Changes

After 3 weeks of failed classical attacks that only led to mass loss of equipment, demoralization and retreats, Ukrainian commanders switched to small tactical groups of infantry called "mosquito attacks", knowing that Russians are much more averse to manpower losses. When close combat becomes imminent, Russians retreat and let artillery work on Ukrainian infantry sitting on the abandoned positions, which usually ends with Ukrainians suffering losses and fleeing.  These tactics led to massive infantry looses, but it was something Ukraine was willing to do - and it looked better in advance of the [[2023 NATO Vilnius summit]] to take losses for small advances than for no success at all as happened at the start of the offensive.

After 3 weeks of failed classical attacks that only led to mass loss of equipment, demoralization and retreats, Ukrainian commanders switched to small tactical groups of infantry called "mosquito attacks", knowing that Russians are much more averse to manpower losses. When close combat becomes imminent, Russians retreat and let artillery work on Ukrainian infantry sitting on the abandoned positions, which usually ends with Ukrainians suffering losses and fleeing.  These tactics led to massive infantry looses, but it was something Ukraine was willing to do - and it looked better in advance of the [[2023 NATO Vilnius summit]] to take losses for small advances than for no success at all as happened at the start of the offensive.

Into the second month, as the Vilnius summit approached, Russian maintained a 4:1 kill ratio, with Ukraine losing up to 1,000 troops daily. Some Ukraine brigades refused to fight, claiming on [[social media]] that the Kyiv regime was sending them on suicide missions to be slaughtered. by July 11, 2023 an article in the ''Berliner Zeitung'' cited Alexander Sosnowski, using data from pro-Ukraine media channels determined that 41 Leopard-2s, 49 T72 tanks, 31 Bradleys, 7 German Marders, 23 howitzers, and 40 MRAP infantry fighting vehicles have already been turned to scrap by the Russians.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2023-07-12/sleepy-joe-biden-trying-outdo-hitler-and-history</ref>

Into the second month, as the Vilnius summit approached, Russian maintained a 4:1 kill ratio, with Ukraine losing up to 1,000 troops daily. Some Ukraine brigades refused to fight, claiming on [[social media]] that the Kyiv regime was sending them on suicide missions to be slaughtered. by July 11, 2023, an article in the ''Berliner Zeitung'' cited Alexander Sosnowski, using data from pro-Ukraine media channels determined that 41 Leopard-2s, 49 T72 tanks, 31 Bradleys, 7 German Marders, 23 howitzers, and 40 MRAP infantry fighting vehicles have already been turned to scrap by the Russians.<ref>https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2023-07-12/sleepy-joe-biden-trying-outdo-hitler-and-history</ref>

Western leaders and the [[mainstream media]] put significant pressure on Kyiv to launch the counteroffensive in the months before it began on June 4.  At the time, Ukraine’s leaders were dragging their feet and showing little enthusiasm for starting the planned [[blitzkrieg]], probably because at least some of them understood they were being led to the slaughter.  

Western leaders and the [[mainstream media]] put significant pressure on Kyiv to launch the counteroffensive in the months before it began on June 4.  At the time, Ukraine's leaders were dragging their feet and showing little enthusiasm for starting the planned [[blitzkrieg]], probably because at least some of them understood they were being led to the slaughter.  

Under covering fire from artillery, the first column advanced led by a pair of tanks, followed by American MaxxPro MRAPs carrying the infantry. The MRAPs got bogged down in the mud, while the lane cleared on mines was insufficiently wide for other vehicles to pass. It was at this point, with the column fully committed, that a pair of Russian tanks emerged and began to engage the column. The Ukrainian tanks fired back at a range of around 800 meters. Nevertheless, the vehicles in the column, outnumbering the two Russian tanks, were knocked out one-by-one in succession.

Under covering fire from artillery, the first column advanced led by a pair of tanks, followed by American MaxxPro MRAPs carrying the infantry. The MRAPs got bogged down in the mud, while the lane cleared on mines was insufficiently wide for other vehicles to pass. It was at this point, with the column fully committed, that a pair of Russian tanks emerged and began to engage the column. The Ukrainian tanks fired back at a range of around 800 meters. Nevertheless, the vehicles in the column, outnumbering the two Russian tanks, were knocked out one-by-one in succession.

Zelensky later said on July 21, 2023 that, “We did have plans to start it in the spring, but we didn’t because, frankly, we had not enough munitions and armaments and not enough properly trained brigades”.  Moreover, after the counteroffensive began, Gen. Zaluzhnyi angrily told ''The Washington Post'' that he felt [[the West]] had not provided Ukraine with adequate arms and that “without being fully supplied, these plans are not feasible at all. But they are being carried out”.<ref>[https://mearsheimer.substack.com/p/bound-to-lose Bound to Lose: Ukraine’s 2023 Counteroffensive], [[John Mearsheimer]], Sept. 2, 2023</ref>

Zelensky later said on July 21, 2023, that, “We did have plans to start it in the spring, but we didn’t because, frankly, we had not enough munitions and armaments and not enough properly trained brigades”.  Moreover, after the counteroffensive began, Gen. Zaluzhnyi angrily told ''The Washington Post'' that he felt [[the West]] had not provided Ukraine with adequate arms and that “without being fully supplied, these plans are not feasible at all. But they are being carried out”.<ref>[https://mearsheimer.substack.com/p/bound-to-lose Bound to Lose: Ukraine’s 2023 Counteroffensive], [[John Mearsheimer]], Sept. 2, 2023</ref>

NATO/Ukraine forces managed to establish a bridgehead across the [[Antonovsky bridge]] in [[Kherson]], which Russian forces abruptly turned into a meatgrinder.<ref> https://www.bitchute.com/video/5cMzEAiJQmro/</ref>

NATO/Ukraine forces managed to establish a bridgehead across the [[Antonovsky bridge]] in [[Kherson]], which Russian forces abruptly turned into a meatgrinder.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/5cMzEAiJQmro/</ref>

On the night of July 26, 2023 Russian cruise missiles flew in multiple directions over Ukrainian territory, marking the most intense Russian attack since 2022. KH 101 and KH 555 cruise missiles were launched from Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers targeting sites with a total salvo of up to 100 missiles. According to Ukrainian media reports the Russian Aerospace forces launched a massive offensive during the night and morning across Ukraine destroying all NATO military airports as well as sensitive NATO infrastructure in Ukraine.

On the night of July 26, 2023 Russian cruise missiles flew in multiple directions over Ukrainian territory, marking the most intense Russian attack since 2022. KH 101 and KH 555 cruise missiles were launched from Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers targeting sites with a total salvo of up to 100 missiles. According to Ukrainian media reports the Russian Aerospace forces launched a massive offensive during the night and morning across Ukraine destroying all NATO military airports as well as sensitive NATO infrastructure in Ukraine.

By August 2023, as the Zelensky regime became increasingly desperate, terror attacks against civilians became more frequent.

By August 2023, as the Zelensky regime became increasingly desperate, terror attacks against civilians became more frequent.

On August 14, 2023 just over an hour after Biden foreign minister [[Antony Blinken]] announced another $200 million in military aid to Kiev, Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky published a video depicting what he called an “open conversation” with Ukraine’s 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion. “I am grateful to everyone who defends our country and people, who brings our victory closer,” Zelensky wrote, following his encounter with the unit on the outskirts of [[Bakhmut]]. “The 3rd separate assault brigade, excellent fighters,” Zelensky wrote in a [[Twitter]] post which also alluded to a separate meeting with the [[Aidar Battalion]], another [[neo-fascist]] outfit that has been accused of war crimes by [[Amnesty International]]. “They have stopped the enemy from advancing towards Kostiantynivka and pushed the occupiers back up to 8 kilometers.”<ref>https://thegrayzone.com/2023/08/16/zelensky-ukraines-notorious-neo-nazi/</ref>  The meeting was largely interpreted as a last desperate measure given the dire straits the Zelensky regime found itself in, and among its demoralized fighting forces. The regime and Western media played down the presence of Nazi fighting units in the Ukrainian military financially supported by American and European taxpayers for a year and a half. The public recognition and praise Zelensky bestowed was a morale booster for the once [[demonize]]d Nazis who now are considered heroes and the [[Kyiv regime]]'s last, most loyal patriotic defenders.

On August 14, 2023, just over an hour after Biden foreign minister [[Antony Blinken]] announced another $200 million in military aid to Kiev, Ukrainian dictator Volodymyr Zelensky published a video depicting what he called an “open conversation” with Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion. “I am grateful to everyone who defends our country and people, who brings our victory closer,” Zelensky wrote, following his encounter with the unit on the outskirts of [[Bakhmut]]. “The 3rd separate assault brigade, excellent fighters,” Zelensky wrote in a [[Twitter]] post which also alluded to a separate meeting with the [[Aidar Battalion]], another [[neo-fascist]] outfit that has been accused of war crimes by [[Amnesty International]]. “They have stopped the enemy from advancing towards Kostiantynivka and pushed the occupiers back up to 8 kilometers.”<ref>https://thegrayzone.com/2023/08/16/zelensky-ukraines-notorious-neo-nazi/</ref>  The meeting was largely interpreted as a last desperate measure given the dire straits the Zelensky regime found itself in, and among its demoralized fighting forces. The regime and Western media played down the presence of Nazi fighting units in the Ukrainian military financially supported by American and European taxpayers for a year and a half. The public recognition and praise Zelensky bestowed was a morale booster for the once [[demonize]]d Nazis who now are considered heroes and the [[Kyiv regime]]'s last, most loyal patriotic defenders.

Due to the loss of so many armored vehicles, by August 2023 Ukrainian commanders abandoned NATO tactics and switched to full blown "meat assault" tactics of infantry on foot.<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/western-trained-ukrainian-troops-are-abandoning-us-tactics-report-2023-8</ref>

Due to the loss of so many armored vehicles, by August 2023 Ukrainian commanders abandoned NATO tactics and switched to full blown "meat assault" tactics of infantry on foot.<ref>https://www.businessinsider.com/western-trained-ukrainian-troops-are-abandoning-us-tactics-report-2023-8</ref>

Ukraine losses for the first 24 days of August 2023 were 17,370 personnel (KIA and wounded in action); 62 tanks; 368 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs)s; 410 trucks; 346 artillery pieces; and 52 ammo dumps.

Ukraine losses for the first 24 days of August 2023 were 17,370 personnel (KIA and wounded in action); 62 tanks; 368 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs)s; 410 trucks; 346 artillery pieces; and 52 ammo dumps.

According to the [[BBC]] the first confirmed sighting of the vaunted Challenger 2 tank, reputed to be one of the best in the world, resulted in the first confirmed kill of a Challenger 2 tank. 13 more remain in service in Ukraine.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66716788</ref> The next day the British defense ministry announced it would not send anymore to replace those being destroyed.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/RnWlrOIKrBWT/</ref>  He further claimed the good news was the 2 man tank crew survived. However, review of video suggested it was highly unlikely anyone could survive the destruction.  The Russians were the first to discover the UK main battle tank's vulnerabilities, leaving the UK defense ministry and [[MIC]] contractors to quietly "study the problem". Each Challenger 2 has a unit cost of about $10 million.  That same day, the Pentagon announced it canceled its planned upgrade of the [[M1 Abrams]] tank.<ref> https://www.defenseone.com/business/2023/09/army-wants-lighter-abrams-tank-new-tech-future-wars/390078/</ref>

According to the [[BBC]] the first confirmed sighting of the vaunted Challenger 2 tank, reputed to be one of the best in the world, resulted in the first confirmed kill of a Challenger 2 tank. 13 more remain in service in Ukraine.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66716788</ref> The next day the British defense ministry announced it would not send anymore to replace those being destroyed.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/RnWlrOIKrBWT/</ref>  He further claimed the good news was the 2 man tank crew survived. However, review of video suggested it was highly unlikely anyone could survive the destruction.  The Russians were the first to discover the UK main battle tank's vulnerabilities, leaving the UK defense ministry and [[MIC]] contractors to quietly "study the problem". Each Challenger 2 has a unit cost of about $10 million.  That same day, the Pentagon announced it canceled its planned upgrade of the [[M1 Abrams]] tank.<ref>https://www.defenseone.com/business/2023/09/army-wants-lighter-abrams-tank-new-tech-future-wars/390078/</ref>

By early September 2023 after 90 days of fighting, in excess of 60,000 casualties and virtually no gains, the firing of [[corrupt]] Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov effectively brought the Ukraine 2023 summer counteroffensive to an end.

By early September 2023 after 90 days of fighting, in excess of 60,000 casualties and virtually no gains, the firing of [[corrupt]] Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov effectively brought the Ukraine 2023 summer counteroffensive to an end.

==Zaporozhe front==

==Zaporozhe front==

''The Washington Post'' announced on June 8, 2023, four days after it commenced, that Kyiv's much anticipated counteroffensive had begun.<ref>https://archive.is/NiqQk#selection-461.1-461.49</ref>  The counteroffensive actually began 96 hours earlier, on June 4, 2023 - the four-day waiting period giving time to rewrite narratives explaining how defeats actually are victories which is typical of Western [[mainstream media]] news reporting. However in this case it was nearly impossible to hide or lie about the wall of resistance and disastrous consequences of NATO/Ukraine's ill-conceived military planning and poorly executed operations.

''The Washington Post'' announced on June 8, 2023, four days after it commenced, that Kyiv's much anticipated counteroffensive had begun.<ref>https://archive.is/NiqQk#selection-461.1-461.49</ref>  The counteroffensive actually began 96 hours earlier, on June 4, 2023 - the four-day waiting period giving time to rewrite narratives explaining how defeats actually are victories which is typical of Western [[mainstream media]] news reporting. However, in this case it was nearly impossible to hide or lie about the wall of resistance and disastrous consequences of NATO/Ukraine's ill-conceived military planning and poorly executed operations.

The operation had no basic strategy, other than a massive PR stunt in advance of NATO's July 11, 2023 Summit in Vilnius where allegedly the future of NATO operations in Ukraine supposedly is to be decided.<ref>[https://youtu.be/MjxH4P_wd-4 Does Ukraine EVEN have a Military Objective?], Defense Politics Asia, Jun 21, 2023.</ref>  The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) reported,

The operation had no basic strategy, other than a massive PR stunt in advance of NATO's July 11, 2023 Summit in Vilnius where allegedly the future of NATO operations in Ukraine supposedly is to be decided.<ref>[https://youtu.be/MjxH4P_wd-4 Does Ukraine EVEN have a Military Objective?], Defense Politics Asia, Jun 21, 2023.</ref>  The Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) reported,

According to multiple credible sources, Russian electronic warfare capabilities southwest of Orekhovo involved one or more new systems not fielded previously, which took NATO/Ukraine side by surprise.  There was also a credible report that Russian electronic warfare went so far as to severely disturb Ukrainian access to [[GPS]] data.

According to multiple credible sources, Russian electronic warfare capabilities southwest of Orekhovo involved one or more new systems not fielded previously, which took NATO/Ukraine side by surprise.  There was also a credible report that Russian electronic warfare went so far as to severely disturb Ukrainian access to [[GPS]] data.

The Asia Times quoted American and European observers in Ukraine describing the Ukraine Army’s efforts as a “suicide mission” that violated the basic rules of military tactics. “We tried to tell them to stop this piecemeal and suicidal tactic, identify the main attack with proper infantry support, and then do what they can,” a senior European officer said. In his opinion, the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine run in five different directions. Also, the tanks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine went to the minefields, not letting the demining vehicles forward. This resulted in the loss of 38 tanks on the night of June 8. One of the experts added that the Ukrainian military was trained in this in the UK.  “The Ukrainians were trying to play [[Guderian]],” one of the military experts said , “only Guderian had 3,000 tanks, and these idiots just lost the 30 they had.”<ref>https://asiatimes.com/2023/06/ukraine-plays-light-brigade-with-british-advice/</ref>

The Asia Times quoted American and European observers in Ukraine describing the Ukraine Army's efforts as a “suicide mission” that violated the basic rules of military tactics. “We tried to tell them to stop this piecemeal and suicidal tactic, identify the main attack with proper infantry support, and then do what they can,” a senior European officer said. In his opinion, the fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine run in five different directions. Also, the tanks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine went to the minefields, not letting the demining vehicles forward. This resulted in the loss of 38 tanks on the night of June 8. One of the experts added that the Ukrainian military was trained in this in the UK.  “The Ukrainians were trying to play [[Guderian]],” one of the military experts said, “only Guderian had 3,000 tanks, and these idiots just lost the 30 they had.”<ref>https://asiatimes.com/2023/06/ukraine-plays-light-brigade-with-british-advice/</ref>

Russian soldiers on the frontline renamed the battlefield where the burnt-out husks of dozens of German Leopard 2 tanks and American Bradley Fighting Vehicles littered the countryside as "'''Bradley Square'''". In the first 10 days of the counteroffensive, Ukraine has lost over 160 tanks and over 360 armored vehicles.

Russian soldiers on the frontline renamed the battlefield where the burnt-out husks of dozens of German Leopard 2 tanks and American Bradley Fighting Vehicles littered the countryside as "'''Bradley Square'''". In the first 10 days of the counteroffensive, Ukraine has lost over 160 tanks and over 360 armored vehicles.

UAV operators of the Russian 27th brigade filmed how the punitive blocking detachment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the BTR-4 "Bucephalus" destroyed their own fighters, who were doing an unauthorized retreat from their positions. The video showed the retreating soldiers were battered after heavy fighting, carrying wounded with them, but it didn't not stop the Nazi punishers from destroying the living and wounded of their fellow citizens.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/hdLRHCCKESg0/</ref>

UAV operators of the Russian 27th brigade filmed how the punitive blocking detachment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the BTR-4 "Bucephalus" destroyed their own fighters, who were doing an unauthorized retreat from their positions. The video showed the retreating soldiers were battered after heavy fighting, carrying wounded with them, but it didn't not stop the Nazi punishers from destroying the living and wounded of their fellow citizens.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/hdLRHCCKESg0/</ref>

The crews of two Ukrainian BMP-1 infantry combat vehicles surrendered to Russian troops near Avdiivka. A member of a platoon in Ukraine’s 110th separate mechanized bridge radioed Russian troops, requesting medical assistance for their wounded soldiers after NATO commanders had declined to evacuate the unit. The Ukrainian officer asked for safe passage and said that the remainder of his units would surrender with all of their weapons, including two BMP-1s. The soldiers were taken into custody,<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/2wJmOm7GRQtL/</ref> including some with serious injuries. The captured service members were receiving medical aid and were vetted for complicity in war crimes.<ref>https://youtu.be/g0B2--FxUVI</ref>

The crews of two Ukrainian BMP-1 infantry combat vehicles surrendered to Russian troops near Avdiivka. A member of a platoon in Ukraine's 110th separate mechanized bridge radioed Russian troops, requesting medical assistance for their wounded soldiers after NATO commanders had declined to evacuate the unit. The Ukrainian officer asked for safe passage and said that the remainder of his units would surrender with all of their weapons, including two BMP-1s. The soldiers were taken into custody,<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/2wJmOm7GRQtL/</ref> including some with serious injuries. The captured service members were receiving medical aid and were vetted for complicity in war crimes.<ref>https://youtu.be/g0B2--FxUVI</ref>

By June 18, 2023, Day 14 of the AFU counteroffensive, NATO/Ukraine has suffered in excess of 14,000 soldiers killed with, again as like in Bakhmut, virtually nothing to show for the effort.

By June 18, 2023, Day 14 of the AFU counteroffensive, NATO/Ukraine has suffered in excess of 14,000 soldiers killed with, again as like in Bakhmut, virtually nothing to show for the effort.

Gen. Mick Ryan, a retired Australian general, put it well when he described Russia’s defensive architecture as “much more complex, and deadly, than anything experienced by any military in nearly 80 years”.<ref>https://archive.ph/fjVsg</ref>

Gen. Mick Ryan, a retired Australian general, put it well when he described Russia's defensive architecture as “much more complex, and deadly, than anything experienced by any military in nearly 80 years”.<ref>https://archive.ph/fjVsg</ref>

==Kharkov front==

==Kharkov front==

In the Kharkiv direction, there was a concentration of equipment previously captured in the battles with the Russian Federation. Wheeled trucks: "KAMAZ", "URAL", as well as a certain number of BTR-80. NATO/Ukraine was preparing to conduct [[sabotage]] operations. Another report stated that there were militants stationed in Kupyansk (up to 300 people), as well as up to two hundred people in the Pechenegs of the Kharkiv region. "All this gang will operate under the cover of the flag of Vyrusya from the RDK, the Ichkerian militants want to use the uniform of Rosgvradiya and Akhmat units. Moreover, the Russian uniform was made by order of the special services of Ukraine at the factories "Brevi" and "Ekotets-3" in the Poltava region." This report claimed that the infamous Sheikh Mansour “evil Chechens” battalion will be used while dressed in the uniforms of Russian Chechen Rosgvardia and Akhmat.

In the Kharkiv direction, there was a concentration of equipment previously captured in the battles with the Russian Federation. Wheeled trucks: "KAMAZ", "URAL", as well as a certain number of BTR-80. NATO/Ukraine was preparing to conduct [[sabotage]] operations. Another report stated that there were militants stationed in Kupyansk (up to 300 people), as well as up to two hundred people in the Pechenegs of the Kharkiv region. "All this gang will operate under the cover of the flag of Vyrusya from the RDK, the Ichkerian militants want to use the uniform of Rosgvradiya and Akhmat units. Moreover, the Russian uniform was made by order of the special services of Ukraine at the factories "Brevi" and "Ekotets-3" in the Poltava region." This report claimed that the infamous Sheikh Mansour “evil Chechens” battalion will be used while dressed in the uniforms of Russian Chechen Rosgvardia and Akhmat.

By Day 23 of the counteroffensive, NATO/Ukraine had lost 259 tanks and 780 armored vehicles accross all fronts.

By Day 23 of the counteroffensive, NATO/Ukraine had lost 259 tanks and 780 armored vehicles across all fronts.

On June 27, 2023 a video surfaced of soldiers of the 59th Motorized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine blowing up their own soldiers who fled their positions and refused to return.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/NGZfJVHjxZsM/</ref>

On June 27, 2023, a video surfaced of soldiers of the 59th Motorized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine blowing up their own soldiers who fled their positions and refused to return.<ref>https://www.bitchute.com/video/NGZfJVHjxZsM/</ref>

On July 2, 2023 it was reported that the Russian armed services had amassed 180,000 troops along the Kremennaya front opposite Kharkov.

On July 2, 2023, it was reported that the Russian armed services had amassed 180,000 troops along the Kremennaya front opposite Kharkov.

On July 23, 2023 the Russians reported a breakthrough on the Kupyansk front.

On July 23, 2023, the Russians reported a breakthrough on the Kupyansk front.

In two months of fighting the Russian army managed to capture three times more territories in the Svatove-Kupyansk direction than the Armed Forces of Ukraine during their counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia direction.  Zelensky awarded Gen. Zaluzhny with the Gun for Special Services to the Fatherland. With this presentation Zelensky hinted that Zaluzhny would have to shoot himself if the Russians broke through to the Oskol reservoir on the Kharkov front.

In two months of fighting the Russian army managed to capture three times more territories in the Svatove-Kupyansk direction than the Armed Forces of Ukraine during their counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia direction.  Zelensky awarded Gen. Zaluzhny with the Gun for Special Services to the Fatherland. With this presentation Zelensky hinted that Zaluzhny would have to shoot himself if the Russians broke through to the Oskol reservoir on the Kharkov front.

==Mass surrenders==

==Mass surrenders==

[[File:NATO war in Ukraine Sep 28 2023.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Territory gains and losses, Jan.1 -Sep. 28, 2023<ref>https://archive.ph/sdnCQ</ref>]]

[[File:NATO war in Ukraine Sep 28 2023.PNG|right|300px|thumb|Territory gains and losses, Jan.1 -Sep. 28, 2023<ref>https://archive.ph/sdnCQ</ref>]]

3,500 AFU soldiers had surrendered since the launch of Russia’s project to have a special “surrender frequency” on all radio channels where Ukrainians can dial in and safely surrender to Russian forces. The Armed Forces of Ukraine were invited to go to the frequency of 149.200 for surrender. Over 3,500 AFU soldiers and officers voluntarily surrendered, a whole brigade of "counter-offensive" since July 2023. 18,000 total AFU reported to be in Russian custody as [[POW]]s.

3,500 AFU soldiers had surrendered since the launch of Russia's project to have a special “surrender frequency” on all radio channels where Ukrainians can dial in and safely surrender to Russian forces. The Armed Forces of Ukraine were invited to go to the frequency of 149.200 for surrender. Over 3,500 AFU soldiers and officers voluntarily surrendered, a whole brigade of "counter-offensive" since July 2023. 18,000 total AFU reported to be in Russian custody as [[POW]]s.

The new radio channel made it very convenient for AFU to surrender safely—which had classically been one of the main barriers preventing their surrender. They feared by going out into an open field, etc., they would be shot by jumpy snipers or anyone not seeing their makeshift white flag. The new channel allows them to fully coordinate the surrender with opposing Russian forces, who give them instructions where and how to do it and then inform all nearby friendlies not to fire on the Ukrainian troops.

The new radio channel made it very convenient for AFU to surrender safely—which had classically been one of the main barriers preventing their surrender. They feared by going out into an open field, etc., they would be shot by jumpy snipers or anyone not seeing their makeshift white flag. The new channel allows them to fully coordinate the surrender with opposing Russian forces, who give them instructions where and how to do it and then inform all nearby friendlies not to fire on the Ukrainian troops.