Ukraine Summer Offensive Update for July 28: ‘Our South. Our Guys’

Snapshot

Ukraine took back the village of Staromaiorske in the western Donetsk region and may have made territorial gains south of Orikhiv in western Zaporizhzhia.

Operational Aspects on Southern Front

President Volodymyr Zelensky posted footage on July 27 showing that Ukrainian forces inside Staromaiorske. (9 km south of Velyka Novosilka) in the western Donetsk region following heavy fighting in the area. He tweeted: “Our South. Our Guys.”

The morning update of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) said: “Under heavy fire from aircraft and artillery, the Ukrainian Defense Forces liberated the settlement of Staromaiorske (Donetsk region).”

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar also confirmed the development:
“Staromaiorske, Donetsk region – freed. Now, our defenders continue to clear the populated point.”

“At the same time, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct the offensive operation on Melitopol and Berdyansk axes, consolidating their positions,” it continued.

Geolocated footage published on July 26 suggests Ukrainian forces made additional advances east of Robotyne (10 kilometers south of Orikhiv) during offensive operations, according to ISW.

Pro-Russian sources claimed that Ukrainian forces this morning renewed assaults near Robotyne after their July 26 breakthrough of Russian defensive positions northeast of the settlement.

Other Topics of Interest

Russian Forces Hoist Flag in Kurakhove, Threatening Key Ukrainian Logistics Hub

Russian forces are focusing on capturing Kurakhove, a frontline town in the Donetsk region, and the nearby Kurakhove Reservoir to establish a bridgehead for an assault on Pokrovsk.

Operational Aspects in Bakhmut

Geolocated footage published on July 26 indicates that Ukrainian forces also made marginal advances north of Klishchiivka (7 km southwest of Bakhmut), according to ISW.

Pro-Russian milbloggers stated that “in the Bakhmut axis, Ukrainian troops, after shelling, advanced in the area of Kurdyumovka and Andriivka.”

Operational Aspects on Northern Front

Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line on the northern front, as well as in Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, and in the Donetsk-Zaporizhzhia regional border area and did not make any confirmed advances, according to ISW.

Malyar said that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks near Kupyansk and Lyman.

General Developments

According to the morning update of the General Staff of the AFU, Russian forces launched 3 cruise missile attacks, 29 air strikes, and more than 70 MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Ukraine conducted seven air strikes.

Ninety Ukrainian settlements and troop positions were hit by Russian artillery and mortar fire, according to the General Staff.

Moscow’s Mayor claimed that Ukraine conducted an unsuccessful drone strike on Russia’s capital last night.

Ukraine’s border service transferred additional personnel to the country’s north, and its military strengthened local fortifications with additional anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems, amid reports of the presence of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Abrams tanks will be on Ukraine’s battlefields in September 2023, according to Politico. The first batch will include six to eight units. In total, the US promised in January to send 31 tanks. The US will send older Abrams M1A models – not the more modern A2 version – for operational reasons.

Norway allocated $25 million for military support to Ukraine through the European Peace Fund. Norway earmarked the amount for the supply of ammunition and spare parts for Leopard 2 tanks. In addition, by the end of the year, Ukraine should receive two Skynex air defense systems from the Rheinmetall concern as funded by Norway.