Three MARS-II MLRS in Ukraine

Finally, it was announced about important weapons supplies from Germany, which used to be slow to respond to Ukraine's requests. This means the ice was broken. The Minister of Defense of Germany stated that three MARS-II missile systems and other types of weapons have already been handed over to Ukraine. MARS-II is a localized German version of M270 MLRS and the older brother of HIMARS.

It differs in that it has two launch packages and can simultaneously launch 12 missiles at a range of 80 km, respectively, destroying 12 targets at once. It's a good system, but there are always nuances with Germany. It was previously reported that Germany could not transfer these MARS-IIs due to the sensitive software that allows the use of long-range guided missiles. Germany has nevertheless completed the modernization of MARS-II MLRS, allowing the use of long-range projectiles. These three MARS-II systems will be an important addition to the list of HIMARS which are actively destroying the enemy.

IRIS-T ADS to be delivered by the end of the year

In addition to the MARS-II, Germany was reported to have transferred the IRIS-T ADSs. As it turned out later, these were overly optimistic reports. Mass media was wrong, the IRIS-T air defense equipment is to be received by the end of the year. The ADS allows destroying enemy targets at an altitude of up to 20 km and at a range of up to 40 km. It is the state-of-the-art weapon manufactured by German companies. Ukraine has requested 10 such units, and the production of these systems will take up to 3-4 years. The first units were made for Egypt, and it was hoped that Ukraine would be able to suspend the contract and get other countries’ orders. That was not the case, therefore, we are waiting for the production of new IRIS-T, which can destroy ballistic targets and strengthen the capabilities of our Armed Forces.

The situation at the fronts

We need weapons in order to effectively carry out both defensive and offensive actions, which affects the situation on the fronts, being not easy, but the dynamics are predictable.

Sloviansk - Kramatorsk

It is worth highlighting the Sloviansk - Kramatorsk agglomeration, with the enemy trying to prepare attacks on these well protected cities. At one time, 60% of the enemy forces brought to the territory of Ukraine were concentrated around Izium and Lysychansk, but now there is no advance on Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, as all the roads and approaches to these cities are well protected.

Siversk - Soledar - Bakhmut

Besides Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, the second line of defense, or rather a line of exhaustion for the enemy, is the cities of Siversk, Soledar and Bakhmut. Along this line, the enemy conducts artillery and aviation strikes, tries to carry out separate offensive and assault operations along the Bilohorivka - Hryhorivka - Serebrianka line. All these settlements are located along the river Siversk Donets, and the town of Serebrianka is close to Siversk. There is no change in these areas. The AFU occupy commanding heights there, making it extremely difficult for the enemy to advance.

Bakhmut

The dynamics are the most complex there. Bakhmut is a logistics hub of many routes leading to Kramatorsk - Sloviansk and Lysychansk. In addition, the enemy has been trying for a long while to move towards Bakhmut from different directions.

Referring to the information from Russian public groups and from the limited information of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy has made some progress in capturing Vuhlehirska TPP. This direction does not significantly affect the situation in the south of Bakhmut, but we will keep a close eye on the development of the situation in this sector of the front line. Still, there are risks that the enemy will continue to move towards Bakhmut, aligning the front line after the capture of the TPP.

South

On the other hand, all these efforts can be balanced by the active actions of the Ukrainian side in the South, where counteroffensive and offensive actions are currently taking place. We cannot yet assess the general dynamics because the information is limited.

Activities associated with the actions of the AFU to destroy the bridges across the river Dnipro is a significant step forward from the point of view of pushing Russian troops out of our territory. The enemy does not respond, on the contrary, it tries to build pontoon crossings to continue supplying its troops to the right bank of the Dnipro, even though destroying the pontoon crossings is only a matter of time.

Apart from trying to create additional engineering measures in the South and use artillery, creating the main brunt of the fighting, the enemy is also seeking for the information related to our defense lines by means of  satellite and drone capabilities. It is looking for HIMARS base locations throughout our territory with the help of its systems.