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Battle of Pisky

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Battle of Pisky
Part of the eastern Ukraine campaign of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Ruins in Pisky, after the battle
Date28 July 2022 – 24 August 2022[1]
(3 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Pisky, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine
Result Russian-DPR victory
Territorial
changes		 Russian and DPR forces gain control of Pisky
Belligerents
  Ukraine
Units involved

Donetsk People's Republic DPR Armed Forces

Ukrainian armed forces

Casualties and losses
Unknown 500 soldiers killed[5]

The battle of Pisky was a series of military engagements for control of the ghost town of Pisky, located just outside of the city of Donetsk, between the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and the allied separatist Donetsk People's Republic during the battle for Donbas of the eastern Ukraine campaign. Russian and separatist forces fully captured Pisky on 24 August 2022.[6]

Background

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Main articles: Eastern Ukraine campaign, Battle of Avdiivka (2023–2024), Battle of Donbas (2022), and Battle of Marinka (2022–2023)

Pisky was a frontline settlement in Donetsk Oblast that is considered a ghost town, having had no significant civilian population since 2014. Located mere yards from separatist territory prior to the battle, Ukraine's 56th Motorized Brigade spent years fortifying the town, with garrison personnel fighting from basements and trenches, and using highway overpasses as staging areas.[7][3] Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) authorities accused Ukraine of carrying out shelling attacks on Donetsk city from the areas of Pisky and Krasnohorivka.[8][9]

Clashes around Pisky intensified in April 2022 with the start of the battle of Donbas, with Ukrainian lieutenant Denys Gordiev stating that Russian bombing and rocket attacks were a daily occurrence in the town.[10] Ukrainian forces on the ground were using Soviet-era weaponry around this time, with small amounts of foreign armaments.[11] By April 2022, only 11 people remained in the town, from a pre-war population of 2,160.[11]

On the night of 18 April, Russian forces launched an intensive bombing campaign against Ukrainian positions in Luhansk, Donetsk, and Kharkiv Oblasts, beginning the battle of Donbas.[12] Russian shelling of Pisky continued throughout July, with Ukraine claiming that Russian forces had worn Ukrainian uniforms during an assault in late July.[13][14] On the night of 28–29 July, the Russians accused the Ukrainians of having launched an attack with American-supplied HIMARS rocket systems from the area of Pisky, Marinka, and Vuhledar, and on the same day it was decided to launch a general offensive in the direction of those three places.[15]

Battle

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Russian and DPR separatist forces launched an assault on Pisky on 28 July, with the DPR claiming unspecified gains, and Ukraine claiming to have repulsed the attacks.[16] Russian and DPR forces made further advances throughout the following days, with DPR information minister Daniil Bezsonov claiming the DPR had captured the southeastern part of Pisky.[17] On 5 August, the DPR falsely claimed that they had taken full control of Pisky[18] with Donetsk Oblast governor Pavlo Kyrylenko stating Pisky was still contested.[19] Russian and DPR claims of capturing the town were repeated three more times between 5 August and 2 September.[20]

In early August, Ukraine claimed to repel Russian attacks on Pisky daily, although Russian forces were making incremental gains in the town.[21][22] Geolocated combat footage emerged on 7 August showing Russian troops in the centre of Pisky.[23] Ukrainian soldiers described the fighting in Pisky as "a senseless meat-grinder", citing heavy losses and a lack of counter-battery fire capabilities in response to Russian artillery bombardment.[24][25][26] Volodymyr Rehesha, a Ukrainian commander during the battle, claimed that battles in the town were being fought "pushing [Ukrainians] out by 1 meter, 10 meters".[27] Combat footage and satellite imagery revealed on 11 August that much of Pisky had been leveled by Russian artillery bombardment, which reportedly included TOS-1A thermobaric artillery systems.[28][29]

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based think tank and war observer, assessed that DPR and Russian forces were in control of much of Pisky by 24 August, with fighting ongoing in the northern outskirts of the town. Geolocated footage posted online showed DPR troops hoisting a Soviet Victory Banner near the centre of Pisky, seemingly unconcerned about Ukrainian artillery fire.[1][30][31]

Vitalii Barabash, the mayor of Avdiivka, claimed on 29 August that Ukraine controlled half of Pisky.[32] However, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed on 2 September that Pisky was under Russian control.[20]

Casualties

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Ukrainian commander Volodymyr Rehesha claimed on 28 August 2022 that Ukraine had suffered 500 combat fatalities and an unspecified number of wounded during the battle of Pisky.[5]

Aftermath

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In August 2022, Russian forces consolidated gains in Pisky, and the last Ukrainian units in the town retreated towards Pervomaiske, forming a line of defense between the towns of Nevelske, Krasnohorivka, and Pervomaiske.[33] After securing Pisky, the Russians began advancing westward towards Pervomaiske, capturing a hilly area in the Pisky area and the DPR's 11th Regiment capturing a bridge on the approach to the town, according to Russian sources.[34][35] President of the DPR, Eduard Basurin, claimed the offensives near Pisky were part of a larger attempt to encircle Avdiivka.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hird, Karolina; Philipson, Layne; Barros, George; Kagan, Frederick W. (25 August 2022). "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, AUGUST 25". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  2. ^ "Russian War Report: Ukraine intensifies offensive attacks in Kharkiv Oblast". 9 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b "The Russians Want Pisky. The Ukrainians Want Pisky. Neither Army Has Enough Troops For A Quick Victory". Forbes. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  4. ^ a b ""He who deviates from military canons becomes successful in war" volunteer Volodymyr Regesha "Santa"". YouTube. 4 November 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  5. ^ a b ""Де ж ми перемагаємо? У фейсбуці, ютубі, інстаграмі. І все", — Володимир Регеша ("Санта") про "зраду" і "контрнаступи" на фронті" ["Where do we win? On Facebook, YouTube, Instagram. And that's it," - Volodymyr Rehesha ("Santa") about "betrayal" and "counterattacks" at the front]. Fakty i Kommentarii (in Ukrainian). 28 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
  6. ^ "Russian-backed separatists say they have taken Pisky village in east Ukraine, TASS reports". Reuters. 2022-08-05. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  7. ^ Cookman, Liz (10 February 2022). "'They Are No Longer Our Brothers'". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  8. ^ "Deadly artillery attack hits Donetsk market - media". Reuters Video. Archived from the original on 2023-07-13. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  9. ^ "Latest Developments in Ukraine: June 13". VOA. 13 June 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  10. ^ "Ukraine war: 'I can't lose my country now', says platoon commander fighting in the east since 2014". Sky News. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  11. ^ a b Kozyreva, Tanya (2022-05-10). "Opinion | I Spent Weeks on Ukraine's Front Lines. Everything Has Changed". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  12. ^ "Massive Bombardment Signals Russia's Renewed Offensive In eastern Ukraine". Forbes. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Russian forces dress in Ukrainian military uniform during assault operations near Pisky General Staff report". news.yahoo.com. 28 July 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  14. ^ Beecher, Jay (2022-07-30). "Ukrainian Troops 'Neutralize' Russian Reconnaissance Group - Kyiv Post - Ukraine's Global Voice". Kyiv Post. Archived from the original on 2022-08-05. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  15. ^ "Ukrainian Troops 'Neutralize' Russian Reconnaissance Group". Kyiv Post. 30 July 2022. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, July 29". Critical Threats. Archived from the original on 2022-07-30. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
  17. ^ "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, JULY 31". Institute for the Study of War. 3 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2022-08-01.
  18. ^ "Russian-backed separatists say they have taken Pisky village in east Ukraine, TASS reports". Reuters. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  19. ^ "Kyrylenko: Ukraine's Armed Forces control Pisky village in Donetsk region". 6 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  20. ^ a b "Shoigu Announces Capture Of Pisky Village In Donetsk Region. This Is Fourth Such Statement Of Russia In Month". Ukranews. 2 September 2022. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  21. ^ "UK intelligence agency says Russia building new ground force". ABC News. 2022-08-11. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  22. ^ "Russian invaders advancing toward Maryinka, Pisky in Donbas, says Ukraine's General Staff". sports.yahoo.com. 11 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  23. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 8". Critical Threats. Archived from the original on 2022-08-09. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  24. ^ Цензор.НЕТ (2 August 2022). "Піски. М'ясорубка". Цензор.НЕТ (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  25. ^ Axe, David. "This Village In Eastern Ukraine Is A 'Meat Grinder' For Two Armies". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2023-01-03. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  26. ^ Axe, David. "The Russians Want Pisky. The Ukrainians Want Pisky. Neither Army Has Enough Troops For A Quick Victory". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-01-03.
  27. ^ "He who deviates from military canons becomes successful in war" volunteer Volodymyr Regesha "Santa", 4 November 2022, archived from the original on 2023-01-03, retrieved 2023-01-03
  28. ^ "Russian vacuum bombs destroy Ukrainian town in horrifying new footage". Yahoo News. 12 August 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  29. ^ "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  30. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 14". The Institute for the Study of War. 14 August 2022. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
  31. ^ Hird, Karolina; Philipson, Layne; Barros, George; Kagan, Frederick W. (25 August 2022). "RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, AUGUST 25". Institute for the Study of War. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2022-08-26.
  32. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 29". The Institute for the Study of War. 29 August 2022. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  33. ^ Hird, Karolina (August 23, 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, August 23". ISW. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  34. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 6". The Institute for the Study of War. 6 September 2022. Archived from the original on 6 October 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  35. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 8". The Institute for the Study of War. 8 September 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  36. ^ Barros, George (September 8, 2022). "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 8". ISW. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2023.


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