Ukrainian War Update Aug. 17 [battlefield only]
Battlefield update
(Please note that maps are provided on the Patreon version of this post.)
Kupiansk front
Despite official commentary from Ukraine that the Russian Kupiansk offensive has made no tactical gains, it appears that Russian forces have taken control of Synkivka or that the Ukrainians are falling back, but this is not confirmed. Likewise, there are reports that the Ukrainians have likely entered the suburbs of Kupiansk itself, following a full Ukrainian evacuation of that settlement. This appears still to be a major Russian offensive, although it likely is slowing down—again due to Russian logistics issues, and also due to determined Ukrainian counterattacks and a likely hard stand at the Kupiansk settlement.
Russian forces appear to also be driving for Petroplivka, although they are being met with Ukrainian counter attacks, drones and artillery. That said the Russian offensive appears to be wide and well-coordinated from a drive from Lyman Pershyi, north of Kupiansk all the way south to Kyslivka.
Svatove
No new developments have been noted on the Svatove front, as it appears that Russian forces have focused their attacks further north in the Kupiansk zone. News here is unclear, however, as there are reports of Ukrainian counterattacks, and for now the theoretical Russian drive to Borova has been halted. That said, further south in Luhansk, Ukrainians may have lost ground at Bilogorivka, and there are concentrated Russian attacks from the north here.
Donetsk
Bakhmut
The battle for Klischiivka and Andriivka, south of Bakhmut continue, with the Russians possibly having pushed the Ukrainians back to the edge of Klischiivka, due to the need for Ukraine to marshal forces on the Kupiansk front. Currently there are Ukrainian counter attacks north of Bakhmut, where Russian forces were attempting to push forward, but both sides appear to be attempting to locate and destroy supplies and artillery with drone and counter artillery strikes.
Staromaiorske
Ukrainian forces, spearheaded by the 35th Marine Brigade have forced the Russians out of Urozhaine, northeast of Staromaiorske, and they appear to have built up momentum, with Russian and Ukrainian war bloggers split on the next goal. What appears clear is that the Ukrainians are attempting to create a wider salient around Staromaiorske to the east and west, with the Ukrainians possibly already driving toward Kermenchyk, as although there are large Russian groupings there, it appears they are in disarray and taking a beating from cluster bombs. Some pundits believe the Ukrainians will also drive directly south to take Zavitne Bazhanya, although that is not clear, and progress there has not been reported. Reportedly, Ukrainian forces have built up north of
Looks like they are hitting depots/logistics well behind Staromaiorske
Zaporizhzhia
Robotyne
It appears that Russian opposition has firmed up, and the settlement is not held by Ukraine, although the northern half is likely in Ukrainian hands—even though Ukraine has taken heavy losses in the attempt. Russian bloggers have reported losses with videos of Ukrainian Stryker personnel carriers, Leopard tanks and other vehicles, which may indicated that Ukraine is now pushing with upper echelon forces. It is believed that the Ukrainians are targeting Verbove to the east, but also that a wider offensive toward the Russian Kopani line is imminent. The Ukrainians are said to be using constant rolling attacks, and potentially exhausting the Russians so despite heavy losses there is the possibility of a breakthrough to the Russian main line. It appears that Ukraine is using artillery and drones to hit logistics and arms depots well behind Robotyne, which also may be indicative of a new drive.
Kherson
Kozachi Laheri
Much was made of a foothold west of Kozachi Laheri in the high-rise buildings there, as well as the Ukrainian presence in the Dnipro River islands. Ukraine likely faced a major setback, with indications that using artillery, drones, imissles and concentrated attacks that Ukrainian forces and commandos have been killed or driven out of the Kozachi Laheri bridgehead. Likewise, the island forces are under heavy pressure. That said, Ukrainian drone and missiles have struck Russian formations and ammo depos across Kherson, and a second attempt to cross the Dnipro and establish a bridgehead is expected.
Staromaiorske map courtesy of Deepstate.ua.