Search

Russia is intensifying its military efforts in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, with a focus on capturing the logistics center of Pokrovsk and gaining control of the high ground in Chasiv Yar. These two cities are seen as crucial for Russia to achieve its goal of taking the rest of the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine is fighting to defend Pokrovsk despite being outgunned and outnumbered. Both sides are vying for an advantage before the arrival of winter and the upcoming U.S. presidential election. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the use of large drones by Ukrainian forces to resupply troops on the front lines of the conflict in Ukraine. The drones, known as Vampires, are able to carry essential supplies such as water, ammunition, and food to soldiers in the trenches. The drones are used due to the difficulty of transporting supplies by vehicles, which are vulnerable to attack drones. The article follows a four-man team from the Achilles drone battalion as they carry out a resupply mission. Despite the risks involved, the use of drones has greatly improved the ability to deliver supplies to troops and reduce the need for soldiers to risk their lives in the process. [Extracted from the article]

Shakhtar Donetsk, a soccer team based in the Donbas region of Ukraine, has not been able to play a home game since 2014 due to war and instability in the area. Despite this, the team has continued to win and has become a symbol of resilience for Ukrainian sports during a national crisis. Shakhtar has had to play in borrowed stadiums and temporary accommodations in different cities, and even travel long distances for their home games in the Champions League. The team has faced challenges such as losing foreign players and their manager, but has managed to rebuild and promote young players from their youth academy. The players have made sacrifices, such as being separated from their families, to keep the team going. [Extracted from the article]

Russian forces have recently seized several villages in eastern Ukraine, taking advantage of the delay in promised U.S. military aid. Ukrainian troops have retreated from these captured villages, highlighting their vulnerability after months of waiting for aid and their failure to mobilize more soldiers. While Russia has not achieved a large-scale breakthrough, it is gradually advancing towards its goal of taking control of Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland. The recent setbacks for Ukraine are not solely due to delays in Western support, and it will take time for Ukraine to arm, train, and prepare new recruits. [Extracted from the article]

Concerns are growing over Ukraine's ability to maintain its weapons in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia. Many of the weapons donated by the West have been destroyed or damaged, and Ukraine is struggling to receive a steady flow of parts from the US. As a result, Ukraine is resorting to making its own spare parts and cannibalizing other weapons for vital components. Some foreign arms companies are planning to conduct repairs in Ukraine to help alleviate the issue. However, the variety of different Western and Soviet-era weapons in use poses a challenge for Ukrainian mechanics, who sometimes resort to using uncertified components. Despite the risks, Ukrainian engineers feel they have no choice but to take them in order to keep their weapons operational. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and emphasizes that the outcome of this conflict is not only crucial for Ukraine but also for the future of the West. The Russian offensive in Ukraine was met with resistance, and the Ukrainian counteroffensive was hindered by a lack of necessary weaponry and delays in supply. The article suggests that the war is likely to continue through 2024 and beyond, and highlights the importance of the U.S. presidential election in determining the future of the conflict. It also emphasizes that a loss for Ukraine would have significant implications for the U.S., its allies, and the international order. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the challenging conditions faced by Ukrainian soldiers in the trenches of eastern Ukraine. The soldiers not only have to deal with constant artillery fire and static defensive lines but also with mud and a rodent infestation. The muddy season, which lasts from October through winter, hampers movement and affects morale. The rodents get into beds, clothes, and food stocks, adding to the soldiers' miseries. Killing rodents is difficult due to their fast breeding rate. The article also mentions the Azov Brigade, a Ukrainian military unit, and its efforts to defend against Russian forces. The soldiers in the trenches face knee-high mud, rodents running up their sleeves, and unclaimed Russian corpses being eaten by rats and worms. The harsh conditions, particularly the mud, wetness, and cold, can have a serious impact on the soldiers' performance in battle. The article concludes by highlighting the toll the war takes on the soldiers and their longing for it to end. [Extracted from the article]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered the construction of a network of fortifications to hold back Russian forces, signaling a shift to a defensive posture after a counteroffensive yielded only small gains. Zelensky's announcement came after visiting military commanders and soldiers and touring schools operating from bomb shelters due to the threat of Russian shelling. The focus of the fortifications will be in the east and northeast, where Russia has been seeking to advance. Zelensky called on private companies and donors to finance and build the fortifications, emphasizing their importance. The push to retake land has stalled due to a shortage of manpower and arms, and Ukraine has called for further weapons supplies from the West. Zelensky has expressed concerns that the conflict between Israel and Hamas is diverting attention from the war in Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

Russian prisoners of war (POWs) captured by Ukrainian troops in the battle for Avdiivka describe the high cost of Russia's offensive in Ukraine. Many of the captured soldiers claim they ended up among Ukrainians by mistake or got lost, as voluntary surrender is a crime in Russia. The Russian troops are facing heavy casualties as they push into Avdiivka, with the Ukrainians referring to their assaults as "meat waves." If Russia takes Avdiivka, it could lead to further advances in the Donetsk region and be a propaganda win for President Vladimir Putin. The POWs describe their motivations for joining the Russian army, their training, and the low morale of their units after being ordered to conduct costly assaults. [Extracted from the article]

Russian troops are facing heavy casualties as they attempt to encircle the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have been able to repel most of the Russian attacks, but the constant influx of Russian troops is wearing down the depleted Ukrainian units. Capturing Avdiivka would be a significant victory for Russia and a propaganda win for President Vladimir Putin. Both sides are struggling to maneuver on the mined terrain, but Russia's larger population allows them to sustain heavy losses. The Ukrainian army is also facing challenges in replacing their infantry losses and lacks sufficient ammunition. The battle for Avdiivka could mark the beginning of a defensive period for Ukraine, as they face limited support from the US and Europe. The attacking Russian infantry is poorly trained and often makes easy targets, but they continue to advance. Some Russian soldiers have surrendered rather than continue with near-suicidal assaults. The Ukrainian forces are exhausted and in need of rest and rotation. Avdiivka has been a thorn in the side of Russian forces since 2014, and its capture would open up further advances for Russia in the region. The battle for Avdiivka is the largest battle in Putin's attempt to subjugate Ukraine. [Extracted from the article]

The war in Gaza has brought attention to the challenges of accurately counting casualties in conflicts. Researchers caution that casualty counts are often inaccurate and cannot be easily compared between different conflicts. Belligerents have motivations to downplay their own civilian deaths while highlighting those of their enemies. International organizations face difficulties in accessing conflict zones and collecting reliable data. The number of deaths in Gaza is disputed, with the Gaza health ministry reporting over 10,000 deaths, while the United Nations does not currently have its own figures. Comparisons between conflicts, such as Gaza and Ukraine, are complicated by different methodologies and omissions in casualty estimates. Detailed verification of casualties can take years, and in some cases, it may never be possible. Researchers sometimes estimate the percentage of a population that died in a war by asking survivors about their siblings. However, numbers can be wrong in both directions, and inaccurate counts can distract from the importance of preventing civilian deaths in conflicts. [Extracted from the article]

Russia launched a large-scale assault on the small eastern city of Avdiivka in Ukraine, but the attack did not go well for them. Ukraine's military claimed to have destroyed dozens of Russian tanks and armored vehicles and killed hundreds of Russian troops while losing little territory. The assault may mark a turning point in the conflict, as Moscow tries to retake the offensive. However, it is unclear if either side can significantly move the front line, which has remained relatively stable for almost a year. [Extracted from the article]

This Wall Street Journal article provides a detailed account of the intense battle between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the village of Andriivka in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers, including a soldier nicknamed Sniper, successfully launched an assault on Russian bunkers, resulting in the capture of the village. The article also explores the differing opinions on the strategic importance of retaking the city of Bakhmut, which Russia had previously seized. It highlights the high cost of casualties for Ukraine and provides a firsthand account of a Ukrainian soldier's experience during the battle, including the use of explosive drones and artillery. [Extracted from the article]

Keywords: gfx-contrib; ukraine; wsjworld; Donbas; Developing Economies; Central/Eastern Europe; Europe; SYND; WSJ-PRO-WSJ.com; central EN gfx-contrib ukraine wsjworld Donbas Developing Economies Central/Eastern Europe Europe SYND WSJ-PRO-WSJ.com central N.PAG N.PAG 1 10/03/23 20230929 NES 230929 New systems eliminate surprises, make it harder to gain ground in armored assaults CHASIV YAR, Ukraine - Wearing video goggles, a Ukrainian trooper crouched on the top floor of a gutted high-rise and piloted a small drone into the nearby Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut. New types of drones, developed domestically and imported, are reaching the battlefield all the time - including naval drones that Ukraine has successfully used to damage Russia's Black Sea Fleet. [Extracted from the article]