by Andrea Marinelli and Guido Olimpio
Kyiv wants to cut off supplies to the army, which uses mobile pontoons. Russians slowed down by double engagement in Donbass and in Kherson region
At night, a new episode of the Bridge War, while a Russian researcher offered an analysis of the conflict.
attacks
The Ukrainians hit the Antonivskyi and Kakhovskyi passages on the Dnieper in the Kherson sector. Long-range cannon systems and probably Himars missile launchers that damaged valuable communication routes. Kiev’s strategy is to impede movements and logistics. The invaders react according to the script: send reinforcements, use mobile pontoons to facilitate crossing the watercourse. There are different interpretations of what is happening. Moscow is trying to gain positions in the Donbass, but is looking south. A double commitment that perhaps puts the brakes on intentions. At the same time, a more decisive approach by both competitors has been suspected in Kherson for days. In addition, there is the suspicion of detours, part of every plan.
The means
Ruslan Pukhov, an expert at a Russian study center close to the defense sector, commented on the war. Here are the key points. Russian tanks are dated, almost “Soviet” and often lack reactive armor that should reduce missile impact. The army, but also the Ukrainians, have little infantry, while the special forces are sometimes soldiers with a slightly higher level of preparation, therefore they have a relatively high striking power. The resistance used the past few years to prepare, rotated units and gained experience. He also no longer learned to combine modern weapons with drones and achieved results. On the Eastern Front, Moscow’s forces have relied on imprecise systems, and extensive bombing is no substitute for accurate fire. Also because – he explained – the bunkers, if properly built, and the protected trenches can withstand the blows. That means the effects would be less devastating. The scholar said that the long calibers of the invaders still have a range problem, a special notation since the opposite has always been said, with Ukraine seen as being at a disadvantage.
The replenishment
The observer confirmed that until a few weeks ago, Kyiv had difficulties in organizing wide-ranging offensives. Aid from the West was important, but – in his opinion – NATO guaranteed it in a “controlled” and not massive way, in order not to run out of supplies, to manage training and to overcome significant logistical obstacles. Everything could change after the summer, when Ukrainians will finish the guards’ training. An indirect reference to what is happening at bases in Britain, Germany and Poland, where Western trainers are being used to frame Zelenskyy’s soldiers. In this regard, Sweden has just announced the deployment of 120 trainers, a move similar to Canada’s. They are operated in British plants. The analyst ended his interview by acknowledging that Putin’s aviation failed to achieve sky supremacy, lacked precision systems and had to face a fierce anti-aircraft shield. Pukhov’s assessments do not differ too much from those of his Western colleagues and should be taken as general guidelines.
New package
As expected, the United States approved a new $1 billion package, which always shows the importance of artillery: more ammunition for the Himars, 75,000 bullets for 155mm guns, 20 120mm mortars and 20,000 bombs, rockets for the Nasams anti-aircraft system, 100 spears and a few hundred AT4, 50 armored ambulances, explosives, mines, medical equipment of various kinds.
Aug 8, 2022 (Modified Aug 8, 2022 | 21:04)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED