Espreso. Global
Review

Russian Su-27 attack over Black Sea and defense of Bakhmut. Serhiy Zgurets 

15 March, 2023 Wednesday
13:36

The danger associated with Russia’s actions is increasing, and this may cause more global hostilities

Russian Su-27 attack on American MQ-9 drone

Two Russian fighter jets attempted to disrupt the operation of a US Air Force MQ-9 drone over the Black Sea. The Su-27 jet circled over the drone, jettisoning fuel several times before causing the drone to be sunk. The US State Department plans to contact Russia regarding the incident. It remains unclear how the drone's propellers were destroyed while the Russian fighter jets remained intact. This incident highlights the potential "black swans" that can arise during military operations.

Russians over the Black Sea have resorted to similar actions before. Last September, two Russian Su-27 fighter jets escorted a British reconnaissance aircraft in the international zone over the Black Sea. During the incident, a missile was launched from the plane. British Defense Minister Ben Wallace later wrote a letter to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, seeking an explanation. The Russian side claimed it was a technical failure in the operation of the Su-27 fighter.

We are now facing the second incident of this kind, which is dangerous as it may lead to a real clash between countries striving to avoid involvement in the war in Ukraine. Both the US and Great Britain share similar approaches to prevent the spread of the war beyond Ukraine's borders. It is worth noting that Russian cruise missiles were previously detected in Romania, despite Bucharest denying it. Consequently, the actions of the Russian Federation increase the risk of global military clashes.

Frontline situation 

The Ukrainian military is successfully deterring the enemy on multiple fronts. The Commander-in-Chief held a meeting yesterday where all Staff members expressed a unified position on the continued defense of the city of Bakhmut.

Oleksiy Hetman, a Russian-Ukrainian war veteran and reserve major, reported ongoing fighting in the north along the arc from Kupiansk to Vuhledar. The enemy is attempting to attack Lyman and reach Slovyansk. They are also attacking from the north and south near Vuhledar and Huliaypole, with the goal of reaching the southern outskirts of Zaporizhzhia. Battles in Marinka and Avdiivka have been ongoing for several years.

The enemy planned to cut the arc from Kupiansk to Vuhledar, with the cities of Marinka, Avdiivka, and Bakhmut located in the middle. Their aim was to send a large number of troops to these cities and move north and south to surround our group in the east. We are aware of the enemy's plans and hope that they will not succeed.

According to Hetman, the Russians have mobilized a large number of military personnel who have joined the hostilities. Despite having little equipment and light infantry, the situation is not as favorable as it appears. Due to a lack of equipment to provide for the newly mobilized troops - which number half a million according to Russian army staffing standards - the enemy still has an advantage in tanks and artillery. In the Luhansk region alone, they have about 2,000 heavy equipment, and the same amount in the south, along with 700 units of various artillery. Approximately 120,000 military personnel are concentrated in the north and 150,000 in the south, with ongoing troop transportation. Although they have plenty of equipment, there is insufficient additional equipment to support their mobilized forces.

Hetman noted that the Russians are attacking on a relatively small section of the front - 10-30 km.

Their tactic for conducting hostilities involves heavy artillery shelling and destruction, followed by infantry and heavy equipment. However, due to insufficient resources, they cannot do this simultaneously in all directions, so they focus on several chosen directions. The main forces are concentrated in a limited area where the enemy seeks to break through the front line. Offensive actions commence once a gap is created, and additional forces are added to the assault. This is likely why they are attacking in five areas. Currently, there is parity in the number of artillery shots, but the enemy has an advantage in areas where they are concentrated.

USA
Read also:
  • News
2023, Wednesday
29 March
01:15
Russia calls unacceptable IOC's conditions for admission of Russians, Belarusians to international competitions
00:55
Ukrainian journalists demand that authorities cancel lists of media that can work in 'red' zones
00:35
Russia reports drone spotted near railroad tracks in New Moscow
00:15
At least 4,390 Ukrainian orphans are in Russia and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine
2023, Tuesday
28 March
23:57
First three strike companies of Ukrainian drones fully equipped, ready for combat 
23:39
UK, Poland to build villages for IDPs in Ukraine
23:21
AFU repel 24 enemy attacks in four main combat areas – General Staff
23:03
Ukrainian Armed Forces eliminate over 1,500 Russian Orlan-10 drones
22:45
IOC undecided on admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to Olympics
22:27
Poland to tighten Belarus sanctions over Russia’s planned deployment of nuclear weapons
22:09
Ukraine's NATO, EU membership will guarantee European security for decades – FM Kuleba
21:51
War in Ukraine will last long, Peskov warns Russian elite 
21:33
OPINION
Putin's streams. Sabotage is Russians' work
21:15
Russian forces establish de facto control over Askania Nova reserve
20:57
Elections in times of war is very dangerous process – Syumar
20:39
Substation blown up near Melitopol – mayor Fedorov
20:21
Exclusive
Russian troops lose key professional units – General Malomuzh
20:03
AFU destroy Wagner Group's position in Bakhmut
19:45
Russian forces attack 124 civilian settlements in Ukraine’s 9 regions over last day
19:27
Exclusive
No doubt that nuclear weapons will be in Belarus – oppositionist Latushko
19:09
Exclusive
Moment when Russians will get off their knees and start protesting against Putin is unpredictable – political analyst Mahda
18:51
OPINION
How Russian loopholes in evading sanctions are closed
18:32
US supports tribunal for Russian war crimes in Ukraine
18:14
Exclusive
Nuclear weapons won't be relocated to Belarus – military expert Zgurets
17:54
Resistance Center publishes Russian camps map where Russians take Ukrainian children
17:36
UN Commission to continue searching for evidence of genocide in Ukraine if its mandate is extended
17:17
World medical star brought to Lviv new prosthetic technology for Ukraine
16:57
OPINION
Why Putin looks like a hopeless idiot to Xi
16:41
Belarusian Foreign Ministry claims that nuclear weapon deployment on its territory complies with international law
16:22
Zelenskyy is expected with unannounced visit in Warsaw – Polish Foreign Ministry
16:02
Russia uses aircraft more than naval launchers during missile attacks - South Operational Command
15:42
Russia has lost most of its tank regiment near Avdiivka - British intelligence
15:22
OPINION
Nuclear weapons in Belarus is the start of Putin's election campaign 
15:02
Exclusive
Avdiivka is unlikely to be encircled, Ukrainian Armed Forces hold strong defense - military expert Zgurets
14:42
Russians use chemical weapons in Donetsk direction
14:22
Exclusive
Ukrainian army may face infantry shortages — we cannot compensate our losses like Russia 
14:02
Review
Nuclear weapons in Belarus will be set to target NATO countries - Sergiy Zgurets
13:43
Commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces names AFU’s main task in Bakhmut direction
13:24
German Leopard 2 tanks arrive in Ukraine
13:04
Mariupol occupation police chief hospitalized in serious condition - mayor's adviser
More news