Our brothers of the quill (коллеги по цеху), at @Multi_XAM and @kirpichiOP, offer a timely "Situation in the Bakhmut (Artyomovsk) Direction as of August 3, 2023" Report, with relevant maps (see below, on SLG Maps).

The situation is tense; intensive fighting continues. The AFU has become noticeably more active in this area, trying to break through the defence of the Russian Armed Forces and enter the city [Artyomovsk, -ed.], which has a symbolic meaning for Kiev.

Ignoring its losses, the enemy continues to throw new troops to storm the flanks [of the city]. The 200th Guards Motorised Rifle Brigade of the [Russian] Northern Fleet demonstrated high skill in repelling the enemy's incursion on the northern flank, which was attempted by the units of the 21st motorized infantry battalion of the 56th motorized infantry brigade and the 2nd assault battalion of the 67th mechanized brigade (all units of the AFU).

In this sector, our units retain control over the dam near the Zheleznodorozhnoye and Blagodatnoye settlements. The line of contact here runs along the forest plantation, although Ukrainian OSINT resources were quick to refer to it as within the AFU zone of control.

In the area of Dubovo-Vasilievka, [Ukrainian] assault operations in the direction of Minkovka, Berkhovka and Bogdanovka are being conducted by the units of the 127th territorial defence brigade, the 30th mechanized brigade, the 21st mechanized infantry brigade, and the 57th mechanized brigade. [The Russian Army's] control of the dominant heights in the area (Dubovo-Vasilievka is at an average height of 120-150 metres above sea level), allows us to hold our flank positions. The enemy is in no hurry to break through the RF Armed Forces' defences at Berkhovka, fearing coming under fire, similar to the Ukrainian assaults on Pyatikhatki in Zaporozhye and Staromayorskoye in the DPR.

Kleshcheyevka, for which active fighting has continued for the past two weeks, is currently in the grey zone. Under pressure from the enemy, advancing with the forces of the 24th "Aidar" assault battalion, the 5th assault brigade, the 22nd mechanized brigade, the 80th airborne assault brigade, and the 3rd "Azov" assault brigade, the units of the Russian Armed Forces were forced to withdraw to the railway, but the enemy is not risking to enter the village for fear of falling into the zone of fire control maintained by our artillery.

At the same time, after the withdrawal from Andreevka to the railway, there is a threat of a strike on Kurdyumovka, which the enemy can inflict from the north. In our previous reports, we expected the Ukrainians to attempt to break through in the area of the dam across the Seversky Donets-Donbass Canal, which is under our fire control.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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The Azovelektrostal plant has been re-launched in Mariupol.

Two large blast furnaces have started operating.
Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin, who is overseeing Mariupol's restoration, previously stated that the government will make significant efforts to preserve Mariupol as an essential industrial center after the restoration process which is currently underway.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Anti-French riots erupted in Senegal, which have rocked the capital Dakar for days

Footage on social media allegedly shows protesters burning French flags and shouting slogans against the country's former colonial power.

The protests developed following the banning of the main opposition party PASTEF and the arrest of its leader Ousmane Sonko, the first such case since independence from France in 1960. Senegal's current government, under President Macky Sall, maintains a cozy relationship with Paris.

Authorities imposed Internet blackouts and used riot police and tear gas to quell the protests. Several people have already died in the unrest, the interior ministry has confirmed.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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West: we canceled Russian culture!
Russian culture: okay, try!

We continue to introduce you to bits and pieces of Russian culture in a completely random order( one day it'll be Rap, guys, I guess). Alexander Borodin- fly away on the wings of the wind. This is part of the opera "Prince Igor" . The history of the writing... complicated. In fact, it took the author almost
18 years, but Borodin couldn't finish it. He died of a heart attack. But! His work was continued by Rimsky-Korsakov, Alexander Glazunov. The premiere took place on October 23, 1890 at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg
Yeah, almost 130 years ago.
The video is a slightly more modern version. Either way, it's still with us.
@Slavyangrad.
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The demolition of a memorial to Soviet and Polish soldiers who liberated the country from fascism has commenced in the Polish city of Szczecin.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Anti-UN protests erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, demanding the withdrawal of UN troops known as MONUSCO.

Armed security guards shielded the UN headquarters in Goma, which was stormed and pelted with Molotov cocktails during similar protests last year.

"If they don't leave, we will fight until they leave our country because they are not doing anything," said Ephraim Bisimwa, who attended the protests. MONUSCO has more than 17,000 personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has a budget of $1.1 billion for 2023, making it the most expensive "peacekeeping force" in the world.

The UN mission has been in Congo for over two decades and has faced criticism for its involvement in various scandals. Notably, the DRC has been the epicenter of the UN sexual abuse epidemic and reports the highest percentage of victims of sexual violence by UN troops.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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@Multi_XAM continues to analyze the situation in the Kupyansk direction (maps prepared by the channel are included below, along with @Slavyangrad’s own rendering of the analysis).

Despite the fact that Kupyansk has a key transportation and logistical significance, it remains poorly fortified with military-engineering barriers. Having underestimated the offensive potential of the Kharkov grouping of the Russian Armed Forces, the enemy did not expect a blow in this section of the front line and therefore did not devote sufficient efforts to the construction of fortified lines here. In case of an offensive of our troops from the eastern direction, the greatest resistance should be expected in the area of the Sugar Plant (Sakharniy Zavod or Kupyansky Sakharny Kombinat, marked with a blue circle on SLG maps, -ed.) on the left (eastern) bank of the Oskol River, in the settlement of Zaoskolye.

The increase in elevation tracks the flow of the Oskol River along its right (western) bank south, into the town itself (yellow highlighted area on SLG maps, -ed.). Then, from the city to the river Kupyanka (marked with a blue line on SLG maps, -ed.) there is a decrease in elevation, and, from the Kupyanka River, further toward the settlement of Moskovka (northwest, upstream) and the Internat district of the city (south of Kupyanka), there is again a rise in elevation. The dominant heights in Kupyansk are the areas of the TV tower, the road to Kondrashovka, and Melovaya (Chalk) Mountain (all marked in fuchsia on SLG maps, -ed.) west of the Oskol River. By organizing fortification and artillery firing points here, the enemy would be able to counter the offensive of our troops with barrage fire if the attack comes from the direction of Kucherovka (for example, during the Russian Army’s summer offensive in 2022, the AFU and the Pravy Sektor militants deployed mortar batteries on the roofs of multi-storey buildings for this purpose).

If we develop the offensive from the direction of Dvurechnaya, cutting through the city along the Oskol, however, we may run into the shore of Kupyanka, which acts as a 6x3 natural anti-tank ditch that cuts across the city. If, proceeding south from Dvurechnaya, we attack toward the bridge across the Oskol River (📍X=5504464, Y=7400831, marked with olive on SLG maps, -ed.) in the direction of Zaoskolya, the supply logistics connecting the fortifications at the Sakharniy Zavod and in the industrial zone (on the left (eastern) bank) with the rest of the city will be blocked.

Previously, the 92nd mechanized brigade and SBU units were based in the industrial zone at the Sakharniy Zavod. Mercenaries from Germany are currently stationed there, and their troop numbers roughly match those of the Ukrainian territorial defence units in the rest of Kupyansk. The Germans were transferred to this sector from Nechvolodovka, Staroverovka and Grushevka. For now, the mercenaries also remain in the area of Moskovka and Zapadnaya, mostly occupying the detached houses left by those who had fled the city.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Our digests are delayed, for no fault of Zin's, only mine. I hope to put out the backlog today. Stay tuned.

Thank you to everyone who took part! I'm looking forward to speaking to all of you on Saturday at 1500 UTC time! I don't think I've done a Saturday stream yet. 🤔

The stream began with a summary of the changes on the front line. Then Pavel joined me to discuss the reports of alleged back-channel negotiations between the USA and Russia. After that, we continued to discuss developments in the fighting, commenting on various analyses that have appeared in the international press.

Afterward, we were joined by members of the chat to discuss various topics. There were questions about the US political situation and the upcoming election year. Then there were some comments about Russian tactics, a potential negotiated resolution to the conflict, and the possibilities of a Russian offensice following the failure of the AFU counteroffensive. We also heard questions and comments about Poland, Transnistria, and Belarus.

Thanks again! See you all next time!

Venezuela has submitted a formal application to join BRICS

#source

@Slavyangrad
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The Committee on Youth and Sport of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has adopted a draft appeal to the IOC and the International Fencing Federation, demanding the lifetime disqualification of Russian sabre fencer Anna Smirnova.

The Committee on Youth and Sport labeled the fencer's attempt to shake hands with her Ukrainian rival as "a provocative act contrary to the Olympic spirit."

It's not enough that Olga Kharlan behaved boorishly but is presented as a victim. Now, the act of a well-mannered person, offering a handshake, is considered "provocative" and subject to disqualification.

This is what Ukrainian athletes seem to excel in – showing insolence and seeking undeserved awards.

Fair play? No, we haven't seen much of that.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Kupyansk Crossfire Games

There is AFU to the west (blue square), in the Internat district of the city, on the right bank of the Oskol.

There is AFU to the east (blue square), in the Olyvino district of the city, on the left bank of the Oskol.

There fire at each other, regularly.

Here is how “Zhest’ Shchebekino” TG Channel explains the riddle:

From the area of Zapadnaya-Internat, ongoing strikes are observed hitting the area of Olyvino. After a while arrivals are observed in the opposite direction.

This scenario is repeated often.

We can assume that in one place there is the Ukro-Reich, in the other—mercenaries. They are playing a game of "catch me up with a brick". Who will hit each other faster. Houses and civilians suffer in the process. 🤷‍♂️❗

PS: I suspect that the mercenaries are on the left bank (Olyvino), and the Ukrainians are on the right bank (Internat). I hope they both win.

@Slavyangrad
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The West is using the topic of hunger to vilify Russia. There is enough food in the world, but it is unfairly distributed," said Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

At the UN Security Council, Dmitry Polyansky, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, stated that the West had turned the grain deal into a commercial one. According to him, Moscow went for it "in great doubt," and Russia's conditions were not fulfilled. Moscow is ready to return to the deal only after fulfilling its requirements.

In addition, Russia's deputy envoy to the UN mentioned the following points:

▫️There is enough food in the world, but its reserves are not fairly distributed. The problem is related to the price conjecture and super profits of American companies.

◽️The West raises the topic of hunger to vilify Russia, while Moscow pays great attention to this problem. The actions of Washington and its allies contribute to the current hunger situation.

▫️With proper organization of agricultural production and availability of appropriate technologies, Africa is capable of feeding itself and even exporting food. Russia is ready to help it do so.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Military correspondent Alexander Sladkov reports:

"Our military doctors have distinguished themselves again! My friend participated in the removal ofthe fragments of Ukrainian flechette munition from the heart of a wounded Russian soldier.

Dmitry Anatolievich (I will not give his last name), who was lying on the operating table, had pneumothorax, a lung wound, a hip wound, and a bone fracture... They say that after treatment, he will be as good as new.

This is military medicine and its professionals. Bravo!

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Borrell accused Russia of trying to entice developing countries into buying its grain.

I don't understand something, has hunger been defeated yet? Is there no problem at all with food security? This is such a farce: a year ago, Westerners were shouting about the urgent need to feed the hungry, and then they had fed no one but themselves,  they started shouting that Russian grain was redundant on the market.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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"The rebels who are currently in power in Niger are denouncing military agreements with France," writes Agence France-Presse.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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Hat Tip, Da Vay of Slavyangrad Chat

Foreign Policy:

In 2022, before the deal was brokered, media coverage and political conversations centered on how African countries depended heavily on grain imports from Ukraine, a country known as the breadbasket of Europe.

...

The United States, in a bid to score political points and sensationalize the news, has focused on the misguided, decades-old “starving African kids” narrative. It has ignored who the biggest beneficiaries of the deal are as well as the nuances of food security in African countries.

...

Africa has never really been the target consumer for Ukrainian grain. According to data by the United Nations, all the grain sent to Africa since the Black Sea deal was implemented accounts for less than 13 percent of total exports, and only a fraction of this went as food aid to so-called troubled countries.

...

Most of the imported grain to African countries is used to produce flours and processed food for mostly the middle and upper classes.

...

Grain imports often play a negligible role when it comes to food insecurity in most African countries. A number of factors deserve higher priority. The continent’s trade pattern is heavily dendritic: Raw materials travel from warehouses to ports and then to mostly to countries on other continents. Africa has the world’s lowest intraregional trade, meaning that food production surpluses, when they do occur, go overseas and not to other African countries.

...

Framing the blockade as a fight for Africa’s hungry disregards the true beneficiaries of the initiative. Countries such as China, Spain, Turkey, Italy, and the Netherlands have also heavily benefited from the initiative, accounting for 21.2 million metric tons (65 percent) of the total 32.9 million metric tons exported. The free flow of Ukrainian grain also provides a means to provide indirect support to Ukraine because of purchases by funders of food aid programs like the United States.

#source

@Slavyangrad
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