The invaders decided to create assault detachments or units, detachments that would replace combat battalions and be used in battles in the trenches, in wooded or urban areas. They are theoretically more agile formations consisting of three tanks, six artillery pieces, six armored vehicles, heavy machine guns, anti-tank systems and grenade launchers. The details are described in a manual found at the front and circulated on the internet by an anonymous Ukrainian official. According to the guidelines, no more than one minute should elapse from the end of the guns’ covering fire to the time of the attack. It is forbidden, they write, to occupy enemy trenches because they could hide booby traps. The wounded must be evacuated by rescue teams, but not by the military involved in the mission. Then there are strict rules on the use of drones, how to keep them, as well as requests for assistance. Perhaps the occupiers have fewer resources at their disposal and believe that with the help of the “detachments”, divided into companies and platoons, they can maintain the sustained action, despite significant losses, 400-500 soldiers per day (according to the Ukrainians).
One expert, Australian General Mick Ryan, questioned the army’s adequate logistics and ability to exploit any gaps that have arisen in Ukraine’s defenses. That is, the stormtroopers can open the breach, but the central command would not have the means to penetrate deeply, so tactical success would not be followed by strategic ones. Moreover, innovation involves ongoing adaptation, it is not said to be easy. These are observations that are not confirmed or denied at the table, but on the spot, where the regulars and Wagner are making progress, albeit very slowly. How far and how will we see it.
As we shall see, Ukrainian leaders will launch a full-scale attack on bases and depots around the city of Belgorod on Russian territory. The head of military intelligence, Wadym Skibitsky, in an interview with German media in preparation for the spring offensive, did not rule this out. Four aspects: the place has already been the scene of ideas; possible that Kiev will consider continuous and not sporadic action; Moscow could react even more vehemently; The US and its allies have always declared their opposition, in fact they have denied long-range weapons.
The struggle for the hinterland also affects Belarus. Internal opposition group Bypol has claimed damage to a Russian A50 Mainstay radar plane at a stand on the Machulishchy airstrip south of Kiev. The dissidents claim to have used an explosive drone in an operation that had been planned for months. At the moment there are many “votes” awaiting verification. The regime’s opponents have committed many acts of sabotage, especially against the railway line. Lukashenko has avoided deploying his troops to Ukraine despite pressure from Moscow, but is providing important logistical support for the Kremlin’s plans. At the same time, he threatened a reaction if his country were to become the target of external attacks. A real possibility that does not even exclude provocations to “justify” reprisals.
These are moments of great tension, where the dynamics of war intertwine with political balances. President of Ukraine Zelenskyy replaced General Eduard Moskalyov, commander of the combined forces engaged in the Battle of Donbass. No explanation for the change for the time being, a connection with cases of corruption within the hierarchy is suspected. A few weeks ago, even Defense Minister Olesky Reznikov’s ouster seemed imminent, a story that has since returned. Just today, the senior official said the decision to keep Bakhmut at all costs was a way of preventing the adversary from unleashing a major offensive and allowing Kiev to await the arrival of European-trained soldiers . Nataliya Gumenuyk, head of the press service of the Southern Quadrant Armed Forces, instead gave an interpretation of how Ukraine can restore its sovereignty over the lost territories: “The Russian occupiers will not simply abandon Crimea, but it is unlikely that there will be fierce fighting over the Peninsula will give. There will be another scenario.” Do you mean a negotiation?