The paradox of the flooding after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam is that it could help the Ukrainian counter-offensive. The Russian positions on the lower bank of the…
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The paradox of flooding after the destruction of Kakhovka Dam is that it might help that Ukrainian counteroffensive. The Russian positions on the lower bank of the Dnipro are flooded and the inundation will not last long: because of this, the water will recede in just over a week and the river at this time could become shallower than before the explosion forces of Kyiv to cross it. Russian troops spent several months fortifying their positions with anti-tank ditches, labyrinthine ditches, concrete barricades with “dragon’s teeth”, rolls of barbed wire and minefields. The defenses are visible in the Financial Times satellite imagery.
Leopard tanks and the first attacks: Here is the counter-offensive
Russian military bloggers yesterday shot video of the Ukrainian counterattack near these fortified positions and published it on Telegram on Thursday. The footage shows at least two German-made Leopard 2 tanks fighting troops Fly. If so, this would be the first visual confirmation of the use of German tanks on the Ukrainian battlefield. The attack occurred southeast of the city Orikhiv controlled by Ukraine. At least two US-made M113 armored vehicles can also be seen in the video. Although the attack is notable for its use of Western tanks and armor, some analysts believe the attack could represent an attempt by Ukrainian forces to test Russia’s defenses, with larger attacks imminent.
“Ukraine has so far used some important capabilities in the fighting in Zaporizhia province, such as the Leopard tanks or the DM53A1 tanks.” But whether that’s the main reason remains to be seen,” said Muzyka, director of Rochan Consulting, one in Poland-based organization that follows the war Ukraine.
Ukrainian military officials have repeatedly stated that the start of the counteroffensive will not be announced with much fanfare, and military leaders have urged everyone to maintain absolute secrecy about the operation. “There will be no announcement about the launch,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Sunday. “Words are very useless. They can only do harm,” he added, citing a Depeche Mode song. Video from a Russian drone appears to show that some Ukrainian tanks were destroyed in the attack. However, it is unclear whether it was one of the western-supplied vehicles.
The dawn attack
Russian Defense Minister Shoigu said Moscow troops repelled the attack early Thursday morning. He added that the attack involved up to 1,500 men and 150 armored vehicles and was called off “with heavy casualties,” including the loss of 30 tanks. Muzyka noted that this was Ukraine’s third counter-offensive since August. Ukrainian troops recaptured almost all occupied lands in the eastern province of Kharkiv in September and in the southern city of Kherson and surrounding areas in November.
Kakhovka Dam, what changes for the war: that’s why the Russians risk losing Crimea
The directions of attack
As German tank attacks were heard between Wednesday and Thursday, the Ukrainian military stepped up airstrikes against Russian forces further east, reportedly hitting an industrial facility that the Russian military used as a base of operations in Luhansk province. A Ukrainian military official, who asked not to be identified, told the Financial Times that the attack appeared to have used British-made Shadow Assault missiles, which were delivered to Kiev last month.
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