Regular News

 

 

President Zelenskyy reported that Ukraine and Russia agreed on another swap of 1,200 prisoners of war. The last exchange of prisoners took place on July 23. Ukraine is also working to release civilian detainees. 

Russia bombed a bridge over the Kosheva River in the Kherson area on August 2. They struck it with 2 guided bombs. The bridge didn’t collapse, but the damage rendered it unusable by vehicles. At least 3 private homes and an apartment building were damaged in the blast. This will hinder movement, especially around the Korabel district. 

Ukraine’s military intelligence, the DIU, managed to obtain and publish classified documents relating to Russia’s K-555 Knyaz Pozharskiy ballistic submarine. It is a nuclear-powered sub of the 955A Borey-A class. The data about the submarine includes the design, survivability systems, combat systems, engineering records, and information about the crew, including names, ranks, qualifications, and training levels. This sub is based in Murmansk and began testing at sea in February 2024. It is armed with 16 solid-fuel Bulaca ICBMs and 533mm torpedoes. 

 

Strikes on Russia

There was an explosion at the Central Asia-Center gas pipeline in the Volgograd region on August 2. The explosion indefinitely suspended the transit of gas through this pipeline. The pipeline is owned and operated by the Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom. It transports gas from Turkmenistan, through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Russia. The pipeline supplies gas to companies that are part of Russia’s military industrial complex, including Demikhov Machine-Building Plant,  MiG aircraft plant, and the Magnum-K ammunition factory.

 

Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, reported that on the night of August 3-4, they successfully attacked a Russian-controlled airbase in Saky, Crimea. They claim that they destroyed one Su-30SM, damaged a second one, damaged 3 Su-24s, and destroyed Russian aircraft munitions. As of the time of writing, footage from this operation has not yet been released. 

On August 3, an explosion took place at an electrical substation in occupied Berdyansk. The substation was providing energy to a plant involved in the repair and storage of military vehicles. 

Satellite imagery has been published confirming the successful strike on Russia's Elektropribor plant in Penza. The plant was attacked on August 2. The satellite images show it was hit at least 3 times by Lyutyi and Batyar drones. Lektropribor produces encryption equipment and communications equipment for the Russian military.

Coordinates of the facility: 53.2246, 44.9660

The locations of the strike on the plant.

On August 3, Ukraine successfully struck a Russian oil depot in the city of Adler, in the Sochi area. The Rosneft-Kubannefteprodukt is right next to the Adler Airport. Passengers on incoming flights filmed the chaos. Russian sources report that 127 fire personnel and 35 vehicles were sent to quell the fire. The depot has 41 tanks, with a total storage capacity of 31,200 cubic meters of petroleum products. The attack managed to damage and ignite at least ome tank containing about 2,000 cubic meters of fuel. but videos seem to imply at least 2 fires were burning.

The Adler oil depot fire filmed from the window of a plane.

Ukrainian Tech and equipment

Ukrainian Sting interceptor drones, made by the Wild Hornets, are now being equipped with Kurbas thermal imaging modules. The Kurbas is domestically produced in Ukraine and has a resolution of 640x512. Drones with this new module reportedly have already successfully intercepted dozens of Russian drones. The manufacturer claims the Kurbas is cheaper and has better resolution, and better moisture and vibration resistance than common Chinese-made competitors.

 

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has allocated 8 billion hryvnia to provide funds for military units using both aerial and ground drones. Additionally, the government has allocated 1 billion more hryvnia for anti-drone protection along evacuation and logistic lines. 

 

 

Ukrainian drone manufacturer KB Tekhnari has begun producing a reusable jet-powered interceptor drone named Mangust/Mongoose. The Mongoose has a proprietary thermal-seeker warhead that detects and automatically homes in on targets such as Shaheds. When the Mongoose gets close enough, it fires a multi-barrel shotgun at the target’s propeller or engine. The drone can continue hunting or return for refueling and rearming. It can fly at speeds of about 310 km/h, has a maximum altitude of 5,000 meters, and a combat radius of 12 km. The manufacturer says this is sufficient for current and future models of the Shahed, but Russia is using, in small numbers, jet-powered shaheds capable of reaching up to 500 km/h. The Mongoose needs to be guided by a pilot until it is about 200 meters away, and the auto-homing system can take over. The drone can visually pick up a Shahed at ranges of about 800 meters. The drone seems fairly expensive, but the manufacturer says that if a drone intercepts 10-12 targets, it starts to become cheaper than a standard interceptor drone. 

Ukraine’s military is officially adopting Multi-cam camouflage, replacing the earlier “pixel” camouflage. Military equipment and clothing will now bear this pattern. It is unclear when the new uniforms will completely replace the older ones, but it could take years. It is also unclear when these new uniforms will begin to be issued to troops. 

OSINT analyst, Athene Noctua, has reported that due to Ukraine’s long-range strikes on Russia, Russia’s military transport aircraft have been moved further eastwards. Bases within range of Ukrainian drones have reduced numbers of these transport aircraft, and some have none based there anymore. Russia’s main transport aircraft is the Il-76, with more than 120 in service. These are officially the only Russian military transport aircraft considered to be in production. Russia seems more cautious with transport aircraft than it is with attack aircraft or even strategic bombers, at least until the recent Spider Web attacks on bombers. This may reveal that these transport aircraft are an Achilles' heel for Russian military logistics.

Ukraine’s 28th Ombr reported that they made a ground drone armed with an IGLA MANPADS capable of downing Russian aircraft. They claim they have already brought down a helicopter with it. 

Russian Tech and Equipment

Milblogger/sapper LandminesAndCoffee:
The Russians have started equipping Lancets with PTM-3 anti-vehicle mines.

The PTMs are apparently meant to replace the standard KZ-6 charges typically used in these "Izdeliye" drones. Militarnyi notes that the PTM-3 is supposedly better — it carries more explosives and can penetrate more armor. However, not everyone agrees, since the PTM-3 is designed for a different purpose altogether. Its main "working surface" is located on the sides, where the shaped-charge recesses are. That’s unlike the KZ-6, which directs its blast forward, similar to the PG-7VL “carrot” warhead or Ukrainian EFPs.

So, in a direct hit, the PTM-3 might actually penetrate less armor than the KZ-6. This may not be a systematic change but rather a temporary improvisation — because, to be fair, Russian engineers aren’t dumb, and they've had their own custom EFP designs for a long time.”

The PTM-3 mine was designed to be scattered by Soviet cluster munition rockets or by hand, vehicles, or dropped from helicopters. It weighs 5 kg and has 1.8kg of explosives. It is roughly rectangular, with each flat surface having a concavity in it that functions in creating a shaped charge when detonated. The PTM-3 fires off 5 shaped charges at once. It allegedly can penetrate 70-80 mm of armor, has an optional 16-24 hour self-destruct timer, has anti-tampering capabilities, a magnetic fuse that detonates when metal passes by it, and an effective range of 1m.

The KZ-6 is a demolition charge meant for breaking through things like reinforced concrete.
Both the PTM-3 and the KZ-6 hold 1.8 kg of TG-40. TG-40 is 40% TNT and 60% RDX, the main ingredient in C4. Despite this similarity, PTM-3 likely penetrates worse because the shaped charges are facing in every direction, but the KZ-6 has one focused in a specific direction, reportedly allowing for penetration up to 200mm. This makes a direct strike with a PTM-3 warhead Lancet less effective than the original KZ-6 variant, though near misses with the PTM-4 version may do more damage.  

A PTM-3 mine.

Ukrainian blogger war_home reported that Russia is now using Shaheds to drop PTM-3 anti-tank mines. 

Ukrainian blogger war_home:

Information confirming the use of Geran-2 [shahed] strike UAVs with attached KPTM cassette dispensers has been verified.

Two KPTM cassettes are mounted under the wings of the Geran-2 UAV. Each cassette contains one PTM-3 anti-tank mine and is equipped with an ejection charge that launches the mine at a set distance. After being ejected, the mine falls to the ground and arms itself.

The PTM-3 mine responds to changes in the electromagnetic field around it — it’s triggered by large metal objects like tanks or armored vehicles. The mine cannot be defused and must not be moved or picked up under any circumstances. It can only be neutralized by being physically destroyed in place.

This warning applies to everyone, but especially to units in active combat zones. Track and memorize Geran UAV routes in your area of responsibility — especially those that follow roads.”

PTM-3 and the “cassettes” from which they are deployed. 

A Shahed/Geran with PTM-3 cassettes mounted on it. 

PTM-3s and their cassettes found among the debris of downed shaheds.

Interesting Quotes

From OSINT guy/mapper Playfra0:

“Soledar, just received very interesting info from the Russian side.

Right now there are 3 Ukrainian DRG soldiers 7km behind Russian lines next to Soledar, and 2km behind their D-30 positions. For now, 1 confirmed heavily wounded Russian and 1 possible wounded Ukrainian. The Russians have all been woken up and made to go on watch every 15 minutes.

On this Russian unit's last rotation, about a month ago (but in a different place still in the Kramatorsk general direction), the exact same thing happened, but failed for the Ukrainians.

 

The unit's commander says the DRG was eliminated fully, but this is unlikely. At the moment the situation is still unclear.

I'll update you guys about this situation if any more info comes out.

 

Also, please don't sing victory or talk about any Ukrainian counter-offensive here at all. DRGs lately have gotten much, much more common because of the permeability and dynamicity of the front, so this should be taken as something that will become more and more frequent from now on from both sides.”

Officer_33: On the Kostiantynivka direction, the enemy yesterday attempted a mechanized assault on Katerynivka using 5 armored vehicles completely disguised as barns, and approximately 20 infantry of special composition who were inside the armor.

The armored vehicles tried to function as armored taxis, but some didn't even manage to deliver the infantry to the drop-off point and were destroyed, while others were hit on the way out.

As a result, 4 out of 5 armored vehicles and all infantry were eliminated.

Officer_33: Information that the bastards can increase the Shahed warhead to 90 kg has existed for more than a year and I'm quite confident that attempts to use them have been ongoing for a long time, judging by the fact that the destruction from recent UAV impacts of this type is significantly greater than from the first versions of the shahed

Officer_33: We've entered a phase where reports about possible nighttime missile strikes by enemy strategic aviation have almost lost their relevance because every night, and sometimes even during the day, we have hundreds of Shaheds in the country's airspace.

Going forward, if we don't scale up cheaper means of shooting them down (interceptor drones), or reactive Shaheds go into mass production - there's a probability that the bastards will try to create a "24/7 air raid alert" regime to drive people and the economy into complete collapse.

Officer_33: In Kharkiv region this morning, Special Operations Forces units prevented enemy advances from the Russian side in the Hoptivka area.

The enemy is increasing activity along the entire border between Kharkiv region and Russia, and it's not entirely clear whether they're probing the line of contact or trying to break through from different sections and then develop success everywhere, moving to operational-scale combat operations in the direction.

But the fact itself - the bastards have seriously increased activity in Kharkiv region and this concerns not only border areas, but also the Kupyansk and Lyman directions as well.

Officer_33: The situation on the Lyman direction has seriously deteriorated, the enemy constantly conducts assault actions with small groups and about ten personnel in them.

North of Lyman, in the Zelena Dolyna area, the enemy had success and advancement in recent days with similar assault actions. Also, the line of contact is now actually along the Yampolivka - Torske line, which threatens our entire grouping in Serebranka.

 

Officer_33: Finally, construction and repair of roads in frontline regions has stopped being another reason for betrayal in society, and on the contrary - has become a serious issue that they've actually started dealing with.

The Kursk operation, as active combat operations on new territories, showed new problems on new sections accordingly - logistics, but then repair crews were patching roads practically on the go during active combat operations in Kursk region, and some things they completely ignored.

Now it's the same - the territory of combat operations is changing, but unfortunately, because the front is rolling back, new and new territories need to be adapted to logistical needs, etc. Much work has been done and is being carried out in this direction: many logistics routes are being repaired almost from scratch, along which heavy equipment trailers now travel, or in the worst case - in a few months armored vehicles with infantry will go to positions. Logistics must always think ahead.

For example, the normal highway from Bakhmut saved many lives in its time.

P.S. The situation with nets on roads is the same: they appear more and more frequently in places, so to speak, "for sad prospects," which is an indicator of real work in this direction.

 

muchnoyairborn: Pokrovsk direction:

In the Udachne area, the enemy has intensified attempts to advance from the western side along the T-0406 highway. They are now storming positions on the southern outskirts, but the defense line is holding. Artillery shelling intensity is high there, especially at night and in the morning. The enemy is also trying to establish positions between Kotlyne and forest belts to the south, to reach the highway and pressure connections with Udachne. Frequent reconnaissance groups and short assault sorties are noted, with small tactical advances.

The area of Pervoye Travnya (Leontovychi) is under heavy pressure, the enemy is trying to establish positions on the approaches and advance closer to residential areas on the southwestern outskirts of Pokrovsk. Close combat and artillery duels are ongoing there, the situation is changeable - the line is holding, but the occupiers don't abandon attempts to take the entire settlement.

In the Chunyshyne area, the enemy is trying to break through to the north and bypass defenses from the E50 highway side, so far without success. Powerful shelling from MLRS and barrel artillery is noted, local battles are now ongoing on the approaches to the village. Lysivka is also an important node for the enemy, as it opens the path further to the eastern approaches to Pokrovsk. Positional battles are now ongoing there, the occupiers are trying to break through forest belts and ravines, so far without noticeable results.

Overall across the entire Pokrovsk direction, the enemy is trying to take control of key highways and advance toward the city to create an encirclement threat, but active defense by our cossacks is currently restraining these attempts. Battles are ongoing with varying success, the front line remains unstable, but no critical breakthrough has occurred today.

muchnoyairborn: Myrnohrad direction: Enemy assault groups managed to approach close to the mine before Rodynske and have already latched onto part of the industrial zone. The enemy is trying to bite into the industrial area, using drones, artillery and small groups for advancement. The enemy likely already has several strongpoints, but our fighters aren't letting them establish deeper positions. The bastards are also working on the private sector of the city, trying to find weak spots in the defense.

The enemy hasn't captured Sukhetske yet, but has started pressing from the southeastern flank and after this serious problems may arise, since further goes the forest belt line, and beyond it the highway through Bilytske-Rodynske that leads to Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad. A very tense situation that needs immediate stabilization, especially on the flanks.

On the eastern outskirts of Krasny Lyman, the enemy managed to establish positions, here the front is turning into stable tension, the situation is constantly dynamic - so one should be prepared that the Russians already know how to act - because they've studied their mistakes more than once.

Myrnohrad and its entire eastern arc is now one of the hottest directions. The enemy wants to wedge into the defense through the mine and industrial zone to get a foothold for further advancement. So far they only have point successes but the situation is very difficult.

muchnoyairborn: South Donetsk direction: Positional battles are now ongoing for approaches to Iskra. The enemy is trying to advance closer to the highway and further to the eastern outskirts, the enemy is using aviation and cluster munitions on our positions. The pigs also don't stop pressing toward Oleksandrograd, moving through fields and plantings to reach this settlement from the east.

In Voskresinka the situation is tense, the enemy managed to enter from the southwest. In places it comes to close combat, especially in plantings and lowlands between Voskresinka and Oleksandrograd. We still hold the village but I think it's already a matter of time before we withdraw. Regarding Yanvarske (Dnipropetrovsk region), the enemy hasn't captured it, only approached its outskirts. They don't have stable capture there, our fighters are still holding.

Same with Maliyivka, not all of it but partially - so claims about complete capture don't work either, the occupiers need new "victories," so to avoid getting beaten - the piglets are forced to lie that everything is going according to their plan.

muchnoyairborn: Kostiantynivka direction: The situation is critical but not catastrophic, the enemy has seriously broken through from the south to the Kleban-Byk reservoir line in recent weeks. Our units holding defense in the Katerynivka, Shcherbynivka and Kleban-Byk areas are currently in semi-encirclement. Main roads to the north and west are under fire and partially cut.

Kleban-Byk and Katerynivka are still formally under our control, the enemy is trying to "squeeze" this section, pressing from several sides. And Shcherbynivka is already under direct assault, its fate is very precarious. The enemy hasn't closed the ring completely yet, our cossacks have limited ability to exit to the north but it's difficult to do: under shelling, on broken roads, without guarantees. If there's no quick reaction from above - the fighters may end up in complete encirclement.

Right now the critical moment has begun - either regain part of the initiative, or competently withdraw from under the blow, because the enemy has already started squeezing from all sides.

muchnoyairborn: The situation on the Siversk direction remains tense: The enemy is actively pressing in the Serebranka area, advancing from the forest side and trying to establish positions on commanding heights. Enemy tanks were spotted landing infantry near the village - there are signs that our fighters had fire contact and could repel them.

Attacks also continue south of Hryhorivka (the enemy had advancement in the forest belt) and west of Ivano-Darivka, the enemy is trying to envelop Siversk from several directions. Positional battles but pressure is growing precisely on this section.

On the Lyman direction pressure is also growing, especially in the Torske area, the enemy is trying to jump deep into our defense, we're keeping these attempts under control but the situation is extremely difficult. Also in the Kolodyazi area, the enemy is gradually pushing us out of positions, battles are already raging in the village itself. The defense is being pressured by artillery and infantry.

Toward Shandryholove there was enemy movement using MT-LB, but our cossacks reacted quickly: destroyed the equipment and infantry. The situation stabilized there after the battle, overall it's hot on this direction right now.

Hold the line, brothers, we believe in you!

Quote of the Day:
“A thing is about to happen which has not happened since the Elder Days: the hedgehogs are going to war.”

— Hedgehogbeard