parameters - what should be priorities in the state budget.
● The main thing is the protection of our state and people. Defense and security is the first priority, and defense and security funding will be at least the same as this year.
● Next year, we will add significant budget funds for the defense-industrial complex - for the production of weapons in Ukraine. And for drones, and for the purchase of what is needed abroad, and for Ukrainian production.
10:16 pm: Volodymyr Zelenskyi: A separate budget priority is support for our veterans.
● We keep social spending as a priority. There will be a plus for the education system, primarily for the support of teachers and lecturers.
● We are laying down the necessary funds for digitalization, including our "Dream" - a new tool for children, for parents, for teachers, which we have already previously presented.
● There will be a significant indexation of pensions - we plan for March, as provided for by law.
● We are adding stimulation of the economy: production, jobs, investments - what is needed so that Ukraine can recover faster.
● I instructed the Prime Minister to prepare the basis for raising the minimum wage in Ukraine in the first half of next year.
11:17 pm: The head of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umyerov, had a telephone conversation with his Canadian counterpart, Bill Blair, today.
● The parties discussed further steps to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, including long-term defense partnership programs.
● Rustem Umyerov thanked Canada and the Canadian people for their unwavering support and help to strengthen the Ukrainian army
11:42 pm: Khersonsk, Mykolaivsk, Dnipropetrovsk - the threat of using attack UAVs - reports the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
MORDOR - ruZZia
Friday, September 15
8:06 am: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited aircraft factories in Komsomolsk-on-Amur where modern Russian fighter jets are built, Yonhap.
11:00 am: Traffic on the Crimean bridge is blocked, - rosZMI.
11:26 am: Kim Jong-un was brought into the Peacemaker base.
● The leader of the DPRK was called "an accomplice of Russian war criminals" and "an accomplice in the crimes of the Russian authorities against Ukraine and its citizens."
Thursday, September 14
6:43 am: Explosions rang out in the temporarily occupied Yevpatoria in western Crimea, local media reported.
7:17 am: Traffic on the Crimean Bridge is blocked, - rosZMI.
7:23 am: The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation said that around 05:30 air defense forces allegedly destroyed 11 Ukrainian aircraft-type drones over the temporarily occupied Crimea.
7:37 am: A strong explosion was heard in Russian Saratov, - rosZMI.
● Local residents reported that something exploded and smoke began to rise about 40 minutes ago. In advance, we are talking about damage to the gas pipeline. The local authorities are silent.
7:49 am: According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, around 5 am, five unmanned boats tried to attack the patrol ship of the Black Sea Fleet "Sergiy Kotov" at sea, but all were destroyed.
10:33 am: Tonight, military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Navy of Ukraine conducted a unique special operation near Yevpatoria - "minus" the Russian anti-aircraft complex "Triumph" worth 1.2 billion dollars. USA.
● According to our sources, drones and Neptune missiles were effective on the target.
● First, SBU drones hit the "eyes" of the complex — radars and antennas. And after disabling the radar stations, Navy units hit the S300/400 "Triumph" launch complexes with two "Neptune" cruise missiles.
● As Vasyl Malyuk, head of the SBU, emphasized earlier, "cotton was burning and will be burned." Sources in the Security Service say that the Russians in Crimea are expecting new surprises.
10:52 am: GUR denies NYT data on Russian missile build-up.
● "The Russian Federation will not be able to return to the pre-war level of missile reserves in the near future, but even come close to it," said Andriy Yusov, the spokesman for the GUR.
2:43 pm: The Ministry of Defense of Belarus is planning to conduct large-scale military exercises at the end of September, — monitoring group "Belarusian Gayun".
● It is known that the "Smerch" and "Polonaise" rocket launchers, created on the basis of the former, will take part in the exercises. Units of the 336th reactive artillery brigade have already begun to move to the training area.
4:27 pm: Currently, Russia is producing 30 UAVs per month, said Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
● According to him, Russia plans to collect 6,000 kamikaze drones by the summer of 2025.
7:12 pm: Explosions are heard in temporarily occupied Sevastopol, local residents report.
Wednesday, September 13
3:31 pm: This morning, the Defense Forces struck the Navy's assets and the port infrastructure of the Ship's Bay of temporarily occupied Sevastopol, — StratCom of the ZSU.
5:08 pm: In the northwestern part of the Black Sea, the Defense Forces of the South destroyed another Russian boat of the KS-701 "Tuna" type.
● This is reported by the Naval Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
5:24 pm: The large amphibious ship of the Russian Federation "Minsk" cannot be restored after a missile strike, Oryx.
● A photo of the Russian ship "Minsk" appeared on social networks, from which experts conclude that the ship was destroyed, not damaged.
● Judging by the frame, everything above the deck was burned on the ship.
5:43 pm: After withdrawing from the "grain initiative", Russia destroyed 280,000 tons of Ukrainian grain.
● This is written by the Financial Times with reference to data from the UK government.
● We will remind that during the last two months, the Russian Federation staged a wave of drone attacks on the Danube ports of Ukraine.
8:29 pm: The DPRK started supplying Russia with ammunition a month and a half ago, — head of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov.
● We are talking about 122 mm and 152 mm projectiles, as well as rockets for "Grad".
8:52 pm: The Russians probably won't be able to repair the submarine and ship that were damaged in tonight's overnight strike in Sevastopol Bay.
● Andriy Yusov, representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Ukraine, stated this.
● "These are significant lesions. We can now say that, with a high probability, they cannot be restored," Yusov noted.
REGIONS
KYIV
Friday, September 15
8:44 am: The SBU detained a people's deputy from the former OPZZ Shufrych in his house in the village of Kozyn
● He is charged with treason. He, on the instructions of Sivkovych, appeared on Ukrainian and Russian TV channels with the aim of spreading Russian propaganda and promoting anti-Ukrainian politics.
Thursday, September 14
11:43 am: One-year-old boy Dima underwent a bone marrow transplant from a donor from the USA at the Kyiv "Okhmatdit" hospital, - Ministry of Health.
● The cells were able to be delivered in 42 hours, despite the international standard of 72 hours and difficult logistics due to the war. The donor was a 26-year-old man from the USA.
1:58 pm: The Russian military, who shot civilians in Buch during the occupation, were notified of the suspicion, the National Police.
● Investigators have identified four more Russian soldiers who shot a 26-year-old supermarket security guard in Bucha on February 27, 2022. The man had no weapons and did not participate in hostilities.
5:37 pm: "Kyiv is a fantastic city, I admire the spirit of resistance of the people of Kyiv," — Johnson reacted to the idea of naming a street in Kyiv after him
● "I'm always happy to walk down any of the streets of Kyiv. It's a fantastic city. I met Mayor Klitschko many years ago. We had a meeting in London when I was mayor. He did a lot of good things in Kyiv and he has great ideas. I admire the spirit of resistance of the people of Kyiv. You will definitely win! My main message for Ukraine: keep going. We will also continue to support you. But Ukraine will definitely win," said former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in an interview with Dmytro Gordon
SUMY
Thursday, September 14
10:00 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Sumy region.
10:56 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard again in Sumy region.
11:27 am Sumy RMA: At night, the Russians launched 3 attacks on the border.
● 4 explosions were recorded. The Yunakiv and Novoslobid communities were shelled. They hit a grocery store, a fire broke out. Also, the premises of the non-working bathhouse came under fire, and a fire broke out.
4:04 pm: Sumy region - missile danger! — Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Wednesday, September 13
12:36 pm Sumy RMA: At night and in the morning, the enemy fired 2 attacks on the border. 5 explosions were recorded.
● Previously - without human losses and destruction of civil infrastructure.
9:19 p.m.: Sumy region - the threat of using attack UAVs, — Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
KHARKIV
Thursday, September 14
12:35 a.m.: Kharkiv Oblast - a threat of using ballistic weapons - the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.
DONETSK
8:58 am: "72 omsbr of the Russian Federation - completely destroyed!". The Third Separate Assault Brigade released n.p. Andriivka, - Official channel 3OShBr.
● In two days, the Third Separate Assault Brigade eliminated:
● the chief of the brigade intelligence of the enemy;
● three combatants;
● and almost all the infantry of the 72nd Brigade, together with officers and a considerable amount of equipment.
● "As of now, the fighting continues, our units continue to consolidate in new positions," the message reads.
Thursday, September 14
9:30 am: Explosions are heard in the temporarily occupied Mariupol district. The air defense system is working, Petro Andryushchenko, adviser to the mayor of Mariupol, reports.
4:01 pm: Ukrainian troops freed Andriivka, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said.
4:37 pm Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Slovyansk, Donetsk region.
4:39 pm: The statement about the capture of Andriivka is false and premature. Currently, serious and heavy fighting is going on in the districts of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, — 3 separate assault brigade.
● Such statements are harmful, pose a threat to the lives of personnel and harm the performance of combat missions.
2:27 am: Donetsk region - missile danger.
7:22 am: During the assault, the Defense Forces captured Andriyivka of the Donetsk region - General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
● The Ukrainian military is inflicting significant losses on the Russians in terms of manpower and equipment and is entrenched on the achieved frontiers.
4:49 am: An explosion was heard in the temporarily occupied Melitopol, the mayor of the city, Ivan Fedorov, said.
Wednesday, September 13
3:12 pm: 53rd separate mechanized brigade named after Prince Volodymyr Monomakh, thank you for your bravery, for the protection of our state in the Donetsk direction, — Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
● The president also said that the soldiers of the brigade had been beating the enemy in Volnovas since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. They held positions and liberated settlements around Vugledar, they held Bakhmut, and now they are protecting Avdiivka.
8:23 pm: Near Marinka and Avdiivka, the Russians launched an assault and increased the number of shelling.
● This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Hanna Malyar.
● Malyar noted that in a year of almost continuous assaults, the Russians practically wiped these cities off the face of the earth.
ZAPORIZHIA
Friday, September 15
11:30 am: Missile danger! - Yuriy Malashko, head of the Zaporizhzhia RMA.
11:44 am: 118 shellings on 31 settlements, - the head of the Zaporizhzhya OVA Yury Malashko.
● As a result of a Russian artillery attack on Preobrazhenka, a 34-year-old man was injured and hospitalized. 28 reports were received about the destruction of residential buildings, farm buildings and infrastructure facilities.
Thursday, September 14
12:27 am: Zaporizhzhia region - the threat of using attack UAVs - reports the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
8:03 am: The Ukrainian Armed Forces were able to advance in the west of the Zaporizhzhia region and achieved success near Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Kurdyumivka. Meanwhile, the Russian invaders are strengthening their defenses in the Tokmak area, - ISW.
9:56 am Zaporizhia RMA: At night, Russian servicemen attacked the Trudove 5 UAV - local residents were not injured, but farm buildings and warehouses were destroyed.
● Over the past day, the Russians carried out 153 strikes on 31 populated areas. 21 reports were received about the destruction of residential buildings and infrastructure facilities. No casualties.
DNIPRO
Friday, September 15
9:31 am Dnipro RMA: During the night, the Russians twice covered the Nikopol district with heavy artillery.
● A transport object was damaged in the Chervonogrigorivska community. Due to the shelling, the dry grass caught fire. Firefighters promptly extinguished the flames. The Russians also targeted the Marganets community. People were not affected.
Thursday, September 14
12:44 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Dnipro.
7:45 am: Attention! Dnipropetrovsk region - missile danger! - Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
12:01 pm: At night, defenders of the sky from PvK "Skhid" shot down three drones over the Dnipropetrovsk region, - RMA head Serhiy Lysak.
● The wreckage of one of them fell in the Pershotravnevska community in the Nikopol region. A partially destroyed private house. Another 6 are damaged. 8 outbuildings and 3 cars were mutilated. Dry grass caught fire, rescuers extinguished the fire.
● In the same area, the Russians fired with heavy artillery and "Hrad". There were no casualties everywhere.
5:40 pm: Dnipropetrovsk region - missile danger, — Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
8:09 pm Dnipro RMA: During the day, the Russians attacked Dnipropetrovsk region twice.
● "There was a fire, which the rescuers quickly extinguished. Other consequences of the shelling are being clarified. People are safe," Lysak said.
3:40 am: Dnipropetrovsk region - threat of enemy use of attack UAVs.
Wednesday, September 13
7:46 pm Dnipro RMA: In the morning, the Russian army attacked Nikopol with an unmanned aerial vehicle, and in the evening they fired heavy artillery at Nikopol itself.
● "The consequences are still being clarified. But the main thing is that there are no dead or injured," Lysak wrote.
11:52 pm: "Shahedy" in the direction of Kryvyi Rih - reports the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
KHERSON
Friday, September 15
10:17 am: Explosions rang out in temporarily occupied Novaya Kakhovka, local channels reported. We are waiting for official information.
10:36 am Kherson RMA: Over the past day, the Russians carried out 91 shellings, firing 349 shells from mortars, artillery, Grads, UAVs, ATGMs, AGS and tanks. 20 shells were fired in the city of Kherson, - head of Kherson OVA Oleksandr Prokudin.
● They aimed at the residential quarters of the settlements of the region; administrative building and church in Beryslav district; a critical infrastructure facility in the Kherson district; the territory of the plant in Kherson. 1 child died, 6 people were injured, 1 of them was a child.
Thursday, September 14
9:37 am: In the village of Novodmytrivka, Kherson region, children came under fire. A 6-year-old boy died, his 13-year-old brother is in serious condition, - Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office.
● According to the prosecutor's office, the shells damaged the house where they were staying at night. Three neighbors who tried to help the children were also injured.
11:12 am: The SBU detained a Russian correctional officer in Kherson who worked for a member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation
● The perpetrator turned out to be a local resident who subscribed to one of the social networks of a Russian deputy during the capture of the regional center. After the liberation of the city, she remotely offered him her "help" in correcting Russian strikes on local facilities of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
● To do this, she went around the streets and secretly recorded the locations of the military units of the Ukrainian defenders. The perpetrator faces up to 12 years in prison.
12:19 pm: Over the past day, the enemy carried out 82 shellings of the Kherson region, firing 433 shells from mortars, artillery, "Grads", UAVs, anti-aircraft missiles, tanks and aircraft, — head of the OVA Oleksandr Prokudin.
● the Russian military aimed at the residential quarters of the populated areas of the region; building of an educational institution in the Kherson district. As a result of Russian aggression, 1 person died, 8 more were injured.
12:51 pm Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
12:57 pm: the Russian army attacked Mykhailivka, Kherson OVA reports.
● "They hit the administrative building, which caused serious damage to the building. No one was injured," the message reads.
1:16 p.m.: The Armed Forces are pushing back the Russians, clearing a strip 5-15 km from the left bank of the Dnieper, said Nataliya Humenyuk, spokesperson for the Southern Defense Forces.
● According to the spokeswoman, this will make it possible to critically reduce the number of shelling on the right bank of the Kherson Region.
9:28 pm Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson.
10:30 pm Kherson RMA: Russian army attacked civilians in a field near Mykhailivka.
● "Two men, aged 37 and 42, were injured. They were hospitalized, where doctors are providing medical assistance to the injured."
11:20 pm Kherson RMA: In the Kherson region, families with children will be evacuated without fail from settlements that are constantly being shelled by the enemy - the decision of the Regional Defense Council.
● The duration of the curfew is also changing. Now her period is from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Wednesday, September 13
1:37 pm Kherson RMA: the Russian army fired again at Odradokamyanka around 12:20 p.m., a 41-year-old man was injured.
● The victim was taken to a medical facility with head and leg injuries.
2:49 pm: Local residents of the temporarily occupied Novaya Kakhovka inform about smoke in the area of the settlement.
● According to preliminary information, there is a forest fire near the settlement.
MYKOLAIV
Friday, September 15
3:32 am: Mykolayivska, Kherson region - threat of enemy use of attack UAVs.
3:57 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in the Mykolaiv region. Previously, the work of air defense.
ODESA
Friday, September 15
Wednesday, September 13
4:34 pm: The SBU has exposed the entire leadership of the district VLK in Odesa region to corruption: suspicions have also been announced against evaders who took advantage of the "scheme", the SBU press service.
● For money, officials "helped" conscripts to "dismiss" from the draft on the basis of fictitious documents about their unfitness for service due to their health.
● During the day, the organizers of the event could make more than 20 fake medical certificates. The cost of corrupt "services" was from 7 to 10 thousand US dollars. The amount depended on the urgency of fulfilling the "order".
6:01 pm: The work of Ukrainian defenders during the night attack on Odesa.
● The video was published by the commander of the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk.
● "I especially want to note the combat work of mobile fire groups! Their accuracy is increasing every day [...]. This allows for the rational use of anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition, according to the type of air targets," Oleschuk notes.
POLTAVA
Wednesday, September 13
9:51 pm Poltava RMA: In the event of an air alert, proceed to shelter immediately. There is a threat of missile strikes and the use of UAVs by the enemy.
CHERKASY
Thursday, September 14
12:30 am: the Russian Federation may be preparing a terrorist attack in Uman on September 15 and blame Ukraine for it, - CPD
● Russia is already accusing the "Kyiv regime" and preparing an informational alibi for its own strikes.
KIROVOHRAD
Friday, September 15
4:13 a.m.: Kirovohrad region - a threat of attack UAVs from the southeast direction - the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
VINNYTSIA
Friday, September 15
5:04 am: Vinnytsia, Cherkasy regions - the threat of the enemy's use of attack UAVs - the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
5:34 am: A group of enemy strike UAVs in the airspace of Vinnytsia is moving in a north-western direction - the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
6:22 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Vinnytsia region.
KHMELNITSKY
Friday, September 15
5:55 a.m.: Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi regions - the threat of the enemy's use of attack UAVs - the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
6:45 am Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Khmelnytskyi region, subscribers report. We are waiting for official information.
6:55 am: Khmelnytskyi region - air defense work, - Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
6:59 am: An explosion was heard in Khmelnytskyi region. Serhiy Tyurin, deputy chief of the Khmelnytskyi OVA, works in the Air Defense Forces
7:17 am: Explosions are heard again in the Khmelnytskyi region, local residents report. We are waiting for official information.
9:14 am: Tonight, all 17 "Shahed-136/131" that were moving along different routes in the direction of Khmelnytskyi were destroyed by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
11:59 am: The first deputy head of the Khmelnytskyi OVA Serhiy Tyurin published the consequences of the fall of the wreckage of the "Shaheda" in one of the villages of the region.
● 12 houses, windows in the boiler room, 28 windows in the school and power lines were damaged. Restoration work is already underway. There are no casualties.
ZHYTOMYR
Friday, September 15
6:27 am: Zhytomyr, Ternopil regions - the threat of enemy use of attack UAVs - the Air Force of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported.
Comparing Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to Russian invasion of Ukraine using Wikipedia and Ukraine Ministry of Defense Daily Bulletins. Soviet and Russian military losses not including captured equipment.
SOURCES
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/
https://espreso.tv/
https://t.me/uawarinfographics
https://t.me/svoboda_radio