The death toll in the recent missile strike against downtown Kramatorsk has tragically risen to twelve, with at least four of the victims being children. Additionally, fifty-six others (or sixty-one, according to other sources) were injured in the attack. While Russia claims that it targeted and killed two Ukrainian generals, there is no evidence to support this claim. Instead, it appears to be a deliberate and brutal attack on a civilian target.
The impact of the missile strike on the city is devastating. According to regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko, the attack damaged 18 multistory buildings, 65 houses, five schools, two kindergartens, a shopping center, an administrative building, and a recreational building. The scale of destruction underscores the indiscriminate nature of the attack and the disregard for the lives and well-being of innocent civilians.
In response to the attack, Ukraine’s Security Service has arrested a man who they believe filmed the pizza restaurant that was at the center of the strike. They allege that he forwarded the video to Russian forces to inform them of the establishment’s popularity. This underscores the level of coordination and planning involved in the attack, as well as the extent to which civilian targets are being targeted in this ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Despite the tragedy in Kramatorsk, there are some signs of progress for Ukraine. Ukrainian defense officials report that they are making slow but steady progress along the line of contact. While the situation remains volatile and fraught with danger, this progress offers some hope for a resolution to the conflict.
In other news, the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, has not signed its proposed contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense. As a result, the group will be denied any further role in the fighting against Ukraine. However, the Wagner Group is increasing its presence in Belarus, which has raised concerns among NATO member states. NATO has announced plans to strengthen its eastern flank in response to the possibility of both Russian and Belarusian operations. Poland, in particular, is deeply concerned about the situation.
The fate of the Wagner Group remains uncertain, and it is unclear how they will continue to function or what form they will take. There are reports that President Putin is attempting to seize control of the organization as a whole, reaching out to African governments who have employed Wagnerite mercenaries in a bid to gain control.
Meanwhile, there are tensions within the Russian establishment. Those suspected of supporting Mr. Prigozhin’s mutiny in Moscow are now facing uncertainty. General Sergey Vladimirovich “Armageddon” Surovikin, former commander of the Ukrainian theater and now the current commander’s deputy, is reportedly missing. The Russian organs have taken him into custody, which has sparked rumors and speculation about his potential role in the mutiny. US intelligence sources suggest that General Surovikin may have had advance knowledge of Mr. Prigozhin’s intentions.
It is now believed that the march on Moscow by the Wagnerites was primarily a war against Rear Echelon Mother F**kers (REMFs). Reports suggest that Mr. Prigozhin planned to capture prominent figures in the Russian Ministry of Defense, including Defense Minister Shoigu and General Staff Chief Gerasimov. However, the plan did not go as expected, and it is believed that General Surovikin may have played a role in the miscalculation.
Furthermore, there have been operational consequences resulting from the march on Moscow. The UK’s Ministry of Defence has discussed the implications of losing an airborne command-and-control platform during the mutiny. The loss of an Ilyushin Il-22M airborne command post aircraft will likely have a negative impact on Russian air and land operations. It may damage morale within the Russian Aerospace Force and lead to a reduction in current tasking levels.
In a surprising development, there are unconfirmed reports that the Wagner Group has hacked a Russian satellite communications provider. This alleged cyberattack targeted Dozor-Teleport, a satellite firm that provides communications services to elements of the Russian Ministry of Defense. However, it is important to treat these reports with caution, as they originate from sources with unclear connections to the Wagner Group and have been amplified by Ukrainian social media accounts.
Lastly, there are concerns surrounding a group called “Anonymous Sudan” and its alleged ties to Russia. Despite their denials, it is believed that Anonymous Sudan is a Russian information operation aimed at using Islam as a means to advocate for closer cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world. Stockholm-based security firm Truesec has argued that Anonymous Sudan is a proxy used by Russia, leveraging its Islamic credentials to further its own interests.
The situation in Ukraine continues to escalate, with devastating consequences for civilians and ongoing challenges for both sides involved in the conflict. The international community remains deeply concerned about the actions of Russia and its proxies, and efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis are ongoing.