August 18, 2023

Russian Ministry of Defense: up to 810 Ukrainian troops killed in 24 hours

Russian Defense Ministry

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

▫️ In Donetsk direction, active and coordinated actions of the Yug Group of Forces supported by ground-attack and army aviation repelled three AFU attacks close to Avdeyevka, Berestooye, and Maryinka (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

▫️ The enemy’s losses have amounted to around 220 Ukrainian troops killed and wounded, three armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M-777 artillery system, one D-20 howitzer, and two Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

▫️ Furthermore, three ammunition supply points of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were obliterated near Dyleyevka, Dzerzhinsk, and Novopokrovskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▫️ In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, strikes of Operational-Tactical Aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrowers repelled an enemy’s attack close to Nikolskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), and inflicted fire damage on the AFU units near Urozhainoye and Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

▫️ Up to 210 Ukrainian servicemen, two infantry fighting vehicles, two armoured combat vehicles, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-made M777 artillery systems, and one MT-12 Rapira anti-tank gun have been neutralised during the day.

▫️ In Kupyansk direction, artillery and Army Aviation of the Zapad Group of Forces successfully repelled seven attacks and counter-attacks of the enemy close to Novosyolovskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic), Sinkovka, Olshana, and Mankovka Urochische (Kharkov region).

▫️ A munition depot of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was annihilated close to Kamenka (Kharkov region).

▫️ Total enemy losses in this direction amounted to up to 75 Ukrainian servicemen, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, and one Polish-made Krab self-propelled system.

▫️ In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces, army aviation, and artillery repelled two enemy attacks close to Grigorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic) and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic).

▫️ Up to 80 Ukrainian personnel, three armoured fighting vehicles, and two pick-up trucks have been eliminated.

▫️ The Russian grouping of forces supported by artillery close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region) repelled two attacks of the enemy and disable one sabotage and reconnaissance unit in Zaporozhye direction.

▫️ Up to 195 Ukrainian troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system, and one U.K.-made L119 howitzer have been neutralised during the day.

▫️ In Kherson direction, the enemy suffered losses of up to 30 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and one AN/TPQ-37 counterbattery radar station as a result of fire damage.

▫️ Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian grouping of troops engaged manpower, and military hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in 143 areas.

▫️ Fighter aviation of Russian Aerospace Forces has shot down one Su-25 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force near Verolyubovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▫️ Air defence systems have shot down a Su-25 airplane of Ukrainian Air Force near Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region).

▫️ In addition, 26 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Verkhnyaya Duvanka, Kremennaya, Privolye, Lisichansk (Lugansk People’s Republic), Berestovoye, Krasnaya Gora, Volodino, Orlinskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), Lyubimovka, Rabotino, and Tokmak (Zaporozhye region).

📊 In total, 461 airplanes and 246 helicopters, 5,831 unmanned aerial vehicles, 431 air defence missile systems, 11,366 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,144 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,928 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 12,307 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.