Russian forces push in all directions - military expert Serhiy Zgurets 

Svatove - Kreminna line

The enemy is trying to push along the entire frontline. This is the large-scale offensive that the Russian army was planning. One of the hottest spots is the Svatove-Kreminna line where the Russian offensive is conducted. Mobilized Russian troops keep arriving to replenish losses of their units.

According to the AFU Eastern Group, over the past week, Russian troops have launched a record number of artillery strikes in the Lyman direction, west of Kreminna. In the Svatove - Kreminna - Nevelske area, there were 215 artillery attacks and 16 combat clashes with 120 Russian soldiers dead and 95 wounded. Despite significant losses, they are still trying to advance.

Vitaliy Biliak from the National Guard of Ukraine noted that the situation in Donbas remains difficult but under control. The enemy is trying to storm the AFU positions in the Serebriansk forestry. It leads to nothing but Russian personnel losses. The AFU are doing everything possible to repel the attack. 

Military serviceman Vitaliy Biliak reported that the enemy had accumulated the most modern equipment in this direction. They actively use electronic communications, trying to creep up to our positions. They are well disguised, it signifies that they are well-trained.

To fight in the war you need to be alert and cool-headed, enemies know how to disguise themselves. Counter-sniper duels take place in the forest at 150-200 distance. Our units work efficiently. Enemy keeps using drones with grenades attached. With small subversive groups, they are trying to study our positions and carry out reconnaissance by combat, but many die trying. We have to prevent war from spreading to the west.

At each position we have thermal imagers and night vision devices, drones. We have everything for close combat. We have munition, but there are problems with 120 mm and heavier weapons.

Ramstein-9 results 

We have to hold defenses while other brigades are being formed and prepared to start a counteroffensive soon. It was discussed at the Ramstein meeting. 

According to the military expert Ihor Levchenko, the main result of this Ramstein is that our allies are determined to provide aid in terms of Western equipment for entire units, and prepare these units to carry out counteroffensive in spring. 

He believes that we need Western aircraft and high-precision aviation munitions. The allies supply the high-precision ammunition for artillery and MLRS, but the high-precision aviation ammunition is much more powerful. For example, to break through the defenses in the South, Zaporizhzhia region, to access Melitopol, such air support would be vital. The potential of HIMARS ammunition and 150 km range missiles is limited to 100 kg warheads. The potential of artillery high-precision ammunition is even lower. High-precision aviation bombs can weigh 100, 300, 500 kg, or even up to a ton, which may come in handy while breaking through the organized, echeloned Russian defense.

Based on the previous experience of conducting hostilities, using Western weapons – communication, artillery systems, etc. – increases their combat effectiveness. Successful autumn AFU offensive made a positive impact on European and US in terms of assistance and support for Ukraine. They are providing more military and financial aid.