Luhansk Oblast: Russian forces attack Bakhmut, fighting underway near Bilohorivka and Lysychansk Oil Refinery

IRYNA BALACHUK – SATURDAY, 13 AUGUST 2022, 08:27

Russian forces are attacking the city of Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast from the direction of Popasna in Luhansk Oblast. Fighting is currently underway near Bilohorivka and the Lysychansk Oil Refinery.

Source: Serhii Haidai, Head of the Luhansk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "The enemy has resorted to scorched-earth tactics on approaches to Luhansk Oblast, because they cannot otherwise traverse those several kilometres. They spend hours shelling an area using artillery, and then attempt to storm it from several sides at once immediately after.

On 12 August, they attempted to attack the areas near Bilohorivka and the Lysychansk Oil Refinery, but their attempt to conduct reconnaissance-in-force [has been repelled and] they retreated. They attempted to advance on Bakhmut from the Popasna side."

Details: Russian forces attempted to conduct reconnaissance up to ten times, but the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired on the Russians and thwarted their attempts.

Over the course of 11 August, Russian aircraft carried out airstrikes on nine towns and villages in Luhansk Oblast.

On the night of 11 August alone, the Russians launched three missiles on the oblast, used tubed and rocket artillery to carry out four shellings, and used mortars to carry out another two attacks. The Ukrainian Armed Forces repelled two Russian tank assaults.

Haidai said that Russian occupying forces are resorting to novel approaches to mobilisation in the temporarily Russian-occupied territories. For example, they are approaching local elderly people and trading food for information about men of military age.

During the searches of multi-storey apartment buildings, Russian occupiers attempt to insinuate themselves into the trust of the elderly by offering them small sums of money or food in exchange for information about men of military age.

The Russians then leave their soldiers to patrol the entrances to the buildings in expectation that a male resident might try to either leave or enter the building.

Haidai noted that the majority of those in charge of forced mobilisation never take off their balaclavas while moving around the city to avoid being recognised by their neighbours and acquaintances, who have now become the targets of the searches these men conduct.

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