The Russian-Ukrainian War of 2022 (News and battle updates only)

[TruckDriver9]

Crimea - 19.05.2024

"Combined strike of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Crimea. May 19, 2024

At night, the Armed Forces of Ukraine again carried out an attack on Crimea.
Initially, drones were launched in the direction of the peninsula from several directions, work on them was noted both in Cape Tarkhankut and Yevpatoriya.
But after midnight the main attack was carried out with ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles. The target of the attack was Sevastopol Bay, at which 12 missiles were fired.
Air defense units from the districts of Sevastopol and Belbek shot down nine missiles in several salvos. Three missiles hit one of the berths in the bay, where one of the ships was located.
As we can clearly see, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are increasingly carrying out attacks on bases on the peninsula more actively and on much larger scale. After several waves of attacks on airfields and energy facilities, the bay in Sevastopol again became the target.
It is equally important that there were about ten UAVs in the airspace west of Sevastopol and Belbek. They did not approach close to the peninsula and may have been used for target designation and missile guidance. At the same time, an American RQ-4B drone was located south of the peninsula, which also monitored the results of attacks on Sevastopol - due to the influence of Russian electronic warfare systems, interference arose, due to which it seemed to create the erroneous impression that the drone was only several kilometers from Crimea."

 

[Ember]

Ukraine, on behalf of the West, has allegedly attacked a nuclear ICBM warning radar installation inside Russia.

The antenna structures of the "Voronezh-DM" radar near Armavir were damaged, the attack on which was reported yesterday by the Russian media. This radar is part of the missile attack warning system.

 

[Ember]

The Ukies are flooding the Dnieper delta islands.

 

[Ember]

Incredible. Boris Johnson, with representatives of Azov Brigade present, calls for Ukraine to be able to strike at targets in Russia.

 

[Samseau]

https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-52424-situation-turns-critical

Huge info dump in the above link, highly recommended, but main takeaways:

- Ukraine (aka NATO) is doing their best to provoke a nuclear response from Russia, and may very well succeed.

- Ukie army continues to suffer massive KIA, 1000+ per day. By contrast Russia loses around 20-30 KIA per day.

- Russia plans to annex Kharkov.

- Negotiations are a faint by Putin - they refuse to negotiate as long as Zelensky is in power.

 

[Ember]

Zelensky has relocated so many units from across the battlefronts to Kharkiv that it is now leading to an acceleration of the Russian advance away from Kharkiv.

The Ukrainians have amassed around twice the number of forces as the Russians in the Kharkiv area. For the last ten days, the Russians have been consolidating positions and digging in near the border towns of Lyptsi and Vovchans'k, using trench diggers and remote mining equipment. The Ukies are going to counter-attack at some point, but the Russians will hold it back and decimate this concentration with drones, FAB's, ODAB's, and the like.

During this fight, the Ukies are going to lose around 60 to 70 villages elsewhere on the Donbass frontline. So many are in the process of collapsing, and once these are gone, there are little to no fortifications behind them.

Zelensky has lost the Donbass by panicking over Kharkiv.

Dima at the Military Summary Channel goes over it all in much more detail.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Another shopping center in Kharkov was bombed.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Donetsk-Avdiivka - 26.05.2024

"The situation in the Avdiivka direction as of 14:00 /Moscow time/ May 26, 2024

Despite the switch of attention to the Kharkov region, battles and assault operations of the Russian Armed Forces do not stop in the Avdiivka direction.
To the northwest of Ocheretyne there was an attempt to storm Novooleksandrivka. The armored group of the Russian Armed Forces reached the outskirts of the village, but came under artillery and UAV attacks - it is unclear whether they managed to get hold of the settlement, but the very fact of the attack confirms the clearing of the enemy forces from the forest belts in the southeast of the village.
To the west of Ocheretyne, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces are advancing through wide forest belts on both sides along the railway, heavy fighting is taking place on the eastern approaches to Sokil. The situation remains difficult: the 47th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is conducting an active defense, launching counterattacks without stopping. According to available footage, the forest belt south of the railway came under the control of Russian troops some time ago. The enemy moved M2A2 ODS-SA Bradley there, apparently with the aim of landing troops or simply to attack the tree line, but was knocked out.
Southwest of Soloviove, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces are advancing from the south of the Ocheretyne Gully in the direction of Novopokrovskoye, but even here the enemy is actively counterattacking with the support of armored vehicles.

The situation in the “pocket” between Novobakhmutivka and Berdychi remains in the “fog of war.” Taking into account the configuration of the forest belts and the terrain, the enemy may still remain there.
Fighting also continues to the west of Semenivka.
After the final clearing of Umanske on May 23-24

The Russian Armed Forces advanced in the direction of Yasnobrodivka along the S051801 highway and the adjacent forest belt. Yasnobrodivka itself is a small village, only one of the roads to which remained under enemy control. Next comes a lowland, which may allow increased pressure on Karlivka and somewhat facilitate the advances from Netailove. However, the western bank of the Karlivka Reservoir is much higher than the eastern one and is strongly fortified. The M30 highway also runs there, convenient for the transfer of enemy reinforcements from Selydove."

---

Donetsk - 26.05.2024

"The situation in the Donetsk direction as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ May 26, 2024

In the Donetsk direction, Russian troops have completed clearing of Netailove and continue fighting in Krasnohorivka.
The appearance on the Internet of a video with flags in the center and on the western outskirts of Netailove indicates the completion of the clearing of the previously occupied part of the village.

The first footage indicating access to the western outskirts of the settlement, appeared on May 15-16, but now assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have apparently managed to clear all buildings on Naberezhna and Kolhospna streets, as well as at least part of the forest on the outskirts of the village south of the eastern part of the Karlivka Reservoir.

However, there is no information about the capture of Ukrainian strongholds, located west of the C051801 highway and north of the Vodyane River; there may well remain an enemy presence there. To the south of Netailove there is a complex of farms north of the Domakha Gully, where the presence of Ukrainian formations may also remain - in the first third of May, Russian troops at least tried to advance south, but the results are unknown. There is no point in assuming that the enemy will retreat: the Armed Forces of Ukraine are relying on the Domakha Gully to defend the heights in the Nevelske area, where the presence of enemy forces also remains. This sector is important for holding Krasnohorivka for as long as possible, since it offers the view on the northern outskirts of the city.
Heavy fighting continues in Krasnogorovka itself. According to some reports, the enemy began to withdraw from the "Eastern" Microdistrict and the neighboring high-rise buildings near school No.1, but there is no footage confirming this yet. At the same time, at least part of the microdistrict along the Tsentralnaya Street is already under the control of the RF Armed Forces. In addition, a few days ago the Russian flag was raised in the complex of buildings of secondary school No.2, which also indicates the gradual gnawing of the enemy’s defenses in the residential area southeast of the Shevchenko Central Park.
At the same time, on the northeastern outskirts, advances of Russian Forces have not yet been observed, at least not in the open sources. After the capture of the fortified area east of the Kaminsky Garden, further advance to the west would be fraught with high losses due to enemy control of the heights in the north. The lowland area west of the Borisivka Pond and north of 1st May Street is difficult to pass as well."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Vremivka - 26.05.2024

"The situation in the Vremivka sector by the end of May 26, 2024

Throughout the week, Russian troops continued to expand the zone of control at the Staromaiorske-Urozhaine line in the Vremivka sector.

In Staromaiorske, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces, moving from the west, have almost reached the northwestern outskirts of the settlement - at the moment, it remains to occupy about 100 meters on the Verkhnaya Street. At the same time, in the center of the village, Russian fighters managed to occupy several more houses on Kooperativnaya Street.
In Urozhaine, Russian troops have entrenched themselves in low-rise buildings on the southern outskirts of the village - Russian fighters already control several dozen houses (or what’s left of them) on Tsentralnaya and Sadovaya streets.
Between Staromaiorske and Urozhaine, Russian units finally cleared out the “pocket” in the lowland of the Mokre Yaly River. Apparently, if Ukrainian formations remained in this area until recently, they were extremely few in number.
The enemy attempts counterattacks along the entire front from time to time, but each of them is successfully stopped by small arms and artillery fire. At the same time, artillery and aviation of the Russian Armed Forces are striking at firing points and strongholds of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along the entire line of contact."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Kupyansk - 26.05.2024

"The situation in the Kupyansk direction by the end of May 26, 2024

After the liberation of Kotlyarivka and Kislovka, the logical continuation of the offensive operation of the Russian Armed Forces was the capture of Ivanivka.
First, Russian troops used artillery on the settlement, after which they managed to advance and establish control over it. First information about the capture of Ivanivka appeared several days ago, but until now there was no footage clearly confirming this, only now a video was published on the Internet with servicemen from the 26th Tank Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces and the flag they unfurled.

The final confirmation of the liberation of Ivanivka came from the enemy, whose resources published footage of attacks on the positions of the Russian Armed Forces inside the settlement.
At the same time, it remains unclear whether the Russian Armed Forces have advanced along the railway between Kislovka and Ivanivka. On the one hand, this would be quite logical, on the other hand, the Armed Forces of Ukraine most likely erected strongholds in the forest belts on both sides of the highway.
Ivanivka is already the third recently liberated settlement in this area, which indicates the revival of hostilities in the Kupyansky direction.
Also today, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of Berestove. However, so far the only footage on the Internet shows only partial control - judging by it, Russian troops occupied at least half of the village, and Berestove is a fairly small settlement, so its liberation cannot be ruled out."

 

[Cooper]

"According to preliminary information, the underground structures were originally used to train flight crews of the SKU Air Force and prepare field and air maneuvers in coordination with the NATO control center in Poland.

At the time of the attack, there were up to 410 people there."

 

[Pointy Elbows]

Yavorov, Yavoroiv... Sounds familiar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yavoriv_military_base_attack

13 March 2022 - Ukraine Foreign Legion was attacked. This somewhat slowed the stream of war adventurers seeking glory. I believe this attack was nearby the 2022 strike.



3 November 2023 - Reportedly foreign trainers and mercs killed in an attack on a training ground. No idea the proximity to today's attack.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Vremivka - 29.05.2024

"The situation in the Vremivka sector as of 15:00 /Moscow time/ May 29, 2024

Russian troops are advancing at the Staromaiorske-Urozhaine line, consistently displacing the enemy from their positions and recapturing the territory lost during last year’s summer counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In Staromaiorske, some time ago, Russian tankers carried out a successful attack along Tsvetushaya and Shevchenko streets, during which the Russian Armed Forces were able to significantly advance in the center of the village.

And while the information about reaching the northern outskirts of the village appeared on the Internet, so far it does not correspond to reality. However, after the fighting approached Molodezhnaya Street, one of the supply routes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Makarivka was cut off, which is why the enemy lost positions in the central and western part of Staromaiorske.
In the eastern part of the village, assault detachments from the 218th Tank Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces are advancing along the Gogol Lane and the Mokre Yaly River, as well as Vishneva and Zadneprovskaya streets: the advance in the area over the past two days has amounted to several hundred meters in width and depth. Success here became possible after breaking through the enemy’s defenses in the center of the village, where armored vehicles could enter relatively safely after clearing the area.
At the same time, the threat from FPV drone raids remains, which should be kept in mind during the assault.
In Urozhaine, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces advanced up to two hundred meters to the north in depth and up to 350 meters along the front along Central, Sadovaya and Stepovaya streets.
The relatively slow pace of progress in Urozhaine is due to the fact that the Russian command is trying to protect personnel. The Russian Armed Forces conduct raids only in small infantry groups, occupying several houses a day. Here the enemy offers more fierce resistance than in Staromaiorske, and it is more difficult to deliver troops to the village itself due to the Ukrainian control over the fields adjacent to Urozhaine from the east."

---

"The situation in the Vremivka sector by the end of May 29, 2024

Russian troops are successfully developing an offensive at the Staromaiorske-Urozhaine line, regaining the territories lost a year ago.
After the morning assault in Staromaiorske, fighters of the Russian Armed Forces from the 218th Tank Regiment and the 394th Motor Rifle Regiment, with the support of armored vehicles, pushed through the enemy’s defenses in the central part of the village in the area of Tsvetushaya and Shevchenko streets. And by the end of the day, Russian troops had advanced up to half a kilometer along Vishneva Street, taking control of Mira Lane, approaching the northern outskirts of Staromaiorske. Currently, fighting is taking place on Molodezhnaya Street, which is the northernmost street in the village.
The enemy has only one supply route left from Makarivka: most likely, in the next few days the Armed Forces of Ukraine will retreat from the remaining parts of the settlement under the threat of encirclement.
In the eastern part of the village, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces, moving forward along the Gogol Lane and the Mokre Yaly River, have significantly improved their tactical position. By the end of the day, the Russian Armed Forces had advanced another two hundred meters to the east along Zadneprovskaya Street. Currently, fighting is taking place on the outskirts of Zoryana Street.
In Urozhaine, assault detachments from the 5th Tank Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces are expanding the zone of control on the southern outskirts of the village. By evening, Russian troops managed to take new positions on the flank west of Sadovaya Street.
The advance of the Russian Armed Forces in Staromaiorske with the subsequent occupation of the northern outskirts of the village opens the way for an attack on Makarivka. In this regard, the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Urozhaine will become significantly more complicated, pushing them towards a possible retreat to the north."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Crimea - 30.05.2024

"Combined strike of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Crimea. May 30, 2024

At night the Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a new attack on the Crimean Peninsula after several days of break.
On the eve of the strike, Ukrainian unmanned boats began to appear near Crimea. Around noon, Ka-29 and Mi-24 helicopters destroyed two naval drones west of Sevastopol. And in the evening, another one was discovered and shot by the Mi-8 crew northwest of Cape Tarkhankut.
But the main events unfolded after midnight.
First, eight ATACMS tactical ballistic missile were fired from the Nikolaev region in the direction of Kerch. Units of the 31st Air Defense Division of the Russian Armed Forces successfully shot down all targets. However, due to the use of cluster warheads, some submunitions fell in the area of the Kerch port, causing damage to two ferries, but more damage was avoided.
At the same time, up to six unmanned boats were identified near Chernomorske, and fire was opened on them, but two naval drones penetrated the bay. One unmanned boat hit a Border Service boat at the pier, and the second was destroyed not far from another patrol boat, causing it to receive minor damage.

The enemy attacked the KS-701 “Tunec” boats with the help of a naval drones near the village of Chernomorske in Crimea. Judging by the footage, at least one boat was lost from a direct hit by an unmanned boat, while the second, most likely, received significant damage from the near detonation of the drone's warhead that hit the adjacent KS-701. In the video you can see that Ukrainian unmanned boats were discovered and they were tried to be destroyed both by Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters, and by fire from the shore. However, unfortunately, without success.

In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the enemy’s tactics: unmanned boats of the Armed Forces of Ukraine kept their distance from Crimea until the missile alert was announced. At this command, all the patrol boats of the Russian Border Service began to enter the bay, and the booms were briefly opened. And at that moment, two Ukrainian drones entered the bay, taking advantage of the rise of the barriers that covered the entrance to the base of the Black Sea Fleet and the Border Service.
The attacks were not only geographically separated: one in the east of Crimea, the other in the northwest, but they were also carried out simultaneously for a reason - when the entrance to the bay was open, and there were fewer personnel in the port, due to the threat of a missile strike.
At the same time, a Ukrainian drone from the Odessa region was operating just north-west of Chernomorsko, monitoring the situation on the peninsula."

---

 

[Samseau]

Tripling-down on bringing Ukraine into NATO, furthermore, on top of this, Blinken has announced that 32 countries will be signing bi-laterial security agreements with Ukraine, and 13 have already been concluded and will be announced this July.

That means 13 countries will be sending in their troops to the Ukrainian frontline within the next two months.

 

[TruckDriver9]

Vremivka - 02.06.2024

"The situation in the Vremivka sector as of 19:00 /Moscow time/ June 2, 2024

Russian troops continue to successfully expand the zone of control in the Vremivka sector, which was lost last year during the summer counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Units from the 394th Motor Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces advanced further to the north in Staromaiorske, taking full control of Mira Lane and Zoryanaya Street.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are still holding positions on Molodezhnaya Street and on the outskirts of Vishnevaya Street, along which the supply route from Makarivka remains.The route from Rivnopil has also not yet been cut by the Russian Armed Forces, however, given the proximity to Russian positions, the rotation and transfer of enemy reinforcements along it carries the risk of coming under fire.
At the same time, on the eastern outskirts of Staromaiorske, during several successful assaults, Zadneprovskaya Street and Gogol Lane came under the control of the Russian Armed Forces, and positions along the Sukhie Yaly River in the direction of Urozhaine were cleared. After the loss of the central part of the settlement, the remnants of the enemy units retreated from their positions.
In Urozhaine, the situation is somewhat more complicated. The advantage in FPV drones remains with the enemy, which affects the overall pace of advance of the 5th Tank Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces. Despite this, Russian troops are moving forward every day by several houses in the area of Tsentralnaya and Stepovaya streets, little by little moving further north inside the village."

---

 

[TruckDriver9]

Vuhledar - 02.06.2024

"The situation in the Vuhledar direction by the end of June 2, 2024

After the capture of Novomykhailivka, Russian troops continue their offensive in the vicinity of the village, gradually advancing in several areas both to the west and southwest of the village.
In Paraskoviivka, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces managed to gain a foothold on the eastern outskirts of the settlement. Russian troops also advanced within the boundaries of the settlement, near the cottage area, occupying several houses on the Shevchenko Street. Fighting in Paraskoviivka is extremely heavy: despite the small size of the village, both sides are actively using artillery and drones.
South of Novomykhailivka, Russian units gained a foothold in one of the forest belts, successfully landing troops. And to the southwest, the Russian Armed Forces, in the course of several assaults, captured two forest belts adjacent to a dried-up reservoir.
West of Solodke, the assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces advanced about a kilometer to the west along the Solenenka Gully.️
In the area of the Ikryana Gully, Russian troops are also advancing in several areas. In particular, some time ago an armored group with an assault force drove the enemy out of the forest belt north of Volodymyrivka, leveling the front line.

02.06.24 Novomykhailivka-Vuhledar-Solodke-Volodymyrivka
Active hostilities south of Novomykhailivka. Attack of the Russian Armed Forces with armored vehicles and motorized rifle units. Damage to the lead tank on a minefield. Landing of troops to a position north of Volodymyrivka. The advance of the Russian Armed Forces in a westerly direction towards Vuhlledar is more than 1 km.
47.767648 37.413656

Assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces are supported by heavy armored vehicles, and UAV operators provide coordination and firepower, which makes it possible to quickly dislodge the Armed Forces of Ukraine from their positions."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Donetsk - 02.06.2024

"The situation in the Donetsk direction by the end of June 2, 2024

In the Donetsk direction, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces continue to storm Krasnohorivka from several directions.

On the eastern outskirts of Krasnohorivka, the Russian Armed Forces over the past few days were able to advance along four streets and gain a foothold in the neighbourhood on Western Street, advancing in the direction of the Nakhimov Street.
In the city center, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces occupied several buildings north of Tsentralnaya Street and actually reached the Metallurg Stadium and the Shevchenko Park. There is no information about battles in the park yet. Most likely, the park will be flanked from the west and east.
At the same time, north of the Refractory Plant, over the past few days, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have gained a foothold along the Fermerska Street and advanced to Sumska Street, where heavy fighting is taking place. Skirmishes with the remnants of enemy infantry groups are observed on Administrativna and Yaroslav the Wise streets - the cleanup continues.

In the western part of Krasnohorivka, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been knocked out of the territory of the Aleksandrivske Farms, which will partially disrupt the supply route of enemy forces through Syedova Street on the western outskirts of the city. To the south of the farm base, a livestock farm north of the pond also came under the control of the RF Armed Forces.
Further advances deeper into the residential sector in the northern part of Krasnohorivka are still complicated by the enemy control over the Nevelske heights. However, Russian troops achieved significant successes at the Netailove-Pervomaiske line: to the south of Netailove, Russian Armed Forces occupied abandoned gardens and established positions on the territory of the poultry farms. The enemy retreated from positions north of the Domakha Gully, yet still holds positions in the Nevelske area."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Donetsk-Avdiivka - 03.06.2024

"The situation in the Avdiivka direction as of 15:00 /Moscow time/ June 3, 2024

To the northwest of Avdiivka, Russian troops systematically continue their offensive in a western direction, attacking simultaneously on several sectors of the front.
In the Arkhanhelske area, units of the Russian Armed Forces, advanced north of the settlement, occupying an enemy stronghold and several forest belts to the east. However, a large fortified area to the northwest of Arkhanhelske, at a height beyond the Kalinov Gully, is still under enemy control.
To the northwest of Ocheretyne, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces have established control over several forest belts on the approaches to Novooleksandrivka, on the eastern outskirts of which heavy fighting continues.
On the evening of June 2, unconfirmed information began to arrive about the capture of the village of Sokil, west of Soloviove. In reality, Russian troops actually advanced towards the settlement and even carried out “reconnaissance in force”, reaching the center of the village, but later retreated back.
It was also possible to establish the configuration of the front line in other areas: as a result of the latest attacks, the Russian Armed Forces significantly advanced towards Novopokrovskoye, and also significantly expanded the control zone in the direction of Skuchne at the Berdychi-Umanske line. For a long time, the situation in these areas was covered in the “fog of war” due to a shortage of objective footage. This is especially true in relation to the enemy, who was clearly in no hurry to publish the results of actions of Russian troops in the conditions of the difficult situation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this sector."

 

[TruckDriver9]

Kharkov - 03.06.2024

"The situation in the Kharkov direction by the end of June 3, 2024

Over the past days, the tense situation has remained in the Kharkov direction. The Armed Forces of Ukraine regularly counterattack and do not abandon attempts to reduce the combat potential of Russian troops.
To the north of Vovchansk, in anticipation of a possible enemy counter-offensive, Russian troops are digging in and carrying out fortification work. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to prevent this by attacking engineering equipment with FPV drones.
Heavy fighting continues to take place in Vovchansk, where The Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to establish supply routes to their positions in the part of the city north of the Volchya River.

Ukrainian formations retain the ability to establish crossings using bridge layers. However, judging by the footage, only in the area to the west near the bridge on Sobornaya Street, the Russian Armed Forces destroyed at least three such structures.

Information about the assault on the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant is being spread on the Internet, but so far it has not been confirmed. The main defense hub of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the northern part of the city remains the block of high-rise buildings, which, although it was severely damaged, still serves as a tactically advantageous line of defense. To the east there are battles in the area of Gogol Street.

South of Haharina Street, assault detachments of the Russian Armed Forces are advancing only locally due to artillery strikes and especially enemy FPV drones.
Fighting continues at the Hlyboke-Lyptsi line, where the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not stop counterattacking. Russian troops are intensively striking at enemy concentrations of manpower and equipment, stopping enemy counterattacks.
In other areas of the Kharkov direction, fighting is observed, but no progress is recorded.
At the same time, enemy equipment and positions are being destroyed along the entire line of contact. Just today, another Osa air defense system was destroyed by Lancet loitering ammunition northeast of Kharkov.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine do not stop hitting the border areas of the Belgorod region, where the local population continues to suffer from the arrival of FPV drones and artillery ammunition. The enemy also actively use HIMARS MLRS for attacks on positions and objects remote from the front line, including air defense missile launch sites."