Section 1 of 7 - Ukraine: Military Situation Update - Aug 28, 2023.
••Denotes Transcribed Dialogue. Extras are just that - from other sites, or my comments marked (Edit: .... ) or { } or [ ].
Section 2:
Section 2A, Extras:
——> Ukraine Situation Report: Counteroffensive Pushing South From Robotnye <——
Ukraine officially announced the capture of Robotnye in Zaporizhzhia Oblast and is continuing its push southward.
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/ukraine-situation-report-counteroffensive-pushing-south-from-robotyne
Section 3:
Reporting From Ukraine:
Note: other versions of this report are found elsewhere on FR, but this is guaranteed to be the complete transcript - unlike the others.
https://www.youtube.com/@RFU
[ Ukrainians Track Down And Demolish a Russian Column ]
••Day 551: Aug 28
Today, there are a lot of developments in the south.
First of all, when it comes to the main axis of Ukrainian advancement, today, more information became available about the recent front-line penetration in the fields.
Geolocated footage indicates that Ukrainians not only moved a little bit south and consolidated control over the newly captured positions but also widened the bridgehead.
And this is extremely important because, as you can see, even though Ukrainians got deeper, the pathway was much narrower, increasing the risk of a devastating flank attack.
Despite the fact that Russian forces are on the defensive, they are actively conducting counterattacks, which is most visible in the case of Robotnye, where Russians still have not given up on the idea of entering the southern part of the village.
In order to secure their flanks, Ukrainians allocated their forces for the eastward movement inside the bridgehead.
As a result, Ukrainians moved on average 1.5 km in the direction of Romanivske, fixed Russian troops around Verbove by forcing them to be on the defensive instead of planning counterattacks, which gave greater freedom of movement for those forces that were preparing to storm Novoprokopivka.
Judging by the achieved progress, it looks like Ukrainians will try to engulf the settlement from the east.
It is true that Ukrainians will shortly bump into the second line of defense here and, therefore, likely stop gaining ground easily.
However, it will simplify the storming operation of Novoprokopivka significantly and undermine the Russian supply line towards their positions west of Robotnye.
Recently released footage shows how Ukrainians are storming Russian trenches and fortifications near Novoprokopivka.
As you can see, the intensity of the fighting is extremely high, and Ukrainians have to constantly deal with the never-ending flow of Russian troops.
But gradually, Ukrainians are pushing the contact line further and further.
As can be seen from other videos, many positions that Ukrainians recently had to storm and lose their vehicles are already in the rear.
Ukrainians can use these positions for keeping personnel for rotation and even accumulation of forces prior to the planned powerful attacks.
In order to alleviate the pressure on Ukrainian assault units and make their job easier, Ukrainian reconnaissance drone operators are surveilling the area non-stop with the goal of identifying and destroying Russian reinforcements.
Recently released footage shows how Ukrainians spotted a Russian column and, in coordination with artillery crews, unleashed fire on the road.
After seeing how the head of the convoy got under fire, some Russian drivers tried to turn around and flee.
Unfortunately for the Russians, the artillery was ready to cover the whole road, so by trying to turn around, the driver slowed down the movement and ensured the destruction of more vehicles.
Ukrainian operators of assault drones are also focused on Novoprokopivka.
Because they do not rely on artillery support, they can react and destroy small groups of forces much more efficiently.
Judging by the released footage, these drones primarily targeted infantry in the tree lines.
In the meantime, drone operators from the 46th Brigade focused on destroying Russian armored fighting vehicles and personnel carriers that were delivering soldiers to the contact line.
Finally, geolocated footage also shows how Ukrainian artillery is shelling Russian positions in the forest right above Novoprokopivka.
And this is extremely important because it indicates that Ukrainians are preparing to storm this sector.
If Ukrainians manage to establish full control over this small forest, then they will be able to control the road to Robotnye, preventing any Russian raids on the village and also controlling Novoprokopivka from above.
Russian sources reported that Ukrainians started using their aviation much more frequently as well.
So far, the main purpose of using fighter jets was destroying Russian air defense systems and electronic warfare systems with HARM rockets.
The immediate benefit of these actions will be received by the drone detachments, as they will be able to fly drones more freely and attack Russian forces concentrations located far behind the front line.
And as we have seen today, drone detachments have destroyed or helped to destroy staggering numbers of Russian personnel and equipment.
Section 4:
Denys says:
https://www.youtube.com/@DenysDavydov
==
[ The Battle For The South Ukraine Expands The Counterattack | Russia Loses It ]
Denys says Section 4A:
Pryiutne direction:
UA has already crossed the local river and has pushed the Orcs back somewhat. Movement is slow because there are lots of tree lines which the Orcs use as defense lines. And dense mine fields.
==
Denys says Section 4B:
Vuhledar:
UA also advancing toward Yehorivka, a main Russian hub from which the Orcs launched all their attacks in the Vuhledar direction.
==
Denys says Section 4C:
Horses make debut in the Russian army in Ukraine, to be used in military tasks.
==
Denys says Section 4D:
Leopard 1A tanks are still not to be found at the front.
==
Denys says Section 4E:
Landslot drone misses its target 30% of the time. Still, it is the Orc’s most capable drone.
Section 5:
Denys Davydov Telegram Channel
https://t.me/s/pilotblog
==
Pilot blog Section 5A:
Oryx, August 26-27.
Russia - 19, Ukraine - 10.
Tanks:
Russia - 7
Ukraine - 0
Ukraine - 1 Caesar 155mm SPG
Russia - 1 Msta-S 152mm SPG
https://t.me/pilotblog/6364
==
Pilot blog Section 5B:
Today, 08/28/23, there was an explosion in the barracks of “Kadyrovites” in the occupied Energodar: the GUR is working
An impromptu “barracks” of the Russian Guard OMON unit “Akhmat-1” was under attack.
How many “Kadyrovtsy” were killed and wounded - is being specified.
Meanwhile, checks began in Energodar and limited access to the Internet.
There are no casualties among the civilian population.
https://t.me/pilotblog/6363
Section 6:
Kremlin snuffbox
https://t.me/s/kremlin_secrets
==
Kremlin snuffbox Section 6A:
We have lost Robotnye. Gerasimov’s sad forecast comes true at the front.
We must say a few words about the situation in the Zaporizhzhia direction of the front.
There are disturbing things going on.
First, our army lost Robotnye.
This information was confirmed to us by three sources in the General Staff.
According to one of them, there is hope that we will return this settlement, but “this is unlikely to happen in the near future.”
Secondly, after the capture of Robotnye, the Ukrainian army is dangerously approaching Tokmak.
And here is an interesting point.
Back in July, we wrote: Valery Gerasimov predicts that Russia will lose Tokmak at the latest in September.
We see how the reality of this forecast is getting closer.
And it is difficult to say which factor has more influence on this process, the strength of the enemy with his Western weapons, our mistakes or the malicious intent of someone in high offices.
Thirdly, we know that among the generals there are many who do not want to give up important settlements to the enemy (like the same Gerasimov, who, we recall, some time ago was not opposed to giving up Melitopol as well ).
We hope that they will make decisions in the Zaporizhzhia direction.
Fourth, unfortunately, many problems at the front are not being solved.
In a number of sections of the Zaporizhzhia direction, difficulties with the supply of ??BC?? were added to the problems with food.
==
Kremlin snuffbox Section 6B:
Spare parts for engines were stolen from the factory for the production of components for “Caliber”
Serious theft was discovered at one of the factories producing components for Kalibr missiles.
Somehow, components for engines were stolen from the factory.
This was reported by a source in the Ministry of Defense.
Theft was discovered by the audit.
The source did not say exactly where the theft took place, but specified that in this way the thieves managed to slow down the production of two “Caliber”.
Probably, we are talking about the UEC-Saturn plant in the city of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Region.
There are rumors that the theft may be a special operation of the Ukrainian special services, but there is no objective confirmation of this.
At the plant itself, they are inclined to the version that one of the employees could have kidnapped.
His search is now ongoing.
The key problem is that the components themselves have not yet been found.
==
Kremlin snuffbox Section 6C:
Erdogan after Putin will go to Zelensky? The Kremlin is preparing a secret message to Kyiv
The long-awaited meeting between Putin and Erdogan will take place in the next two weeks. This was reported to us by sources in the Kremlin.
At the same time, one of the high-ranking interlocutors specified that not just a meeting of the two leaders is being prepared, but work is underway on a certain letter of proposal for Kyiv.
According to our information, after Moscow, Erdogan will either travel to Kyiv or meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky elsewhere.
But this meeting is definitely planned. And Erdogan expects to arrive there already with concrete results, including on the grain deal.
At the same time, we were unable to find out what exactly will be in the very letter that Erdogan is supposed to deliver to Zelensky.
Perhaps the content of the message will depend on the results of bilateral negotiations between Putin and Erdogan.
Section 7:
General SVR
https://t.me/s/generalsvr
==
General SVR Section 6A:
... While the double was holding a “exam” in geography before the governor of the Omsk region, Russian President Vladimir Putin was busy with much more important matters.
Yesterday, throughout almost the entire day, the President was again “exhausted” with consultations on where, when and how to bury the leadership of the PMC Wagner.
Putin, despite all attempts to involve him in the discussion of this topic, categorically refused to make any decisions.
The last thing they stopped at was separate funerals.
Utkin and Chekalov should be buried separately from the person who was appointed “Prigozhin”.
The main problem, not so much for Putin, but for representatives of the leadership of the power bloc, is how to prevent a magnificent funeral with a large crowd of people.
The leadership of the security bloc believes, that if the necessary measures are not taken, up to 50,000 people may gather for a funeral in St. Petersburg, and the funeral procession may develop into a spontaneous action against the country’s leadership.
Putin agreed with all the arguments of the security forces and also expressed serious concern about possible excesses at the funeral, but refused not only to make or approve decisions, but also practically did not take part in their discussion, each time saying that everything had to be carefully considered and took a break for indefinite time.
The President’s refusal to make or approve important decisions makes him not only unnecessary, but even superfluous in the vertical of power.
“Hunted horses are shot down, aren’t they?”
Section 7:
BRIEFLY
https://t.me/briefsmi
==
BRIEFLY Section 7A:
CNN:
The F-16 requires more maintenance than the average Soviet-era fighter.
And this will be a difficult task for Ukraine.
F-16s require 16 hours of maintenance per flight hour. The cost of one flight hour is almost $27,000.
The F-16 consists of tens of thousands of parts to be delivered to Ukraine.
Last year’s General Accounting Office report ranked the F-16 as one of the most difficult aircraft to maintain in the US Air Force.
General James B. Hecker, commander of the US Air Force in Europe, says that the planes will not appear in Ukraine until next year.
The actual experience of using a sufficient number of aircraft “could accumulate in four to five years.”
The Ukrainians believe that the F-16s can deter the Su-35s.
Ukrainians, of course, never cease to amaze the Western military with their mastery of long-range artillery, air defense systems and tanks supplied by NATO countries.
[ F-18s would have been a better choice in this regard. They are also more rugged. ]
==
BRIEFLY Section 7B:
CNN:
Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Colonel Yuriy Ignat believes that two squadrons of 12 American F-16 fighters could turn the tide at the front.
But the F-16 has never stood up to Russian air defense in real conditions.
In Denmark, Romania and the United States, training programs for the first batches of Ukrainian pilots begin.
It will take longer than three or four months.
First, there is a big difference between basic training (takeoff, flight, landing) and working in combat mode as part of a group.
One of the F-16 pilots told the military online publication War Zone that the aircraft is intuitive.
“But it will take us about six months to learn how to perform combat missions on it and use missiles,” Ignat admitted. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said that “six to seven months is the minimum period that you should seriously count on.”
But even this deadline is ambitious.
It takes about nine months for Western airmen who have switched from other aircraft to be fully qualified.
And this is without taking into account the preparation for specific combat scenarios.
To this it should be added that the pilots must be fluent in English.
We need to learn how to use modern AMRAAM air-to-air missiles
[ Sounds like no one should expect the F-16s to be used in combat until Fall of 2024, if then. ]
==
BRIEFLY Section 7C:
The Guardian:
Soldiers on the ground say grimly that Russia, which has about 100,000 troops in northeastern Ukraine, wants to turn Kupyansk into “Bakhmut 2.0” with a slow, pinpoint offensive.
At the rehabilitation center, several soldiers from the 32nd Brigade last fought in an abandoned farm area southeast of Kupyansk, where they said there was heavy fighting.
In rehabilitation classes, soldiers complained that in Germany they were taught to use American Bradley combat vehicles, and instead they were given M113s from the Vietnam War
Section :
GeneralSVR(reserve)
https://t.me/generalsvr2
==
GeneralSVR(reserve) Section A
Sunday, August 27, 2023, in the morning report to the President of Russia Vladimir Putin, the irretrievable military operational loss of manpower of the personnel of the RF Armed Forces is 270,079 people. Data as of 6:00 Moscow time today.
