Russia tries to buy time: Defence Express identifies strategic problem emerging at frontline

Defence Express military expert Ivan Kirichevskyi stated this on the Espreso TV channel.

"We do not consider the fact that Putin intends to reformat the regular troops and increase their combat capability. This is the main problem. When looking at the tactical situation, it is important to take into account the strategic problem that is brewing," he said.

The Russian forces have begun to use the so-called Storm-Z more actively in their infantry assaults. This allowed the Russian army to recover, Kirichevskyi noted.

"The Wagner PMC allowed Russian invaders to save the army they had to some extent. This allowed them to recover from their defeats in 2022 and prepare for the 2023 campaign accordingly. The Russian forces played this "game", using stormtroopers and prisoners to exhaust our troops and prepare their personnel," he said.

Kirichevskyi believes that the problem at the front today, particularly in the direction of Novomykhailivka, is that the Russian forces are trying to gain time to improve the combat capability of their cadre.

"The Russians' attempts to attack near Novomykhailivka are aimed at getting our defenders in Marinka in a trap. Given the pace at which the Russian army is advancing, the invaders cannot break through the Ukrainian defenses near Mykhailivka and quickly move on to Kostiantynivka or Vuhledar," he summed up.

It should be noted that Russian troops have come close to the eastern and southern outskirts of Novomykhailivka and are making constant attempts to break through to the village from the north. Currently, this section of the frontline is the most dynamic and requires urgent stabilization.