Russia seizes more than Kyiv liberated during counteroffensive - The Washington Post
Russia seizes more territory than Ukraine liberated during the 2023 counteroffensive
Although the Russians' gains over the past few weeks have been relatively small, they are "straining" the Ukrainian army over a large area.
Russia is striking numerous points along the Ukrainian front line, gaining ground against the Ukrainian army, which is awaiting the arrival of more troops and weapons. This is stated in the material of The Washington Post.
The publication notes that in recent days, the Russian offensive in the Kharkov region of Ukraine has led to the displacement of thousands of people. Some evacuees said this invasion was even more brutal than the first. The Russian army also achieved success further south. And while Russia's gains have been relatively small, analysts say they are still significant as they put pressure on the Ukrainian military over a large geographic area.
The authors note that the territory Russia has occupied in the past few weeks is roughly the same as the territory Ukraine recaptured during its “muddled spring counteroffensive in 2023.” However, analysts say that this “Russian push” may be related to the lack of mobilization in Ukraine: many soldiers who were drafted still need training.
For his part, senior historian Gian Gentile Rand noted that a new attack from Russia means that Ukraine will have to redeploy forces, especially to the north, which could hamper Ukrainian efforts to prepare for its own offensive.
In the Kharkov region, the invaders expanded the combat zone by almost 70 km. This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky.
The Russians have corrected their mistakes
But Russia's victories on the battlefield in recent days were not just the result of Ukraine's shortcomings, The Washington Post notes. The Ukrainian military is reluctant to admit that the Russians have become smarter in their actions and have adapted to the realities of war compared to the first months of the invasion.
The commander of the National Guard brigade "Charter", Colonel Igor Obolensky, said that Russian troops are storming Ukrainian positions in the Kharkov region using tactics similar to Bakhmut. But the occupiers improved it.
Now the Russians are attacking with twice as large infantry groups - 15 fighters each. “Before, they walked and stretched out in groups of three and made small attacks. Now they are making great progress. Twenty people are trying to run in, trying to throw grenades,” the colonel said.
In addition, gliding bombs became a big advantage for the Russians. As the commander of the Charter reconnaissance unit with the call sign "Navigator" said, the Russians drop a bomb every 15-20 minutes and, unlike missiles, bombs cannot be intercepted by air defense.
Frequent airstrikes mean that Ukrainian forces must constantly change their positions by at least 300 meters, sometimes several times a day. As soon as the Russians notice the positions of the Ukrainians, bombs inevitably start flying there. And before the strike, a Russian drone with electronic warfare equipment appears in the sky, disrupting Ukrainian communications.
Russia seizes more territory than Ukraine liberated during the 2023 counteroffensive
Although the Russians' gains over the past few weeks have been relatively small, they are "straining" the Ukrainian army over a large area.
Russia is striking numerous points along the Ukrainian front line, gaining ground against the Ukrainian army, which is awaiting the arrival of more troops and weapons. This is stated in the material of The Washington Post.
The publication notes that in recent days, the Russian offensive in the Kharkov region of Ukraine has led to the displacement of thousands of people. Some evacuees said this invasion was even more brutal than the first. The Russian army also achieved success further south. And while Russia's gains have been relatively small, analysts say they are still significant as they put pressure on the Ukrainian military over a large geographic area.
The authors note that the territory Russia has occupied in the past few weeks is roughly the same as the territory Ukraine recaptured during its “muddled spring counteroffensive in 2023.” However, analysts say that this “Russian push” may be related to the lack of mobilization in Ukraine: many soldiers who were drafted still need training.
For his part, senior historian Gian Gentile Rand noted that a new attack from Russia means that Ukraine will have to redeploy forces, especially to the north, which could hamper Ukrainian efforts to prepare for its own offensive.
In the Kharkov region, the invaders expanded the combat zone by almost 70 km. This was announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Alexander Syrsky.
The Russians have corrected their mistakes
But Russia's victories on the battlefield in recent days were not just the result of Ukraine's shortcomings, The Washington Post notes. The Ukrainian military is reluctant to admit that the Russians have become smarter in their actions and have adapted to the realities of war compared to the first months of the invasion.
The commander of the National Guard brigade "Charter", Colonel Igor Obolensky, said that Russian troops are storming Ukrainian positions in the Kharkov region using tactics similar to Bakhmut. But the occupiers improved it.
Now the Russians are attacking with twice as large infantry groups - 15 fighters each. “Before, they walked and stretched out in groups of three and made small attacks. Now they are making great progress. Twenty people are trying to run in, trying to throw grenades,” the colonel said.
In addition, gliding bombs became a big advantage for the Russians. As the commander of the Charter reconnaissance unit with the call sign "Navigator" said, the Russians drop a bomb every 15-20 minutes and, unlike missiles, bombs cannot be intercepted by air defense.
Frequent airstrikes mean that Ukrainian forces must constantly change their positions by at least 300 meters, sometimes several times a day. As soon as the Russians notice the positions of the Ukrainians, bombs inevitably start flying there. And before the strike, a Russian drone with electronic warfare equipment appears in the sky, disrupting Ukrainian communications.
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