September 23, 2023

Russian Ministry of Defense: 1,455 Ukrainian combat casualties in the past week

Russian Defense Ministry

In the period from 17 to 23 September 2023, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 12 group strikes with long-range ground-based and air-launched precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities for the repair of aircraft and armoured vehicles, oil refineries, storage depots for ammunition, precision weapons, and weapons of foreign manufacture, centres for the reconnaissance and training of Ukrainian militants, as well as locations where foreign mercenaries were stationed.

▫️ As a result of the strikes, significant damage was inflicted on the logistics system of the AFU groups operating in Kherson and Zaporozhye directions, the capabilities of the enemy’s repair and recovery bodies were reduced, and part of the stocks of cruise missiles and depleted uranium ammo, launchers of multiple-launch rocket launchers, and anti-aircraft missile systems transferred by the West to Ukraine were destroyed.

▫️ In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have repelled 28 attacks launched by assault groups of the 53rd and 110th Mechanised, 79th Air Assault, and 3rd Assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces close to Kleshcheyevka, Avdeevka, and Maryinka (Donetsk People’s Republic) during this period.

▫️ Over the past week, as a result of air, missile, and artillery strikes in this direction, the enemy’s losses amounted to more than 1,455 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, 16 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, 15 field artillery pieces, and three MLRS combat vehicles. In addition, three ammunition depots and two military echelons of the 37th AFU Marine Brigade were destroyed at loading stations.

▫️ In South Donetsk direction, Russian units have repelled five enemy attacks with concerted action during the week, continuing to defeat clusters of AFU manpower and hardware. The enemy’s losses in this direction amounted to over 950Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 14 armoured fighting vehicles, 32 motor vehicles, and five field artillery pieces. In addition, two ammunition depots were wiped out.

▫️ As a result of the significant losses and the low morale, the Kiev regime is withdrawing units of the 38th Marine Brigade and the 110th Territorial Defence Brigade of the AFU to rear areas to restore combat capability.

▫️ In Zaporozhye direction,  Russian troops repelled eight attacks by combined assault groups of the 71st Jeager, 47th Mechanised, and 46th Airmobile brigades of the AFU near Rabotino and Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region). During the fighting, more than 515 Ukrainian servicemen, 24 armoured fighting vehicles and 19 motor vehicles were destroyed. In addition, 35 enemy field artillery pieces were neutralised as part of counter-battery warfare.

▫️ In Kupyansk direction, Russian units continued to hit the manpower and equipment of the 14th, 30th and 32nd mechanised and 25th airborne brigades of the AFU in the areas of Sinkovka, Ivanovka, and Berestovoye (Kharkov region). More than 215 Ukrainian troops, six armoured fighting vehicles, 18 motor vehicles, 24 field artillery guns, and one U.S.-made M1097 Avenger missile system were destroyed in this area.

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades and the 12th Special Operations Brigade made unsuccessful attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops near Yampolovka and Torskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic) Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic) and Serebryansky forestry. As a result of courageous action by units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, air strikes, artillery fire and heavy flame-throwing systems, 15 enemy attacks were repelled.

▫️ The enemy’s losses in this direction amounted to up to 435 Ukrainian servicemen killed and wounded, 15 armoured fighting vehicles, 16 motor vehicles, and eight guns.

▫️ In Kherson direction, the enemy made unsuccessful attempts to seize bridgeheads on islands and the left bank of the Dnepr River. In military operations, the AFU have lost up to 445 Ukrainian troops, nine armoured fighting vehicles, 35motor vehicles, 11 field artillery guns. In addition, eight sabotage and reconnaissance groups were disabled.

▫️ During the week, the enemy attempted to strike facilities on the Crimean Peninsula with cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. In the course of repelling the attacks, Russian air defence systems destroyed five cruise missiles, one Neptun anti-ship missile, and 37 attack drones.

▫️ Fighter jets of the Russian Armed Forces and air defence system have destroyed the following aircraft over the past week: Su-24m, Mig-29, and two Su-25 ground-attack aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Novovladimirovka (Nikolayev region) and Novorozovka and Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region).

▫️ In addition, Russian strike drones hit a Ukrainian Mig-29 fighter jet at the Dolgintsevo airfield (Dnepropetrovsk region), as well as two ST-68 radar stations for detecting low-altitude aerial targets near Volnyansk (Zaporozhye region) and P-18 and PRV-16 radar stations for detecting aerial targets near Novopetrovka (Kherson region).

▫️ Air defence and electronic warfare systems have shot down and suppressed 257 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles during the week and intercepted 46 HIMARS MLRS shells, nine Storm Shadow cruise missiles, two JDAM air bombs, and three HARM anti-radiation missiles.

📊 In total, 477 airplanes and 249 helicopters, 7,067 unmanned aerial vehicles, 438 air defence missile systems, 12,071 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,154 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 6,502 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 13,351 units of special military equipment 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.