ISW: Russians rush to tell about losses during Ukraine counteroffensive

Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least two sectors of the frontline on August 13 and reportedly advanced in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhia Oblast area and in western Zaporizhia Oblast. 

According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the offensive operations were conducted in the Berdyansk (western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhzhia region) and Melitopol (western Zaporizhzhia region) directions and achieved partial success near Robotyne (western Zaporizhia Oblast, 13km south of Orikhiv), Caliber.Az reports, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

“On August 12, Several Russian sources claimed that Russian forces withdrew from Urozhaine (in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast area), although many Russian sources refuted those claims on August 13 and claimed instead that Russian forces still occupy the southern part of Urozhaine, that fighting is ongoing, and that areas of Urozhaine are contested,” the ISW said in a report.

As the ISW analysts say, on August 12, a Russian military blogger complained that the Russian 37th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (36th Combined Arms Army, Eastern Military District) failed to dedicate tank units to support its infantry in Urozhaine and prematurely withdrew from Urozhaine on August 10.

The blogger complained that the entire 36th Combined Arms Army (CAA) is unwilling to defend the settlement while the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) “Kaskad” Operational Tactical Combat Formation and the 40th Naval Infantry Brigade (Pacific Fleet) defend Urozhaine.

According to several sources, command purges in Russian army units fighting in the southern direction may have resulted in mid-level Russian commanders being more frequently blamed for Russian military failures.

 Key Takeaways:

• Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least two sectors of the front on August 13 and reportedly advanced in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhia Oblast area and in western Zaporizhia Oblast.
• ISW has not observed confirmation that Russian forces have completely withdrawn from Urozhaine and Russian forces likely currently maintain positions in at least the southern part of the settlement.
• Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove line and attempted to regain lost positions near Bakhmut, in the Donetsk-Zaporizhia Oblast border area, and in western Zaporizhia Oblast, and reportedly advanced in some areas.
• Ukrainian partisans claimed to have attacked a Russian military base in occupied Mariupol on August 13.