🇺🇦 Pictured: For the guerrilla/resistance subplot followers: A pro-Ukrainian poster in Russian-occupied Kherson reads: "Occupiers, leave, or HIMARS will help you."
🇺🇦 Kherson has been occupied by Russia since early March, on July 14, 2022.
🇺🇦 After occupying Kherson, Russians tried to kill the local resistance by attacking protests and kidnapping opponents. Because of this, the resistance turned into sabotage and moved underground.
🇺🇦 As news of Ukraine’s unfolding counter-offensive operation to liberate the south started spreading in June, locals say the underground fight stepped up.
🇺🇦 Ukrainians replace Russian flags on administration buildings with Ukrainian flags overnight and hang pro-Ukrainian posters on buildings such as this one.
🇺🇦 The above bullet is the carebear version. There are some gruesome things the resistance does to Russian occupiers that I won’t share here (Thanks, JB)
🇺🇦 Pictured: A nitrate warehouse on fire near the southern city of Kherson, presumably set by resistance fighters. Credit: Strategic Communication Center of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
🇺🇦 Russia has exceeded 40,000 troop losses.
🇺🇦 The United States estimates that the number of RU soldiers killed+injured exceeds 75,000. From other reporting, I believe this number is higher, but the US number is 75,000+
🇺🇦 In the US, there is bipartisan support for sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. Unless, of course, your name is Rand Paul (R) or Tulsi Gabbard (D).
🇺🇦 For the spy subplot: UA Security Service detains individuals issuing Ukrainian passports to Russian saboteurs.
🇺🇦…According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the scheme was organized by a former tax official from Donetsk, who moved to Kharkiv after Russia occupied Donetsk. The SBU said the individual used personal connections in law enforcement to produce the fake documents.
🇺🇦Russian proxies announce they will distribute Russian passports in occupied parts of Kharkiv Oblast. This is done to hasten the inclusion of occupied territories into Russia
🇺🇦 The EU has stated they will not recognize the above passports
🇺🇦 Russian occupiers introduce punishments for using Ukrainian currency hryvnia in Kherson Oblast.
🇺🇦 Russian occupation forces are continuing to pressure Ukrainian civilians in occupied areas to use Russian rubles and passports and to attend Russian-run schools, setting conditions for longer-term social control in occupied territories.
🇺🇦 The Kremlin is continuing to institutionalize its occupation administrations in occupied parts of Ukraine to prepare for sham referenda, annexation, and integration into Russia.
🇺🇦Ukraine has seized $1 billion in Russian and Belarusian assets. Belarus, you guys really messed up by siding with Russia.
🇺🇦A Syrian ship loaded with barley stolen from the occupied territories docked in Lebanon
🇺🇦G7 ambassadors ‘welcome the appointment’ of Ukraine’s new anti-corruption prosecutor. “This is a leap forward in making Ukraine's anti-corruption architecture fit for purpose.” (Justin T, that update is for your friend!)
🇺🇦Oleksandr Klymenko, 35, was appointed as the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office on July 28.
🇺🇦 Russian forces seem to be setting conditions for renewed offensive against Kharkiv City.
🇺🇦 Russian forces may be intensifying offensive operations around Avdiivka to reduce Ukrainian strikes in and around Donetsk City.
🇺🇦 Russian forces attempted a limited ground offensive on the Southern Axis but are likely facing territorial losses in Kherson Oblast.
🇺🇦 Russian forces are attempting to preserve their ground lines of communication over the Dnipro River connecting Kherson City to rear areas in eastern Kherson Oblast.
🇺🇦 Man, ending these updates on operations seems rough. Adding one more bullet point just to make the reading easier!
📢 Countries apply to be in NATO. NATO is a defense alliance that has never, and does not, consider offensive operations. Saying NATO is encroaching on Russia is Kremlin messaging. Russia has three primary propaganda efforts directed at the West, and that’s the first.
📢 Yes, Ukraine has a nazi problem, but it’s a very small percentage of the country, and not representative of the whole. Using a small group to smear the entire group is called “guilt by association.” Russia has three primary propaganda efforts directed at the West, and that’s the second.
📢 If you ever hear anyone say “What about this thing America did…” in an effort to redirect attention away from Ukraine and onto the west, that is called “Competitive victimhood” and the associated meme is *always* created by Russian-backed media. Russia has three primary propaganda efforts directed at the West, and that’s the third.
⚠️ Sorry about the typos or awkward sentences!!!! This is the inevitable result of putting out a finalized research product once every 24 hours, with no staff. If anyone feels like giving me staff, we can polish this b right up!
⚠️ I got lazy with my citations and I apologize. My top sources are: Current and former military planners, singularly-focused pundits, and all manner of vetted open-source intelligence. Top cited open source pundits and sources include: CP Scott, Institute for the Study of War, Kyiv Independent, and mainstream news with high levels of journalistic integrity and track records. Sadly I can’t source private individuals, of course.
⚠️ Speaking of sources, thanks to all of you who have forwarded me tips or given me data from the front line. You’re the private individuals I wish I could source publicly
⚠️ Though my awesome employer taught me everything I know about OSINT, these posts are not affiliated with my employer, nor done during my employer’s time. Every item I report is from my own research, my own opinion, and written during my own time.
⚠️ Note: War happens fast and even high fidelity news needs a ton of corrections after the dust settles.
🇺🇦 Sorry to my Substack readers who get this weird “ua” symbol instead of a flag emoji!