VSU advances in Rabotino, UAVs continue to target Crimea?

Russia continues to shoot down UAVs, VSU makes progress in Rabotino, Dublin and Athens pledge support to Kiev are some notable news about the situation in Ukraine.

(07.17) Hệ thống tác chiến điện tử (EW) Krasukha-4 của Nga. (Nguồn: Alamy)

Electronic warfare systems continue to intercept many Ukrainian UAVs - Photo: Russian Krasukha-4 electronic warfare (EW) system. (Source: Alamy)

* Russia shoots down two UAVs near Crimea: On August 21, the Russian Defense Ministry said that two Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were jammed by the Russian radio-electronic warfare system and crashed in the Black Sea northwest of Crimea late in the day.

The announcement stated: “At approximately 23:00 on August 21 (Moscow time), the Kiev authorities’ attempt to carry out an attack using fixed-wing UAVs failed. Two UAVs were detected by air defense facilities and intercepted by electronic warfare systems.”

Also on August 21, the Russian Defense Ministry said that two Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted in Moscow region that morning. One of the UAVs was disabled and crashed near Pokrovskoye, about 80 km north of Moscow. Another is believed to have been shot down in the northwestern Istra district, closer to the city.

Moscow Region Governor Andrey Vorobyov said that fragments of the UAV fell on a house near the town of Istra, injuring two people. Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency imposed flight restrictions at all four Moscow airports, diverting 47 flights to alternative airports.

Ukraine has not commented on the information.

* VSU makes progress in Rabotino: On August 21, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (VSU) have made certain progress in the southeast of Rabotino and the south of Mala Tokmachka, two villages in Zaporizhzhia province.

According to her, the Russian army tried to regain lost positions east of Rabotino, a tactically important stronghold for Moscow, but without success.

Control of the site would allow Ukrainian forces to continue advancing south towards Tokmak and Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia province, the official said.

In addition to the victories in the south, the Ukrainian army also continued to advance into Donetsk province from the southern flank of Bakhmut.

She said that over the past week, the VSU has recaptured 3 square kilometers of land near Bakhmut, bringing the total area controlled by the force around Bakhmut to 43 square kilometers since the counteroffensive began.

Russian forces are currently trying to regain lost positions in Zaliznianske, Vasylivka and Bohdanivka to the north of the city. Fighting is ongoing in the center of Klishchiivka, north and west of Andriivka and north of Kurdiumivka.

According to her, Russia is trying to push Ukrainian forces away from the northern flank of Bakhmut as they have captured land in the area.

* Ireland participates in training soldiers, Greece trains F-16 pilots for Ukraine: On August 21, RTE (Ireland) reported that about 30 soldiers of the Irish army participated in training Ukrainian soldiers, as part of the European Union (EU) plan under the Common Policy and Security mission.

Initially, Ireland only intended to train in “explosive ordnance clearance, medical examinations and non-lethal support.” However, the country’s Ministry of Defence later confirmed that the soldiers were also involved in weapons training missions.

On the same day, Ireland issued a statement saying: “The additional training courses, approved by the government last month, will focus on basic training for the Ukrainian military, as well as helping them effectively use the weapons provided by Dublin.

Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is made clear by our non-participation in military alliances or mutual defence arrangements. The provision of basic military training to soldiers, including leadership training and coaching, does not affect this policy of military neutrality.”

In related news, speaking at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated: “Today, we have achieved important results in aviation cooperation. Greece will participate in the training of our F-16 pilots. I am very grateful for this proposal.”

Mr Zelensky did not provide details of the training programme. Officials from the 11-nation alliance said the F-16 training would take place in Denmark and Romania.

Earlier, speaking to a crowd in Denmark, Mr. Zelensky said that the commitment to transfer F-16s made him confident that Ukraine could end the conflict with Russia.

In addition, Denmark and the Netherlands have announced that they will supply the first F-16s to Ukraine.

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