Tuesday, Aug 2

De-mining is an incredibly complex process...

🇺🇦 This is likely my last regular daily post

🇺🇦 Video: de-mining is an incredibly complex process

🇺🇦 While attempting to create a protective smokescreen around one of its supply trains in Kherson Oblast, Russian forces accidentally set it on fire

🇺🇦 This picture was taken by the Ukrainian Intelligence Main Directorate. This shows how in-the-action UA intelligence is.

🇺🇦 Zelensky says that despite donations, Russia still has a manpower and artillery advantage

🇺🇦 Zelensky is asking for more artillery to assist with a counter offensive.

🇺🇦 Ukraine has not lost a single HIMARS

🇺🇦 Russia accused the US of direct involvement in the Ukraine war after claims the US is sharing targeting intelligence with Ukrainian forces. 

🇺🇦 Side note: When Russia flexes, they arrest an unarmed US civilian. When America flexes, it gives the classified targeting intelligence locations of Russia’s ground troops.

🇺🇦 Inter-ethnic fighting between Russian forces is turning into a more and more common event, according to intercepted calls.

🇺🇦 Russian naval mines have been drifting into Romanian costal areas since April. Romania has been de-mining them as they drift in

🇺🇦 Seven more localities have been de-occupied in Kherson region, now totaling 53

🇺🇦 Russia launches 8 missiles from the Caspian Sea. 7 were destroyed by the Air Defence of Ukraine

🇺🇦 Ukraine’s United24 platform has raised Hr 755 million ($20.3 million) through individual donations for its “Army of Drones” initiative, which fundraises for the purchase and repair of drones. Most donors were reportedly from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Germany, France, Switzerland, Australia, and Israel.

🇺🇦 UA Security Service busted a ‘million-bot’ farm used to discredit Ukrainian leadership, media allege Poroshenko’s party involvement

🇺🇦 Two-thirds of residents have fled Donetsk Oblast. Around 350,000 people are remaining in the region. Mandatory evacuation from Donetsk Oblast has begun on Aug. 1. 

🇺🇦 First Ukrainian vessel with grain reaches Turkey.

🇺🇦 There were several seemingly unrelated attacks around Ukraine. I don’t know the motivation or if they’re coordinated. New explosions on Mykolaiv were reported. Explosion heard after Russian missile strike in Lviv Oblast. Two Russian rockets shot down over Vinnytsia on Aug. 2.

🇺🇦 Russia shelled Sumy Oblast 6 times on Aug. 2.

🇺🇦 Russian forces fired at Nikopol 1,100 times with MLRS over past 3 weeks.

🇺🇦 According to the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), the total cost of damages documented to the UA economy since Feb. 24 has reached $108.3 billion

🇺🇦 Russian forces have partial success in several directions. The Ukrainian military repelled Russian offensives in several directions in eastern Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. However, Russian forces have had partial success in advancing near occupied Horlivka and Donetsk, the military said.

🇺🇦 The U.S. Department of the Treasury has expanded the list of sanctioned individuals, targeting Alina Kabaeva, a former gymnast and Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged mistress.

🇺🇦 Canada announced additional sanctions against Russia.

📢 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!