Russo-Ukrainian War. Day 176: Russians bomb Kharkiv, killing at least 18, dozens wounded

Russians attacked two dorms of boarding institutions in Kharkiv, at least 18 dead, dozens wounded. Russia falsely claims that recent attacks in Crimea are terrorist attacks to deflect calls to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. Russian troops continue to intensify their offensive in Donbas and attempted several unsuccessful assaults near the Kharkiv-Donetsk Oblast border. Russian occupation authorities are struggling to increase control measures in occupied territories amidst increased partisan activity. The UN Secretary-General Guterres and Turkish President Erdogan meet Zelenskyy in Lviv. The discussion will include the security of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station.

Donetsk Oblast. Siversk saw the Armed Forces of Ukraine repelling Russian assaults for a week now, and conducting successful counterattacks. in the direction of Bakhmut, heavy fighting continues in the areas of ​​Kodema, Zaitseve. Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian attack from Horlivka to the north and west. As for Soledar, as before, the Russians didn’t pass beyond the Knauf plant. The Russian troops had partial success (at least 10-20%) in Yakovlivka and Bakhmutske. All attacks on Avdiivka were repulsed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As Russians enter the outskirts of Mariinka, they later leave with losses. Pisky is still standing, although the main part of the village is already under Russians. The situation worsened a little for Ukraine near Vuhledar.

Kharkiv Oblast. In general, the situation hasn’t changed, and, unfortunately, there are terrible Russian fire attacks on the city of Kharkiv. There is fighting in the area of ​​Dovhenke as Russians are trying to demine it since it was in the gray area. The Armed Forces of Ukraine beat Russians north of the Holy Mountains nature reserve. Failed Russian attacks on Mazanivka, Bohorodichne, and south of Nova Dmytrivka were repelled.

Kherson oblast. The Ukrainian bridgehead on the left bank of the Inhulets remains unchanged. The Russians conducted reconnaissance in several areas, but the Ukrainian troops repelled them. In general, the situation is intensifying every day. The main battles are taking place in the direction of Snihurivka. The Russian group of forces on the right bank of the Dnipro is likely to have been restored via the bridge at the Kakhovska hydroelectric plant. Russians began redeploying their aviation in Russia. So this shows how much the attacks on bases in Crimea have undermined their confidence in their air defenses.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Unfortunately, Russians became more active in Enerhodar, where explosions were heard. The movement of Russian troops and equipment was spotted in Kamianets. There is intense fighting in the areas of ​​Nesterianka and Shcherbaky. Several sources have already reported on the construction of defensive structures, mine-laying around the towns of Inzhenerne and Ukrainske, and preparations for the defense of Polohy.

The work of Ukrainian artillery:

• Russian bases destroyed at Kyrylivka (Zaporizhzhia Oblast) and Nova Kakhovka (Kherson Oblast);
• a Russian ammunition warehouse destroyed in Yakymivskyi district (Zaporizhzhia Oblast);

• The heavy attrition of Russian Main Battle Tanks in Ukraine is highly likely partially due to Russia’s failure to fit and properly employ adequate Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA). Used correctly, ERA degrades the effectiveness of incoming projectiles before they hit the tank. This suggests that Russian forces have not rectified a culture of poor ERA use, which dates back to the First Chechen War in 1994.
• It is highly likely that many Russian tank crews lack the training to maintain ERA, leading to either poor fitting of the explosive elements, or it being left off entirely. These deficiencies probably contribute to the widespread incidents of turret ejection, which are well documented in eye-witness videos from Ukraine.
• The war has seen numerous failures by Russian commanders to enforce low-level battle discipline – such as the use of ERA. The cumulative effect of these failures is likely a significant factor behind the poor performance of Russia’s forces.

• Russian military leadership is falsely claiming that recent attacks on Russian military objects in Crimea are terrorist attacks to deflect calls to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism.
• Russian forces attempted several unsuccessful assaults near the Kharkiv-Donetsk Oblast border in tactically challenging forest areas.
• Russian forces continued to unsuccessfully attack settlements southeast of Siversk.
• Russian forces launched several assaults northeast and south of Bakhmut, and are likely attempting to improve tactical positions near Horlivka.
• Russian forces made limited gains northwest of Donetsk City and near the Zaporizhzhia-Donetsk Oblast administrative border.
• Russian forces are likely preparing to defend their ground lines of communication (GLOCs) in the Melitopol-Tokmak-Berdiansk triangle by mining settlements on the eastern Zaporizhzhia Oblast frontline.
• Russian federal subjects are continuing to form new volunteer units and advertise contract service while facing recruitment challenges.
• Russian occupation authorities are struggling to increase control measures in occupied territories amidst increased partisan activity.