ISW

Key Takeaways

• The Ukrainian counteroffensive is tangibly degrading Russian logistics and administrative capabilities in occupied southern Ukraine.
• Putin publicly praised DNR and LNR forces (and denigrated the Russian military) on September 5, likely to motivate proxy recruitment and reframe Russian coverage of the war.
• Ukrainian military officials maintained their operational silence regarding the progress of the Ukrainian counteroffensive but reported on the further destruction of Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in Central Kherson Oblast.
• Russian forces conducted ground attacks east of Siversk, northeast and south of Bakhmut, and along the northwestern outskirts of Donetsk City.
• Ukrainian special forces conducted a limited operation against a Russian FSB base in the Enerhodar area.
• Power unit No. 6 of the ZNPP became disconnected from the Ukrainian power grid.
• Russian authorities continue to seek unconventional sources of combat power and are increasingly turning to ill and infirm individuals.
• Occupation authorities set a 1.25 ruble/1 hryvnia exchange rate in Zaporizhia Oblast in order to facilitate the economic integration of occupied Zaporizhia into the Russian Federation.

Ukrainian Counteroffensives (Ukrainian efforts to liberate Russian-occupied territories)

Ukrainian military officials maintained their operational silence and did not release any information pertaining to Ukrainian advances in Kherson Oblast on September 5. Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command reported that Ukrainian forces shot down two Russian reconnaissance drones in Vysokopillya after previously not confirming that Ukrainian forces entered the town.[6] ISW independently assessed that Ukrainian forces captured the town on September 4 due to several social media videos.[7] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian forces launched airstrikes on Bezimenne and Sukhyi Stavok, approximately six and ten kilometers southeast of the Ukrainian bridgehead over the Inhulets River.[8] Russian milbloggers claimed that Russian forces recaptured Kostromka (the village in between Bezimenne and Sukhyi Stavok), but geolocated footage depicted Ukrainian tanks attacking Russian positions around the settlement.[9] Combined with the geolocated footage, the Ukrainian General Staff report may indicate that Ukrainian forces advanced in the Kostromka and Bezimenne areas. The Ukrainian General Staff also reported that Russian forces shelled the area of Novovoskresenske (about 18km southeast of Vysokopillya) but it is unclear if Ukrainian forces have advanced in the vicinity of the settlement.[10]

Ukrainian forces continued to target Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) and ammunition depots in Central Kherson Oblast. Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command noted that Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian pontoon crossing in Lvove (west of Nova Kakhovka), struck the command post of the 35th Combined Arms Army in the Kakhovka Raion, and two observation posts belonging to battalion tactical groups (BTGs) of the 247th Guards Air Assault Regiment in Mykolaiv Raion and the 126th Separate Coastal Defense Brigade in Beryslav Raion.[11] Ukraine‘s Southern Operational Command added that Ukrainian forces struck a pontoon crossing in the area of the Kakhovka Bridge on September 5.[12] Ukrainian strikes also reportedly destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Tomyna Balka (about 19km west of Kherson City), indicating Ukrainian forces are not operating in the settlement.[13] CNN previously reported that Ukrainian forces liberated the settlement on August 29.[14] Ukraine’s Southern Operational Command added that Ukrainian missile units destroyed two ammunition depots in Khersonskyi Raion.[15] The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian strikes eliminated 30 Russian servicemen and three tanks in the area of the Antonivsky Bridge, and an anti-aircraft missile system with six trucks near an unspecified crossing.[16] Geolocated footage showed Russian military convoys waiting to cross the Dnipro River from the left bank, and the Russian convoys remain vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes.[17] The Ukrainian General Staff added that Russian forces are prohibiting and threatening locals from crossing the Dnipro River.[18]

A Russian milblogger stated that the new Russian frontline south of Kherson-Dnipropetrovsk Oblast border runs through southern parts of Arkhanhelske and Olhyne, southern outskirts of Vysokopillya and Potomkyne, and via the southwestern outskirts of Novovoznesenske.[24] Milbloggers largely claimed that Russian forces are creating artillery “kill zones” by allowing Ukrainian forces to advance near the bridgehead.[25] A milblogger noted that Ukrainian forces will continue to try to extend the Ukrainian bridgehead and push for the T2207 highway.[26] Milbloggers also stated that artillery combat continued in Snihurivka, with Russian forces reportedly destroying a Ukrainian observation post in Kyselivka (about 28km west of Snihurivka).[27] Social media footage reportedly showed a large smoke cloud in Snihurivka, and some social media users noted that Ukrainian forces have struck a Russian base in the area.[28] Russian milbloggers claimed that fighting resumed in Ternovi Pody-Zelenyi Hai-Kyselivka line (within 30km northwest of Kherson City area), but Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks in the area.[29] A Russian milblogger noted that elements of the 7th Guards Air Assaults Division and 20th Guards Motor Rifle Division of the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army are firing artillery at Ukrainian forces attempting to advance northwest of Kherson City.[30] The milblogger added that elements of the 33rd Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 20th Division raided Ukrainian positions from the direction of Ternovi Pody.[31] Social media footage also showed Russian forces transporting two S-300V systems (a variant of the S-300 intended to target ballistic missiles) in unspecified areas of Kherson Oblast.[32]

The Russian Defense Ministry maintained that Ukrainian forces are unsuccessfully attempting to gain a foothold in certain areas in the Mykolaiv City-Kryvyi Rih direction, while Russian forces are striking Ukrainian reserves and units with artillery and precision missiles.[33] The Russian Defense Ministry likely is claiming Russian precision strikes on Ukrainian forces in Kherson and Mykolaiv Oblasts in an effort to emulate Ukrainian strikes on Russian reinforcements and GLOCs. Some milbloggers continued to express criticism towards Russian defenses around Inhulets River, with one milblogger claiming that Russian SPETSNAZ requested artillery support for hours before Ukrainian forces were able to break through Russian defenses.[34] Former Russian politician Viktor Alksnis noted that the Russian Defense Ministry again limited its discussion of conducting offensive operations, which likely indicated that Russian forces are largely undertaking defensive measures.[35] Alksnis noted that Russians do not have awareness of the lack of progress during the Russian ”special military operation” in Ukraine. Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation also noted that the Kremlin is exploiting Ukrainian operational silence to invent false claims about the Ukrainian counteroffensive.[36]

Russian Main Effort- Eastern Ukraine

Russian Subordinate Main Effort- Southern Kharkiv and Donetsk Oblast (Russian objective: Capture the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, the claimed territory of Russia’s proxies in Donbas)

Note: We have revised our organization of Russian lines of effort to include Russian operations in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast as part of the Donetsk Oblast effort due to recently observed force allocations indicating the Russian grouping east of Hulyaipole, previously grouped with the Southern Axis, will support efforts southwest of Donetsk City.

Russian forces did not conduct any confirmed ground attacks along the Izyum-Slovyansk line on September 5 and continued routine shelling along the Kharkiv-Donetsk Oblast border.[37] An RT war correspondent noted that the most intense fighting along this axis in the last six months has occurred in the wooded area dubbed “Sherwood Forest” that lies alongside the E40 Izyum-Slovyansk highway.[38] Ukrainian and Russian troops in this area reportedly exchange small arms fire at a range of 10m or less, and the dense vegetation in the area is likely obfuscating precise troop movements along much of the Izyum-Slovyansk axis.[39]

Ukrainian military officials further confirmed on September 5 that Ukrainian troops made marginal gains northeast of Slovyansk along the left bank of the Severskiy Donetsk River on September 4. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian forces retook positions previously occupied by Russian forces in the “Kramatorsk direction,” typically describing the Lyman-Slovyansk-Kramatorsk area.[40] The language of the General Staff statement is consistent with reports that Ukrainian troops retook Ozerne (20km northeast of Slovyansk) on September 4.[41]

Russian forces conducted limited ground attacks east of Siversk on September 5. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Ukrainian troops repelled Russian advances in Hryhorivka, about 10km northeast of Siversk, and in Bilohorivka.[42] It is unclear if the Bilohorivka that the General Staff referred to is the one 12km northeast of Siversk or 17km southeast of Siversk.[43] Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) troops also reportedly fired on Ukrainian positions in Verkhnokamyanske, about 5km due east of Siversk, suggesting Russian troops lost their previous positions in Verkhnokamyanske on an unspecified date.[44] Russian forces continued routine artillery strikes on Siversk and surrounding settlements.[45]

Russian forces continued ground attacks northeast and south of Bakhmut on September 5. The Ukrainian General Staff stated that Russian troops fought in Pokrovske (10km east of Bakhmut) and the Bakhmutske-Soledar area (10km northeast of Bakhmut).[46] Russian troops, including Wagner Group fighters, continued attempts to advance north on Bakhmut from Kodema (13km southeast of Bakhmut), Vesela Dolyna (5km southeast of Bakhmut), Zaitseve (8km southeast of Bakhmut), and Semihirya (16km southeast of Bakhmut).[47] Russian troops also continued routine air and artillery strikes on and around Bakhmut.[48]

Russian forces continued ground attacks along the western outskirts of Donetsk City on September 5. The Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian troops attempted assaults around Lozove, Spartak, Pervomaiske, Vodyane, and Nevelske, which all lie along the northwestern corner of Donetsk City.[49] Russian sources indicated that elements of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) 11^th Regiment are continuously attempting to advance from Pisky to Pervomaiske, with certain sources claiming that DNR troops have entered the outskirts of Pervomaiske itself.[50] Proxy troops additionally continued attempts to advance within Marinka, on the southwestern outskirts of Donetsk City.[51] Russian and proxy troops conducted routine artillery strikes along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City frontline.[52]

Russian forces did not conduct any confirmed ground attacks southwest of Donetsk City or in eastern Zaporizhia Oblast on September 5 and continued routine air and artillery strikes in these areas.[53]

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 attacks in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast on September 5 and continued routine air, missile, and artillery strikes on Kharkiv City and its environs.[54]

Ukrainian forces continued to strike Russian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) and logistical hubs in Kupyansk and Semenivka southeast of Kharkiv City between September 4 and 5.[55] Russian forces expanded shelling near Bairak, Husarivka, and Chepil, between 8 and 18km from the site of confirmed Ukrainian strikes southeast of Kharkiv City on September 4.[56]

Military Land

Day summary:

Ukrainian Army continues the offensive operation in Kherson Oblast and is slowly pushing from the north towards the south. Ukrainians also managed to cross Siverskyi Donets river in Donbas and raided Russian positions at Ozerne.

Russian forces have trouble to advance alongside the whole frontline and likely now putting their hopes into the newly formed 3rd Army Corps to help them to resume the offensive at least towards Slovyansk.

Bakhmut Front

• Clashes continue in Bakhmutske, Soledar and towards Bakhmut. Russian forces are reportedly running out of steam in the area, and Ukrainian forces have been able to make localized counter-attacks.
• Ukrainian defenders repelled Russian attack towards Vesela Dolyna and in the vicinity of Kodema, Zaitseve and Mayorsk

Slovyansk direction

• The enemy tried to advance in the direction of Bohorodychne and Dolyna. They didn’t succeed.
• Ukrainian forces crossed Siverskyi Donets and liberated Ozerne. This is likely not the beginning of a Ukrainian offensive in the area, but rather a probing attack to test Russian defenses and gain their attention

Donetsk Oblast

• Russian forces attempted to advance towards Avdiivka, but without success and retreated.
• The enemy used its newly gained positions in the vicinity of Donetsk Airport and tried to push towards Vodyane. Ukrainian troops repelled the attack.
• Ukrainian defenders repelled yet another attack in direction of Nevelske

Kherson Front

• Ukrainian forces confirmed the liberation of Vysokopillya and raised Ukrainian flag inside the town (hospital and police station)
• Russian forces subsequently left the nearby Olhyne settlement, and Ukrainian troops entered the village later on.
• Ukrainian General Staff reported shelling of their positions near Liubymivka and Novovoskresenske. The later one is rather interesting as it’s behind the known contact line. Ukrainian forces have likely broken through Russian lines and advanced towards the mentioned village.
• Based on the released footage, Ukrainian Marines managed to reach Kostromka and assaulted Russian positions there.
• Ukrainian troops also reached the vicinity of Bezimenne, south of Sukhyi Stavok.
• The fate of Blahodativka remains unknown at this moment, there are rumors that Russian garrison withdrew to avoid encirclement.

Surse ruse și separatiste*

*comunicate ale instituțiilor militare și civile ruse și separatiste precum și postări ale milblogerilor ruși; relatări amănunțite pentru ofensiva ucraineană din Kherson în ziua de 5.09.2022 puteți consulta AICI

Raportul Ministerului Apărării al Federației Ruse

💥 inamicul a pierdut 11 tancuri, 7 vehicule de luptă de infanterie și alte 8 vehicule blindate, 9 camionete cu mitraliere grele și peste 220 de militari în urma loviturilor de artilerie și aeriene 💥 În plus, armele de înaltă precizie din zonele așezărilor Bereznegovatoe și Murakhovka din regiunea Nikolaev au lovit punctele de desfășurare temporară a brigăzii 57 de infanterie motorizată. În zona satului Kochubeevka, regiunea Herson, Forțele Aerospațiale Ruse au doborât un elicopter Mi-8 al Forțelor Aeriene Ucrainene. În districtele Voznesensk și Ochakov, regiunea Mykolaiv, au fost distruse două depozite de arme de rachete și artilerie și muniție ale Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei, unde au fost depozitate peste o mie și jumătate de rachete pentru sisteme de lansare multiplă de rachete, inclusiv peste două sute. rachete pentru sistemele de rachete cu lansare multiplă HIMARS fabricate în SUA. Bombardamente 💥 Lovitura de înaltă precizie a Forțelor Aerospațiale Ruse asupra punctului de desfășurare temporară a unității formației naționaliste „Kraken” din apropierea orașului Harkov a distrus peste 30 de naționaliști și 10 vehicule. 💥 În zona așezării Krasnopolye a Republicii Populare Donețk, lovituri de foc concentrate asupra pozițiilor de luptă ale brigăzii 81 de asalt aerian au distrus până la 20 și au rănit peste 50 de militari ai Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei. 💥 În cursul zilei, șase posturi de comandă ale Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei au fost lovite în zonele așezărilor Dachnoe, Velyka Danilovka, regiunea Harkiv, Slaviansk, Artyomovsk, Republica Populară Donețk, Poltavka, regiunea Zaporojie, Zelenodolsk, regiunea Dnepropetrovsk, precum precum și 48 de unități de artilerie, forță de muncă și echipament militar ucrainean în 152 de zone. 💥 Cinci depozite de arme și muniție de rachete și artilerie au fost distruse în zonele așezărilor Andreevka, Grădinile din regiunea Harkov, Dobrovolye, Câmpul Verde al Republicii Populare Donețk și Nikolaevka din regiunea Herson. Un lansator de rachete cu lansare multiplă HIMARS fabricat în SUA a fost distrus în zona așezării Timchenki din regiunea Harkiv. 📊 În total, de la începutul operațiunii militare speciale, 287 avioane, 152 elicoptere, 1877 vehicule aeriene fără pilot, 372 sisteme de rachete antiaeriene, 4822 tancuri și alte vehicule blindate de luptă, 825 vehicule de luptă cu sisteme de rachete cu lansare multiplă, 3368 de câmp tunuri și mortiere de artilerie, precum și 5304 unități de vehicule militare speciale

Milblogeri ruși

Donbass:
▪️ Trupele de rachete și artileria ruse au atacat ținte în Gasichevka, Yanzhulovka și Mikhalchyna Sloboda din regiunea Cernihiv, precum și în Novaia Huta, Bachevsk și Yastrebin, regiunea Sumy.
Harkov
▪️ comandamentul ucrainean continuă să adune forțe pentru a încerca o ofensivă locală:
➖Seara, la vest de Balakleya, a fost văzut un convoi de echipamente ale Forțelor Armate Ucrainene, care includea și tancuri.
➖UAF a bombardat Sosnovka, Udy, Balakleya, Izyum și Bolshie Prohody.
➖Dimineața și seara târziu, Forțele Armate RF au atacat ținte în Harkov. Artileria a lovit și pozițiile inamice în Dergachi, Lozova rusă, Tishki rusă, Odnorobovka, Korobochkino și Chepel.
Donețk
▪️ forțele aliate luptă în suburbiile capitalei RDP.
➖Grupurile de asalt ale regimentului 11 al NM al RPD, cu sprijinul vehiculelor blindate, au intrat pe teritoriul satului Pervomayskoye de pe marginea nodului de pe șoseaua de centură la sud de Pesok.
➖Sub foc de artilerie puternică, unitățile Forțelor Armate ale Ucrainei și-au părăsit fortărețele din apropierea părții de vest a pistei aeroportului Donețk.
➖Formațiunile ucrainene au tras din nou în așezările aglomerației Donețk.
▪️În regiunea Zaporojie, Forțele Armate ale Ucrainei au tras din nou asupra Energodar și în vecinătatea centralei nucleare Zaporojie din pozițiile din Nikopol și Marganets. Cu lovituri de răzbunare, Forțele Armate RF au suprimat punctele de tragere inamice.