Ukraine War, 23 October 2023: Hill 230

Hello everybody!

Most of what I‘ve got to ‘report’ today is related to Avdiivka.

No doubt, there are developments in other areas, but these are neither as ‘huge’ by their sheer volume, nor as ‘important’ (except for those involved, of course). For example, according to people who have counted all the wreckage on satellite photos of Luhansk and Berdyansk after these were attacked by MGM-140s, few days ago, the VKS suffered following losses:

Luhansk

-          Ka-52: 6

-          Mi-28: 7

-          Mi-8: 4

Berdyansk:

-          Ka-52: 13

-          Mi-24/35: 2

-          Mi-28: 2

-          Mi-8: 12

The Russians ‘avenged’ by striking the Nova Poshta terminal in the Kharkiv area, killing six and wounding fifteen, yesterday…

BATTLE OF DONBASS

Bakhmut…south… once again, the Russian III Army Corps found no solution to the Ukrainian grinding east of Klishchivka and Andriivka, but to launch a counterattack (on Friday), and once again, this ended with heavy losses. Indeed, the 4^th MRB and the 1428^th MRR have suffered enough losses to - once thrown back – withdraw further east: to the western outskirts of Opytne.

At least as important is that all the Russian counterattacks (primarily by the 83^rd VDV) on the 28^th Mech north of Kurdyumivka have failed so far: Ukrainian troops are holding very well there. The Russians thus brought in another mobik unit in form of the 1307^th MRR to this area (yes, ZSU troops are not the only ones to wonder: ‘where are they getting all these reserves from….?’).

ZSU is meanwhile operating Stugna ATGMs installed on US-made HMMWV utility vehicles.

Avdiivka….Through Wednesday and Thursday, what is now known to be termed as the ‘United Group of the Russian Armed Forces in the South-Western Theatre of Operation’ by the Keystone Cops in Moscow, has quickly re-grouped what’s left of their 114^th MRB, reinforced it by the 277^th Rifle Battalion, and then, on Friday, launched a new onslaught on the northern side of the slag pile (‘Hill 230’) of the Avdiivka Coke Works. From there, they’re trying to secure the rest of this crucial feature. And they’re back to supporting their assaults with armour. Worst of all is that the North Korean artillery ammo has meanwhile reached the battlefield, and is now severely felt by the ZSU.

Ukrainians are doing their utmost to prevent them from gaining a foothold: once again, dozens of Russian tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles were knocked out, but the situation is not getting any better. Indeed, this battle can be described as perfect example for why videos are deceiving: no matter how many burning AFVs they might be showing, this matters little if the party suffering all the losses is still advancing. And the Russians still do: meanwhile, they’ve brought the 87^th Rifle Regiment and the 117^th MRR behind the 114^th MRB, into positions to exploit any kind of a possible achievement – or act as operational reserve. In similar fashion, behind the 9^th and 110^th MRB that are attacking in the Vodyane area, the Russians have concentrated no less than four additional regiments behind the frontline (111^th MRR, 1004^th MRR, 1487^th MRR, and 504^th TR).

SOUTHERN UKRAINE

Robotyne-Verbove-Novoprokopivka….North of Verbove, the ZSU has managed to push the 247^th VDV Regiment another 400 meters back towards east, but: two days ago, a counterattack by the 210^th MRR, supported by the 1152^nd MRR – managed to push the forward ZSU positions for about 200 metres away from the Hill 166.

At least Ukrainians have managed to cause additional losses to the 108^th VDV Regiment and some advances west of Novoprokopivka, along the T-0803 road.

Dnipro…additional Ukrainian crossings of the Dnipro have been reported in the Kynky area, north of Kozachi Laheri.