Photo : Ukrainska Pravda
Photo : Ukrainska Pravda
War in Ukraine: Days 577 & 578
By Rishika Yadav
War on Ground
On 23 September, according to Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, the general leading Ukraine’s counteroffensive, Ukraine’s army breached Russia’s lines in southern Ukraine. Kyiv launched this effort in June to reclaim territory from Russia’s forces. Progress has been slow due to the heavily mined terrain. However, recent weeks have seen strategic advances in the Zaporizhzhia region, with the recapture of the village of Robotyne. The next objective is retaking the city of Tokmak for further advances toward occupied Melitopol and annexed Crimea.
On 23 September, in Avdiivka, Russia's army targeted the area, potentially utilizing Grad multiple-launch rocket systems. Information sourced from Medvedeva speaking to Suspilne Donbas.
On 23 September, according to Ukrainska Pravda, Tarnavskyi informed about Ukraine’s troops successfully breaching Russia’s defences in Verbove, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Leading the southern front’s counteroffensive, Tarnavskyi anticipates further breakthroughs. Media analysis of open-source videos supports claims of Ukraine’s units crossing a crucial line in Russia’s defences near Verbove.
On 24 September, Roman Mrochko, the Head of Kherson City Military Administration, reported the two strikes on Kherson and two on Antonivka. Russia’s forces launched another airstrike on Kherson, targeting the city with guided aerial bombs. Antonivka also faced the attacks. Details on casualties and damage are currently being verified. Moreover, Russia’s invaders targeted the industrial zone in Dniprovskyi district and civilian infrastructure in the Korabelnyi district of Kherson.
On 24 September, the bulk carrier Aroyat, carrying 17,600 tonnes of Ukraine’s wheat, arrived in Turkey via the Black Sea’s temporary corridor. This marks the second vessel to utilize the new routes announced by Kyiv on 10 August. The routes are for merchant ships travelling to and from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. Departing from Chornomorsk on 22 September, the Palau-flagged Aroyat was en route to Egypt.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 24 September, according to TASS, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, stated that Russia is open to talks on Ukraine. However, it will not consider ceasefire proposals due to past deception. Lavrov made these remarks during the 78th UNGA. Lavrov referred to previous negotiations in March and April 2022 that were followed by the events in Bucha. Lavrov also claimed that the West had prohibited Kyiv from negotiating with Moscow. He argued that the longer Kyiv delays talks, the harder they will become. He called for the abolition of the decree of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine’s President, against dialogue with Moscow. Lavrov criticized the US and its European allies as an “empire of lies,” accusing them of making commitments they do not fulfil. He asserted that a new world order is emerging amid a global struggle for fairer wealth distribution and diversity, contrasting it with the dominance of a few employing neo-colonial tactics.
On 22 September, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that the Kyiv regime initiated a missile attack on Sevastopol. It damaged the historic headquarters of the Black Sea Fleet. Russia’s Air Defence troops successfully intercepted and downed five missiles. Mikhail Razvozhayev, Sevastopol’s Governor, confirmed the missile strike on the Black Sea Fleet’s headquarters. The headquarters is situated in Sevastopol’s historical centre. One missile fragment fell near the Lunacharsky, Russia’s Drama Theater, in Sevastopol.
On 24 September, Roman Starovoyt, Governor of Kursk Oblast, reported that Kyiv targeted Russia’s cities, including Kursk. It is located approximately 90 kilometres from the Ukraine’s border. The strike hit an administrative building in Kursk’s central district, causing minor roof damage.
On 24 September, Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic, was imprisoned for opposing Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He has been moved to a maximum-security Siberian prison and placed in solitary confinement. Sentenced to 25 years for treason, Kara-Murza arrived at the IK-6 prison in Omsk after a three-week journey. Vadim Prokhorov, his lawyer, expressed concern, referencing Kara-Murza’s previous poisonings. He noted that he was monitored by the same Federal Security Service unit that tracked Alexey Navalny before his 2020 poisoning. Prokhorov himself left Russia shortly before Kara-Murza’s sentencing to avoid criminal prosecution.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 24 September, according to a German News Agency, DPA, around 3,500 Russia’s men of conscription age sought asylum in Germany. It was during Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but only 90 have been granted asylum. The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has processed over 1,500 applications. Many fall under the EU’s Dublin Regulation, which assigns responsibility for asylum applications. Deserters and those refusing military service can receive international protection, according to Germany’s current decision-making practice. The opposition criticized the government’s implementation of human rights commitments, highlighting a gap between promises and action.
On 23 September, the UK's Ministry of Defence gave its intelligence update on Ukraine. It reported that since February 2022, the 247th Guards Air Assault Landing Regiment, a prestigious Russia’s unit, has witnessed three consecutive commanders. They are either resigning or being killed. Colonel Vasily Popov, the latest commander, likely met his end in the fiercely contested Orikhiv sector in early September 2023. His predecessor, Colonel Pytor Popov, seemingly resigned in August 2023, reportedly in protest over the military’s handling of Russia’s casualties. Earlier in the invasion, Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky, the then-commander of the 247th, was killed near Mykolaiv.
On 24 September, in its intelligence update, the UK's Ministry of Defence reported that Russia’s customers have likely faced localized petrol and diesel shortages recently. It is likely due to various factors, such as increased demand from the agricultural sector, seasonal refinery maintenance, and favorable export prices. It is regardless of the war’s direct impact. On 21 September, Russia suspended most diesel and petrol exports to stabilize its domestic markets, potentially exacerbating global fuel supply constraints, particularly for nations reliant on Russia’s fuel.
On 24 September, according to Andrzej Duda, Poland’s President, Poland established transit corridors for Ukraine’s grain, allowing it to be exported to areas in need. This initiative aims to assist Ukraine and other countries requiring grain. A dispute arose when Poland extended its ban on Ukraine’s grain product imports beyond the EU's specified deadline. Duda expressed support for the ban while emphasizing the importance of facilitating grain transit. He noted Poland’s self-sufficiency in grain and underscored the need to ensure surplus harvests reach countries in need during the conflict. He emphasized, the grain issue should not jeopardize Polish-Ukraine relations.
The Global Fallouts
On 23 September, Zelenskyy met General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudan’s Sovereign Council leader, in Ireland’s Shannon airport. They discussed Russia’s support for illegal armed groups, emphasizing Sudan’s consistent support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. While Sudan confirmed the meeting, no details were provided. Sudan has faced internal clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group. It caused thousands of casualties and displacement of over 5.25 million people. Reports suggest Russia’s support for RSF, while claims of Ukraine’s military support were denied by both Sudan’s army and RSF.
References
“Kyiv Breaks Through Russian Lines In South: General To US Media,” Barron’s, 23 September 2023
Kateryna Tyshchenko, “Russia attacks Donetsk Oblast, killing elderly woman and injuring man,” Ukrainska Pravda, 23 September 2023
Roman Petrenko, “Ukrainian Armed Forces break through Russian defence in Verbove,” Ukrainska Pravda, 23 September 2023
“Russians hit Kherson and Antonivka with guided aerial bombs,” Ukrinform, 24 September 2023
“Second Ukrainian grain vessel reaches Turkey,” Ukrinform, 24 September 2023
“Russia ready for talks on Ukraine, but without ceasefire - Lavrov,” TASS, 24 September 2023
“Lavrov describes Western world as "empire of lies" that fails to fulfill its commitments,” TASS, 24 September 2023
“Kiev launches missile attack on Sevastopol, Russian Air Defense Troops down five missiles,” TASS, 22 September 2023
“Ukrainian Drone Strikes Russia's Kursk - Official,” The Moscow Times, 24 September 2023
“Only 90 Russians trying to avoid conscription granted German asylum,” DPA, 23 September 2023
“Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 23 September 2023,” UK’s Ministry of Defence, 23 September 2023
“Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 24 September 2023,” UK’s Ministry of Defence, 24 September 2023
Daria Shulzhenko, “Duda: Poland prepares transit corridors for Ukrainian grain,” The Kyiv Independent, 24 September 2023
Mohammed Amin, “Sudan army chief holds talks with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy,” Anadolu Ajansi, 23 September 2023
Adam Schrader, “Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza placed in 'punishment cell' in Siberian prison,” UPI, 24 September 2023