The Russian Defense Ministry reported heavy Ukrainian losses over a two day period during the so-called unsuccessful offensives in Nikolaev-Krivoy Rog and neighboring sectors. The tally claimed more than 1,700 Ukrainian service members were killed.
The ministry stated that Ukrainian forces lost four fighter aircraft, including two Su-25s, a Su-24, and a MiG-29. Three Mi-8 helicopters were said to have been shot down in combat. Russian forces also destroyed 63 tanks, 59 infantry fighting vehicles, 48 other armored combat vehicles, and 14 pickups equipped with heavy machine guns.
The ministry noted that Ukrainian units attacked towns including Arkhangelsk, Olgino, Ternovye Pody, and Dry Stavok. It said the enemy sustained substantial losses and was repelled by Russian troops in those areas, as of August 31.
Additionally, the Russian Armed Forces claimed to have destroyed several of the 12 tanks supplied by Poland to Ukraine to support the movement of Ukrainian forces along the Ingulets River.
The report described chaotic retreat efforts in which several tanks were lost to minefields, with only five Ukrainian tanks reportedly managing to break through into territory controlled by Ukrainian forces.
A Telegram channel identified as Military Correspondents of the Russian Spring provided battlefield details, noting ongoing heavy fighting in the south as Ukrainian forces sought to advance toward Kherson. It described attempts by up to three battalions of Ukrainian troops to infiltrate with armored vehicles, supported by field attacks from neighboring regions. Russian forces replied with artillery supported by unmanned aerial vehicles and emphasized a grinding clash with considerable losses on the Ukrainian side.
Officials stated that the attack began on August 29 while Kyiv initially did not confirm any planned operations. Russian sources described the Russian side viewing the reports of an attack as provocations and misinformation at the time.
By August 29, it was reported that Ukrainian forces had prepared conditions for a significant counteroffensive in multiple directions, including Kherson. Natalya Gumenyuk, the press secretary for Ukraine′s Southern Military Command, indicated that the counteroffensive would unfold in several directions, including Kherson region.
Subsequently the Defense Ministry confirmed that on August 29 Ukrainian troops had launched attack attempts in three corridors near the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, describing the actions as costly for Ukrainian forces and reporting heavy losses among their units.
In particular, the ministry reported the destruction of 26 Ukrainian tanks, 23 infantry fighting vehicles, nine other armored vehicles, and two Su-25 attack aircraft. The losses were accompanied by a tally of more than 560 Ukrainian soldiers killed. A further daily report on August 30 outlined continued adverse outcomes for Ukrainian forces in Nikolaev-Krivoy Rog and adjacent sectors.
According to the summary covering the period from August 29 to August 30, Ukrainian troops incurred losses of 48 tanks, 46 infantry fighting vehicles, 37 other armored vehicles, eight pickup trucks with heavy armament, and more than 1,200 soldiers. It was also noted that five Ukrainian fighters surrendered during this phase of the conflict.