This Week in the Russia-Ukraine War (August 4)

A snapshot of recent news from sources around the world on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Destroyed Russian Military Vehicle. Image – Oles Navrotskyi

Russia claims that Ukraine’s counteroffensive is failing to advance and that it is just attriting the numerous weapon systems supplied by the West.

However, Moscow has begun distributing armaments to pro-government civilian forces in Belgorod, which neighbors Ukraine’s Kharkiv, in response to calls from local authorities for help countering incursions by pro-Ukraine militias.

On Tuesday, Russia said it shot down two drones around Moscow, one of which crashed into a building after it was jammed.

Slovakia delivered a pair of 155mm Zusana-2 self-propelled howitzers to the Ukrainian military, the first of 16 that will arrive in Ukraine under an aid package financed by Denmark, Germany, and Norway.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense signed a deal with Turkish defense company Baykar Makina to set up a drone repair plant in Ukraine.  The two sides are also partnering on a facility that will license-produce the Bayraktar family of drones.

Ukraine is expecting that its pilots will begin training on the F-16 fighter jet this month,  but CNN  reported that Washington is still waiting for European countries to submit a proposal for the training program, which will need to be authorized first.

Russian forces hit the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro and a key village in the southeast.  Meanwhile, Ukraine is accused of hitting a city in southern Russia with two missiles.

Missiles hit the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky.  Russia is intensifying its attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure.

New images have emerged showing the damage caused by a missile strike on the Chongar Strait railway bridge.  This bridge links occupied Crimea with Kherson Oblast.  The bridge was damaged in a Ukrainian strike on July 29.

Ukraine has developed the Beaver attack drone.  This is reportedly the system used in a recent attack on Moscow.  Little is known about the Beaver attack drone, including the manufacturer. The Beaver unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is said to have a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, a wingspan of 2.5 meters, a length of 2 to 2.5 meters, and an operational speed of 150-200 kmph.

The Ukrainian military has used unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in another attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet.  The attack took place on the night of July 31-August 1.  The USVs attacked Russian warships anchored in the port of Sevastopol.

Ukrainian sea drones carried out an attack on Russian landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak, which was in port at Novorossiysk. The ship appears to have suffered damage, though its status following the attack is unknown. 

Russia cannot build the missiles it is using in Ukraine without Western-made components.  Moscow is completely dependent on foreign-made semiconductor microchips.  Western sanctions have not stopped the flow of these components into Russia.

Moscow experienced another night of attacks by expendable drones.  Russian officials said local air defense systems engaged these threats.  The drones used in these attacks may be the Ukrainian-built Bober (Beaver), the UJ-22, and a third, undetermined model.

Iran is building factories in Belarus and Russia to manufacture UAVs.  Tehran has signed long-term strategic agreements with Belarus and the Russian Federation.

Russian attack drones struck Izmail, a Ukrainian port, on August 2.  This port is on the Danube River and near the border with Romania.  This port is key to Ukrainian exports of gain.

 

+ posts

For 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

About Forecast International

For 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

View all posts by Forecast International →