Russian troop build-up in southern Ukraine opens up possibility for Ukrainian Armed Forces to counterattack in other directions - Serhiy Zgurets' column

The counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is not limited only to the South of Ukraine

There were heavy fighting on three fronts — in the North of Kharkiv, in the Donbas, and in the South in the Kherson region in the last 24 hours. Ukrainian forces liberated several towns in the Kherson region from the occupiers, but their names are not specified, in order to clear them of subversive groups and demining. OC "South" informs that positional battles continue and there are territories that have already been liberated, and also asks to wait for an official notification in this regard. We can assume that Visokopilya, Potemkine, Olgyne, Novovoznesneske can be in this list.

Let's move to the central part of the bridgehead.

Battles are taking place on the banks of the Ingulets river, from Sukhyi Stavok and Kostromka, to take control of the route to Berislav and cut in half  Russian military units, which are located on the right bank of the Dnipro river.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to destroy Russian warehouses, accumulations of equipment and forces of the invaders, including attempts to transfer something to the right bank. The OC "South" once again reported that during the enemy's attempt to establish an alternative crossing in the area of Gola Prystan, a barge with occupants and military equipment on board was destroyed. Fire control of the Kakhovskyi and Antonivskyi bridges does not allow the enemy to carry out repair work and transfer anything to the Right Bank.

We should not forget that the liberation of Ukrainian territories is a difficult process.

After a series of hostilities, the American edition of the Washington Post published a publication, where the correspondent communicates with our military wounded in the Kherson region, who participated in the first stages of the liberation of the occupied territories. Ukrainian soldiers say that Russians try to use artillery to stop the advance of Ukrainian troops. Enemy tanks move out of cement fortifications to fire at our infantry, then hide under concrete shelters protected from mortar and rocket fire. Ukrainian military confirmed that they managed to recapture the villages, but refused to name them. Each of them said that it is impossible to predict how Kherson will be liberated, but it was important to receive a significant amount of artillery from the Allies. Artillery is always in short supply on the battlefield. The Ukrainian military also said that they see no alternative in liberation Ukrainian land, and if we do not stop Russians, they will continue to rape and kill Ukrainians. So, offensive actions in the South continue and Ukraine pays a heavy price for every meter of the ground.

The situation in Kharkiv region

In the Kharkiv region and in the Izyum zone, the Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to liberate Ukrainian land from the occupiers, who are panicking along with their pro-Kremlin resources.

There is a reference in Russian resources that the Armed Forces of Ukraine intensified combat operations in the Kharkiv region and went on the attack on Balaklia, with the aim of reaching Izyum. The counteroffensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the direction of Balaklia is developing successfully. In addition to Balaklia, we can soon talk about the return to our control of Verbivka, which is under Balaklia, as well as Bayrak and Nova Husarivka. This bridgehead is important, but let's wait for official announcements. The return of Balaklia opens the way for an offensive on Vovchansk, which poses a threat to the Russian logistics lines that support the Izyum Group. The line Vovchansk — Velikiy Burlyuk — Kup'yansk — Izyum falls under the zone of Ukrainian influence and this limits the supply of enemy forces.

Donetsk direction

Let's not forget about other sections of the front - the Bakhmut and Donetsk directions.

There Russians use the advantage in artillery and try  to advance and push through our defenses. It's very hot there.

Let’s hope that the Ukrainian army will have the ability to restrain this advance and return the territories under Ukrainian control.

A new strategy to conduct hostilities

In the current format of launching hostilities, we will not be able to change the situation without forming a new strategy. This strategy is not based on ensuring the liberation of Crimea. Crimea is perceived as one of the centers of Russian power. And in order to liberate Crimea, it is necessary to prepare and conduct a series of counteroffensive operations next year, it is necessary to form 10-20 new divisions, but it is only one of the versions that Zaluzhnyi is talking about. In fact, the center of gravity should not be in the liberation of Crimea, but in giving the Ukrainian army new capabilities. Europe and the United States have to ensure the transfer of new weapons for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and systematically approach the re-equipment of the Ukrainian army with weapons samples that will ensure not only parity, but also the ability to conduct strikes on Russian territory in the depth of enemy positions. The strikes on Crimea with missile weapons shocked Russian military leadership and made this war much closer to all Russians.