Bob Homans September 21

20220922

Ukraine – 9/21 Sitrep
Compiled by: Robert Homans
Twitter: @rhomansjr
September 21, 2022

“The F_____s Are Gone”

This is an amazing article from today’s Wall Street Journal.   If the link doesn’t work, I can provide anyone who is interested a DropBox invitation.  

It is about the fighting around Kyiv in the early months of the war.  It illustrates why Russia’s call-up of 300,000 reservists won’t matter.   Russia has nothing to counter the resourcefulness, individual initiative, and courage of the Ukrainians described in this article.

Russia’s Call-Up – “It Doesn’t Matter”

I had a 1st Cousin, whom I miss greatly, who liked to say in a loud voice, when I was in a discussion with him and I said something that wasn’t directly related to the subject at hand, “it doesn’t matter!!!”   If he was alive today, that would be his response to Russia’s announcement of the call-up of 300,000 reservists.   He spoke fluent Russian and followed events in Ukraine closely.

Russia’s reserve call-up, announced today, won’t matter because Russia likely has little or no capability of training and equipping reserves, and incorporating them into their existing formations.   Without these skills, the Russian reservists who might be sent to fight in Ukraine will not only become cannon fodder, and be killed and wounded in large numbers, but they will likely get in the way of experienced Russian soldiers.

By contrast, the United States Armed Forces relies heavily on reserves.  They are trained continually, and they are easily incorporated into existing formations.    There are many reservists in the U.S. Armed Forces who have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Members of the Ukrainian Army who went through the training at the Yavoriv Training Center, that took place over 8 years until early 2022 and has proven so valuable to Ukraine’s success, were trained by members of the California National Guard, a reserve unit.    The California National Guard should be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the highest honor that that can be given to a unit of the U.S. Armed Forces (as opposed to an individual), and it is conferred by the President of the United States.  

It is too bad that the Biden Administration didn’t realize earlier the degree of success that was achieved at Yavoriv.   If they had, the Biden Administration might’ve started to ship Ukraine the weapons they asked for at an earlier date.

Ukrainian soldiers are currently being trained in large numbers in Great Britain and other countries.  Russian reservists will get minimal training.   More than 5,000 Ukrainians have gone through the training – enough for a brigade.

Battlefield Developments

This video describes what is likely the direct relationship between Ukraine’s continued offensive in Luhansk Oblast and Russia’s decision to call referendums in temporarily occupied territories.  I have not heard other reports that Russia might commit additional trained troops to Ukraine, because of the referenda, as is claimed here.

The Latest Denys describes how Ukraine is getting closer to re-taking Lysychansk, in Luhansk Oblast.  This will mean that Russia will no longer control all of Luhansk Oblast, one of the places where they plan to hold a referendum.   Lyman and Izyum were/are both Russian supply depots serving their units located between Kharkiv and Lysychansk.  Izyum has been taken; Lyman may soon be surrounded.   Denys’ recorded his video yesterday, before Putin released his speech which was recorded.

The Danger of Referenda

Russia cannot be seen to be successful in using referendums to formerly annex territory that they have forcibly occupied.  They succeeded with Crimea, but they cannot be seen to have been successful a 2nd time.   Otherwise, other acquisitive countries, including a few in Europe, may get the idea that they can do the same.

9/21 Sitrep (my comment in bold face)

Russian Invasion of Ukraine 12:00 noon September 20 to 12:00 noon September 21, 2022

Abbreviations:

RMA = Regional Military Administration             SBU = Security Service of Ukraine

INTERNATIONAL

September 21

11:43 Foreign Minister: Latvia will not issue visas to Russians who evade mobilization.

·        "For security reasons, Latvia will not issue humanitarian or other types of visas to those Russian citizens who evade mobilization, nor will it change border crossing restrictions for Russian citizens. with Schengen visas introduced on September 19," Rinkevichs wrote.

08:01: The world should not believe the statements of the Russian leadership that anti-Russian sanctions were the cause of the current food crisis.

·        This was stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking at the Food Security Summit in New York.

00:58: In Iran, protesters seize government buildings and throw off portraits of leaders.

00:48 a.m.: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday called for an extension of the agreement on the transit of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea, which expires in mid-November.

·        "The United States will insist on extending the validity of the agreement between Russia and Ukraine, brokered by the UNITED NATIONS and Turkey, which allows exporting grain and other agricultural products from the Black Sea ports." – Blinken said at the Global Summit on Food Security.

00:22: Macron called for reform of the Security Council. He proposes to include new permanent members and "limit the veto over mass crimes"

·        Currently, the permanent members of the UN Security Council are the United States, Great Britain, China, France and Russia. In addition to them , there are also ten non-permanent member countries of the Security Council. Permanent members of the Security Council have veto power.

00:02: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday said he was "very annoyed" by Turkey's attempts to join the Central Asian security agency dominated by Russia and China.

·        Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that he was aiming for membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization for Turkey, which is also a NATO member.

·        "This is not an organization that makes an important contribution to good global coexistence," Scholz said at the UN General Assembly in New York after meeting with Erdogan.

September 20

23:39: Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are possible only if sovereign Ukraine wants it, and Russia accepts them in good faith, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

·        "Today, we are all aware that only an agreement that respects international law will allow us to restore peace. Negotiations  are only possible if a sovereign Ukraine wants it, and Russia accepts them in good faith. conditions if the Ukraine is released and its sovereignty is protected," Macron said, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

22:54: Justin Trudeau condemns "referendums" in the occupied territories

·        "We will never recognize them. This is a flagrant violation of international law. This is a further escalation of the war.

22:48 p.m.: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says he will not agree to a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York.

·        When asked by Russian journalists if he would meet with Lavrov there, Ukrainian minister replied "no".

22:30 Chairman of the European Parliament: No "referendums" will change Europe's position on Ukraine.

22:03 Serbian President: The war in Ukraine can reach the level of a world-class conflict.

·        "I assume that from the phase of the "special military operation" we are approaching a major military conflict. The question is where the borders are, and whether we will slip into a major global conflict after a while," he said.

21:42: The rejection of the MIR payment system is the best way for banks to avoid US sanctions - a representative of the US administration.

21:35: Thanks to the "ways of solidarity" between Ukraine and the EU, as well as the temporary unblocking of goods in Ukrainian ports, it has already been possible to export more than 14 million tons of agricultural products from Ukraine — the EU.

·        In April 2022, Ukraine exported 1.3 million tons of grain, oilseeds and other agricultural products, and in August this figure exceeded 4.2 million tons, the European Commission said on Tuesday, September 20.

21:28 British government website: During a speech at the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister of Greater Britany Liz Truss will declare that her country will continue to provide comprehensive support to Ukraine.

·        According to Truss, in 2023, the amount that London will allocate for military support of Kyiv will reach or surpass this year's — by a record 2.3 billion pounds. What exactly will be in support of Britain next year will depend on the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

20:48 Bloomberg: The European Commission intends to allow the transportation of Russian coal to ensure energy security in the world

·        "The EU is fully committed to ensuring that its sanctions do not have an improper impact on trade in critical goods with third countries around the world," said European Commission spokesman Daniel Ferry.

20:32: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says "the so-called referendums that Russia will hold in eastern Ukraine will never be accepted by Turkey."   It should be remember that there are 1.5 million Crimean Tatars living in Turkey, and Erdogan has to stand for election in 2023.

20:26: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in the format of a video conference with the leadership of Goldman Sachs, one of the largest investment companies in the United States and the world.

20:16: Latvian Foreign Minister Edgar Rinkēvičs called on the international community to respond to Russia's planned fake "referendums" with new sanctions and a more weapons for Ukraine.

20:10: French President Emmanuel Macron called the organization of referendums in Donbas "cynicism and provocation".

·        "We will continue to supply weapons to Ukraine," he said.

19:45: We have information that Putin is preparing to announce mobilization, says the US president's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan.

·        The United States, Poland, Germany, and NATO also stated that they would never recognize the results of fake "referendums" in the occupied territories.

18:32 German Chancellor: Germany does not recognize the "referendums" on the entry of the occupied territories of Ukraine into Russia.

18:29 Estonian Prime Minister: Holding pseudo-referendums in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine will further unite the West around Ukraine and lead to tougher sanctions against Russia.

·        "The play of the invaders is in action. As Russia promotes fake referendums in the occupied territories of Ukraine, let me say it loudly and clearly: We will never recognize this," she wrote.

·        Prime Minister Kallas noted that Ukraine has every right to return its territory, because Donbas, Crimea, Kherson are Ukraine.

18:18 Reuters: Moldova has selected seven companies to provide gas from next month if supplies from Russia's Gazprom are interrupted.

·        "Moldova can take advantage of the 300 million euros provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in case of cessation of supplies from Russia," said Moldovan Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu.

18:08: In response to the announced "referendums", the US Department of Justice asked Congress to legitimize the transfer of Russian assets to Ukraine, said Andrew Adams, head of the ministerial working group on the application of sanctions against Russia.

·        According to him, at least $300 billion of such assets have been blocked in the United States.

17:30: Georgia has applied to join the Unified Euro Payments Area, the financial regulator's press service said.

·        Georgia's application will be reviewed by the council of this organization, and the final decision will be made after consultation with the European Commission.

17:10 Center for European Policy Analysis: The Ukrainian military will be able to liberate the right bank of the Kherson region in the coming weeks.

·        Ukrainian military may push back Russian troops in the Luhansk region to positions on February 23 until the end of 2022, says Ben Hodges.

·        Hodges also expects Ukrainian defenders to de-occupy Crimea by mid-2023.

16:36 Polish Defense Minister: Poland will equip the 18th Mechanized Division, stationed in the east of the country, with American Abrams tanks and Apache helicopters to create an insurmountable barrier there.

·        According to him, the "Iron Division" should make it impossible to attack Poland from the east.

16:26: Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkēvičs called on the international community to respond to Russia's planned fake "referendums" with new sanctions and a large number of weapons for Ukraine.

16:13 Finland's Foreign Ministry: Finland proposed that the EU include tourist visas in sanctions.

14:35 Spiegel: About 2700 teachers and assistants from Ukraine who left after the Russian invasion work in German schools.

14:23: Most of the grain exported from Ukraine went to the countries that need it, EU high representative Josep Borrell said during a press conference following an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.

·        Russian claims that Ukrainian grain did not get to the people who needed it, Borrell called a lie.

14:13 VRT: From the beginning of next year, a village will be located in the Belgian municipality of Ghent for emergency reception of about 600 Ukrainian refugees.

·        The village will be located near the village of Oostakker near the field of the football club.

13:17 Reuters: Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó says the European Union should stop discussing the eighth package of sanctions against Russia, as it negatively affects energy supplies.

13:03 The Insider: Turkish Airlines refuses to train Russian pilots.

·        Due to the tightening of sanctions of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which certified all FSTD simulators, the Turkish Airlines training center is forced to stop working with companies from Russia.

12:59 Politico: EU ministers at a meeting in Brussels will discuss a proposal to abolish or limit the unanimous principle of decision-making on foreign policy.

·        "I am very optimistic that progress can be made on the issue of voting by a qualified majority," German Minister for European Affairs Anna Lürman said before the meeting.

12:54 EU website: The Council of the European Union officially decided to urgently provide Ukraine with additional macro-financial assistance (MFA) in the amount of EUR 5 billion.

·        "On September 9, EU finance ministers agreed on a statement in support of this additional EUR 5 billion for Ukraine at an informal meeting of the Ecofin Council in Prague. Today, this additional assistance has been officially adopted after the necessary formal steps have been completed within only 11 days," the message says.

12:49 BILD: German gas storage facilities are 90% full.

12:32: According to the Kyiv School of Economics, 51% of French companies still remain in Russia, 17% have limited their activities, 27% withdraw and only 5% have completely left the Russian market by selling their enterprises.

12:19 New York TImes: "Big problem for Ukraine: glass,".

·        Humanitarian organizations estimate the number of windows broken by explosions in Ukraine as "millions", saying that "this is becoming a big problem for Ukraine" on the eve of winter.

12:09 PBS: Turkey's president says his country will "take care of itself" if it doesn't get F-16 fighter jets from the U.S.

·        "Mr. Biden promised me to resolve this issue (with the F-16 - ed.). But if we don't get the desired result from the U.S. on the F-16 issue, what are we going to do? we're going to take care of ourselves," Erdogan said in an interview.

NATIONAL

September 21

11:54: NSDC Secretary Alexei Danilov called the announcement of partial mobilization in Russia Putin's plan to dispose of Russian citizens.

11:51 Ministry of Infrastructure: Today, as part of the implementation of the "grain initiative", 8 vessels out of 170.3 thousand tons left the ports of Odessa, Chornomorsk and Pivdennyi. tons of Ukrainian agricultural products in the direction of Asia and Europe.

11:38: The United States has signed a contract to purchase Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones, which will be transferred to Ukraine as military assistance, the Pentagon document says.

11:48 Russian Media: RosSMI reports that Russian special forces officers are being summoned because of a possible anti-war rally.

08:50 Institute for the Study of War:

·        Putin addresses his statements about "referendums" in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine primarily to the domestic audience in Russia

·        Analysts note that in this way Putin hopes to improve the possibility of forming Russian troops, urging citizens to voluntarily go to war to "protect" the recently "annexed" to Russia territory.

08:46: The Armed Forces of Ukraine during day demilitarized 3 munitions warehouses and 3 bases of the Russian Federation.

07:13 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

·        During the day, Ukrainian troops repulsed Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Vesele, Kurdyumivka, Mykolaivka Druha, Bakhmutske, Zaitsevo, Mayorsk, Pervomaiske, Marinka and Novomykhailivka.

·        During the past day, the aviation of the Defense Forces inflicted more than 20 strikes on enemy positions.

·        Confirmed the successful strikes on 19 concentrations of Russian manpower and military equipment and two positions of anti-aircraft missile systems.

·        Rocket troops and artillery over the past day inflicted fire on 40 objects of the Russian Federation.

00:41: According to British military intelligence, the command of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation "almost certainly redeployed Kilo-class submarines from the home port of Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk in the Krasnodar Territory."

·        "This is extremely likely due to the recent change in the level of local security threat, which occurred due to the strengthening of Ukraine's ability to carry out long-range strikes. Over the past two months, fleet headquarters and the main airfield of naval aviation have been attacked.

September 20

23:04: UKROBORONPROM together with NATO member state builds an ammunition plant

·        At the same time, the concern does not specify the details of the construction of the plant and does not name the partner country.

22:18: Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva have agreed to launch the IMF mission in Ukraine in October this year.

19:51: The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shot down an enemy Su-25 attack aircraft and an Iranian-made Shahed-136 kamikaze drone in the south.

19:11: Shevchenko handed Lewandowski a captain's armband in blue and yellow.

·        Lewandowski will play in it at the World Cup 22 in Qatar.

18:46 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:

·        Today, Russian troops have launched 7 missile and 20 air strikes, carried out more than 15 MLRS attacks on military and civilian targets on the territory of Ukraine. The infrastructure of more than 20 settlements was affected.

·        Units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine repulsed Russian attacks in the areas of the settlements of Vesele, Kurdyumivka, Mykolaivka Druha, Zaitsevo, Mayorsk, Pervomaiske, Marinka and Novomykhailivka.

·        During the current day, to support the actions of ground groups, the aviation of the Defense Forces hit 12 areas of concentration of Russian manpower and military equipment and one position of the anti-aircraft missile system. In addition, Ukrainian air defense units destroyed one Russian UAV.

·        Rocket troops and artillery have inflicted fire on 30 objects of the Russian Federation for the current day. In 17 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, 10 areas of concentration of artillery, as well as 3 ammunition depots. The total losses of the enemy are being clarified.

17:48 Minister for Reintegration: Ukrainians who remain in the temporarily occupied territories are advised not to participate in illegal "referendums", as well as not to cooperate with the occupiers and not to receive a Russian passport.

·        She stressed that pseudo-referendums will not have any legal significance.

17:16: The Verkhovna Rada adopted in the first reading a draft law on the procedure for military servicemen to be in the reserve during mobilization. It provides a list of men who cannot be called up.

·        The document stipulates that during mobilization it is possible to place in the reserves military servicemen who work:

o   men who work in public authorities or local governments;

o   in companies that produce goods, perform work or provide defense services for the Ukrainian army;

o   in companies that perform mobilization tasks or orders;

o   in companies that are critical to the economy and that ensure the livelihoods of the civilian population.

16:41: The Verkhovna Rada has set up a temporary commission of inquiry to investigate violations of the use of humanitarian aid during the war, deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak said.

·        The Commission of Inquiry will investigate violations of the legislation of Ukraine in the field of receiving, distributing, transporting, storing, and using humanitarian and other assistance for its intended purpose.

16:07 Minister of Foreign Affairs: Neither fake "referendums" in the occupied territories of Ukraine, nor hybrid "mobilization" will change anything.

·        "Russia, as it was, remains an aggressor state that illegally occupies part of Ukrainian land. Ukraine has every right to liberate its territories and will continue to liberate them, no matter what they say in Russia," he stressed.

15:47: Ukrainian servicemen who have a third child during the war now have the right to demobilization. The relevant law was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada.

·        Previously, mobilization did not apply to parents with three or more children at the time of conscription.

·        Now servicemen who have become parents with many children after being drafted into the army will be able to return to their families.

15:26 Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office press service: The HACC has chosen a preventive measure for people's deputy from the "Servant of the People" faction Oleksandr Trukhin, who tried to bribe patrol police officers.

·        The court granted him bail in the amount of UAH 49,620.

14:16 Ukrainian Football Association: UEFA has decided to suspend the Russian national team from the Euro 2024 draw, which will take place on October 9.

·        It is also reported that Russia is excluded from football tournaments at least until the end of the war with Ukraine.

13:59 Presidential Office: "The threat can only be eliminated by force," - Andriy Yermak commented on Russia's threats to hold "referendums".

13:49 Azov Administration: Russia refuses to return pregnant women from captivity.

·        "About 50 women are in Russian captivity. In the near future , there was to be an exchange for women. One of the pregnant defenders should soon give birth, the other - in 4 months.

13:22 Ministry of Infrastructure: As part of the "grain initiative", today 8 more vessels with agricultural products left Ukrainian ports, food exports exceeded more than 4 million tons.

14:05 Russian Media: Shares of Russian state-owned companies collapsed after Peskov's statements about unpreparedness for negotiations with Ukraine on the end of the war, which lasts for the seventh month.

·        Less than an hour after this statement by the Kremlin, the stock market lost more than 300 billion Rubles.

MORDOR (Russia)

September 21

11:35: Graduates of military departments may be drafted if their specialties are required, says Andriy Kartapolov.

11:32: "First of all, they can mobilize soldiers, foremen and ensigns up to 35 years old and junior officers up to 45 years old," - Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Andriy Kartapolov in an interview with Interfax.

11:26: Shoigu on mobilizing 300 thousand reservists: this is not a one-time, this is the work that will be carried out as planned.

11:24: New units will be formed to protect the state border and create "operational depth" in the directions of the "SVO", - Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Andrei Kartapolov.

11:21: A court in the temporarily occupied Crimea sentences Mejlis Deputy Chairman Nariman Dzhelyal to 17 years in prison and brothers Asan and Aziz Akhtemov to 15 and 13 years in prison.

·        Dzhelyal and Akhtemov are accused of sabotage — blowing up a gas pipeline near the village of Perevalne.

11:13: Kursk region, Russia will immediately begin fulfilling the tasks set by Putin during a special televised address, — said the governor of the region Roman Starovoit.

11:11: The so-called "governor" of temporarily occupied Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhaev, said he would personally head the draft commission created in the city for partial mobilization.

11:07: Immediately after Putin's speech, all direct tickets for September 21 from Moscow to Istanbul, Tbilisi and Yerevan were sold out in a few minutes.

11:03: Navalny's team supported any form of protest against mobilization in Russia, including radical ones.

·        "I can say for sure that our team will support any form of protest before that. If you run away from conscription - this is good, we support, we are ready to provide information, legal assistance. If you go to protests - we support this, we are ready to provide the coordination assistance that is needed. If you are ready to do big things, including setting fire to the military registration and enlistment office, we support this and are also ready to provide assistance," Ivan Zhdanov said.

10:45 Russian Media: State Duma deputies received a deferment from conscription under Russian law.

09:07: Putin announced a partial mobilization in Russia.

·        Only citizens who are in reserve and, above all, those who served in the armed forces, have certain military accounting specialties and the corresponding experience.

·        Those drafted for military service will undergo additional military training before being sent to the unit.

·        Putin said that the main goal of the "special operation" is "the liberation of Donbass."

·        Russia will support the "referendums" of the DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions - Putin.

·        "All means of destruction, including nuclear, will be used in the event of a threat to russia's territorial integrity, this is not a bluff," Putin said.

September 20

23:11: According to Google statistics, the number of searches for "how to leave the country" and "deferral from the army" has increased in Russia.

·        Google's query index for "How to leave Russia" peaked Tuesday. This happened against the backdrop of news of future mobilization and referendums in unrecognized republics.

22:41 Forbes: Putin's recorded address will be shown on September 21, when "the Far East wakes up," citing two sources in the presidential administration.

21:48: There will be no general mobilization in the Russian Federation, - said Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Defense Andrei Kartapolov.

21:09 Russian Senator: Kyiv's attacks after the announcement of the results of the referendums will be regarded as aggression against Russia.

21:03 Russian Media: The occupation authorities of the "LPR" announced holidays in schools in the occupied territory of Luhansk region from September 22 to September 28 in connection with the "referendum".

·        Also in this regard, the self-proclaimed "authorities" made September 27 a day off for everyone.

20:08: Following the results of the "referendum", the Russian-controlled part of the Zaporizhia region will declare independence within the administrative boundaries of the entire region, says Vladimir Rogov, a representative of the pro-Russian administration of Zaporizhia.

17:42: One issue will be put to a vote in the Zaporizhia region, follows from the decree of the so-called head of the occupation administration Yevhen Balytsky.

·        Here is how it sounds: "Are you for the withdrawal of the Zaporozhye region from Ukraine, the formation of the Zaporozhye region of an independent state and its joining the Russian Federation as a subject of the Russian Federation?"

·        The decree states that on September 23, the "referendum" will be held in the voting premises, and in the period until September 27 — in the local areas and settlements where there are no special premises.

17:02: The Russian corporation Gazprom will suspend gas transportation to China from September 22 to September 29. The reason is planned maintenance.

16:53 Duma Committee for the Defense: Military Volunteers of the DPR and LPR, when the republics join Russia, will become servicemen of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

16:46: Putin is going to make an urgent appeal today regarding "referendums", Russian media.

16:02 BelTA: Lukashenko instructed the Secretary of State of the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus to begin preparations for the defense of the state according to wartime standards and check all forces from military units to the people's militia.

14:47 Russian Media: The so-called "head" of the so-called "DPR", Denis Pushilin, has submitted to the so-called "People's Council of the DPR" a bill to hold a referendum on the reunification of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic with Russia.

·        The so-called "authorities" of the so-called "DPR" have scheduled a "referendum" for September 23-27.

·        "Head of the DPR" Pushilin in his social networks published an appeal to Russian President Putin with a request "as soon as possible in case of a positive decision on the results of the "referendum" to consider the issue of joining the "Donetsk People's Republic" into the Russian Federation."

15:42 Kharkiv Regional Council: Deputy Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council Bohdan Malovanyi was suspended from work. The reason for this is the possible possession of a Russian passport.

14:28: The referendum in the self-proclaimed "LPR" will be held from September 23 to 27, 2022, - said the so-called "first deputy" chairman of the "People's Council" of the so-called "LPR" Dmitry Khoroshilov.

13:51 Russian Media: The so-called "Parliament of the Luhansk Peoples Republic" voted unanimously to adopt a "law" on holding a "referendum" on joining the Russian Federation.

13:43: Russian Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin spoke in favor of supporting the acceptance of the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions into Russia.

13:37: The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted amendments to the Criminal Code. Now the concepts of "mobilization", "martial law", "wartime" have appeared there.

·        For voluntary surrender and desertion, Russians face criminal liability of up to 10 years in prison.

13:11: The so-called "head of the administration of the Kherson region" Vladimir Saldo announced that the Russian-appointed "leadership" of the Kherson region has decided to hold a "referendum" on the entry of the Kherson region into the Russian Federation.

12:05: The referendum on the accession of the Kherson region to Russia will be held as soon as possible - said the so-called "chairman of the public council of the region."

KHARKIV

September 21

08:11 Commissioner for Human Rights: There may be many more places with mass graves of victims in the liberated Izyum.

·        "I'm sure it's not all graves. As far as I know, we are currently approaching the figure of 200 exhumed bodies in only one cemetery, the previous figure is about 450. There are a total of 7 cemeteries in Izyum," Lubinets said.

07:39 Village head: In Pechenegy in the Kharkiv region, after Russian strikes, there is the threat of a dam break.

02:46: In Kharkiv, Russian missiles hit residential buildings at night

·        The details of the attack were announced by the mayor of the city. "Arrival" was in Kholodnogorsky district. There is no information about the victims yet, but there are people under the rubble.

00:35 Mayor: The intensity of shelling of Kharkiv due to the counterattack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has decreased.

·        "We need a special air defense system that could create the so-called iron dome in order to prevent shelling of Kharkiv and the region. Today, as the president said, the military is working on this so that we have such a system. Despite the fact that today such a system does not exist, thanks to the heroism of our Armed Forces, the Russian aggressor was driven away closer to the border with the Russian Federation, and the intensity of shelling today, on Happiness, much decreased in the city of Kharkov, but, unfortunately, there are constant shelling in the Kharkiv region, constant "arrivals" and, of course, there is destruction," the mayor said .

September 20

23:55: A Russian passport was found at the deputy chairman of the Kharkiv regional council.

·        On Tuesday, September 20, deputy chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council Bogdan Malovanyi, who was found to have a passport of a Citizen of the Russian Federation, was removed from work

·        His case was handled by the SBI and the SBU

22:24 Ukrainian Radio Kharkiv: Russian military damaged and removed medical equipment from hospitals under occupation.

·        "Many establishments have been destroyed, we are considering other buildings, outpatient departments, more or less to furnish them with equipment. Unfortunately, Russian troops smashed a lot of equipment and took it out. Technical losses are actually 95%."

22:11: Residents of the village of Pechenegy, Kharkiv region, were warned about possible flooding of houses due to the invaders' strikes on the Pechenezh dam, - an appeal by the head of the Pechenizka community Oleksandr Husarov.

·        "Over the past days, the Russian army has inflicted and continues to launch missile strikes on the dam of the Pecheneg reservoir. There is a probable threat of destruction by the enemy of the dam of the Pecheneg hydroelectric complex. An emergency situation may arise as a result of catastrophic flooding of areas downstream," the message says.

18:43 Kharkiv regional council: As a result of a Russian strike on the Kupyansk district around 11 a.m., civilians, including 4 children, were injured.

13:31 State Bureau of Investigation press service: The SBI exposed collaborators in kharkiv region who helped Russians build dugouts, conduct searches and patrol cities, one of the suspects was detained.

·        In addition, two former law enforcement officers were exposed in Vovchansk and Kupiansk, who also cooperated with Russians during the occupation.

LUHANSK

September 20

14:19 SBU press service: The SBU exposes 8 more collaborators in the Luhansk region - the "mayor" of occupied Lysychansk, local "prosecutors" and "policemen".

·        According to the investigation, all defendants were notified of suspicion under Art. 111-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (collaboration). They face up to 15 years in prison.

DONETSK

September 21

10:50 RMA: Russians continue to fire on frontline villages and towns of Donetsk region.

·        In the Pokrovsky district, at night, the Russians launched a missile strike on Kurakhove and hit a house, according to preliminary information, 12 people were wounded, including 2 children. Another 1 person may be under the rubble.

08:33 National Police: During the past day, Russians killed 6 civilians in Donetsk region: 2 in Bakhmut, 1 in Toretsk, 1 in Druzhba, 1 in Georgievka and 1 in Velyka Novoselka. Another 20 people were injured.

September 20

23:25 Advisor to the mayor of Mariupol: Teenagers who sang the Anthem of Ukraine were arrested in Mariupol.

·        They were forced to repent on camera, "plead guilty" and write off everything for alleged alcohol.

·        they had been reported by pro-Russian local residents.

17:54 RMA: With two missiles, Russian troops destroyed a five-story building in Bakhmut. Two people are being searched under the rubble.

17:25 Donetsk RMA: On the Flag Post, installed on the border of Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, a Ukrainian flag was raised.

16:19 Mayor: A missile strike hit Sloviansk this afternoon, and a furniture shop was damaged.

ZAPORIZHYA

September 21

08:39: Russian troops shelled the Zaporizhzhia NPP at night.

·        As a result of the attack, the block transformer and transformers of the power unit's own needs were turned off.

·        Due to the loss of power, two diesel generators of safety systems were emergency launched to ensure the operation of the fuel cooling pumps.

08:28 City council: At night, the Russian Federation again attacked Zaporozhye

·        From the impact city infrastructure facility suffered destruction.

23:17 Social Networks: Report explosions in Zaporizhia.

September 20

19:04 Social Networks: Report explosions in Zaporizhia.

15:01 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in occupied Energodar of Zaporizhia region.

DNIPRO

September 21

08:20 RMA: At night, the Russians fired twice at Nikopol. 30 Russian shells flew there.

·        More than 20 high-rise buildings and private dwellings, cars, gas pipelines and power lines were damaged in the city. shops. Because of the shelling, fires broke out in the apartment and in a private courtyard. The firefighters had already extinguished the flames.

02:54 Social Networks: report explosions in Nikopol.

September 20

19:18 Social Networks: Report explosions in Dnipropetrovsk region.

KHERSON

September 20

23:49 Social Networks: Photos of the Novokakhovka dam, which the Russians covered with gravel.

20:55 RMA: Now in the Kherson region, Russians are stepping up filtering measures. There have been more cases of "inspections" of private homes and abductions of civilians. The Russians are trying to intimidate the local population in order to suppress resistance.

18:02 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in Kherson region.

19:18 Social Networks: Explosions are heard in occupied Nova Kakhovka, Kherson region.

12:45: Activists of the Zhovta Lenta movement have distributed leaflets and continue to disrupt Russian agitation in the temporarily occupied Kherson.

12:42 Operational Command Pivden (South): The Russians continue to build a pontoon crossing, flooding the wagons to create a base along the Kakhovka, Antonovsky bridges. Barges continue to be used to pull up heavy armored vehicles and ammunition from the left bank to the right.

·        The Ukrainian military is keeping Russians under fire control, making sure that there are no civilians there during the strike, who are used as human shields covered by the Russian military.

MYKOLAIV

September 21

September 20

15:57 Operational Command Pivden (South): "A Russian Smerch MLRS struck districts in the Mykolaiv region. The elevator was hit and partially destroyed, where three workers were wounded."

·        In addition, several buildings were damaged in the central part of the village, including a vocational lyceum. There are no dead.

12:02 SBU press service: SBU detains Russian agent who corrected enemy missile strikes to disrupt the heating season in southern Ukraine

·        The SBU exposed Russians' attempts to destroy critical infrastructure: an agent was detained in Mykolaiv who transferred geolocation of heat supply enterprises to Russia in the frontline areas.

OTHER REGIONS

September 21

10:56: The SBU exposes an FSB agent group in Kyiv, which handed over the coordinates of the capital's Combined Heat and Power plants to Russia to disrupt the heating season.

·        "The traitors investigated the location of Ukrainian military units, including the National Guard, thermal power plants and railway junctions," the message says.

September 20

22:36: They want to remove the Order of Lenin and the Soviet coat of arms from the stele of the Kyiv Polytechnical Institute. Instead of Soviet symbols, the KPI logo will be placed there.

·        In addition, they want to repaint the monument, it will no longer be red. Currently, work is underway.

21:22 Sumy RMA: Russians fired mortars at the village of Obody. In total, the military recorded 10 explosions. At least 5 houses of civilians were damaged - windows were broken, walls were destroyed, he said in his telegram channel.

15:18 Center for Applied Research: Vitali Klitschko remains the ratings leader for the post of mayor of Kyiv in the next elections.

·        Answering the question "If the elections of the mayor of Kyiv were held next Sunday, who would you vote for?", more than half of decided respondents answered they would vote for the current mayor Vitaliy Klitschko, - 56.4%.

14:43: The Podil District Prosecutor's Office of Kyiv, as part of a criminal case, transferred 500 million hryvnias to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which belonged to a collaborator.

12:29 Kyiv region police: The bodies of two men tortured by Russians were found in a forest belt near the village of Myrotske in the Buchansky district of the Kyiv Region.

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://euromaidanpress.com/

https://invite.viber.com/?g2=AQBD3wxTrZ6XUU7IdXeHUfjVCydekezQCCGuwYnT6qPd1r7n1aVbFIewa6ng6Lis

www.ubn.news