Victory Chronicles-DAY 565

Units of the Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate conducted a special raid, and, as a result, Ukraine regained control of the so-called “Boiko Rigs” – drilling gas and oil extraction platforms located off the coast of occupied Crimea. That’s according to the agency’s press service.

“A unique operation to regain control over the Boyko Rigs was executed by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine units. In particular, the “Petro Hodovalets” and “Ukraina” drilling platforms, as well as the Tavrida and Syvash rigs, were brought back under control,” the statement says. As noted, during the operation, the Ukrainian units seized valuable trophies: a stock of NAR-type helicopter munitions (unguided aerial missiles) and the Neva radar, which can track maritime navigation in the Black Sea.

During one of the operation phases, a battle took place between Ukrainian special operations forces manning small boats and a Russian Su-30 fighter jet. As a result of the engagement, the Russian warplane was damaged and forced to retreat. The so-called Boyko rigs are gas and oil drilling platforms in the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea. Russia occupied them in 2015 and, with the beginning of the full-scale invasion, used them for military purposes. In particular, as helipads and platforms for radars.

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The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, said that 90% of Ukrainian prisoners of war were tortured during their stay in Russian captivity. The Voice of America reported this with reference to its press conference in Kyiv. According to the special report, the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian hostages was so widespread that it certainly indicates the Russian state policy towards Ukraine aimed at terror and intimidation.

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Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Mykola Balan, met with members of the Ukrainian national team at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf 2023. Colonel-General Balan handed them the Ukrainian flag signed by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, presented memorable gifts to the team members, and thanked the men and women for their service. 

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The work of the 3rd company of the 2nd mechanized battalion of the 3rd brigade in the Bakhmut sector –assault on positions and close combat. Russian losses are 12 killed and 2 wounded. Three more prisoners will be transferred for exchange. 

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Russian military personnel continue to detail persistent problems hindering Russian operations along the frontline in Ukraine. The “Rusich” Sabotage and Reconnaissance Group, a far-right Russian irregular paramilitary unit, published a list of various issues on September 8 that it claims are persistent along the frontline. Rusich claimed that Russian counterbattery range and accuracy are inferior to Ukrainian capabilities and claimed that Russian forces lack laser-guided Krasnopol shells and UAVs to guide them.

The Rusich Group also claimed that the Russian Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is less resistant to electronic warfare (EW) than Ukraine’s US-provided HIMARS systems. The Rusich Group also noted that many Russian personnel buy their own communication technology, making it difficult for different units using different models of technology to communicate with each other.

The Rusich Group claimed that Russian forces do not evacuate wounded or dead personnel from frontline areas, and that this lack of evacuations has prompted some Russian personnel to refuse to complete combat tasks. The Rusich Group may be experiencing these problems at a higher intensity and frequency than Russian forces writ large because it is a small and irregular formation, but ISW has routinely observed other Russian units expressing similar issues with counterbattery capabilities, communications, and evacuations.

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Mykhailo Romaniuk, a 49-year-old fighter with the call sign Potap, died on June 17, 2023, near the village of Pyatykhatky, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. While performing a combat mission, a group of Ukrainian defenders stormed the village and came under fire. Later, they were attacked again during the evacuation; the enemy fire took Mykhailo’s life. 

Mykhailo was born and lived in the village of Dolishne Zaluchchia, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. He studied at a local school. Then he received a degree in carpentry at the Ivano-Frankivsk College. He worked in construction and was a repairman at the Dolishne Zaluchia secondary school. He was fond of fishing and horseback riding. 

During the full-scale war, the man defended his country in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 128th separate mountain assault brigade as a squad leader.

“You were a good man with a big kind heart, a wonderful father, brother, friend, and comrade-in-arms. You always took care of everyone first, and then of yourself. You saved Sergiy and Volodya and became an Angel yourself. You fished for your comrades and the girls from the hospital staff. Your good deeds are countless. Titles, awards or money cannot measure your contribution to the defense of Ukraine. You gave your health and then your life. Forever a Hero and a Guardian of the Ukrainian people,” wrote Maria, the deceased’s sister.

“A wonderful, sensitive and kind person with an extremely kind and brave heart. I want to thank him on behalf of everyone for his protection. We will never forget and your memory will live forever in our hearts. Eternal memory,” said Tetyana Hoyan, a relative and neighbor of the deceased.

The warrior was buried on the Alley of Heroes at the Nove Cemetery in the village of Dolishne Zaluchchia. Mykhailo is survived by his wife, two sons, a stepson, brothers, and sister.

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• Head of the press center of the Operational Command Pivden (South): Ukrainian defenders destroy six Russian boats near Kherson Oblast
• Rheinmetall company: The German government has instructed the Rheinmetall company to supply 40 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. 
• Ukrainian Air Force destroys 13 Shahed UAVs launched by Russia overnight
• UK Intelligence: Russia faces labor shortage in non-defense sectors due to war 
• Ukrainian Armed Forces regain part of Opytne in Donetsk Oblast – Defense Ministry