The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on October 18 2023

Battlefield Earth

Our source in the OP said that the Biden Administration has increased pressure on Zelensky on the issue of freezing the war in Ukraine. The Office of the President is required to hold elections in the spring of 2024 and complete the reforms that our Western partners “recommended.”

The Ukrainian Armed Forces have already lost two armies, and they are losing another one now, said former American diplomat Chas Freeman.
 
“At least two armies have been destroyed, and a third is being destroyed right now, attacking heavily fortified Russian defenses. We are about to see the Russians advance.”
 
The ex-diplomat also said that Zelensky was mistaken in believing that the West would defend Ukraine to the bitter end. As a result, the President of Ukraine received only a “mountain of corpses.”

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Our sources in the General Staff reported that Tarnavsky, on the initiative of the Office of the President, launched a local landing operation in the Kherson direction; special forces units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took control of a small village as a bridgehead and held it for the third day. The commander of the operational-strategic group of troops “Tavria” proposes to expand the operation to cross the Dnieper and open a second front in the Azov operation. 

Our sources in the General Staff report that Zaluzhny opposes crossing the Dnieper and considers the local successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to be the plans of the enemy, who wants to force the Ukrainian army to launch an amphibious operation. The Commander-in-Chief wants to block Tarnavsky’s initiative at headquarters in order to prevent the defeat of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces is trying to counterattack in the Kherson direction in order to try to pull back the forces of the Russian Armed Forces from the Azov and Donetsk directions.
At the moment, offensive operations are not yielding results on either side.
The war has become purely positional, with long-range missiles and UAVs playing the main role.
For both sides, this is an acceptable tactic for now. Ukraine can continue to convince everyone that their offensive operation continues, and the Russian Federation continues to strengthen its defense redoubts in the hope that funding for the Ukrainian crisis will be reduced, and the population will be tired of the long war, which will create even more problems for Kiev in replenishing manpower. At the same time, the inconclusive war triggers a case of disappointment and apathy in Ukrainian society due to corruption in Zelensky’s circle and the government.

Kherson direction: breakthrough of the AFU towards Peschanivka situation as of 13.00 October 18, 2023

Yesterday, by nightfall, after the passage of assault groups 35 and 36 infantry infantry infantry regiments, Russian troops launched an attack on enemy concentration areas. Both the advanced groups and those in reserve at the railway bridge came under fire.

As a result, the enemy suffered heavy losses and lost their combat potential. About 30 people received varying degrees of injury and retreated back to the bridge, where they took shelter while awaiting evacuation.

🔻But the Russian Armed Forces continued to strike on the opposite side of the Dnieper, hitting the battalions of the 36th infantry brigade that were preparing to cross the river with two missiles from the Iskander OTRK. Despite requests from the advanced groups of the AFU, the evacuation was never carried out.

At the moment, one of the sabotage groups with a flamethrower remaining in Peschanovka has been tasked with diverting the attention of Russian troops on the southern outskirts of the village. If successful, a reserve will be deployed to clearing the settlement and consolidate in the surrounding area.

🔻At the same time, in the evening and at night, the transfer of units from the Normandy tactical group continued from Tyaginka to Frolov Island to strike the positions of the Russian Armed Forces in Krynki simultaneously with the attack on Peschanovka.

Now the situation has stabilized thanks to massive shelling of both the forward and rear lines of the Ukrainian Navy. However, it is still a long way to completely suppress the enemy, since there are reserves, and no one has canceled plans for an offensive in the Kherson region.

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Kherson region

Currently, Peschanovka and Podstepnoe are under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. There are no enemy DRGs in the villages. There was probably reconnaissance in force.

The remnants of the enemy are hit in the head at the railway bridge.

dva_majors

Missile strike of the AFU on Sevastopol

 Around 17:00 on October 18, Ukrainian formations again tried to attack Sevastopol. Two Grom-2 operational-tactical missiles were fired from the vicinity of Belgorod-Dnestrovsky.

One missile fell near the Black Sea Fleet’s repair base in Inkerman, and the second in the Korabelnaya Wall area on the northern side of Sevastopol. According to preliminary data, there is no significant damage to the infrastructure.

Judging by the geography of the missile fall, the targets were again the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and the infrastructure of the Russian fleet in Sevastopol. The latest attacks by the AFU on the peninsula were, in one way or another, aimed at neutralizing the combat potential of the Russian Navy in the Black Sea.

And the recent attack once again confirms this. Particular attention of the authorities of the peninsula should be paid to the actions of pro-Ukrainian residents of Crimea, who deliberately whipped up panic in Sevastopol chat rooms.

 Battles at the “dragon’s teeth”: Special forces and the 42nd division repulse the offensive, destroying Ukrainian Armed Forces militants on the Zaporozhye front
 ▪️The enemy continues offensive operations on the Kopani-Rabotino-Verbovoye line. The command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is still sending infantry to attack our positions in the fields. Russian units meet the enemy with fire.
▪️Framework from the army special forces “Osman” on the destruction of assault groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine together with artillery of the 42nd motorized rifle division in the Orekhovsky direction.

 In the Avdeevsky direction.

Telegrams continue to spread information about the advance of our forces on the northern and southern flanks of Avdeevka, this is not true, our forces are in occupied positions, a number of measures are being taken to expand the bridgehead.

To understand the scale of the task: In order to hold Avdeevka, the enemy command deployed significant reinforcements, in addition to the forces already available in the direction.

So, units from the 1st brigade arrive to the west of the Karlovskoye Reservoir.
45 special forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were sent to the direction of the village of Berdychi-Stepovoe, and personnel of the 63 special forces of the Armed Forces were transferred from the rear areas of the Chernigov region to Avdeevka.
The enemy has concentrated a significant number of guns in the Avdeevsky direction; 155 mm howitzers are actively used, the firing range of which does not allow them to be suppressed in a timely manner from cannon artillery.

Our aviation and artillery have again increased the density of fire, however, we ask you not to rush things.

negumanitarnaya_pomosch_Z

The situation in the Bakhmut (Artemovsk) and Avdeevka directions as of 10/19/2023 – analysis from @Multi_XAM

 The offensive of the Russian Armed Forces, during which it was supposed to take Avdeevka into the operational encirclement in a wide way, blocking the largest fortified area of ​​the AFU, encountered reinforced enemy defenses. A couple of months ago, the Russian Armed Forces carried out reconnaissance in force, attacking the positions of the AFU southwest of Avdeevka in the Lastochkino area and in the northeast – in the Krasnogorovka area, where they managed to advance. Then our units encountered organized resistance from the enemy, which is not surprising – the AFU have been strengthening here since 2014. The Avdeevka fortified area is not just a “headache” for Donetsk, where all the shelling comes from. Avdeevka is the most important node in the defense of the AFU in the Donetsk operational direction, which is connected through Pokrovsk with Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka. Uninterruptedly functioning logistics of the AFU in this area, which we are already talking about!!! tired of talking, ensures the operational transfer of reserves in the defense zone from Kurakhovo to Konstantinovka and Chasov Yar with access to the southern flank of Bakhmut.

In the battles for Avdeevka, large units are involved, which significantly distinguishes the fighting here from other sectors of the front (Zaporozhye, Vremevsky salient, Bakhmut flanks). Although, with a smaller number of units in the Rabotino-Verbovoye area, a higher intensity of combat operations was noted with a smaller number of attacking and defending units. The most acute situation remains in the Krasnogorsk sector, where our units came close to the railway a few days ago, creating a threat of cutting off supplies to Avdeevka in the industrial area.

Over the past three days, the enemy has been actively gathering reserves into a 30-km reserve basing area. Moreover, attention is drawn to the fact of the transfer of reserves from Kramatorsk through Alekseevo-Druzhkovka to Konstantinovka, with the subsequent movement of fresh units and supplies to Avdeevka. In parallel with this, the enemy is regrouping forces and assets in the zone from the northwestern outskirts of Bakhmut to Toretsk with the concentration of units of the 17th separate tank brigade, the 5th separate assault brigade, the 113th, 118th and 241st separate territorial defense brigades (TrD). Formations of the 93rd, as well as the 28th mechanized brigade, the 104th separate TrO brigade and the 24th separate mechanized brigade stretched in the southwestern direction. Some of the fairly battered units from under the southern flank of Bakhmut are being withdrawn for reorganization, despite the victorious reports of the enemy’s media resources. The enemy boldly paints over Kleshcheevka with the colors of his zone of control, which is not true. This is something we have repeatedly talked about, noting that this territory is a “gray zone” under the fire control of the artillery of the Russian Armed Forces.

On October 3, we wrote about the enemy’s plans in the Bakhmut direction, where, in fact, little has changed, noting that the main goal of the AFU at the moment is to block our logistics along the Bakhmut – Gorlovka route. The command of the AFU suggested that it would be problematic for us to concentrate a strike force in the Avdeevka area if combat-ready units got stuck on the southern flank of Bakhmut, with a breakdown in logistics and the localization of our units on a threat-producing sector of the front.

The conclusion is simple – the strike on Avdeevka will be much more effective if we shift the focus of attention from the front line to the reserve echelon with an eye on Pokrovsk and further on the Pavlograd junction and the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk group. A strike on logistics should have preceded a strike on the Avdeevka fortified area.

At the same time, we reserve the right to operate with the conclusions of military analysts, without claiming the level of combat planning)))
@Multi_XAM

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (18 October 2023) Part I
▫️In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery repelled 13 attacks of assault detachments of the AFU 14th, 32nd, 43rd, and 115th mechanised brigades near Sinkovka, Ivanovka, Pershotravnevoye, Orlyanskoye (Kharkov region), and Sergeyevka (Lugansk People’s Republic).

▫️Helicopters and heavy flamethrower systems delivered strikes on manpower and hardware of the AFU 68nd Jaeger Brigade and 103rd Territorial Defence Brigade near Nadiya (Lugansk People’s Republic) and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

▫️AFU losses amounted to up to 80 servicemen, three tanks, one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, three armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, as well as one Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system.

▫️In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery repelled one attack of an assault detachment of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic).

▫️Ground-attack aircraft and helicopters launched strikes at manpower and hardware of the AFU 67h Mechanised Brigade, 5th National Guard Brigade, 1st Special Operations Brigade, and 110th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Grigorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic), and Serebryansky forestry.

▫️The enemy losses were up to 60 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two pick-up trucks.

▫️In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces supported by aviation and artillery inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 28th, 42nd, 67th, 93rd mechanised brigades, 112th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 79th Airborne Brigade close to Kurdyumovka, Andreyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Khromovo, and Mariynka (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▫️The enemy in this direction lost up to 115 servicemen killed and wounded, two armoured fighting vehicles, two pick-up trucks, one D-20 howitzer, and one Msta-B howitzer.

▫️In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces supported by helicopters and artillery repelled one attack of an assault detachment of the AFU 102th Territorial Defence Brigade close to Chervonoye (Zaporozhye region).

▫️Ground-attack aircraft and helicopters launched strikes on manpower and hardware of the AFU 79th Airborne Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade, 58th Motorised Brigade, 107th and 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Novomikhailovka, Pavlovka, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▫️The enemy’s losses amounted to up to 170 servicemen, two pick-up trucks, as well as one Rapira anti-tank gun.

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (18 October 2023) Part II

▫️In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces supported by ground-attack aircraft, helicopters, and artillery repelled one attack of an assault detachment of the AFU 71st Jaeger Brigade close to Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

▫️In addition, strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of the AFU 82nd Airborne Brigade and 116th Mechanised Brigade near Uspenovka (Zaporozhye region).

▫️The enemy lost up to 85 servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made M119 howitzer in this direction.

▫️In Kherson direction, actions of four Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were foiled close to Podstepnoye and Poyma (Kherson region).

▫️Up to 70 servicemen and two motor vehicles have been neutralised by fire.

▫️In the course of counterbattery warfare, one U.S.-made M777 artillery system and two D-30 howitzers were wiped out.

▫️Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged AFU manpower and hardware in 147 areas during the day.

▫️In addition, one air-delivered ordnance depot of the Ukrainian Air Force was destroyed at Lozovoye airfield (Dnepropetrovsk region).

▫️Command and observation posts of the AFU 67th Mechanised Brigade and 102nd Territorial Defence Brigade were destroyed near Serebryanka (Donetsk People’s Republic) and Malinovka (Zaporozhye region).

▫️The Black Sea Fleet units neutralised one AFU uncrewed surface vehicle in the Black Sea waters.

▫️Air defence systems have shot down four HIMARS MLRS shells and one U.S.-made JDAM aerial guided bomb.

▫️Moreover, 51 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down near Donetsk, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic), Losovoye (Donetsk People’s Republic), Kamenskoye, Chervonogorka, Novofedorovka (Zaporozhye region), and Kazachi Lageri, Sagi (Kherson region), and Zhovtnevoye (Kharkov region).

Russian Defence Ministry (https://t.me/mod_russia_en)

@Slavyangrad

Map of military operations and the situation on the fronts on the evening of October 18

😌 The lack of clear results from the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Zaporozhye led the Ukrainian command to attempt to cross the Dnieper. The enemy managed to cross east of Kherson and even gain a foothold on the outskirts of the village of Peschanovka. Now the main task of the Russian army in this area is to prevent the enemy from creating a bridgehead on our shore. Now there are no large forces, fortifications or mines there, so it is necessary to quickly knock out the Armed Forces of Ukraine from recently occupied positions and drown the enemy potential in the river, even if it has become shallow.

⚔️The situation on the fronts over the past 24 hours:

⚫️Svatovo-Kremennoe direction

 In the Kupyansky sector, battles near Sinkovka and Liman Pervoy do not stop. In addition, ours advanced in the Makeevka area.

⚫️Bakhmutskoe (Artemovskoe) direction

 In Kleshcheevka , the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to advance in the area of ​​the railway; heavy fighting is taking place. In Andreevka , the Russian army continues to hold the defense.

⚫️Donetsk direction

 The Russian army attacked in the Stepnoye area and expanded the zone of control at Severnoye and Pervomaiskoye. At the Maryinsky site there were no major changes during the day.

⚫️ Zaporozhye direction

 In the Orekhovsky sector, Russian army fighters counterattacked in the direction of Novodanilovka , southwest of Rabotino , and also in the Verbovoy area.

⚡️ The Russian army worked on enemy infrastructure in Kharkov. Apparently, the strike hit a local substation in the Industrial District, after which power and water were lost. In addition, the Elektrotyazhmash plant, which is used to repair Ukrainian tanks, is located in this area.

readovkanews

Chronicles of the special military operation for October 18, 2023

 Ukrainian formations attempted to strike Crimea with two Grom-2 missiles. One missile fell near the Black Sea Fleet repair base in Inkerman, and the second in the area of ​​the Korabelnaya Wall in the north of Sevastopol, preliminary, there was no damage. An S-200 missile was shot down in the Kara – Koba area.

In the Kherson direction, fighting continues in the Peschanivka area, where the Russian Armed Forces launched multiple strikes on enemy personnel, forcing them to retreat to the coastline. At the moment, the AFU are holding a bridgehead, and a Ukrainian recon groups is operating on the southern outskirts of the settlement.

In other sectors of the front, relative calm remains: bad weather and heavy losses hinder the enemy’s offensive potential. Nevertheless, positional clashes are taking place in the Avdeevsky sector, and the Russian Armed Forces are building on their success near a section of the E50 highway.

Russian troops carried out attacks on rear targets of Ukrainian formations, including in Kramatorsk, Dnepropetrovsk and Kharkov. In Pavlograd, a chemical plant was hit, and in Zaporizhia, the Dynamo sports base came under fire, but as a result of an abnormal activation of air defense, one of the anti-aircraft missiles hit a residential building, killing five people.

rybar

Front #Summary for 18 Oct 2023 by 19:16⚡️

🔹In #Kherson Direction, a new AFU offensive phase has begun. After several days of powerful artillery preparation, the enemy sent Marine assault groups to our #Dnieper side. For unknown reason our army was not ready, and the AFU was able to reach the #Poyma and #Peschanovka villages and started to entrench. Today, our artillery and UAV strikes inflicted significant damage, and the AFU withdrew with heavy losses back to the bridge, where fights now continue. The AFU deployed Marine Brigades, and a lot of boats, and pontoon-bridge equipment, so further attempts are awaited.

🔹In #Zaporozhye Direction, against the backdrop of improving weather, fighting continues, the AFU again bring in reserves. Our army is trying to seize the initiative, they counterattacked from #Kopani and near #Verbovoye, but so far without serious changes in the frontline.

🔹In #Donetsk Direction, the AFU command continues to reinforce significant the existing considerable forces. Our forces also increase the number of attack orders. Our units took new positions and try to expand bridgeheads on the southern and northern flank. At #Steponoye (#Petrovskoye), our forces run into strong AFU fortifications, but at #Pervomayskoye and #Severnoye we managed to advance a little. From #Spartak towards the Tsarskaya Okhota Restaurant, which have turned into a fortification, there are also constant attacks by our army. Field reports say that losses are heavy on both sides.

🔹In #Bakhmut Direction, the AFU still managed to advance near #Kleshcheyevka and cross the railway line, heavy fighting is ongoing. So far, our army has not managed to stop the enemy’s advance.

🔹In #Svatovo Directions, the battles continue near Liman 1st and #Sinkovka, near the #Zherebets River in the area of #Sergeyevka and #Raygorodka. The AFU resists fiercely. In the area of #Makeyevka, our advance on #Borovaya was about a half km.

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Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2023/10/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on_18.html