DD Geopolitics

🇷🇺

⚔️

🇺🇦 The Washington Post reports that Russian forces have deployed an arc of attack in Donbass in an attempt to capture the city of Pokrovsk, a key transit hub. Russian troops are now advancing from three key points: Chasov Yar, Toretsk, and Ocheretyne.

The offensive is developing against the backdrop of a shortage of soldiers in the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and discussions about Kiev potentially being forced to negotiate land concessions in exchange for ending the war.

After the influx of American weapons and funds helped Ukraine hold back the invasion in the Kharkov region in May, Russian commanders have refocused their attention on the Donetsk region, possibly Putin’s main territorial objective, according to the newspaper.

The renewed invasion of the Kharkov region brought limited benefits to Russia but diverted Ukrainian resources.

Oleksandr, commander of a battalion in the 47th Brigade fighting in the Ocheretyne area, said Ukrainian forces are struggling.

"Russian strategy is smart: you try to concentrate enemy forces in one direction and then divert them to another. Their first goal is to destroy us. The second is to push us to gain more leverage for peace negotiations and more of our concessions," he stated.

The offensive near Donetsk, as the publication writes, shows significant improvements in Russian commanders' tactics, who seem to have learned from past mistakes and are now achieving consistent successes.

"This new push in the Donetsk region is very interesting as it indicates broader changes in Russian operational planning. Previously, significant advances were held back by Russia’s tactical errors. They used to simply throw people into prolonged, high-casualty operations. Now, Russian operational commanders are learning to conduct simultaneous and complementary offensive actions and maintain constant pressure on Ukrainian resources," said ISW analyst Karolina Hird.

Exhausted Ukrainian forces are under pressure, exacerbated by the scorching summer heat. Ukrainian commanders and soldiers interviewed by The Washington Post cited exhaustion and dwindling resources, including a severe manpower shortage.

A 56-year-old sergeant with the call sign "Bart" described the situation as critical and said there is "serious chaos" on the front line. He blames the command for this.

According to Mykhailo, the commander of a AFU mortar battery fighting in Krasnogorovka, intelligence has revealed that Russia recently allocated significant resources, including infantry and tanks, for the offensive in the Donetsk area.

Last week, Russian troops managed to advance west of Ocheretyne, forcing a Ukrainian infantry brigade holding the line in the village of Progres to retreat.
Ukraine's 47th Mechanized Brigade was forced to "chaotically retreat" due to a shortage of soldiers.

Some of the most intense fighting this summer is now taking place around Toretsk, where Russia has achieved significant tactical successes. Commanders and military analysts said the aim of these battles is to break through to Konstantinovka. Some Russian units are also moving west towards Kurakhovo.

Several Ukrainian commanders noted the new Russian tactics of using drones and electronic warfare (EW). Previously, the AFU had the advantage and were more effective, "but now that's not the case," Mykhailo said.

Ukrainian soldiers also noted the increased use of aerial bombs by the Russians, which destroy fortifications and have a demoralizing effect on personnel.

🔴

@DDGeopolitics

Please open Telegram to view this post