In the midst of accusations of Russians of invading Ukraina, about 100 vehicles of the humanitarian aid convoy arrived in Lugansk, a city which is partially surrounded by elements of the Ukrainian Army.

According to reports from the pro Russian Voice of Sevastopol, Ukrainian artillery units began shelling Lugansk as soon as the aid convoy arrived. At the moment it is reported that seven civilians have died in artillery fire. Among the wounded was one child, her leg severed. Two mortar rounds hit in close proximity to where the trucks were being unloaded, but no damage or wounded were reported.

Mysteriously, the head of Ukraina's Security Service of Ukraine, Valentyn Nalyvaychenko characterized Russia's aid convoy as "direct intervention" because of the arrival of the aid trucks. He also said that Ukraina would not use its air force to attack the convoy. Ukrainian press contend that Russians are using the aid convoy as a "Trojan" to allow resupply of pro Russian militia units.

Russian customs officials are preparing the inspection of another 34 trucks to be sent into Ukraina.

Pro Russian militia have thrown up checkpoints along part of the route into Lugansk and Novosyolovka, despite Ukrainian artillery fire.

Fighting around Lugansk has increased, especially around Ilovaisk in the southwest where pro Russian militia and Ukrainian regular and police forces are locked in heavy combat using rocket as well as tube artillery and armored vehicles including main battle tanks.

Further north in Kharkov oblast, a militia unit attacked a Ukrainian Army checkpoint near Izium district using grenade launchers and automatic rifle fire during the night of August 19th to 20th. Eight were wounded in the encounter.

Also in the north, pro Russian militia have been attacking Ukrainian military units near Slavyanoserbsk and in the village of Smeloye. The battle area is about 12 kilometers northwest of Lugansk.

According to graphics supplied by Voice of Sevastopol, Ukrainian military units have cut a road leading southwest out of Lugansk, units of which are now enduring counterattacks by pro Russian militia. One Ukrainian unit occupies at least part of Krasnii Luch, reported two weeks ago to be in the hands of the militias. Militias claim they have Ukrainian units surrounded at Beloye and the town Lutugino.

Near Ilovaisk pro Russian militia claim to have defeated Ukrainian forces, which are now retreating, near Yasinovataya, Ilovaisk and Peski.

According to the Ukrainian English language news website Burko News, Ukrainian forces retreated to prevent local encirclement. The report said Ukrainian forces have "abandoned Ilovaisk".

According to the Ukrainian English language news website Burko News, "Ukrainian forces still control the M04 highway in the area of Novosvitlivka", which is an area north of the Ilovaisk battles. The report laments that although the highway is in Ukrainian hands it is still under pro Russian militia direct fire. Parts of the highway to the east of the area allow militia forces to maneuver with relative ease all the way to Lugansk.

Northeast of Donetsk, a top pro Russian militia commander, Igor Strelkov announced that his forces have driven out Ukrainian military forces near Krasny Partizan and Gorlovka. Strelkov said that Ukrainian police units had been manning a checkpoint and demanding tribute from travelers. The units also destroyed a Tochna U tactical missile launcher.

Shelling continues in Donetsk as the Ukrainian military forces attempt to bring their lines closer to the city. Artillery fire was said to hit two chemical plants and a residential area near the railway station. Two young children were killed in the shelling. Pro Russian militia say Ukrainians are using cluster munitions in some cases.

According to the Russian military blogger Colonel Cassad, militia efforts have stopped Ukrainian forces from closing in the city, and that "there is no direct threat to the city". Ukrainian forces are said to be exhausted and unable to continue their operations.

Militia forces are in a position, according to Colonel Cassad to force a decision in the north, save for mechanized troops which are at a premium for the pro Russian militia.

According to Colonel Cassad Ukrainian forces' "offensive [are] bogged down almost everywhere" while militias are on the attack.

Chris Covert writes news for Rantburg.com


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