Espreso. Global
Review

Russian 'goodwill gesture' or Bakhmut encirclement nearing — military expert Zgurts 

8 September, 2023 Friday
12:52

Bakhmut is located in the lowlands, and if Ukrainian artillery is able to work from the dominant heights around the city, the encirclement of Bakhmut may not happen. It just might not come to that.

client/title.list_title

Ukrainian Defense Forces continue offensive actions in the Bakhmut, Melitopol and Berdiansk directions

Yesterday NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Ukrainian army has managed to break through the defensive lines of Russian troops. According to him, the Ukrainian army is advancing, albeit at a slower pace. Stoltenberg also emphasized the importance, ability, and readiness of NATO to support Ukraine. As for the situation at the front, Ukrainian defenders continue their offensive in the Bakhmut, Melitopol, and Berdiansk directions.

Instead, Russia is trying to seize the initiative on the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, where they are now amassing forces for repeated attacks. In the South, the Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to advance to enemy positions from Robotyne towards Novoprokopivka and Verbove. The goal is to consolidate the liberated positions and expand the bridgehead along the front, which is extremely important. One of the soldiers of the 47th separate mechanized brigade told Espreso TV that after they managed to overcome the main line of enemy defense, there were actually fewer minefields. However, the Russians are trying to re-mine the areas where Ukrainian troops are advancing. One Ukrainian soldier says that this creates certain problems, but it is not on the same scale as before.

The advance of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the Bakhmut direction 

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported positive changes in the Bakhmut direction. In particular, in the area of Klishchiivka and Andriivka. Just a few hours ago, the deputy commander of the 3rd Separate Mechanized Brigade, Maksym Zhorin, wrote on his Telegram channel that Ukrainian units are currently pushing Russian troops out of certain positions around Andriivka. Zhorin says that Russia is trying to strengthen its position by moving reserves, but they are of little use. One way or another, the Russians are leaving their positions and slowly rolling back. Zhorin also added that the successes in the Bakhmut direction are the result of the work of many Ukrainian Armed Forces units.

Map of hostilities in the Bakhmut direction as of August 7.

Redeployment of Russian reserves to the Bakhmut direction

Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman Kyrylo Sazonov said that the situation north of Bakhmut, in particular in the areas of Berkhivka, Bohdanivka, and Hryhorivka, is difficult. The main challenge for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this particular section of the front is the enemy's minefields. The Russians are trying to gain ground and hold their positions. According to Sazonov, Russia is constantly reinforcing its units with reserves in an attempt to hold on to their positions. However, as Sazonov emphasized, the successful actions of Ukrainian units south of Bakhmut and the effective work of artillery are bringing the Defense Forces closer to encircling the city. He also added that Bakhmut is located in the lowlands, and if Ukrainian artillery is able to work from the dominant heights around the city, the encirclement of Bakhmut may not happen. It just might not come to that. Sazonov noted that as a result of the work of the Defense Forces, the encirclement of the Russians in Bakhmut is approaching its logical conclusion, or they will simply retreat from the city.

Kyrylo Sazonov also criticized the words of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about the slow advance of Ukrainian troops. He emphasized that in the doctrines of almost all NATO member states, the beginning of offensive actions begins with massive air attacks. Only then, after the destruction of all enemy headquarters, air defense systems, warehouses, airfields and control points, infantry and armored vehicles begin to advance. Therefore, according to him, the Ukrainian offensive and liberation of territories would be much faster if there were a sufficient number of F-16 aircraft.

Effective work of Ukrainian artillery

According to Sazonov, Russia still has an advantage in artillery and ammunition. However, due to the professionalism of Ukrainian artillerymen along the entire front line, we managed to keep the balance in artillery battles. In addition, Ukrainian artillerymen work with Western weapons, which makes it possible to increase the effectiveness of defeating the enemy. Western artillery systems are longer-range and more accurate than Russian artillery.

International arms exhibition in Poland

Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor, said that Ukraine is represented by several companies at the international arms exhibition in Poland. According to Belbas, the main purpose of participating in such exhibitions is to find cooperative ties and partners for cooperation. Another important part of such exhibitions is agreements on the supply of various components and elements for the manufacture of weapons. Belbas emphasized that the company is currently at the stage of significant expansion of production in all areas. This applies to ammunition, weapons, and equipment. In addition, Ukrainian defense companies should work on establishing service centers to maintain and repair equipment provided to Ukraine as part of international military assistance. He emphasized that the exhibition in Poland is attended by representatives of many countries. In particular, from Eastern European countries. According to him, it is on the basis of the defense industry of these countries that new cooperative ties are being formed.

Vladyslav Belba said that Western defense companies have no concerns about cooperation with Ukrainian companies. This issue has never even been discussed. In his opinion, this position is due to the fact that the Russian agent network in these countries has been successfully purged. Therefore, cooperation with Ukrainian companies is now taking place in a more relaxed environment. The problems that exist are of a technological and technical nature.

Ukrainian armored vehicle Novator (photo: www.facebook.com/ukrainianarmor).

Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainian Armor, also spoke about the new version of the Novator armored vehicle. He emphasized that by creating a new version of the Novator, the company continues to develop our vehicle line. The 10-seater armored vehicle is the most updated version of the Novator, which has been supplied to the Ukrainian Defense Forces since 2018 and has been tested both by time and, most importantly, by combat. Like its predecessor, the 10-seater Novator is built on a modular basis and is, in fact, a universal platform that, due to its high degree of adaptability, can be used to perform a variety of combat missions and can be equipped with various weapons and combat modules.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2024, Monday
23 December
14:34
Russia escalates executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war
14:17
Exclusive
Four training grounds spring to life, Mariupol shows signs of offensive prep – official
13:57
Russia announces establishment of new drone warfare branch in Armed Forces by 2025
13:34
234 clashes occur at front on Dec. 22: Ukrainian forces target Russian ammo depot
13:16
Ukraine receives $1.1 billion from IMF
12:52
Russia issues fake documents to hide North Korean troops on frontlines
12:34
Evacuation vessel to transport Russian troops from Syria breaks down at sea - Ukrainian intel
12:16
OPINION
Unbearable cost of defeat for Ukraine
11:57
Why foreign volunteers join Ukraine’s battle for independence
11:35
Exclusive
Pro-Russian forces will seek to sow chaos in Ukraine's next presidential election - MP Kniazhytskyi
11:15
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces prevent Russian advance across Dnipro in Kherson region
10:56
Review
Explosions and fires hit key Russian military sites: Rostov, Murmansk, occupied Donetsk region
10:37
OPINION
Oreshnik becomes key element of blackmail: Putin vows revenge
10:13
North Korea poised to send additional troops, military gear to Russia, Seoul says
09:58
Russian warehouse housing $16 million in Shahed drone parts goes up in flames - Ukrainian intel
09:35
Russia loses 1,990 soldiers in day of war in Ukraine
2024, Sunday
22 December
21:13
Orbán’s gas strategy: Trap for Ukraine and Europe
20:55
OPINION
Russia's internal existence is obscurantism
20:32
Meloni warns Russia may use migrants to destabilize Europe
20:15
Abrams tank crew survives FPV drone attack in Kursk region
19:59
Exclusive
How Russia attempts to discredit Ukrainian charitable foundations
19:44
Russia shells eight settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, killing one person
19:41
Updated
Russian soldiers execute 4 Ukrainian POWs from 110th Brigade in Donetsk region
19:17
North Korea supplies KN-15 ballistic missiles to Russia – reports
18:53
Dead dolphins wash up on coast after Russian oil tankers collide in Black Sea
18:36
Drones target Russia’s Oryol region, causing fire at oil depot
18:16
End of Russia's war against Ukraine: IMF does not rule out combat until mid-2026
17:56
Review
Destroying radars and blinding enemy air defense: Insights into the AGM-88 HARM missile that shocked Russia
17:30
2025 must be the year of a just peace for Ukraine – Zelenskyy
17:03
Putin threatens Ukraine with "greater destruction" after Kazan strike
16:46
OPINION
Civilians are weakest link in war of attrition
16:18
Russian forces kill commander of Free Georgia unit in Kursk region
15:49
EU prepares new sanctions package against Russia for third anniversary of full-scale invasion of Ukraine
15:17
OPINION
Ukraine–NATO: Endless entry process
14:53
Russia spreads false rally calls in Europe "against human rights violations in Ukraine"
14:22
Ukrainian Defense Forces destroy armored Russian group in Kupyansk
13:51
Exclusive
Fico seeks Putin's favor post-war – political scientist Reiterovych
12:57
Poland did not down Russian missiles as they posed no threat to its territory – Defense Minister
12:30
OPINION
Can Russia really collapse?
11:58
186 frontline clashes in one day: Russian forces step up in Vremivka direction
More news