UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 582 - SEPTEMBER 27, 2023

The tactical situation in Verbove remains unclear, as Ukrainian forces continued their offensive operations in the western Zaporizhzhya Oblast on September 26.

The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Ukrainian forces are continuing their offensive operations towards Melitopol (western Zaporizhzhya Oblast) and their offensive operations towards Bachmut. A Milblogger close to the Kremlin claims that Ukrainian forces have reached the northern outskirts of Novoprokopyvka (13 km south of Orikhiv). Russian sources have not directly commented on a claim from a source allegedly connected to the Russian Airborne Troops (VDV) that Ukrainian forces have controlled half of Verbove (18 km southeast of Orikhiv) since September 24. The ISW has not been able to verify any evidence of such a Ukrainian advance, and the source reporting this claim has a very small following. However, it is noteworthy that other sources associated with the VDV have not responded to these claims.

Reports indicate that the Russian Ministry of Defense has recruited some former Wagner Group employees for private military companies affiliated with the Ministry of Defense, fighting in Ukraine, while negotiations between the alleged Wagner leadership and the Russian National Guard (Rosgvardia) have reportedly stalled due to disagreements over Wagner's independence and cohesion.

The full Russian Offensive Update 582 is available directly at UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR