Special Services

Intensive fights are in progress in several directions in the Donetsk oblast. Ukrainians are trying to maintain their positions on the outskirts of Bakhmut. The armed forces of the Russian Federation continue artillery shelling along the Izium-Sloviansk line and they hit Ukrainian positions and civilian infrastructure near Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Russians continue heavy artillery shelling of Kharkiv and surrounding villages.

Since 9 of August, on the Crimean Peninsula series of explosions have been reported in the Russian military bases, air force infrastructure sites and field ammunition depots. In consequence, the Kremlin ordered the occupational authorities to intensify their counterintelligence efforts – everybody who wants to pass through the Kerch bridge undergoes a detailed control during which, among others, vehicles, documents and personal belongings of travellers are being checked.

In the Kherson oblast, Ukrainian forces intend to interrupt Russian supply routes. In a long term perspective, Kyiv aims at pushing Russian armed forces back from occupied territories on the Western bank of the Dnipro river and liberating the capital of that region.

Reluctance to take part in the war in Ukraine is a growing challenge for the Kremlin. In fear of social reactions to announcing a general mobilisation, Russian authorities had to intensify their propaganda actions and introduce additional financial benefits. In promotional materials encouraging to participate in the war in Ukraine, high remuneration is highlighted, as well as possibility of getting a bonus in return for a successful combat action (for example 100,000 RUB - about 1,600 USD, for destroying a tank). Also education institutions are involved in promotional campaigns. For example the Buryal State Agriculture Academy has published on its website the following call: “the country needs heroes, defenders, true patriots of their Homeland, who want to participate in a special military operation”. Campaigns promoting participation in the war in Ukraine more and more often appear also on billboards in big cities such as Yekaterinburg.

The Kremlin introduces legislation changes, giving wider possibilities to give the status of veteran entitling to numerous privileges and discounts. What is more, the authorities promise that in the case of death in Ukraine, a family of a fallen soldier will be granted with three one-off benefits: one in the amount of 3 million RUB (about 50,000 USD), a presidential one in the amount of 5 million RUB (about 80,000 USD) and an insurance in the amount of 3.9 million RUB (about 64,000 USD).

Simultaneously, military authorities are taking actions forcing to take part in the fighting, especially as far as soldiers who refused to continue their service are concerned. There are reports that they are being intimidated, imprisoned and transferred to the frontline against their will.

Spokesman for the Minister Coordinator of Special Services