AFU repel 81 attacks, Russians suffer losses and massively desert – General Staff

This was reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the morning summary on February 27.

Russia continues to wage a full-scale war against Ukraine. It is now focusing on offensive operations in Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Vuhledar directions. 

Yesterday, February 26, Ukrainian defenders repelled about 81 enemy attacks in these directions.

The enemy is trying to destroy the critical infrastructure of Ukraine, continues to carry out strikes and artillery fire on civilian objects and residential buildings, while constantly conducting aerial reconnaissance to adjust the strikes.

Russians launch 5 missile and 13 air strikes on Ukraine 

Over the past 24 hours, the Russians have launched 5 missile strikes and 13 air strikes, 2 of which were carried out by Shahed-136 UAVs against civilian infrastructure. Both drones were intercepted.

Also, the enemy launched more than 50 MLRS attacks in Kherson and Donetsk regions, killing and injuring Ukrainians, destroying buildings and damaging infrastructure. The threat of Russia’s missile attacks remains throughout Ukraine.

On the northern and northeastern border with Belarus and Russia, no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groups were detected.

Russian troops shelled with mortars and artillery 2 settlements in the Chernihiv region and 6 in the Sumy region. More than 23 districts in the Kharkiv region were also affected. Near 2 settlements of the Sumy region, the enemy used UAVs with a combat load.

In Kupiansk and Lyman directions, Russian troops launched unsuccessful offensives near 5 settlements. They shelled more than 25 settlements in Kharkiv, Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

In the Bakhmut direction, Russian troops launched several unsuccessful offensives near 5 settlements in the Donetsk region. More than 25 settlements came under fire.

In Avdiivka and Vuhledar directions, unsuccessful Russian offensives were registered near 7 towns in the Donetsk region. More than 10 settlements came under artillery fire.

In the Zaporizhzhia direction, over 30 settlements in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions suffered Russian shelling. 

In the Kherson direction, the artillery of the Russian occupying forces hit 10 settlements in the Kherson region. In total, more than 27 settlements suffered attacks.

Russian soldiers desert en masse, they are threatened with prison

The enemy continues to suffer significant losses. In Bakhmutivka, Donetsk region, between February 22 and 24, up to 30 bodies of dead and 65 wounded Russian soldiers were delivered to medical facilities.

Considering the AFU military successes, there is a mass desertion of Russian troops. The Russian deputy commanders are actively trying to prevent desertion by explaining the articles of the criminal code to their soldiers.

They are reminded that Russian servicemen who voluntarily left the military in 2017 received from 4 to 12 years of imprisonment.

Collaborators flee from Kherson Oblast to Crimea

Dreading the AFU de-occupation of Ukrainian territories, the Russian occupation authorities are preparing to flee to the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea in the settlements of Oleshki and Skadovsk of the Kherson region. Since February 21, the departure of local collaborators to Bakhchisaray, Simferopol, and Kerch has been noted, and since February 24, the occupiers have announced the so-called evacuation for anyone interested.

Russian engaged military trucks to transport collaborators, they are only allowed to take hand luggage.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine destroy Russian Su-25

The AFU struck four Russian personnel and military equipment positions, destroying a Russian attack aircraft SU-25.

On February 26, units of missile troops and artillery struck an ammunition depot and a satellite suppression station of the enemy.