Ukraine/Russland/NATO – der Sammler am 13. Januar 2023

Im andauernden russischen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine haben die russischen Streitkräfte die Einnahme der umkämpften Stadt Soledar im Osten des Landes nun offiziell gemeldet – was die Ukraine bestreitet.  Der Sammler am 23. Januar 2023:

• In den seit Tagen anhaltenden Kämpfen um die strategisch bedeutsame Stadt Soledar haben russische Streitkräfte nach eigenen Angaben die Kontrolle über die Stadt übernommen (s. dazu die Aussagen im russischen Briefing unten). Die Ukraine wies diese Angaben am (heutigen) Freitag zurück, wie unter anderem die New York Times berichtet:

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Friday that its troops had “completed” their capture of the town overnight.
But Serhiy Cherevaty, a spokesman for Ukrainian troops fighting in the east, denied that Soledar had been captured.
“This is not true,” Mr. Cherevaty said in remarks to Ukrainian news outlets on Friday afternoon. “The fighting is ongoing.”Earlier on Friday, Ukraine’s deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, said that Kyiv’s troops were still “bravely trying to hold the defense” of the town under a “high intensity” Russian offensive.

Im Morgenbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs (s. unten) wird dieser Punkt nicht weiter ausgeführt, dort ist nur von Angriffen auf Soledar wie auf andere Städte die Rede.

• Das britische Intel Update:

The Russian defence manufacturing sector is highly likely resorting to using convict labour in an effort to meet war-time production demands.
In November 2022, Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russia’s largest tank manufacturer, told local media that it would employ 250 prisoners after meeting with the Federal Penal Service (FSIN).
There is a long tradition of prison labour in Russia, but since 2017 forced labour as a specific criminal punishment was reintroduced.
With one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world, FSIN oversees a sprawling empire of over 400,000 inmates and has frequently been accused of extreme brutality and corruption.
The prison population provides a unique human resource to Russian leaders to utilise in support of the ‘special military operation’ while willing volunteers remain in short supply.
Convict labour will likely be particularly in demand from manufacturers of relatively low-tech weaponry such as UVZ, which are almost certainly under intense pressure from Moscow to increase their production.

• Das Morgenbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs:

Situation update of General Staff of UAF as of 6.00 a.m., 13th January 2023
Day 324 of the russian military aggression has begun.
Over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled attacks in the vicinities of Stelmakhivka, Makiivka and Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast); Spirne, Rozdolivka, Sil’, Krasna Hora, Pidhorodne, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Predtechyne, Kurdyumivka, Vodyane, Nevels’ke, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, and Velyka Novosilka (Donetsk oblast).
Russian occupiers launched 5x rocket attacks on peaceful cities of Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk and Zaporizhzhia. In addition, the occupiers carried out 52x MLRS attacks and 18x air strikes.
Volyn, Polissya, Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: no signs of the formation of offensive grouping reported. Certain units of the armed forces of belarus and russia stay in areas bordering Ukraine.
Sivershchyna and Slobozhansk axes: the vicinities of Senkivka and Karpovichi settlements (Chernihiv oblast); Porokhon’ and Bachivs’k (Sumy oblast); as well as Strilecha, Zelene, Ternove, Starytsya, Ohirtseve, Hatyshche, Vovchansk, Chugunivka, and Ridkodub (Kharkiv oblast) came under fire.
Kup’yans’k axis: the vicinities of Dvorichna, Zapadne, Synkivka, Orlyanka, Kislivka, Kotlyarivka, Kolisnyivka, Berestov, Bohuslavka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast); and Stelmakhivka in Luhansk oblast suffered enemy attacks.
Lyman axis: the enemy shelled Hrekivka, Makiivka, Nevs’ke, Chervonopivka, and Dibrova (Luhansk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: Spirne, Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Soledar, Krasna Hora, Paraskoviivka, Pidhorodne, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka, Ozaryanivka, Druzhba, and Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast) were subject to enemy attacks.
Avdiivka axis: the enemy shelled Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka, Maryinka, and Novomykhailivka.
Novopavlivka axis: Vuhledar, Prechistivka and Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast) came under enemy fire.
Zaporizhzhia axis: russian tanks, mortars, barrel and rocket artillery attacked the vicinities of Vremivka and Vilne Pole settlements (Donetsk oblast); Hulyaipole, Zaliznychne, Hulyaipil’s’ke, Chervone, Charivne, Biloghirya, Mala Tokmachka, Orihiv, and Kam’yans’ke (Zaporizhia oblast).
Kherson axis: Antonivka and the city of Kherson were subject to enemy mortar and artillery fire.
The russian occupiers continue to put pressure on local population of the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson oblast, who refuse to cooperate with the occupation authorities. In addition, the invaders are concerned about the pro-Ukrainian attitude of the citizens of the oblast, which poses a threat to them.
In some settlements of the Melitopol district of the Zaporizhzhya oblast, the enemy is carrying out filtering actions. During the inspection, the occupiers pay special attention to phones, looking for confirmation of cooperation with the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Following the available information, one of the russian units, that operate in the vicinities of Novopavlivka and Volnovakha (Donetsk oblast), ordered civilian uniform with „rosneft“ and „elektrostal“ logos for its personnel. Apparently, the enemy is trying to hide affiliation of its personnel with the russian occupation forces for a certain purpose.
During the past day, Ukrainian Air Force conducted 16x air strikes on concentrations of enemy troops, and 5x air strikes on russian anti-aircraft missile systems.
At the same time, our defenders shot down 1x enemy Su-25 attack jet and 1x “orlan-10” UAV.
Ukrainian missile and artillery troops attacked 3x command posts, 12x concentrations of russian troops and military equipment, 1x enemy S-300 anti-aircraft missile complex, 3x ammunition depots, and 3x other critical military targets.

• Das Briefing des russischen Verteidigungsministeriums:

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation in Ukraine (13 January 2023)
In the evening of 12 January, the city of Soledar, that is of great importance for continuing successful offensive operations in Donetsk direction, was liberated.
The establishment of full control of Soledar allows to block the supply routes of Ukrainian forces in the city of Artyomovsk, located to the southwest, as well as to block and to pocket the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) that still remain there.
The capture of Soledar became possible due to constant fire attacks launched at the enemy by Ground-Attack and Army Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces. Concentrated attacks were uninterruptedly launched at AFU positions in the city, impeding the redeployment of reserve forces, ordnance supplies, as well as the enemy’s attempts to redeploy to other defensive lines.
Within the liberation of the city, Fighter Aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces had destroyed 3 airplanes and 1 helicopter of Ukrainian Air Force that were tasked to provide aerial fire support to Ukrainian forces.
Moreover, air defence crews of the Russian Group of Forces had shot down nine rocket-propelled projectiles launched by HIMARS and Uragan multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) at the strongpoints taken by Russian forces near Soledar.
Airborne Troops carried out a covert manoeuvre from other direction, attacked AFU positions on the move, took the dominating heights, and blocked the northern and southern limits of the city.
Russian electronic warfare facilities and forces, concentrated in the abovementioned direction, neutralised hostile control system, and frustrated the operation of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles.
The set of measures, adopted by the Russian Group of Forces, has led to successful offensive operations of assault detachments in liberating Soledar. Within the last 3 days, more than 700 Ukrainian personnel, and over 300 units of armament of the AFU have been eliminated.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
In Kupyansk direction, attacks launched by the artillery of the Western Military District at the units of Ukrainian 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade have resulted in the elimination of up to 20 personnel, 3 armoured fighting vehicles, and 3 motor vehicles near Krakhmalnoye and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).
In Krasny Liman direction, artillery strikes launched by a formation of Airborne Troops from Pskov have resulted in the neutralisation of the units from 80th and 95th airborne assault brigades of the AFU near Grigorovka and Serebryanka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
The enemy has lost over 40 Ukrainian personnel, 4 armoured personnel carriers, and 3 pickups.
In South Donetsk direction, complex fire strikes launched by Baltic Fleet’s marine units have resulted in the elimination of over 20 Ukrainian personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, and 2 motor vehicles near Poltavka and Uspenovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 117 artillery units of the AFU at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 105 areas.
2 ordnance depots of 107th Rocket Artillery Brigade and 46th Airmobile Brigade of the AFU have been destroyed near Zaporozhye and Yasnogorka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
2 artillery ordnance depots of 28th and 65th mechanised brigades of the AFU, as well as one hangar with armament and hardware of 108th Territorial Defence Brigade have been destroyed near Konstantinovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Novoivanovka, and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region).
Counterbattery warfare operations have resulted in destruction of:
1 fighting vehicle equipped with Uragan MLRS, and 2 launching ramps of Grad MLRS near Krasny Liman and Seversk (Donetsk People’s Republic);
1 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and 3 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer near Gulyay Pole and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region).
Moreover, three Ukrainian D-20 howitzers have been destroyed near Viyemka and Dyleyevka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
Air defence facilities have destroyed 3 unmanned aerial vehicles near Vladimirovka, Nikolskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), and Zmiyevka (Lugansk People’s Republic).
In total, 372 airplanes and 200 helicopters, 2,876 unmanned aerial vehicles, 400 air defence missile systems, 7,495 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 982 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 3,820 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 8,027 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

• Das Abendbriefing des ukrainischen Generalstabs:

Situation update of General Staff of UAF as of 6 p.m., January 13, 2023
Day 324 of the russian full-scale invasion continues.
Russian invaders continue their full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine.
By targeting settlements, the enemy continues to destroy infrastructure and civilian housing, thus violating the rules of International Humanitarian Law, the laws and principles of war.
During the day of January 13, the adversary launched 2x missile strikes on the civilian infrastructure of Kostyantynivka (Donetsk oblast), as well as 8x air strikes on the positions of Ukrainian troops. The occupant forces launched more than 40x MLRS attacks.
The threat of air and missile strikes on critical infrastructure facilities across all of Ukraine remains high.
The adversary continues to focus its main efforts on capturing Donetsk oblast within its administrative border, keeps advancing on Bakhmut axis.
The enemy continues unsuccessful offensive operations on Avdiivka axis. On Kupyansk and Lyman axes, russian forces keeps trying to improve their tactical situation. The invaders are defending on Novopavlivka, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson axes.
Volyn, Polissya, Sivershchyna, and Slobozhanshchyna axes: no significant changes, no offensive groups of the adversary were found. Certain units of the armed forces of the republic of belarus and the russian federation continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine. At the same time, the vicinities of settlements of Ohirtseve, Vovchans’k, Budarky, Mali Prokhody, Ternova, Bilyi Kolodyaz’, Bolohivka, Dvorichna, and Hryhorivka (Kharkiv oblast) were shelled with mortars and artillery.
Kup’yans’k axis: the enemy fired tanks, mortars, artillery and missile systems in the vicinities of settlements of Vil’shana, Kup’yans’k, Orlyanka, Kyslivka, Tabaivka, Berestove (Kharkiv oblast), and Stel’makhivka (Luhansk oblast).
Lyman axis: the enemy fired tanks, mortars, artillery and missile systems in the vicinities of settlements of Makiivka, Nevs’ke, Chervonopopivka (Luhansk oblast).
Bakhmut axis: the adversary fired tanks, mortars, artillery and missile systems at the vicinities of settlements of Spirne, Bilohorivka, Rozdolivka, Yakovlivka, Soledar, Krasna Hora, Bakhmut, Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka, Druzhba, and Pivnichne (Donetsk oblast).
Avdiivka axis: the enemy fired tanks, mortars, artillery and missile systems in the vicinities of settlements of Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka, Mar’inka, Berdychi, Vodyane, Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: the enemy fired tanks, mortars, artillery and missile systems in the vicinities of settlements of Vuhledar, Vremivka, and Zolota Nyva (Donetsk oblast).
Zaporizhzhia axis: the enemy employed tanks, mortars, artillery and missile systems in the vicinities of settlements of Vil’ne Pole (Donetsk oblast), Huliaipilske, Hulyaipole, Shevchenko, Charivne, Mala Tokmachka, Orikhiv, Kam’yans’ke, Zelenyi Hai, Malynivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast).
Kherson axis: the adversary keeps shelling the settlements along the right bank of the Dnipro river. The suburbs and the city of Kherson came under mortar and artillery fire.
The enemy continues to suffer losses. According to available information, military medics of the armed forces of the russian federation arrived to replenish the shortage of medical personnel in the Novotroitsk Central District Hospital (temporarily occupied territory of the Kherson oblast). As of January 12, 2023, up to 160x wounded servicemen of the russian occupation troops were located in the hospital that was re-arranged as a military hospital.
During the day of January 13, Ukrainian Air Force launched 9x air strikes on concentrations of personnel, weapons, and military equipment of the adversary.
Units of the missile troops and artillery of the Ukrainian Defense Forces hit 1x command post, 6x concentrations of manpower and military equipment of the adversary, 1x anti-aircraft missile system of the adversary, and 3x ammunition depots.