Victory Chronicles-DAY 926

CNN has released a video showing Russian troops allegedly executing three Ukrainian fighters who had surrendered near the town of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. The footage, exclusively obtained by CNN, depicts the fighters running out of a building and then kneeling down with their hands on their heads. A Ukrainian drone captured them lying motionless on the ground shortly after, surrounded by dust. This incident is part of a series of apparent executions that have increased throughout the year, according to sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. These sources provided CNN with a list of 15 incidents, most of which have been confirmed by drone footage or audio intercepts. The footage from Pokrovsk exemplifies the brutal tactics employed by the Russian military as it continues its advance in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine’s Prosecutor General is currently investigating 28 incidents since the beginning of the war in which 62 Ukrainian fighters have been killed.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced a new $250 million military assistance package for Ukraine, which President Joe Biden will announce. 

Austin made this announcement at the opening of the 24th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense. He emphasized that this is a critical moment for Ukraine, especially with winter approaching. The details of what will be included in the package were not specified. Austin stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine and preventing Russia from seizing its neighbor, as it would pose a threat to the security of all countries. 

He stated that if nations compromise their principles, the world would become more dangerous. The U.S. administration had already announced a $125 million military aid package in August, which included air defense missiles, anti-drone equipment, anti-tank missiles, and ammunition. Discussions are currently underway with Congress to obtain approval for this urgent assistance.

Three firefighters from Kharkiv region were injured in Donetsk region when their fire truck hit an explosive device and exploded. The incident took place on September 5th in the village of Krymky. The firefighters were participating in the efforts to extinguish a large-scale forest fire in the area. The injured individuals were immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine confirmed the incident on their Telegram channel and expressed the gravity of the situation caused by enemy explosive devices. 

While conducting reconnaissance, the fighters of the 73rd Center of the Special Operations Forces discovered an enemy 2S19 Msta-S moving to the position. The decision to destroy it was made immediately and, together with a friendly unit of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the target was hit by FPV drones. The enemy artillery unit burned to the ground. The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this.

The Russian military command continues to prioritize the offensive effort on Pokrovsk and will likely treat the intensified effort in western Donetsk Oblast as a secondary effort. The Russian military command likely intends for this secondary effort, regardless of its success, to fix Ukrainian forces in western Donetsk Oblast and prevent Ukrainian redeployments to reinforce the defense of Pokrovsk. 

The Russian military command has shown a pronounced desire to insulate its offensive effort in the Pokrovsk direction from the operational pressures caused by Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Oblast and is likely holding back its remaining operational reserves for the effort to seize the city of Pokrovsk itself.

This level of prioritization will likely remain regardless of the success of the intensified Russian offensive effort in western Donetsk Oblast. Russian forces began efforts to widen the Pokrovsk salient along the Selydove-Ukrainsk-Hirnyk line as a preparatory step for the upcoming attempt to seize Pokrovsk itself, and any participation by elements of the Central Grouping of Forces in the offensive effort in western Donetsk Oblast will likely be further conditions-setting for the Pokrovsk effort.

The Russian military command has pursued a theater wide campaign design aimed at stretching Ukrainian forces through consistent offensive pressure and appears to be replicating this theater-wide effort in a more intensified way along the frontline in Donetsk Oblast.

Russian forces will not be able to retain the initiative throughout eastern Ukraine indefinitely, and multiple intensified offensive efforts in Donetsk Oblast, in addition to the persisting operational pressures caused by Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk Oblast, will likely cause Russian offensive operations to culminate sooner than the Russian military command intends.

23-year-old police officer Artem Ivanishyn, with the call sign Deputat, died on February 14, 2024, near the village of Hryhorivka, Donetsk Oblast. He received fatal injuries as a result of an enemy mortar attack.

Artem was born in Vinnytsia. He studied management at one of the Vinnytsia universities. He worked as an assistant to a deputy of the Vinnytsia City Council and took an active part in public life. He was the head of the youth department of the Vinnytsia NGO Dignity of the Nation and a member of the Vinnytsia Youth Council.

During the full-scale war, the man stood up to defend his country in the ranks of the United Assault Brigade of the National Police of Ukraine “Rage.” He served in the assault regiment “Tsunami.”

“Artem was my best friend, fellow fighter, and brother – we even have the same blood type. He is an example of true patriotism and devotion to his country. His feat in the name of freedom and independence of Ukraine will remain forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, my friend…” wrote his friend Volodymyr Sokolovsky.

The defender was buried on the Alley of Glory at the Sabariv Cemetery in Vinnytsia. Artem is survived by his loving family, friends, and fighters-in-arms.

*Artem’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

• Stoltenberg: Ukraine has achieved ‘a lot’ in Kursk offensive
• Head of UK Ministry of Defence: Kursk operation has left Putin at standstill, he’s looking for a response
• UK to send 650 air defence missiles worth £162 million to Ukraine
• Zelenskyy on Kursk region operation: Ukrainian forces control 1,300 sq. km, Russia has lost over 6,000 troops
• Azov fighters liberate part of New York in Donetsk Oblast, unblock Ukrainian fighters from encirclement
• Sweden increases support for heating and electricity supply in Ukraine by SEK 500 million