11/28/22 Ukrainian General Update Language Learner

11/28/22 Update, day 278 of Russian invasion.


Belarus:

Despite the presence of RU fighters, bombers, and drone launching sites in Belarus, there has been no observed threat from Belarusian or RU forces here.

Per the UA government, there is no formation of RU or Belarusian offensive groups, and in fact RU troops are being rotated out of Belarus towards areas in Ukraine such as Donetsk and Luhansk. The UA government has come out and stated that the rumors of another RU assault from Belarus towards Kyiv are an information warfare campaign to sow panic.

In lighter news, UA government officials along the Volyn region have started carrying out "christmas tree raids", in order to ensure both appropriate ecological protections and to keep people from wandering into the mined forests. If you dont have a receipt for a christmas tree, you may be fined.


Kyiv/ West Ukraine:

The UA government continues to warn about the threat of a possible imminent massive RU cruise missile strike against UA infrastructure in the coming days,

An emergency situation in Ladyzhyn, Vinnitsya Oblast, has been declared following issues with heating after missile attacks on the local coal power plant.

In Kyiv, due to power outages, the number of road accidents increased by approximately 55%. Pedestrians are highly encouraged to wear reflective clothing if out at night. The number of pedestrian injuries has more then doubled.

On November 28, Zelensky held a meeting with the office of the Commander in Chief Zaluzhny, during which the issues of restoring energy infrastructure and strengthening air defenses were discussed.

The UA National bank has issued another 400 Million USD, after a number of war bonds had been purchased.

In Kyiv, the country's main Christmas tree will be installed, despite protests from some who feel the gesture is inappropriate given the wartime status. However, the funds for Christmas and New Years festivities are being provided by private individuals and businesses, and will not include mass events, concerts, or food courts.

Per the UA government, 99.6% of houses are currently receiving heat, 99.9% of hospitals, and 98.9% of schools.

Per the UA energy company, 60% of energy usage in the capital should be reduced to end emergency outages. 58% of electricity supply goes to critical infrastructure and lighting, and only 42% can supply residential customers. Currently, they are trying to provide power to residential customers for 4-6 hours a day.

Per the UA State emergency service, demining of Ukrainian territory may take over a decade, as about 30% of UA has UXO or mines on it.

UA conducted a test for importing additional electricity from Romania, in addition to previous tests from Slovakia.

SBU investigations into the Ukranian Orthodox Church properties in W ukraine have revealed increased amounts of pro-RU propaganda, and support for DPR/LPR militant groups.

Foreign ministers of Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden arrived in Kyiv. This is the largest group of ministers that has visited Ukraine since the beginning of the war.


Sumy/Chernihiv/Kharkiv city:

RU stepped up the intensity of shelling into the Sumy region, along the border.

A famous children's book writer in Ukraine, Volodymyr Vakulenko, was found in a mass grave in the Kharkiv region. He was likely killed sometime in March or April.


Kupyansk/Kreminna/Svatove

An RU S-300 battery continues to fire missiles W of Kupyansk towards Kharkiv, along UA supply routes and supply hubs.

RU forces may be planning for an assault W towards Kupyansk from Svatove, per rumors in the area. However, this is vastly unlikely to be successful- even earlier thrusts towards Kupyansk when UA wasn't as firmly in control of the E bank of the Oskil river resulted in massive RU casualties.

RU forces attempted an assault W of Svatove towards Stelmakhivka and were repelled. Reportedly, one RU unit in this area lost up to 70% of its personnel in the last week alone.

UA forces continue to attack towards Ploschanka to the SW of Svatove, and skirmishes continue near the RU strongpoint of Kuzemivka to the NW of Svatove.


Siversk/Lysychansk.

There is no major change around Siversk/Lysychansk, with RU attempts towards the NE,E, and SE fronts. It appears that more RU forces have been redeployed here from Kherson.


Bakhmut:

In Soledar, RU forces continue to skirmish with UA troops and shelling continues along the major line of contact.

Between Soledar and Bakhmut, RU forces have seized territory up to the highway in the NE corner of Bakhmut city. UA shelling is heavily focused on the intersection near Pridhorodne, where RU attempts to attack here at night have been interdicted by drones with thermal capabilities. This area is broadly fields, so it seems unlikely that RU forces have major control until such point as they can either push further into the residential area of Bakhmut, or further in to the suburban village of Pidhorodne.

Due to bad weather, RU forces have been unable to assault in large groups. They fire about 200 artillery strikes a day at UA forces.

There appears to be increased RU pressure towards E Bakhmut, with UA forces pulling back from the intersection outside of town towards their established defenses in the industrial area. To the SE of Bakhmut, RU forces are also apparently on attack, although they are still fighting outside the residential area in a small family farm and a larger mining operation.

The situation S of Bakhmut is increasingly challenging, with RU forces further pushing on the riverside towns of Ozarianivka and Kurdyumivka. Per UA forces on the ground in the region, they fear RU breakthrough at this location. The likely RU goal here would be to advance up the highway NW from here, to menace and cut off supplies coming into Bakhmut city from the west.

RU forces claim to have already captured Kurdyumivka, Ozarianivka, and the northern village of Andriivka. The situation on the ground itself remains unclear, but RU forces are likely exaggerating their current holdings given RU and UA artillery fire continuing to duel over these areas.




Donetsk/Luhansk occupied regions:

RU forces continue unsuccessful attacks towards Vodyane and to flank Avdiivka, and heavy shelling continues.

RU forces continue to heavily fight in the SW Donetsk suburb of Marinka, with RU troops apparently in control of about half the town. Artillery fire seems to indicate the front lines here are a scant 500ft/150 meters apart.

RU is preparing for the mass closure of coal mines in the Donbas early next year, due to the mobilization of >65% of the workers, and the mines are essentially defunct and unprofitable. Coal mining was one of the largest sources of revenue in the Donbas region.


Mariupol:

There is no major news to report from Mariupol.


Zaporizhia/Southern Axis :

RU and UA forces continue to skirmish around Vuhledar and Pavlivka, with an increase in RU airstrikes in this region today.

UA artillery appears to broadly be holding any RU assaults back, with no observed change in their artillery fire back towards UA lines. However, deeper UA strikes on RU logistics and command hubs continue unabated, indicating a level of localized fire superiority. RU has reduced their apparent artillery usage here, indicating potential issues.

UA forces damaged an RU logistics bridge NE of Melitopol on the highway to Tokmak.This may have occurred several weeks ago, but confirmation from UA happened today.

RU forces fired a ballistic missile into Dnipro.

RU forces are currently not allowing men out of occupied southern territories into UA territories, indicating plans for further conscription.

The RU press Secretary stated that RU would not be withdrawing from the Zaporizhia NPP.


Kherson:

RU forces shelled the pumping station providing water to Mykolaiv. RU shelling into Kherson continues unabated, with increasing focus on Kherson city. Interestingly enough, RU has been shelling the Kherson city port, which further lends credence to their concerns about UA forces crossing the Dnipro.

Over the last week, RU shelled Kherson some 258 times into 30 settlements.

UA deep strikes continue in S Kherson, with long range strikes targeting the areas around Skadovsk and Kalanchak. The former is a noted RU grouping location, and the latter lies along the main RU logistics line from Crimea to Nova Kahkovka.

On the Kinburn peninsula, RU and UA forces continue to exchange shelling, with RU shelling into Ochakiv across the bay and UA firing into the singular main RU strongpoint on the Peninsula at Heroiske. The situation remains unclear. Per the ISW, RU clearly is concerned about UA forces liberating the Kinburn peninsula.

The Czech republic has handed over 2 more bridges to Ukraine, where in addition to  4 previously supplied ones, they will help improve transport in the Kherson region.

A civilian blew himself up on a left-behind RU mine in the basement of his apartment building in Snihurivka. He is in intensive care.

RU has withdrawn all of the collaborators from Nova Kahkovka.


Odessa/Black Sea/Crimea:

RU is reportedly leery about having their ships venture further into the black sea recently, due to both storms and the threat of UA kamikaze naval drones.

A RU ship carrying at least 8 Kaliber missiles appeared in the Black Sea for the first time in several days of absence. OC "South" warned about the possibility of new massive RU missile attacks over the next few days. There are likely several more RU surface vessels in port sheltering from ongoing storms, but they can disembark and fire missiles within a few hours of orders.

In Odesa, a man who set up a private working space with a generator and internet for people to work in during blackouts, is allegedly being fined for some 900 USD, having asked people to pay $1.25 for access. He states this is simply to cover the cost of fuel and other such costs.

Japan and S Korea have announced that they will join the grain initiative by providing financial assistance. More then 30 countries have declared support thus farm, and donated over 180 million USD.

An RU SBU agent was detained in Odesa who had been spotting for strikes on the city.


General:

Yesterday Ukrainian forces eliminated:

590x soldiers (Total 87,900)
5x APC
3x tanks
2x Artillery (0x MLRS)
4x vehicles

The US is considering a proposal from Boeing to supply UA with low cost, 150km range, small missiles to strike behind RU lines. These "Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb, or GLSDB" could be delivered as early as spring of 2023. It is essentially a GBU-39 250lb (110 kg) bomb with a HIMARS rocket engine on it.

In European countries, the number of Ukrainian citizens registered as refugees reached more than 4.75 million people.

An Italian fan invaded the field at the Qatar World Cup during a match between Portugal and Uruguay, wearing a shirt expressing support for both Ukraine and the Iranian protestor's, as well as flying a "One Love" flag.

Per German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall, UA is using between 6-10k rounds of artillery/mortars per day, while RU is firing approximately 20k. This highlights the disparity, although its 2/3 less then RU firing capacity before HIMARS strikes on their ammo storage depots since the late summer.

Speaking about RU attempts to use destruction of UA energy infrastructure as a weapon, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg called for increased aid to ukraine, specifically for air defenses.

Poland has stated that they would like to provide German-supplied Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine.

Russia has postponed Nuclear weapons talks under the START treaty with the US, which had been scheduled for 11/29-12/06. The meetings had been postponed since 2020 due to the covid pandemic.

The RU Colonel's widow from Vladivostok who allegedly shot himself 5 times in the chest to commit suicide, is asking Putin to investigate the death. She stated that her husband was drastically overworked with the conscription goals, and his colleagues had disappeared to avoid responsibility. She notes its strange that a man committing suicide would shoot himself 5 times in the chest, instead of once in the head.

The Catholic Pope recognized that RU is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine, and called the UA people a nation of Martyrs.

RU is allegedly preparing a law that prohibits RU companies and oil traders from selling RU oil to participants under a western price-capping mechanism.