Bakhmut fulfills its main mission. Ukrainian Armed Forces used all of Soviet tanks from Europe. Serhiy Zgurets, CEO of Defense Express military expert group

Russia began to use artillery less frequently in Bakhmut

During this week, Russian troops tried to advance to Bakhmut from the east. The Ukrainian military stopped them.  Russian forces also tried to go to the outskirts in the built-up area in front of Bakhmutka River and were also knocked out.  Now they try to regroup and advance deep into the city. Right part of the city along the river is higher and any attempts to break into the built-up area will come with significant losses.

If we are talking about the entire front line here, it is 55 km, where Russian troops try to carry out offensive actions, probing our defense line. Yakovlivka is under Russian control, from which they try to develop an offensive. This leads to nothing. Heavy fighting in the suburb of Soledar. Russian forces in the south of this front try to push towards Klishchiivka. Ukrainian Armed Forces defeated them in the Kordiumivka area. This entire section of the front remains extremely tense and the Russian military is trying to break through in the direction of Chasiv Yar in order to cut the supply line of troops in Bakhmut from the West.

Use of artillery has recently decreased — strikes were conducted on Russian ammunition storage sites. This affected the intensity of artillery work, even in the area of ​​Bakhmut. Dynamics are intense, but it allows Ukrainian forces to confidently hold the city.

The issue of leaving the city is not critical from the point of view of operational requirements. Ukraine just went away from the strategy when we took time in exchange for territory. Now, if we can, we hold our positions. Bakhmut's main mission is to destroy Russian personnel, restrain his forces, and I think this will last for a certain period of time.

Russian occupiers try to surround Avdiivka

Russian forces cannot take Avdiivka directly and conduct circling maneuvers in Krasnohorivka and Kamianka directions, trying to bypass the city from the north.  And from the south - in the direction of Pervomaiskyi and Nevelskyi. They try to surround Avdiivka. Heavy fighting with the use of tanks is currently underway in Opytne. Intentions to seize Avdiivka will continue.

In Mariinka, fighting is going on in the city center. There are buildings where Ukrainian troops and Russian troops are on separate floors. Mariinka, Bakhmut and Avdiivka prove that this section of front remains the most difficult. Reinforcements and more artillery are needed there.

Capturing of Kreminna by AFU is prerequisite for cutting the route to Svatove 

Ukrainian forces are trying to push the Russian enemy along the entire Svatove-Kreminna line and north of Svatove, where Russian troops tried to conduct counterattacks. Situation in Svatove was somewhat cemented, because the Russian military transferred a significant number of reserves and weather affected it. When conditions were more or less acceptable, we ensured advance in the direction of the town. But it was less than what is happening around Kreminna and near Chervonopopivka.

Ukrainian troops are advancing up to 5 km to Kreminna. The Russian enemy is trying to counterattack in Dibrova and Bilohorivka, but these are actions to reduce our potential for movement on Kreminna.  Kreminna is a fairly fortified settlement, it is located on a hill and is divided in half by Krasna river. Capture of Kreminna is a prerequisite and basis for cutting the Svatove-Kreminna route. The route is under fire control, but Ukrainian troops are not yet directly on it. Combat actions around Chervonopopivka and Ploshanka indicate that we are close to this route and ensure that it is impossible for Russian troops to use it.

South: Fighting continues on Kinburn Spit

Thanks to the Ukrainian barrel and jet artillery, we create prerequisites for battlefield formation. This story is reminiscent of what happened on the right bank of Dnipro River. Strikes by long-range weapons are clearly aimed at: destroying logistics, command posts, ammunition stocks and complicating transfer of personnel. This is the stage of battlefield formation for liberation of the south.  It should be connected with cutting off the possibility of transferring forces and means from Crimea. Logically, it is necessary to cut isthmus in Crimea, then ensure destruction of Russian forces, and then conduct counteroffensive actions using tanks.

Fighting continues on Kinburn Spit. Here, Russian troops transferred 700 Kuban Cossacks, who patrol the spit. They shell across Dnipro river. They are trying to somehow influence the safety of sea channels.

Special operations forces operate there from the Ukrainian side. Artillery fire is going on to suppress Russian forces. There were video tests of our copters with thermobaric ammunition, which had a fairly good practical effect. I think that the first steps of practical use can be on Kinburn Spit.

Ukrainian Armed Forces used all of the Soviet tanks from Europe

Yes, we have used all of the Soviet tanks from Europe. So we expect 90 tanks to be modernized with American funds in the Czech Republic. Then the choice between American Abrams tanks and German tanks begins. The problem with the latter, apart from the political component, is that, to be honest, there are none. They should either be made new or taken from other countries.  New ones mean 2-3 years of waiting. If we are talking about an offensive operation in 2-3 months, given political prerequisites for it, then we can hope for American tanks. There is a problem with logistics — it is easier to fight on German tanks, they are simpler for the needs of the European theater of operations. The tank issue comes first, but we don't know how it will be resolved.

There are 5 Belarusian battalion tactical groups near the border with Ukraine

If we are talking about landscape and prerequisites for offensive, there are only 5 crossings on the border with Belarus. All these 5 sections of transport corridors are under Ukrainian control from the point of view of preparation. On the other hand, 5 Belarusian battalion tactical groups and a group of special forces are stationed in the border zone, which can really conduct provocative actions.  There are no prerequisites for conducting offensive operations — the grouping has not been formed. In any case, attention of all intelligence services is focused on this section of the front. I think there will be no surprises. The potential is different, there will be no surprise effect. If they advance to our territory, it will be a good preсondition for destruction of objects that have threatened us for a long time - both airfields and aircraft of the Russian Federation and Belarus, which are used for strikes on our territory.