Ukraine/Russland/NATO – der Sammler am 29. Juli 2022

Im andauernden russischen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine gibt es erneute Berichte über russische Gräueltaten – und Russland kontert mit dem Vorwurf, der Tod ukrainischer Gefangener sei durch ukrainische Raketen verursacht. Deutschland kündigt die Lieferung von weiterem Militärgerät an. Der Sammler am 29. Juli 2022:

• Deutschland stellt der Ukraine weiteres (nicht-letales) Militärgerät zur Verfügung. Nach einer Mitteilung des Verteidigungsministeriums sollen 16 Brückenlegesysteme vom Typ Biber geliefert werden, die ersten sechs ab Herbst noch in diesem Jahr und zehn weitere im kommenden Jahr. Außerdem ist die Ausbildung ukrainischer Soldaten daran vorgesehen.

Ein bisschen irritierend ist die Überschrift Bundeswehr liefert 16 BIBER-Brückenlegepanzer für die Ukraine: Auf Nachfrage räumte das Ministerium ein, dass diese Systeme eben nicht aus dem Bestand der Bundeswehr kommen.

Nach weiteren Angaben des Verteidigungsministeriums vom (heutigen) Freitag wurden zudem inzwischen sieben der geplanten insgesamt 30 Flugabwehrpanzer Gepard an die Ukraine ausgeliefert (in der bislang letzten Übersicht der Bundesregierung vom 27. Juli waren noch fünf Gepard genannt worden).

Ergänzung: Nach einem Bericht des Spiegels führt die intensive Nutzung der deutschen Panzerhaubitze 2000 durch die ukrainischen Streitkräfte zu schnellem Verschleiß – jedenfalls schneller als von der Bundeswehr erwartet. Grund ist offensichtlich, dass pro Tag erheblich mehr Schüsse abgefeuert werden als in den deutschen Planungen vorgesehen. Die Spiegel-Story steht hinter Paywall; die Vorabmeldung findet sich aber hier.

• Das britische Intel Update:

Since March, Russian private military company (PMC) Wagner Group has operated in eastern Ukraine in coordination with the Russian military. Wagner has likely been allocated responsibility for specific sectors of the front line, in a similar manner to normal army units.
This is a significant change from the previous employment of the group since 2015, when it typically undertook missions distinct from overt, large-scale regular Russian military activity.
This new level of integration further undermines the Russian authorities’ long-standing policy of denying links between PMCs and the Russian state.
Wagner’s role has probably changed because the Russian MoD has a major shortage of combat infantry, however Wagner forces are highly unlikely to be sufficient to make a significant difference in the trajectory of the war.

• Das Morgenbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs:

Operational update of General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces regarding the russian invasion as of 06:00, on July 29, 2022
The one hundred fifty-sixth (156) day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a russian military invasion continues.
The combat, numerical composition and nature of the actions of the enemy group, as well as the situation in the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky directions, remained unchanged. On the Siversky direction, the enemy struck with barrel and rocket artillery in the areas of Pisky, Chernihiv oblast, and Zhuravka, Sumy oblast. Measures for the engineering equipment of the positions are ongoing.
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy carried out artillery fire in the areas of Kharkiv, Ridne, Udy, Dementiiivka, Slatyne, Protopopivka, Nove, Zolochiv, Prudyanka, Ruska Lozova, Ruski Tyshky, Petrivka, Bezruky, Borshchova, Stary Saltiv and Korobochkine settlements. A pair of enemy Mi-8 helicopters struck near Stary Saltiv.
In the Slovyansk direction, shelling was recorded in the districts of Kurulka, Dibrivne, Nortsivka, Mazanivka, Lozova, Shnurky, Husarivka, Hrushuvaha, Virnopilla and Mospanove.
No active actions by the enemy were noted in the Kramatorsk direction. The enemy shelled the areas of Siversk, Ivano-Daryivka, Spirne, Kryva Luka, Serebryanka, Hryhorivka, Zvanivka, and Verkhnyokamianske settlements with barrel, rocket artillery, and tanks. There were the airstrikes near Serebryanka and Spirny.
In the direction of Bakhmut, it conducts shelling near Shumy, Bakhmutske, Berestove, Pokrovske, Soledar, Yakovlivka, Bakhmut, Vesela Dolyna, Travneve, Zaytseve, and Vershyna. The occupiers launched airstrikes near Soledar and Vesela Dolyna.
Our soldiers successfully repelled enemy assault and offensive actions in the direction of Vershyna and Semihirya. The enemy is trying to conduct offensive actions in the districts of Novoluhanske and Soledar, hostilities are ongoing.
In the Avdiyivka, Novopavlivka, and Zaporizhzhia directions, in addition to shelling along the contact line, the enemy launched an air strike near Novoandriivka.
Enemy reconnaissance by battle in the directions of Vodyane and Pisky ended in losses and retreat. The enemy tried to advance in the direction of Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, and Velyka Novosilka. Suffered losses and withdrew.
In the South Buh direction, shelling from tanks, barrel and rocket artillery was recorded in the areas of the settlements of Ivanivka, Tokarevo, Kariyerne, Osokorivka, Blahodatne, Kobzartsi, Chervona Dolyna, Lepetiha, Andriivka, Velyke Artakove, Vesely Kut, Partyzanske, Shevchenko, Myrne, Shyroke , Prybuzke, Luch, Posad-Pokrovske, Lyubomyrivka, Stepova Dolyna, Tavriyske and Oleksandrivka. The enemy carried out airstrikes near Velike Artakove, Bilohirka and Potemkino.
In the waters of the Black Sea, there are three carriers of sea-based cruise missiles of the „Kalibr“ type in readiness for the use of missile weapons.
Ukrainian aviation and missile and artillery units continue to attack strongholds and concentrations of enemy manpower and equipment.

• Das Briefing des russischen Verteidigungsministeriums – im zweiten Teil wird der Vorwurf erhoben, im Osten der Ukraine seien ukrainische (Kriegs)Gefangene durch einen Raketenangriff der Ukraine selbst ums Leben gekommen. Eine unabhängige Bestätigung gibt es dafür nicht. Der russische Vorwurf folgt auf ein im Internet kursierendes Video (hier bewusst nicht verlinkt), in dem gezeigt werden soll, wie Angehörige der russischen Streitkräfte einen gefangenen Ukrainer mit äußerster Brutalität foltern.

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation in Ukraine.
High-precision sea-, air- and land-based weapons hit enemy reserves in Kiev and Cherngoiv regions on July 28.
The strikes completely disabled 30th Mechanized Brigade, which was being prepared for deployment to Donbass at training ground near Lyutezh in Kiev Region.
In addition, 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, which was recovering its combat capabilities in Chernigov Region at Goncharovskoye Combined Arms training ground, suffered critical losses.
Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery strikes continue against military facilities in Ukraine.
During the day, 1 Tochka-U tactical missile launcher, 1 missile and artillery weapons and ammunition depot of 81st Airmobile Brigade of AFU near Kostantnovka settlement in Donetsk People’s Republic, as well as 275 areas of enemy manpower and military equipment have been hit.
Su-35s of the Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed 1 Tor-M1 anti-aircraft missile launcher near Dergachi, Kharkov Region.
In addition, Su-34 destroyed Ukrainian self-propelled 1 Buk-M1 anti-aircraft missile system near Razdolovka, Donetsk People’s Republic.
Russian air defence means have shot down 6 unmanned aerial vehicles near Chervonyi Shakhtor, Chervonoye, Vernopol’e and Velikaya Kamyshevakha in Kharkov Region, as well as Verkhnetoretskoye in Donetsk People’s Republic overnight.
In addition, 12 shells of multiple-launch rocket system have been intercepted over Chernobayevka in Kherson Region and Gorskoye in Lugansk People’s Republic, as well as 1 Tochka-U ballistic missile near Chervonyi Oskol in Kharkov Region.
In total, 260 Ukrainian airplanes and 145 helicopters, 1,631 unmanned aerial vehicles, 361 anti-aircraft missile systems, 4,181 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 768 multiple launch rocket systems, 3,213 field artillery and mortars, as well as 4,522 units of special military vehicles were destroyed during the operation.

Bloody provocation was purposefully perpetrated by Kiev regime tonight.
US-made HIMARS MLRS struck a detention centre near Elenovka, where Ukrainian servicemen, including Azov fighters, are being held.
40 Ukrainian POWs were killed and 75 injured. In addition, 8 employees of detention centre were injured to varying degrees of severity.
A large number of Ukrainian soldiers are now voluntarily laying down their arms, knowing the humane treatment of prisoners of war on the Russian side.
This blatant provocation was committed in order to intimidate Ukrainian servicemen and prevent their surrender.
The circumstances of this provocation are being investigated.

• Das Abendbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs; mit den ukrainischen Angaben zu den getöteten Kriegsgefangenen – und dem interessanten Detail: Die Ukraine macht dafür die Söldnergruppe Wagner und ausdrücklich nicht das russische Verteidigungsministerium verantwortlich:

Operational update regarding the russian invasion as of 18:00, on July 29, 2022
The one hundred fifty-sixth (156) day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to a russian military invasion continues.
On July 28, a powerful explosion took place in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donetsk region, in the former correctional colony No. 120 in the city of Olenivka, which is currently used as a place of detention for Ukrainian prisoners of war. As a result of the explosion, the premises where the captured Ukrainians were located was destroyed. Many Ukrainians were killed and wounded – the number is being specified.
The explosions took place on the territory of the industrial zone, in a newly built building that was supposed to be specially equipped to hold prisoners taken out of Azovstal. The equipment of the building was finished 2 days ago, after which part of the detained Ukrainian Defenders were transferred to it.
We emphasize that the explosions in Olenivka, which led to the death of the Ukrainian Defenders, are a deliberate provocation and an undeniable act of terrorism by the occupying forces. According to the information of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, it was carried out by mercenaries from the Wagner“ (League) PMC under the personal command of the nominal owner of the specified private military company – Yevhen Prigozhin. The organization and execution of the terrorist attack were not coordinated with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense of the russian federation.
The main purpose of the terrorist attack was to hide the facts of total embezzlement of funds allocated for the maintenance of Ukrainian prisoners of war. It is known that on August 1, a commission from Moscow was supposed to arrive at the „object“ to check the expenditure of allocated funds and the conditions of detention of prisoners.

Regarding the general situation. On the Volyn and Polissya directions, the situation has not changed significantly. There were no signs of the creation of offensive groups of the armed forces of the russian federation and the armed forces of the republic of belarus.
In the Siversky direction, the enemy continued to strike infrastructure objects with barrel and rocket artillery in the border areas of Chernihiv and Sumy oblasts. The enemy also carried out aerial reconnaissance by UAVs near the village of Hremyach, Chernihiv oblast.
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy shelled the areas of Kharkiv, Rubizhne, Udy, Dementiiivka, Slatyne, Bazaliivka, Peremoha, Mayak, Zamulivka, Lisne, Sosnivka, Svitlychne, Ivanivka, Korobochkyne and other settlements in the Kharkiv direction. It carried out an airstrike by the forces of army aviation near Stary Saltiv.
In the Slovyansk direction, the enemy used barrel, jet artillery and tanks near Dolyna, Bohorodychne, Kurulka, Hrushuvaha, Virnopilla, Sulyhivka and a number of other settlements. Enemy army aviation operated near Husarivka.
In the Shchurivka area, our soldiers discovered and neutralized a reconnaissance group of the occupiers.
In the Kramatorsk direction, the enemy shelled, in particular, the districts of Siversk, Ivano-Daryivka, Kryva Luka, Serebryanka, Hryhorivka, Zvanivka, Spirne, and Viimka. The airstrike was recorded near Serebryanka and Spirne. A reconnaissance group of the occupiers was discovered near Verkhnokamyanske, fire damage was inflicted on them, and the group retreated. The enemy also carried out aerial reconnaissance by UAVs.
In the Bakhmut direction, the enemy shelled military and civilian infrastructure with artillery and tanks in the areas of Shumy, Kodema, Soledar, Bakhmut, Vesela Dolyna, Travneve, Zaitseve, Vershina and other settlements. Airstrikes near Pokrovske, Novoluhanske, Soledar and Vesela Dolyna.
The occupiers again tried to storm the Soledar, Vershyna and Semihirya districts. And again without success – they suffered losses and left.
In the Avdiyivka direction, the enemy shelled the areas of Pavlivka, Avdiyivka, Vesele, Vuhledar, Vodyane, Velyka Novosilka, Pisky, Novokalynove, Krasnohorivka, Shevchenko and others.
Our soldiers decisively suppressed all offensive and assault actions of the occupiers in the Avdiivka, Kamianka, Krasnohorivka and Pisky areas.
In the Novopavlivsky and Zaporizhzhia directions, the enemy did not conduct active offensive actions, but continued systematic shelling of civilian infrastructure near Vremivka, Olhivske, Novopole and a large number of other settlements.
In the South Buh direction, the enemy’s main efforts are focused on preventing the advance of our troops. The enemy fears and supports the high intensity of UAV reconnaissance.
The enemy shelled civilian and military infrastructure in the areas of Ivanivka, Tokarevo, Karierny, Osokorivka, Blagodatny, Kobzartsi and more than thirty other settlements.