The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on May 15 2023

Toxic dust from Khmelnitsky is  blowing towards Western Ukraine  & Poland. 

Radiation patrols on the move in Khmelnitsky & Ternopyl

Experts draw attention to the fact that a fire at the site of a missile attack on a military depot in Khmelnitsky is being extinguished remotely by robots. There are radiation monitoring patrols in the city. Radiation background measurements are taken “in uncharacteristic places”. Whereas previously they were taken in the area of the Khmelnitsky nuclear power plant (Neteshyn and surroundings), now they are taken in the regional centre, in the west of the region and in Ternopyl. After the strike on the ammunition depot, the wind was blowing in a westerly direction. Authorities are silent on the work of the patrols.

“My acquaintances from Ukraine have reported that the people of Western Ukraine are panicking. They are packing up and moving away from Khmelnitsky, and even from Lvov and Ternopol. Everywhere there are Ukrainian military units, warehouses and repair shops. Locals whisper that the warehouse in Khmelnitsky was full of depleted uranium shells. And this is confirmed by my sources,” writes political analyst Yuri Kot.

After the explosion, a rise in gamma-radiation levels was reported in the city. Radiation levels continue to grow. Given the relatively low gamma radiation which can be emitted by depleted uranium, the current spike indicates the destruction of a very large stockpile of ammunition, which has caused uranium dust to rise into the air.

On the #Khmelnitsky Strike Aftermath⚡️

We are curious to see that Opinion leaders and commentators have started working in Ukrainian communities as if on cue, vying to prove that depleted uranium is “completely harmless” and “you should not worry about the explosions in #Khmelnitsky.”

No one is trying to prove that there were no uranium shells in the destroyed warehouses. And indeed, the fact that ammunition from the #UK is already located (https://t.me/balkanossiper/5845) in #Ukraine, we found out at the end of April: the specific location is hardly known to ordinary users of social networks.

And the long-term effect of environmental contamination after the use of depleted uranium ammunition, affecting the health of the population, has been well studied (https://t.me/balkanossiper/5845) during the war in #Yugoslavia. These are intrauterine mutations, oncology and many other genetic problems that will face another (https://t.me/rtbalkan_ru/1461) 60 generations of Serbs.

Were there depleted uranium ammunition in Khmelnitsky or not – it is still difficult to establish. In particular, because the Ukrainian authorities, in case of a real infection, instead of evacuating the population, will first of all be engaged in covering up traces and a total information blockade, which we are now observing (https://t.me/zhivoff/9234).

At the same time, according to indirect signs of a possible emergency, including the notorious burst of gamma radiation, which so excited the citizens, the Ukrainian authorities could make an official statement and explain what is happening. However, the residents of Khmelnitsky were left to themselves and are unlikely to wait for a truthful report on the situation. This means that if the infection is confirmed, the risk for residents of the city and the surrounding areas is growing every day.

RYBAR

Explosions in Kiev and the Kiev region. Attacks on infrastructure, including transport. According to preliminary information, Kiev is being hit with “Calibers”.

The head of the office of the President of Ukraine Ermak reports that the air defense is working and urges not to post videos from the sites of Russian missile strikes.

There are also reports from Kiev that the Internet, including mobile, does not work in some areas.

The most massive attack of Kyiv: the blows were delivered by “Daggers” and “Caliber”
In the Svyatoshinsky district, a fire with an area of 200 m.
Explosions keep on roaring

Our friends well informed

Russia destroys two Ukrainian fighter jets involved in missile strike on Luhansk civilians

Russia destroys UK’s ‘Storm Shadow’ missiles; Putin’s action after warning to Sunak over Ukraine

“Well, more good news.
 
I read on the Internet that the Su-57 is drawing another beautiful star on the fuselage today.

And if the Su-24 Khoklov was with a couple of “Storms” on board, then this is doubly good news.”

-Fighterbomber 

“Wagners” are storming (https://t.me/rusvesnasu/26269) Bakhmut like crazy, there is no strength to hold positions, – the military of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

 The Ukrainian militant spoke about the most difficult situation for the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the front.

▪️Tough fights and, unfortunately, holding many positions is now unrealistic due to a lot of pressure. In connection with the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the outskirts, the Russians simply do not allow them to hold their positions, because they are storming like crazy.

▪️North – the situation is very bad, because the enemy is actively storming this sector, there is a significant enemy advance in the sector, Medvedev and Tolbukhin are now going through very difficult times, now there are hostilities and PMCs are trying to break through the defenses, also on Lesya Ukrainka Street, the enemy wants to advance to its end to level the front line.

▪️Center – the situation is no better, advance along Levansky, battles for the intersection of Tchaikovsky and Yubileinaya streets and assault actions and further along Tchaikovsky street, to the college. The intersection of the streets is an important aspect, because you can’t let the line line up in the center, because it will be quite difficult to hold back later.

▪️South – fighting for school number 2, the desire to level the front line on Korsunsky is also relevant.

▪️The Armed Forces of Ukraine have victories in the vicinity of the city, we don’t have them in the city, the situation is very tense and difficult.

MI6 passed on intelligence to the Office of the President and the General Staff that the Russian army refused to destroy high-rise buildings on the outskirts of Bakhmut with bombs for tactical purposes. After capturing the last stronghold of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Bakhmut, they want to use it to cover their artillery in order to organize a counteroffensive on Chasov Yar and attack Ukrainian positions in the fields.

Bakhmut on fire as Russian incendiary munitions rain down | Moscow touts ‘menacing’ artillery system

Bakhmut Endgame | Final Line BREACHED | Wagner Advances Continue | Bakhmut Front Update 15/05/23

Wagner boss betrays Putin? Prigozhin fumes at reports on leaking Russian troop positions to Ukraine

PMC Wagner has now gained complete control over the so-called “Nest”. They got through to Yuvileyna Street, forcing the last UA units in the “nest” to retreat to avoid encirclement.

Now Wagner goes further south and west from the “Nest” in order to conquer the last areas.

The final hours/days to fully conquer Bakhmut have arrived

The situation in Bakhmut from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

According to Deputy Minister Hanna Mailar, the Russians are pulling up airborne assault detachments to the outskirts of the city, “everything is difficult on the outskirts now,” heavy fighting is going on.

“Against all odds, our troops managed to advance for several days,” she writes.

Commander of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky said that “we are fighting with less resources than the enemy,” however, the advance of troops in the Bakhmut direction is “the first success of offensive operations” during the operation to defend the city.

“However, this is only a partial success. And this is how it should be perceived. The operation to defend Bakhmut continues,” Syrsky said.

An information and psychological operation has begun against Prigozhin, carried out not by Ukrainians but by high-level Western specialists.

First it was Zelensky’s bizarre interview in the Washington Post yesterday, now this front page piece:

“The head of Wagner offered to hand over Russian troop locations to Ukraine, leak says”

The article reads:

“Yevgeny Prigozhin said he would tell the Ukrainian military where to attack Russian troops if they withdrew their forces from the besieged town of Bakhmut, where Wagner mercenaries are suffering heavy losses.”

This kind of propaganda is clearly aimed at Western & Ukrainian audiences, and morons generally.

At yesterday evening’s briefing, Reznikov’s deputy Anna Malyar said that the AFU is successfully resisting Russian attempts to encircle Bakhmut.

“As of today, the enemy is unable to encircle the town and achieve a resounding victory in this direction,” Malyar said.

That is, in fact, Malyar declared the end of the “Syrsky offensive” and the transition of the AFU to defence. Of course, one can assume that she is not too versed in such minutiae as offensive-retreat. However, the fact that something went wrong with the “Syrsky plan” is also evidenced by the fact that Ukrainian resources prefer to work on other topics, studiously avoiding talking about the situation in Artemovsk.

Russian fighters in Artemovsk rescued a family with a newborn

“We didn’t want to go to Ukraine, we planned to wait for our Russians,” he said.

The family hid in the basement for six months. When withdrawing from their positions, the AFU soldiers mined the house. «We have heard what the military of the AFU are talking about among themselves. The audibility is good in the basement, they were above us. One said: there are children there. And the second one replied: they are still the children of the separatists.»  2 days before the evacuation, Yevgeny had a son. The family was evacuated from the combat zone by the soldiers of the assault brigade. «I don’t even know how to thank them. The guy who carried my baby, he carried him so carefully.»

The explosion in the very center of the city of Lugansk once again indicates that the military and political leadership of Ukraine has chosen methods of terror against the residents of the Luhansk People’s Republic. As I said earlier, the same goal is pursued when striking a Storm Shadow missile. Everything is aimed at sowing chaos and panic among the local population.

During the explosion in the center of Lugansk, 5 people were injured, three of them seriously, said a military expert, retired Lt. Colonel of the LNR Marochko

Administrative buildings of Lugansk were transferred to remote work – local media

Fight took place on border of Chernigov Region, AFU casualties reported.

According to “Idi i Smotri” channel, Ukrainian troops have lost several dozen killed and wounded on the border of Chernigov Region.

“Most likely, a Russian DRG came in. There are losses in equipment as well,” the channel’s source said. The attack took the AFU by surprise, he added.

Situation in the #Kupyansk Sector until 14:00 on 15 May 2023⚡️

🗓 Yesterday (14 May 2023), a Russian assault team liberated the village of #Masyutovka north of #Kupyansk. There has been virtually no active fighting in this area in recent months, with occasional exchanges of shelling and reconnaissance team sorties.

The settlement itself is of little tactical importance, as it is located in a lowland area. But west of #Masyutovka, on the opposite bank of the #Oskol River, there was a stronghold of the 20th Rifle Battalion with three 100mm MT-12 Rapira guns.

From these heights, the Ukrainian formations easily shelled positions around the village, preventing the Russian fighters from advancing further.

🔹 According to Sources of the military blogger Romanov @romanov_92, as a result of one of the sorties, the Russian SRG crossed the #Oskol and unexpectedly for the AFU struck the stronghold, establishing control over it and holding it until forces approached #Masyutovka and the surrounding area.

Over the last two days, units of the AFU’s 20th Separate Composite Battalion attempted to counterattack, but the RF Armed Forces held their positions. Meanwhile, AFU forces of the 28th Separate Composite Battalion and 14th Mechanized Brigade in #Kupyansk and #Dvurechnaya have been brought on full combat readiness.

According to the interception of talks by members of the 14th Mechanized Brigade, the Ukrainian command expects the crossing of the #Oskol River near #Dvurechnaya  by pontoon crossings, the installation of which is expected in the near future.

📌 The Creation of a Bridgehead on the left bank of the Oskol is a significant result that will allow us to put pressure on the AFU positions in the #Kupyansk area. But in order to consolidate on it, strikes are also needed in other directions, which, judging by the conversation, is expected at the headquarters of the 14th Mechanized Brigade.

Zaporozhye direction.

It is reported that a massive blow has just been struck by two batteries of rocket and barrel artillery, at a large concentration of forces in the enemy’s immediate rear, to the west of the village of Orekhov.

Also, today a massive blow was struck at the location of enemy forces in the area of Gulyai-Pole, presumably, the temporary deployment point where the mercenaries of the so-called international legion were based was hit.
Electronic intelligence reports a large number of killed and wounded enemy fighters. 

Ukrainian sources reported that the Mi-6 transmitted intelligence to Bankovaya that Russia had accumulated significant reserves for the defense of the Zaporozye nuclear power plant, and was well prepared for its defense, forming several lines of defense around the station, and mining the banks of the Dnieper. The British claim that there is a group of 20 thousand people in Energodar and neighboring villages, it includes tank battalions and rocket artillery.

The capture of the ZaNPP, according to the calculations of the Nazi leaders, should become one of the main achievements of the counteroffensive, and perhaps the only one. And in general, to replace the “Azov battle”. A swift landing operation, the capture of the station, the mining of reactors, an ultimatum, and the transformation of millions of people into hostages – such is this plan. But the handlers from the Mi-6 warn the pets that this task of a counterattack is unattainable.

It is assumed that the main stake of the upcoming counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be placed on the psychological effect, which should demoralize the Russian Army. Only in this case success is possible. Otherwise – huge losses, protracted battles, and loss in the end.

“The main condition is a moral and psychological crisis in the Russian group, so that it, as they say, crumbles. Because if it shows miracles of stamina and heroism, then it will be very difficult to fight them. And then we take the skeptical position of General Milli, who says that this year is unlikely,” said Arestovich, who again became a “talking head”, but is now “freelance”.

But what exactly should demoralize us, according to the Nazis and their masters? According to the British, these were missile attacks on the deep Russian rear, primarily in the old regions. And for this, according to Ukrainian sources, they handed over to the Nazis the first batch of 200 Storm Shadow missiles from Britain, and in the second stage, they must hand over another 400 units. Now the Armed Forces of Ukraine are testing their use against targets at the front, the data for strikes are transmitted by Western intelligence, and the targets are chosen by the Mi-6. In the context of this, the priority task is to locate warehouses with these missiles.

War Map and the Situation on the Fronts in the Evening of 15 May 2023; pub. 00:04⚡️

👠On the fourth Day of incessant rocket fire (https://t.me/readovkanews/58885) in #Lugansk, a terrorist attack was carried out in the city. An explosive device went off (https://t.me/readovkanews/58901) in a barbershop on Demekhin Street. The target of the attack (https://t.me/readovkanews/58908) was the assassination of Igor Kornet, the LPR’s acting interior minister. A local resident was killed in the blast and seven people were injured.▪️

⚔️ The Situation on the Fronts over the past Day:

🔹#Svatovo – #Kremennaya Direction:

▪️ Over the past 24 hours, the Russian army 👉 has taken (https://t.me/sitreports/8696) control of #Masyutovka north of #Kupyansk. The liberation of the village makes it possible to reach the bridgehead on the bank of the #Oskol River.
➖ Ours also attacked enemy positions in the vicinity of #Stelmakhovka and #Novoselovskoye.

🔹#Artyomovsk (#Bakhmut) Sector:

🤚 “Musicians” stormed the Enemy Strongholds ” Nest” and “Constructor” in the west of #Artyomovsk, as well as mopping up the private sector. Our forces also attempted to retake previously lost positions in the areas of #Bogdanovka and #Grigorovka. Heavy fighting continues in the Krasnoye area.

🔹#Donetsk Direction:

▪️ During the day there were no significant changes in this direction. Our fighters continue to encircle #Avdeyevka and storm the western part of #Maryinka.

🔹#Zaporozhye Direction:

▪️ Russian fighters, supported by artillery and aviation, have advanced near Malye Shcherbaki.
➖ The Russian Ministry of Defence also reported strikes on AFU units in the areas of #Vodyanoye and #Ugledar. The enemy lost over 150 militants in 24 hours.

🫡 The Russian Aerospace Forces destroyed Ukrainian Mi-24s and Mi-8s in the districts of #Selidovo and #Brusovka in the DPR.

#Chronicle of the Special Military Operation for 15 May 2023⚡️

🔹 While the Network is discussing the consequences of radiation contamination after the attack on #Khmelnitsky, Ukrainian formations have launched a new Storm Shadow missile strike on #Lugansk.

🔹 In the #UK, they promised to train Ukrainian pilots, and then completely transfer both planes and UAVs – everything to defeat #Russia in the near future.

🔹 Meanwhile, there have been positive changes at the front. #Masyutovka was liberated in the #Kupyansk sector of the #Starobelsk direction.

Special Operation, 15 May 2023, Main; pub. 21:35⚡️

▪️ The Russian Ministry of Defence reported for the first time that Russian air defence shot down a Storm Shadow cruise missile;

▪️ Seven people have been injured in an explosion in central #Lugansk, four are in serious condition, among them the LPR’s interim interior minister Kornet, Pasechnik said;

▪️ London plans to send a new military aid package to #Ukraine, which will include anti-aircraft missiles and hundreds of long-range drones;

▪️ Britain will start training Ukrainian pilots in the summer and is working with other countries on the possible dispatch of F-16s to #Ukraine, the British Cabinet has announced. Zelensky also discussed with Sunak the creation of a “fighter aircraft coalition”;

▪️ Zelensky said Ukraine needs a little more time for a counteroffensive;

▪️ The Chinese special envoy for Eurasian affairs, who has a tour planned to discuss the Ukrainian crisis, is expected to arrive in #Kiev on Tuesday;

▪️ Ukrainian troops fired 3 Storm Shadow and 15 HIMARS missiles at LPR in a week, killing one person and wounding 16, the republic’s representation to JCCC said;

▪️ White House discusses allocation of new military aid package to #Ukraine, Politico reported;

▪️ The #Pentagon confirmed the delivery of 31 Abrams tanks to #Germany to train the Ukrainian military. It is claimed that they are needed only for training, and there are no plans to use them in combat.

Russian Defence Ministry Report on the Progress of the Special Military Operation (15 May 2023)⚡️

The RF Armed Forces continue the special military operation.

◽️ In Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have engaged the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close to Sinkova and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

◽️ In addition, thanks to the coordinated actions of units of the 138th Motorised Rifle Brigade near Dvurechnoye (Kharkov region), actions of 3 SRGs were foiled overnight.

💥 The enemy has suffered losses of up to 145 troops, 2 AFVs, 3 motor vehicles, 2 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, and 1 D-20 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours.

◽️ In Krasny Liman direction, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Tsentr Group of Forces engaged the units of the AFU close to Nevskoye (LPR).

◽️ Units of the 76th Air Assault Division have neutralised 2 SRGs near Chervonaya Dibrova (LPR).

💥 The enemy has suffered losses of over 75 troops, 2 AFVs, 3 pickup trucks, 1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and 1 D-30 howitzer in this direction in the past 24 hours.

◽️ In Donetsk direction, assault squads continue the fiercest battles on the western outskirts of the city of Artyomovsk, as well as units of the 4th Motorised Rifle Brigade near Krasnoye (DPR).

◽️ Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Yug Group of Forces have inflicted a fire damage on the units of the AFU close to Chasov Yar and Bogdanovka (DPR).

◽️ The Russian aviation have made 7 sorties in this area during the day. The Group’s artillery have performed 72 firing missions.

💥 The enemy’s losses in this direction during the day amounted to up to 235 troops and mercenaries, 1 tank, 4 AFVs, 7 motor vehicles, and D-20, D-30, and Msta-B howitzers.

◽️ In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on the AFU units close to Ugledar and Vodyanoye (DPR). The enemy’s losses have amounted to over 150 troops, and 5 motor vehicles in this direction during the day.

◽️ In Kherson direction, up to 30 AFU troops, 1 AFV, and 4 motor vehicles have been destroyed.

💥 Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Group of Forces have engaged 68 AFU artillery units, manpower and hardware in 97 areas during the day.

◽️ One U.S. AN/TPQ-37 counter-battery radar station has been destroyed near Krivaya Luka (DPR).
 
✈️ Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters of Ukrainian Air Force near Selidovo and Brusovka (DPR).

💥 Air defence forces have intercepted 7 HARM anti-radar missiles, 1 Storm Shadow long-range cruise missile, and 10 HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day.

◽️ Moreover, 21 Ukrainian UAVs were shot down close to Novopokrovka, Vodyanoye, Rabotino (Zaporozhye region), Lyubimovka, Novaya Kakhovka (Kherson region), Gorlovka, Peski, Volodino (DPR), Kremennaya and Novokrasnyanka (LPR).

Zelenskiy on a train home says he returns with more stronger weapons

Zelensky and Sunak hug: ‘We’re standing where Churchill made speeches’

‘Long-range attack drones’ for Ukraine after Zelenskyy meets UK PM

‘Ukraine Won’t Attack…’: Zelensky reaches out to Putin with message on counteroffensive

Ukrainian counteroffensive: What is President Zelenskyy waiting for?

Russia Ukraine: Massive Russian Offensive To END The War? Colonel Douglas Macgregor

Not NATO: Alliance Split Over Ukraine to not Further Fuel Conflict

NATO is keen to show it is not supplying Kiev with arms & that only individual members are, a WaPo article states, which has created a divide in the group.

With no formal invite to July’s Vilnius summit, Ukraine’s rep to NATO, Natalia Galibarenko raged that: “The Vilnius summit will not be historic without the decision on Ukraine’s future in the alliance.”

Eastern European nations are bullish about taking Ukraine into the fold, though 🇺🇸, 🇫🇷, 🇩🇪 & 🇬🇧 are cautious.

France can start training Ukrainian pilots “right now,” President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview.

“We have opened the door for the training of Ukrainian pilots, training can begin now,” he said on the TF1 TV channel on Monday.

At the same time, Macron did not confirm that France is ready to supply Ukraine with military aircraft, noting that this remains “theoretical talk.”

Macron said that France is not at war with Russia

Also, according to the French president, Paris does not supply Kiev with weapons to attack Russian territory

Paris is not at war with Moscow and does not supply Kiev with weapons to attack Russian territory. This was stated on Monday in an interview with TF1 TV channel by French President Emmanuel Macron.

“We are not at war with Russia. This is not a war with the Russian Federation. We are helping Ukraine to resist , which means that we do not supply weapons that could reach Russian territory or with which it would be possible to attack Russia,” the French leader said.

Ukraine has received the SAMP-T long-range anti-aircraft missile system promised by France and Italy.

La Stampa writes about this.

“A French-Italian anti-aircraft missile system has arrived in Ukraine, 20 local specialists will be engaged in its maintenance,” the report says.

Earlier today, Zelensky said that he had agreed in Italy to protect the Ukrainian sky.

Britain will supply Ukraine with hundreds of additional surface-to-air missile (SAM) and unmanned aerial systems, including hundreds of longer-range attack drones with a range of over 200km.

This was said in a statement issued by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s office on Monday.

Also Britain will start training Ukrainian pilots in summer and is also working with other countries on possible dispatch of F-16s to Ukraine.

Russia Forced the U.S. to Retreat┃Washington Agreed to Moscow’s Demands

Putin’s ‘Tornado’ MLRS & Akatsiya Artillery: Double Trouble for Ukraine troops at frontline