Pentru a echilibra cumva conținutul articolului am introdus în raportarea evenimentelor militare, pe lângă rapoartele ISW (relativ favorabilă Ucrainei) și Military Land (sursă ucraineană), și rapoartele venite dinspre milblogerii ruși. Adesea am găsit pe ISW ceea ce rapoartele separatiste ziceau, cu 2-3 zile înainte. Presa mainstream occidentală este menținută, deși din punct de vedere militar ea reproduce, cel mai adesea, relatările și analizele ISW.

ISW

Key Takeaways

• Russian forces conducted ground attacks east of Siversk and northeast and southeast of Bakhmut.
• Russian forces conducted ground attacks southwest and northwest of Donetsk City.
• Ukrainian forces destroyed the last functioning bridge Russian forces used to transport military equipment near the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.
• Ukrainian officials confirmed additional Ukrainian strikes on Russian ammunition depots and a logistics point in Kherson Oblast.
• Russian regional officials may be misrepresenting percentage fill of newly formed volunteer battalions.
• Ukrainian partisans are likely targeting Russian occupation officials and Ukrainian collaborators who are preparing for the sham annexation referenda to disrupt the Russian annexation of occupied Ukraine.

Main Effort—Eastern Ukraine

Subordinate Main Effort—Southern Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk Oblasts (Russian objective: Encircle Ukrainian forces in Eastern Ukraine and capture the entirety of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks along the Donetsk-Kharkiv Oblast border on August 12. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian attack in the direction of Bohorodychne and Dolyna (both 20km northwest of Slovyansk).[6] Russian forces conducted airstrikes near Zalyman (30km northwest of Izyum), missile strikes on Kramatorsk (6km from the southern outskirts of Slovyansk) and continued to shell settlements along the Kharkiv-Donetsk border on August 12.[7]

Russian forces continued ground attacks east of Siversk on August 12. Russian troops withdrew following failed offensive operations in the direction of Verkhnokamyanske (3km east of Siversk), Ivano-Darivka (7km southeast of Siversk), Spirne (12km southeast of Siversk), and Vyimka (6km southeast of Siversk) and unsuccessful reconnaissance-in-force missions in the Hryhorivka direction (7km northeast of Siversk) and near Spirne.[8] Russian forces also conducted eight airstrikes and continued routine shelling along the Donetsk-Luhansk Oblast border.[9]

The Ukrainian General Staff stated that Russian forces had “partial success” in an attack in the direction of Horlivka – Zaytseve.[10] A Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) official alleged that Russian-led forces gained a foothold in northeastern Bakhmut, but ISW cannot independently confirm the extent of Russian advances from Pokrovske.[11] The Ukrainian General Staff also stated that Russian troops suffered losses and retreated from offensives in the vicinity of Yakovlivka (16km northeast of Bakhmut), Kodema (15 km southeast of Bakhmut), Vershyna (12km southeast of Bakhmut), and Vesela Dolyna (5 km southeast of Bakhmut).[12] Russian forces will likely continue attempting to advance on Bakhmut in the coming days.

Russian forces continued ground attacks pushing southwestward and northwestward from the outskirts of Donetsk City on August 12. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces defeated Russian ground attacks near Pavlivka (50km southwest of Donetsk City).[13] The Ukrainian General Staff also stated that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian assaults near Spartak, Pisky, and Marinka all within 5 miles of the western outskirts of Donetsk City.[14] Russian sources claimed that Russian forces „control” the „situation” in Pisky.[15] ISW previously assessed that Russian forces are in the process of completing the seizure of Pisky.[16] Combat footage and satellite imagery indicate that heavy Russian fire with thermobaric artillery systems has visibly leveled Pisky.[17] Russian forces continued to target Ukrainian-held territory west of Donetsk City with airstrikes and shelling.[18]

Supporting Effort #1—Kharkiv City (Russian objective: Defend ground lines of communication (GLOCs) to Izyum and prevent Ukrainian forces from reaching the Russian border)

Russian forces did not conduct any confirmed ground assaults on the Kharkiv City on August 12. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted airstrikes on Verkhnyi Saltiv, Ukrainka, and Bayrak, all northeast of Kharkiv City, and Rtyshivka, approximately 50km southeast of Kharkiv City.[19] Russian forces also continued shelling Kharkiv City and settlements to its north and northeast using tank, tube, and rocket artillery.[20]

Supporting Effort #2—Southern Axis (Russian objective: Defend Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts against Ukrainian counterattacks)

Russian forces continued to launch air and artillery strikes along the Kherson Oblast administrative border but did not conduct offensive operations on August 12. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces conducted airstrikes on Andriivka, Lozove, and Velyke Artakove (near the bridgehead over the Inhulets River), and Blahodatne, Novohryhorivka, Bruskinske, and Myrne (north of Kherson City).[21]  The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces continued shelling civilian and military infrastructure using tank, tube, and rocket artillery and conducted aerial reconnaissance using UAVs along the entire line of contact.[22]

Russian forces continued to target settlements in Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv Oblasts using artillery and missiles. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian forces launched 40 missiles on Marhanets and fired approximately 10 tube artillery rounds at Nikopol, both across the Dnipro River from Russian-occupied positions in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.[23] Ukrainian officials also reported that Russian forces fired rockets from Uragan MLRS systems at port infrastructure in Mykolaiv City and continued shelling nearby settlements.[24]

Ukrainian forces continued targeting Russian logistics points and ammunition depots in Kherson Oblast. Kherson Oblast Administration Advisor Serhiy Khlan reported that a Ukrainian strike rendered the last bridge Russian forces used to transport military equipment and ammunition to the Nova Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant inoperable on August 12.[25] The Ukrainian Southern Operational Command also reported that Ukrainian forces struck a Russian ammunition depot in Vesele and in the Beryslav district of Kherson Oblast.[26] Ukrainian airstrikes struck a Russian stronghold near Andriivka and a concentration of Russian manpower and equipment near Bruskinske.[27]

Military Land

Day summary:

The situation remains unchanged. Russian forces continue to shell Ukrainian positions without launching ground operations. The only exception is the vicinity of Bakhmut and in Pisky, where the enemy has minor success. The development in recent days indicates that Russian army lacks manpower and therefor has decided to choose the scorched earth strategy.

Bakhmut front

• A Russian reconnaissance element tried to break through Ukrainian lines south of Yakovlivka. The attack was repelled.
• The enemy attacked Ukrainian positions at Bakhmutske and continues its offensive in the town of Soledar.
• Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attacks towards Vesela Dolyna, Zaitseve and Kodema.
• House to house combat is reported from Zaitseve (near Horlivka). Russian troops have reportedly advanced closer to the town’s center.
• Russian forces have used the terrain to its advantage and continue to push inside the Dacha – Hladosove – Travneve valley, reaching Dacha settlement.

Slovyansk direction

• Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions near Bohorodychne from the direction of Pasika, without success.
• The enemy attempted to gain momentum and advance towards Dolyna. The attack from the direction of Tychotske was repulsed.
• Russian forces tried to improve its positions in the vicinity of Ivano-Darivka, Hryhorivka and Verkhnokamyanske. The defenders thwarted all the attempts.
• The enemy tried to advance towards Vyimka, fighting continues

Slovyansk direction

• Russian troops attacked Ukrainian positions near Bohorodychne from the direction of Pasika, without success.
• The enemy attempted to gain momentum and advance towards Dolyna. The attack from the direction of Tychotske was repulsed.
• Russian forces tried to improve its positions in the vicinity of Ivano-Darivka, Hryhorivka and Verkhnokamyanske. The defenders thwarted all the attempts.
• The enemy tried to advance towards Vyimka, fighting continues.

Donetsk Oblast

• Russian forces advanced in the northern area of Pisky and are in control of more than a half of the settlement.
• Ukrainian defenders continue to repel Russian attacks towards Marinka.
• Russian forces, with a help of air support, tried to break through Ukrainian lines in the vicinity of Pavlivka. They didn’t succeed and retreated.

BBC

Gen Hockenhull still says it is unrealistic to expect a decisive shift in the south in the coming months. He says he understands Ukraine’s desire to retake territory, but adds that while there will be counter-attacks and counter-offensives, he does not believe there will be decisive action taken this year by either side. His expectation is for a long conflict.

Al Jazeera

• ussia has doubled the number of air raids on Ukraine’s military positions and civilian infrastructure compared with the previous week, according to a Ukrainian brigadier general.
• Ben Wallace, the British defence secretary, said Russia was unlikely to succeed in occupying Ukraine.
• Western countries committed more than 1.5 billion euros ($1.55bn) in cash, equipment and training to boost Ukraine’s military capabilities.
• Ukraine aims to evacuate two-thirds of residents from areas it controls in the eastern battleground region of Donetsk before winter.
• Russian officials trained in Iran in recent weeks as part of a drone deal, the United States alleged. US officials previously said Iran would provide up to several hundred drones, including some that are weapons capable, to Russia. The claim raised concerns that Iran was supporting Russia in its war in Ukraine.
• The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog told the Security Council that fighting near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has sparked a “grave crisis”

CNN

The Ukrainian military says Russian forces are making gains near the eastern Ukrainian town of Bakhmut. “In the direction of Pokrovske — Bakhmut, the enemy had partial success and is trying to gain a foothold,” said general staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a statement on Friday. 

The Guardian

The devastation at the Russian air base in Crimea suggests Kyiv may have obtained new long-range strike capability with potential to change the course of the war. The base is well beyond the range of advanced rockets that western countries acknowledge sending to Ukraine so far, with some western military experts saying the scale of the damage and the apparent precision of the strike suggested a powerful new capability with potentially important implications.

RYBAR*

• Dimineața, artileria ucraineană a bombardat satul Sverdlikovo din regiunea Kursk. Nu au fost victime.
• În nordul regiunii Harkiv, luptători ai Brigăzii 200 de Puști Motorizate a Forțelor Armate Ruse au pătruns în satul Udi. Înainte de aceasta, DRG-urile rusești au distrus mai multe poziții ale celui de-al 92-lea Ombre al Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei în sat.
• Trupele de rachete și artileria ruse au lovit ținte în Kholodnogorsk și districtele industriale din Harkov.
• Dimineața, Forțele Armate RF au atacat acumularea de forță de muncă din Kramatorsk. În timpul zilei, exploziile au tunat în Slaviansk.
• Seara, lângă Kramatorsk, un Su-25 ucrainean a fost doborât, zburând din Druzhkovka.
• Luptele sunt în desfășurare la periferia de est a orașului Soledar: unități ale forțelor aliate înaintează spre Uzina Refractară din partea uzinei KNAUF luate anterior.
• Confruntările continuă în apropierea satului Yakovlevka.
• La Bakhmut (Artemovsk), unitățile PMC Wagner, care s-au stabilit la periferia estică, identifică și suprimă cetățile Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei pentru a avansa în continuare spre centrul orașului.
• Forțele aliate continuă să atace Peski. Artileria dă foc pozițiilor Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei la marginea de nord-vest a satului.
• În Marinka, au loc ciocniri de-a lungul străzii Druzhby. Artileria lucrează constant la punctele de tragere ale armatei ucrainene, Forțele Armate ale Ucrainei suferă pierderi și sunt nevoite să transfere noi întăriri.
• Artileria ucraineană a bombardat Donețk și uzina Stirol din Horlivka. Cel puțin o persoană a murit și mai multe au fost rănite.
• Forțele Armate Ruse au atacat pozițiile formațiunilor ucrainene din Nikopol și Marganeț, de unde bombardează centrala nucleară Zaporojie.
• Forțele Armate ale Ucrainei au lovit din nou la Novaia Kakhovka, sistemul de apărare aeriană a declanșat în oraș.

*RYBAR este unul dintre cei mai influenți milblogeri ruși. Ziarist, analist militar. Legătura este către canalul său de telegram