Russia pushes back in northeast Ukraine
Ukraine has ordered the mandatory evacuation of 12,000 civilians in the eastern Kharkiv region where Russian forces appear intent on recapturing the strategic city of Kupyansk, which they lost in Sep 2022


RUSSIA
Vovchansk
Siverskyi Donets River
Valuyki
Kharkiv
Oskil River
Kupyansk
Balakliya
Izyum
Svatove
Lyman
Rubizhne
Severodonetsk
Slovyansk
Bakhmut
DONETSK OBLAST
KHARKIV OBLAST
Storm-Z assault troops, tank units, aviation, artillery
Kupyansk Raion: 37 towns and villages evacuated

RUSSIA
Kyiv
UKRAINE

25km 15 miles

Russian control and advances, Aug 2023
Extent of Russian control, Sep 2022

STORM-Z ASSAULT DETACHMENTS
Russia has formed eight units of convicts, recruited from prison, operating with high autonomy and comprising up to 100 men

4 x assault groups of 20 men 
Sapper group – 5
Recon group – 8
Medevac group – 3 
UAV crew – 2 
Company command – 2

Sources: Institute for the Study of War, Defense Express   © GRAPHIC NEWS