For Kyiv, the phase is delicate. The offense isn’t progressing as he would have liked and concern about not getting decisive results is palpable. However, the Ukrainians are trying to allay fears, reiterating that they have so far only used part of the equipment received from Western countries. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his generals face two challenges: to keep the momentum of the attack going without taking too many casualties. If deployed to its full potential, it risks “burning up” to overcome the robust defensive bastion that Vladimir Putin’s army has erected in the south.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian military leaders fear a “counteroffensive” by Moscow in the east, which would force them to withdraw troops from the southern front and scuttle plans. The Russians had concentrated about 100,000 men in the eastern sector towards Lyman and Kupyansk and were looking for weak points in the Ukrainian defenses in order to advance to Kharkiv Oblast, according to the spokesman for the eastern grouping of the armed forces Armed Forces of Kiev, Serhiy Cherevatyi, l The army would also Amass 900 tanks and 555 artillery systems, as well as 370 self-propelled guns – figures that have not been confirmed by independent sources – and the Ukrainians would be on the defensive. “They are moving additional forces and assets, including airborne divisions, to stop our offensive in the Bakhmut area,” said General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine’s land forces. “At the same time, they went on the offensive towards Kupiansk.”
The second focus is on Kerch. The attack on the bridge had partial results, but it is confirmation of a decision made by the Ukrainians and also a shortcoming on the Russian side. Kiev has repeatedly tried to damage it, it is a well-known and declared target. Not only. Information has been circulating in maritime circles for months about the Resistance’s search in Western Europe for drones/small boats capable of transporting very powerful explosive charges: possible uses included an operation to destroy the piers of a bridge. In addition, the use of radio-controlled kamikaze boats is a constant. It is strange that no further countermeasures were taken in Moscow to protect a strategic point. Untimely is Vladimir Putin’s own comment: “Given that this is the second attack on the Crimean bridge, I await proposals to improve security.”
Then there is the more technical aspect. The Ukrainian Navy, which now has no ships, and its intelligence services are constantly working to multiply the means to be used for these attacks. They extend their range – perhaps with the help of a mother unit – try to make them stronger and, in some cases, rely on ingenuity. A jet ski converted to carry a bomb was also used in another operation on Monday, the Russians said, but the defense intercepted and destroyed it. Proof of what was previously implied: if you’re alert, he can deflect the punches. On the contrary, Ukrainians “try” and “study” at the same time the effect, the performance of “homemade” products. Convinced that sooner or later they will achieve an important success.