Ukraine Counteroffensive Update for Sept 14 (European Edition): ‘People Are Reluctant to Leave’

Overview

• Russia says it has destroyed three Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea
• Kremlin also claims it foiled Ukrainian drone attack on Belgorod and Bryansk
• More than 2,000 civilians evacuated from Kupyansk, in Kharkiv region
• US readies sanctions for potential arms brokers between Moscow and Pyongyang
• High school in Kherson region damaged in Russian barrage
• Footage shows Russians attacking trenches south of Orikhiv
• AFU makes small gains on Bakhmut-area fronts, General Staff reports

Russia says it destroyed three Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea

Hours after Ukrainian missiles struck a Sevastopol shipyard severely damaging at least two Russian vessels, Russia reportedly knocked out three Ukrainian drone boats in the Black Sea according to the country’s Ministry of Defense.

No Ukrainian sailors were killed in the strike on the unmanned vessels.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ukrainian forces damaged two vessels, including a Kilo-class submarine, on a strike on the dry dock.

Here is some imagery of the aftermath:

Russia claims it intercepted Ukrainian drones over Russian territory.

AFP reported early Thursday morning that Russia’s Ministry of Defense is claiming its forces intercepted six drones in four locations over the city of Bryansk, Russia.

“Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz said there had been no damage or casualties, and ‘operational and emergency services are working on the scene,’” AFP wrote.

Also, officials in the city of Belgorod announced that a separate drone was shot down there on Wednesday night.

Footage shows continued fighting in Western Zaporizhzhia.

Russian forces conducted military strikes and maneuvers in western Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday but did not advance, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Russian sources reported that invading forces attacked Ukrainian positions southwest of Robotyne and that fighting continues just outside of Novoprokopivka (18 km southeast of Orikhiv) and the nearby village of Verbove.

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Operator Starsky, the well-known Ukrainian veteran, reservist, blogger, and co-founder of the Propaganda Study Institute, says that Russia is anxious to prove to others that it is a global leader.

A video posted on Wednesday by a Russian blogger purports to show an attack from the Russian 7th Airborne Division striking Ukrainian troops in Verbove.

Ukrainian forces make limited gains on front lines in Donetsk region.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported via Facebook on Wednesday that defense forces has made some small progress in the Bakhmut area, pushing Russian forces back in the areas of Klishchiivka, Andriivka and Kurdyumivka.

The post also stated that forces conducted 10 airstrikes on Russian arms stockpiles and other military equipment, including Zenit-class missiles.

Kharkiv regional authorities ordered the evacuation of more than 2,000 residents.

On Wednesday the head of the Kharkiv regional military administration announced via social media the evacuation of 2,339 people in the Kupyansk district. Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram that 2,339 people have evacuated so far, including 350 children. He said that another 1,438 evacuated on their own as well, including 164 children.

About a month ago, on Aug. 9, about 37,000 people were forced to evacuate from the same region.

“The evacuation is ongoing,” Syniehubov wrote. “People are reluctant to leave, explaining that this is their house, their land, their home.”

About 57,000 people lived in the area prior to the Russian invasion. Around 12,000 were left prior to this latest round of evacuations, he said.

US State Department “won’t hesitate” to impose sanctions on potential arms brokers.

The spokesperson for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, said on Wednesday that the United States is ready to impose sanctions on individuals or groups that might broker weapons transfers between North Korea and Russia, if Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un agree on such a deal. Such a handshake is presumed likely.

“We have taken a number of actions already to sanction entities that have brokered arms sales between North Korea and Russia, and we won’t hesitate to impose additional actions if appropriate,” Miller said.

Putin himself on Wednesday suggested that while he was respecting international sanctions on military cooperation with North Korea, there are loopholes in existing regulations to be exploited.

Within the “framework of the current rules, there are opportunities,” he said.

On Russia’s 60 Minutes-style program Wednesday, Putin referred to “a lot of interesting projects” Russia can share with the rogue nation, as quoted by Russian state media outlet TASS.

Russians shell high school in Kherson region.

Russian artillery rained down on the village of Antonivka on Wednesday, striking a high school, Ukrinform reported.

Roman Mrochko, the head of the Kherson City Council, reported on Telegram that “About an hour ago, the Russian army once again attacked the village of Antonivka of the Kherson city territorial community,” Mrochko said. He added that high school No. 21, also known as the “Green School,” was damaged by the shelling.

No injuries were reported at the school.