Update Israel-Hamas - Russia-Ukraine from Jeff Davis (Patreon)

Russia-Ukraine

There have been no significant territorial control changes since our last map update, with Ukraine and Russia making marginal gains within the existing gray areas as mapped.

Russia made marginal gains near Vuhledar and toward Bohdanivka on the north flank of Bakhmut, and Ukraine pushed Russian forces back near Pryyutne. Ukrainian forces have also expanded their bridgehead on the east bank of the Konka River.

The Odesa Art Museum suffered moderate damage from a missile or drone strike adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage site, with seven exhibits suffering varying degrees of damage. Eight people were wounded in the attack.

A criminal investigation has been opened after a Russian missile strike killed at least 19 veteran members of the Ukrainian 128th Brigade during an outdoor award ceremony in Zaporizhzhia. 

The Biden Administration accounted there are no more USAID dollars left for Ukraine after the most recent disbursement, and the remaining PDA money will be slowly released to stretch the remaining funds.

A Project 22800 Karakurt-Class small missile ship capable of carrying up to 8 Kalibr missiles was heavily damaged over the weekend in Kerch after being hit by at least one Ukrainian missile.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Reports up to another 100 vehicles were destroyed in another failed offensive in the Avdiivka area of operation - we cannot validate the number but can confirm a failed week of attacks.

Since January 1, 2023, Russia has captured approximately 550 square kilometers of territory, and Ukraine has liberated approximately 390. We agree (sorry, David, we're going rogue) that the front is frozen, and neither combatant could call their offensives in 2023 strategic successes.

Israel-Hamas

As a reminder, we are no longer reporting casualties for the Israel-Hamas War as we have serious questions about the reports from both combatants.

Israeli forces are setting conditions to advance into Gaza City after splitting the Gaza Strip into two operational zones.

The Rafah Gate is set to reopen on Monday and permit dual-passport holders and some critically wounded civilians to exit and humanitarian aid in.

Global outrage on Israeli tactics within the Gaza Strip, specifically airstrikes, continues to grow. Israel and its supporters maintain that Israel has a right to self-defense, and Hamas is using civilians as human shields. Hamas/Palestinian supporters accused Israel of being engaged in an active genocide of the 2.6 million residents of Gaza.  

Hamas, or a Hamas-aligned militia/terrorist group, appeared to target a group of Western media reporters, with Trey Yingst capturing on a video a rocket striking 10 meters from where reporters have been operating for weeks with an overlook of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas accused Israel of bombing a children's hospital as Hamas leadership offered the U.N. to inspect hospitals to confirm there are no tunnels or bunkers under them.

Hamas claimed that Israeli airstrikes have killed 60 of 240 hostages still in captivity without evidence.

Israel and Hamas traded accusations after an ambulance was destroyed in an airstrike by the IAF. Hamas called the attack a war crime, while the IDF said Hamas was using the ambulance for other purposes.

A subgroup of Pro-Palestinian protesters tried to climb the White House fence over the weekend, with some Western news agencies inaccurately describing the situation as "a riot." The Secret Service says they handled the situation "without incident," and there were no reports of arrests.

There has been no political progress in the United States for humanitarian aid for Gaza, Palestinians, or Israelis, nor military aid for Israel.