Russia, Ukraine Intensify Assaults as Referendum Results Near

Russian and Ukrainian forces intensified attacks against each other ahead of the results of the referendum conducted in four Russia-controlled regions in southern Ukraine.

Proxy authorities in four Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine – Donetsk, Luhansk (both in the Donbas region), Kherson & Zaporizhzhia – held referendums between 23-27 September on joining the Russian Federation. The votes would enable the Kremlin to claim that it was “defending” its own territory and citizens. Ukraine and its Western allies have condemned the move and said they would not recognize the ballots and efforts to annex more of Ukraine, as Russia did with Crimea in 2014.

On Wednesday, Russia’s defense ministry said in a statement that airstrikes resulted in the neutralization of the provisional bases of Chayka tactical group from 36th Marines' Brigade of the AFU in Khortitsa island, as well as of 56th Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the AFU near Zaporizhzhia. Over 100 servicemen and 20 units of military equipment have been eliminated.

Operational-tactical and army aviation, missile troops and artillery have neutralized 5 AFU command posts near Peremoga (Kharkov region), Slavyansk, Bogdanovka (Donetsk People's Republic), Novonikolayevka, Gulyaypole (Zaporizhzhia region), as well as of 75 artillery units, 167 manpower and military equipment concentration areas. 4 missile, artillery armament and munitions depots have been destroyed near Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic), Kolomiytsevo (Dnepropetrovsk region) and Prilimanskoye (Odessa region).

Russian air defense systems have shot down 5 UAVs near Belogorovka, Gorlovka, Maryinka (Donetsk People's Republic), Pavlovka (Zaporizhzhia region) and Yevgenovka (Nikolayev region).

2 Tochka-U ballistic missiles have been intercepted near Kazachya Lopan (Kharkov region) and Bolshiye Kopani (Kherson region).

Moreover, 7 projectiles launched by HIMARS and Olkha multiple-launch rocket systems have been destroyed in air near Donetsk, Bryanka (Lugansk People's Republic), Novaya Kakhovka and Vesyoloye (Kherson region).

In total, 305 airplanes and 155 helicopters, 2,099 unmanned aerial vehicles, 377 air defense missile systems, 5,143 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 851 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 3,433 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 5,963 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s South Operational Command wrote on Facebook that the missile and artillery units completed over 220 fire missions. They struck four enemy personnel and military equipment clusters in Charivne, Oleshky and Kherson; two electronic warfare systems in the Beryslav district; and Nova Kakhovka Bridge.

Russian losses in southern Ukraine were confirmed as follows: 18 Russian troops, two tanks, and six armored and motor vehicles.

Russian troops continue efforts to hold the temporarily occupied areas and disrupt Ukraine Army’s plans, making attempts to carry out sabotage and reconnaissance or assault operations.

The enemy launched six air strikes, including three surface-to-surface cruise missiles aimed at Ukraine’s Air Force units. The Ukrainian side suffered no losses.

In the evening of September 28, 2022, Russian troops fired five Kh-59 missiles at the Dnipropetrovsk region and the Zaporizhzhia region. Four missiles were destroyed by the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units, and one Russian missile hit a grain processing facility in the Kryvyi Rih district. Production facilities were damaged, but no casualties were reported.