Russia's war on Ukraine. 21.08.24
Operational situation
In the operational zone of the Ukrainian Operational Group of Forces (OTG) "Kharkiv" the enemy continued offensive and assault actions on the Kharkiv direction, Russian terrorists launched 9 assaults on the positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces in the areas of Vovchansk and Lyptsi.
In the "Khortytsia" Operational-Strategic Group of Forces (OSG) operational zone on the Kupyansk direction, the enemy attacked 12 times. Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 10 attacks near Petropavlivka, Berestove, Stelmakhivka, Synkivka, and Stepova Novoselivka. On the Lyman direction, Russian forces, with air support, attacked Ukrainian defenders 18 times in the areas of Makiivka, Novosadove, Hrekivka, and Dibrova. The enemy was stopped. The enemy made 5 attempts to dislodge Ukrainian Defense Forces from their positions in the areas of Vyimka and Pereyizne on the Siversk direction. All attacks were repelled. On the Kramatorsk direction, Ukrainian Defense Fource stopped 6 Russian attempts to advance near Chasiv Yar, Klishchiivka, and Ivanivske. On the Toretsk direction, the occupiers, with air support, attacked the positions of Ukrainian Defense Forces 23 times near New York, Nelipivka, Toretsk, and Zalizne.
In the "Tavriya" OSG operational zone, the enemy's main efforts are focused on the Pokrovsk direction, where they attacked 62 times in the areas of Vozdvyzhenka, Mykhailivka, Kalynivka, Novohrodivka, Hrodivka, Mykolaivka, Ptyche, Skuchne, and Zelene Pole. On the Kurakhove direction, Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 9 attacks. The invaders attempted to advance near Kostyantynivka, Krasnohorivka, and Karlivka. On the Vremivka direction, the aggressor attempted twice to assault the forward defense line toward Vodyane. Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped the enemy's attack, and the battle continues. On the Orikhiv direction, enemy units twice unsuccessfully attempted to advance toward Novodanylivka and near Mala Tokmachka.
In the operational zone of "Odesa" OSG on the Prydniprovskiy direction, 5 enemy assaults were unsuccessful. No positions were lost.
General conclusion:
Ukrainian Defense Forces have advanced 28-35 km deep into Kursk Oblast and now control 93 towns and villages (1,263 square kilometers).
The Ukrainian advance in Kursk Oblast aims to exert pressure on the Russian military command, forcing it to redeploy some forces from the front lines in Ukraine to Kursk Oblast, which could affect the pace and prospects of the enemy's offensive efforts in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Defense Forces aim to create a buffer zone on Russian territory to prevent shelling of Sumy Oblast and to outpace the enemy in the operational deployment of forces in this direction.
The redeployment and deployment of reserves to Kursk Oblast may impact the pace of Russian offensive operations in other directions, but it will take several weeks to see this impact.
The pace of the enemy's advance on the Pokrovsk direction will depend on how well-manned and equipped the “Tavriya” OSG units defending Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk are.
From a logistical perspective, it is unjustified for Russia to transfer ships for repairs to other naval bases, such as Novorossiysk, due to their limited ship repair capabilities.
Russian forces use aviation and UAVs for reconnaissance of the western and southern coasts of Crimea instead of damaged surface ships, which reduces the combat capability of the Black Sea Fleet.
The Russian military command is extremely reluctant to withdraw troops from priority areas in Donetsk Oblast due to concerns about further slowing the pace of their offensive.
Change in the line of contact (LoC):
There were 153 combat engagements on various fronts.
On the Kursk Direction: Ukrainian Defense Forces continued their offensive in Kursk Oblast, striking pontoon bridges and engineering equipment in the western part of their operational zone in the Glushkovo district. They captured Vishniovka, advanced near Viktorovka, between Snagost and Korenevo, north of Kremyanoe, northwest of Pogrebki, east of Mala Loknya, southeast of Sudzha, in wooded areas north of Russkoe Porechie, toward the western outskirts of Russkaya Konopelka, and west along Sudzhansky Put Street in the eastern part of Korenevo, continuing to assault the outskirts of Korenevo.
Russian forces regained some lost positions and advanced in the fields south of Safonovka.
On the Kharkiv direction, localized positional battles continued without any changes to the front line. Fighting persisted in Lyptsi and Vovchansk.
Ukrainian Defense Forces counterattacked near Hlyboke but failed to reclaim lost positions, which are held by units of the 7th Separate Motorized Rifle Regiment and the 11th Tank Regiment of the 18th Motorized Rifle Division, 11th Army Corps.
Russian forces are preparing to resume assault operations in Vovchansk, using TOS-1A strikes on high-rise buildings to create favorable conditions for future attacks.
On the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces are slowly advancing toward Kolisnykivka. Battles continued near Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Hlushkivka, Stelmakhivka, and Kruhlyakivka, toward Novoosynove and Lozova, near Andriivka, Novoheorhiivka, and Novoserhiivka.
On the Lyman direction, elements of the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division, 20th Combined Arms Army, crossed the Chorny Zherebets River in northern Makiivka and secured positions toward Hrekivka. The enemy attacked near Makiivka, Nevske, Novosadove, Hrekivka, Torske, in the Serebriansk Forest area, and near Dibrova.
On the Siversk Direction, Russian forces advanced south and southeast of Vyimka, continued assaults near Verkhnokamyanske, near Spirne, Ivano-Dariivka, and Pereyizne.
On the Kramatorsk direction, Russian forces continued offensive actions near Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, and Andriivka, but there were no changes to the front line.
On the Toretsk direction, Russian forces advanced along Tsentralna and Molodizhna Streets in the northwest and western parts of Pivnichne, in the northwest and western parts of Zalizne, and captured the spoil tip of the Artem mine.
Ukrainian Defense Forces hold their positions on the western outskirts of New York, but Russian forces are advancing in this area.
On the Pokrovsk direction, Russian forces advanced within the southeastern part of Hrodivka, near Marynivka, Mykolaivka, Komyshivka, and toward Novohrodivka. They continued offensive actions near Vozdvyzhenka, Mykhailivka, toward Zelene Pole, in the area of Kalynivka, Ptyche, and Skuchne.
On the Kurakhove direction, Russian forces advanced in the northwestern part of Krasnohorivka and near Vodyane. Battles continued near Kostyantynivka, Solodke, Vodyane, Volodymyrivka, and Vuhledar.
In the Black Sea-Azov naval operational area, the enemy naval group on combat duty consists of:
Mediterranean Sea: 1 ship, including 0 cruise missile carriers; the total salvo is 0 cruise missiles.
The enemy is attempting to repair Russian Black Sea Fleet ships damaged by Ukrainian strikes. Ukrainian Defense Forces have disrupted the enemy's ability to effectively use their main naval repair base in occupied Sevastopol, Crimea.
The enemy's naval command has relocated two Karakurt-class small missile ships equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea.
Changes in the enemy disposition:
The 11th Separate Air Assault Brigade was redeployed from Chasiv Yar and is engaged in combat operations in Russkaya Konopelka (east of Sudzha). The 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division of the 44th Army Corps has arrived in Kursk Oblast from Kharkiv Oblast. Units of the 4th Tank Division of the 1st Tank Army, which are being transferred from the Kupiansk direction, are also arriving in this area.
The 333rd Cossack Artillery Brigade "Volga" operate near Novohrodivka.
Units of the 39th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 68th Army Corps operate near Kostyantynivka.
Escalation indicators:
Escalation of combat intensity on the Pokrovsk direction.
Possible operation situation developments:
The sides are deploying reserves to the Belitsa and Giri areas of Kursk Oblast, where combat clashes are expected to occur in the next day or two.
On the Kupyansk direction, in the operational zone of the 1st Tank Army, command of the enemy's "Zapad (West)" Operational Grouping will attempt to reach the Oskil River in the Hlushkivka – Zahryzove sector, the Petropavlivka – Kurylivka line, and storm Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi railway junction. To bind the “Khortytsia" OSG forces, the enemy will exert frontal pressure on their positions in the Stepova Novoselivka area.
On the Pokrovsk direction, the enemy will likely attempt to cut off the Pokrovsk–Kostyantynivka highway and prepare for an assault on the Pokrovsk–Myrnohrad agglomeration.
The enemy's advance through Hrodivka on the Pokrovsk direction is likely to slow down as Russian forces begin fighting in an urban environment. It will be difficult for them to maintain their current pace of advance, particularly as they attempt to push further west towards Myrnohrad and Pokrovsk, as these cities are even more urbanized.
Russian operational losses from 24.02.22 to 21.08.24
Personnel - almost 603,010 (+1210);
Tanks 8,522 (+4);
Armored combat vehicles – 16,542 (+21);
Artillery systems – 17,216 (+60);
Multiple rocket launchers (MLRS) – 1,166 (0);
Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 928 (+2);
Vehicles and fuel tanks – 23,221 (+79);
Aircraft - 367 (0);
Helicopters – 328 (0);
UAV operational and tactical level – 13,902 (+38);
Intercepted cruise missiles – 2,442 (+4);
Boats/ships – 29 (0).
Humanitarian+general:
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has ratified the statute of the International Criminal Court.
In the early hours of August 21, Russia launched an airstrike on Ukraine using ballistic and cruise missiles, along with 69 kamikaze drones. Ukrainian air defense forces destroyed one guided aviation missile and 50 Shahed drones, while another 16 UAVs likely crashed due to electronic warfare interference.
During the night of August 21, four out of eight Shahed drones that entered Vinnytsia Oblast were shot down. Debris from the drones damaged civilian infrastructure and residential buildings.
On the morning of August 21, Russian forces shelled the towns of Ukrainsk and Siversk in Donetsk Oblast, resulting in the deaths of two people.
Around 12:25 PM, the occupiers struck the village of Kozacha Lopan in the Derhachi community of Kharkiv Oblast. The shelling damaged the local village council building. One woman was rescued, but others remain trapped under the rubble. Search and rescue operations are being complicated by hovering enemy drones and the threat of renewed shelling.
At approximately 2:30 PM, a drone attack in Antonivka on the outskirts of Kherson killed an elderly woman. The 84-year-old victim was in her yard when the attack occurred. Around 6:30 PM, Russian forces dropped explosives from a UAV on another resident of Antonivka. A 32-year-old man was taken to the hospital by an emergency medical team. Additionally, a 57-year-old resident of Kizomys was also hospitalized after being attacked by a drone.
Between July 13 and August 13 of this year, Russian forces have killed eight and injured 110 residents of Kherson Oblast using drones alone.
Over the past day, the enemy launched 389 attacks on Sumy Oblast. A total of 37 towns and villages came under shelling from various types of weapons. As a result of the attacks, one civilian was killed, and three people were injured.
Six children aged 11-17, who were injured in a Russian shelling of Malokaterynivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on August 20, are currently in the hospital. Two boys are in serious condition, with suspected spinal cord injuries. Two people were killed.