September 9, 2023

Russian Defense Ministry

From 2 September to 9 September, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out six group strikes with high-precision long-range sea- and air-based armament and unmanned aerial vehicles against Ukrainian radio-technical reconnaissance facilities, port infrastructure, the production of unmanned boats, ammunition and Western weapons, fuel depots, as well as training bases for AFU sabotage groups and terrorists from the so-called  ‘Russian Volunteer Corps’.

▫️In addition, as a result of aviation strikes, the work of strategic radio-technical reconnaissance systems, as well as the logistical support of AFU troop groups operating in the Kherson and Zaporozhye was disrupted.

▫️In Zaporozhye direction, AFU units continued unsuccessful attempts to break through the defences of Russian troops close to Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

▫️The enemy 39 times threw assault units of  46th aeromobile, 47th mechanised, 82nd air assault brigades, as well as the 15th Brigade of Ukrainian National Guard into battle to break through Russian positions.

▫️To support the offensive actions of the AFU units in this direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have deployed a group of up to 360 artillery pieces, of which more than 160 are Western-manufactured pieces of 155mm calibre.

▫️All enemy attacks were repelled by the self-sacrificing actions of Russian servicemen.

▫️During the fierce fighting in this area, more than 845 Ukrainian servicemen, 27 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, including one UK-made Challenger tank and 25 vehicles were eliminated. In the course of the counter-battery fight, 63 enemy field artillery guns were eliminated.

▫️The 82nd Air Assault Brigade of the AFU alone has lost up to 500 servicemen killed and wounded over the past week.

▫️In South Donetsk direction, units of the Russian forces repelled four enemy attacks with concerted action during the week, continuing to inflict a comprehensive fire attack on AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas.

▫️Over the past period, the total losses of the enemy in this direction were over 1,230 Ukrainian soldiers, 24 armoured fighting vehicles, 37 motor vehicles, as well as 17 field artillery guns.

▫️In Donetsk direction, the competent actions of units of the Yug Group of Forces repelled 56 attacks by Ukrainian troops, as a result of which more than 2,100 servicemen, 23 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 45 vehicles and 30 field artillery pieces were eliminated.

▫️In Kupyansk direction, Russian units of the Zapad Group of Forces continued to improve the tactical situation in their areas of responsibility by conducting active operations.

▫️During the week, 22 attacks were repelled in this direction, during which the enemy losses were up to 425 Ukrainian servicemen, eight armoured fighting vehicles, 18 cars and pickup trucks, as well as 15 artillery pieces.

▫️In Krasny Liman direction, 12 enemy attacks were successfully repelled as a result of the actions of the Tsentr Group of Forces’ units, aviation strikes, artillery fire and heavy flamethrower systems.

▫️The losses of the AFU units were more than 450 servicemen, 13 armoured fighting vehicles, 15 motor vehicles and seven guns.

▫️In Kherson direction, the main efforts were concentrated on the fire defeat of AFU manpower, as well as on preventing landings on islands in the Dnieper River bed, and counter-battery warfare.

▫️During the fulfilment of combat missions, an attempt to land troops in the area of Tendrovskaya Spit Island was prevented.

▫️In addition, five Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were destroyed.

▫️Up to 355 Ukrainian AFU servicemen, one tank, 32 vehicles, and 12 field artillery guns were eliminated in this direction.

▫️Ships of the Black Sea Fleet during combat duty in the southern part of the Kerch Strait have detected and destroyed three Ukrainian unmanned semi-submersible boats attempting to attack the Crimean bridge.

▫️In addition, four high-speed boats with landing groups of the AFU special operations forces, totalling up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen, were eliminated by Naval Aviation aircraft in the waters of the Black Sea west of the Crimean peninsula.

▫️Operational-Tactical Aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, and air defence systems shot down one MiG-29 aircraft and one Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force during the week, as well as destroyed launchers of the S-300ps anti-aircraft missile system near the village of Lyubimovka (Zaporozhye region).

▫️Russian air defence and electronic warfare systems destroyed and suppressed 247 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including 23 in the western regions of the Russian Federation during the week.

▫️In addition, 49 HIMARS MLRS projectiles, three JDAM guided aerial bombs, and one HARM anti-radiation missile were intercepted.

In total, 467 airplanes, 248 helicopters, 6,540 unmanned aerial vehicles, 436 air defence missile systems, 11,742 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,149 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,306 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 12,840 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.