Victory Chronicles-DAY 925

According to the report from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, there were 138 combat engagements on the frontline in Ukraine over the past day. The majority of these attacks occurred in the Pokrovsk sector, with a total of 52 attacks being registered. In the Kharkiv, Kupyansk, and Liman sectors, Ukrainian troops repelled enemy attacks, with a total of 29 attacks recorded. In the Siversky, Kramatorsk, Toretsk, and Kurakhove sectors, Ukrainian troops also successfully thwarted multiple enemy attempts to break their defenses. In the Prymorskyi, Orikhivsk, and Dnipro sectors, there were a few unsuccessful assaults by Russian-terrorist forces. The situation in the Volyn and Polissya sectors remained unchanged. Overall, the report highlights enemy forces’ continuous aggression and persistence in attempting to dislodge Ukrainian units from their positions, with Ukrainian troops successfully defending themselves and repelling enemy attacks in various sectors of the frontline.

On September 4-5, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine using an Iskander-M ballistic missile and 78 Shahid-type attack drones. The Ukrainian air defense successfully intercepted and shot down 60 of these drones, while an additional 15 were jammed. Two of the drones flew back into Russian territory, and one ended up in Belarus. It is speculated that the 15 drones lost within Ukraine may have been due to electronic warfare. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or casualties due to the attack. 

The death toll has risen to 54 people following a Russian air strike in Poltava, Ukraine. The attack occurred on a training center and educational institution. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) announced the increased death toll. This news follows the initial report of the strike, indicating a significant loss of life. The press service of the SES provided updates on the situation, conveying the tragic outcome of the Russian attack.

The Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully destroyed enemy convoys, including those with pontoon vehicles, with the assistance of drones and artillery from friendly units of the Defense Forces. A video example showcases the efficient collaboration between fighters, with each unit assigned specific tasks such as aerial reconnaissance, operating FPV drones, and providing guidance for the artillery. The outcome of this operation was the destruction of seven vehicles, including five pontoon vehicles. This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of the Special Operations Forces in targeting and eliminating enemy threats. This information was sourced from the official channel of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Russia appears to be relying on several countries, including India, Serbia, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as part of its efforts to evade Western sanctions. The Financial Times (FT) reported on September 4, citing leaks from Russian state correspondence, that Russia’s Industry and Trade Ministry devised a plan to spend nearly $1 billion on securing critical electronic components in October 2022, which reportedly included the possibility of building facilities in India to gain access to such components.

FT reported that the leaked documents reveal that Russia has been covertly acquiring sensitive dual-use electronics from India with “significant reserves” of Indian rupees amassed by Russian banks from increasing oil sales to India. The extent to which Russia has implemented this plan remains unclear, although ISW assesses Russia is engaged in a wider effort to evade Western sanctions and procure sanctioned electronic components and machinery necessary for Russia’s defense industry production via foreign actors.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin on September 4 on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok, Primorsky Krai.

Putin and Vulin discussed the removal of bilateral trade barriers to reverse declining trade levels, and Vulin stated that Serbia will not impose sanctions on Russia and will not allow its territory to be used for “anti-Russian” actions. Vulin’s comment may have been intended in part to avert some of Putin’s annoyance following Serbia’s recent purchase of 12 Rafale jets from France in a likely effort to diversify the country’s arms suppliers away from Russia.

Putin stated that he hopes to see Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the upcoming October 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan. Putin also met PRC Vice President Han Zheng on September 4 and emphasized that the EEF serves as a valuable platform for enhancing mutual understanding and fostering Russia–PRC economic cooperation. Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on September 3 that Putin briefed PRC officials about the outcomes of his recent trip to Mongolia, during which Putin emphasized growing regional trade and cooperation with the PRC and Mongolia.

ISW has previously observed indications that foreign companies and banks, including in the PRC, have been increasingly reluctant to conduct transactions with Russian actors due to fears of Western secondary sanctions, which could be affecting Russia’s sanctions evasion efforts.

Senior fighter Ihor Burenko, with the call sign Buryi, died on the battlefield on June 30, 2024, near the city of Vovchansk, Kharkiv Oblast. The defender was 34 years old.

Ihor was born in the village of Rozhnivka, Chernihiv Oblast. From 1996 to 2006, he studied at a local high school. Since his school days, he has been involved in football. His father always dreamed of his son becoming a football player. The boy took part in competitions. As a schoolboy, he played in the Ichnia district football championship as a Temp team member and became the Ichnia district champion. He also played in the Rozhnivka-Agro football team.

After graduating from the 10th grade, he entered the Brovary Higher School of Physical Culture. Then, he studied at the National University of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, receiving a full higher education in finance and credit. As a student, he won silver at the Ukrainian Football Championship and was awarded the title of Candidate Master of Sports. Later, he helped the MKK-Sinkom team become the district champion in 2011, and the Dynamo-Ichnia team became the champion and Cup winner in 2013.

He served in the military unit A1479 and enlisted as a firefighter. Later, he mastered the specialty of a military firefighter. On May 15, 2024, he served in the 82nd separate airborne assault brigade. He held the position of assistant grenade launcher. He continued to play football and win awards.

“Ihor loved football so much that he even took his football uniform with him to the war,” the Ichnianska community told us about the fighter. He is survived by his parents, sister, wife, two sons, and daughter. 

*Ihor’s story on the Heroes Memorial – a platform for stories about the fallen defenders of Ukraine.

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