Ukrainian armed forces knock out Russian forces in south without significant advantage. Possible use of S-200 by Ukraine – military expert Serhiy Zgurets 

Yesterday, the General Staff reports that within a month, at the beginning of its offensive toward Melitopol and Berdiansk, the Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated 169 square kilometers in the south. Last week, Ukrainian troops also freed 4 square kilometers of land from the Russian occupiers in the Bakhmut direction. Every meter, hundred meters, and kilometer gained is a tough accomplishment that involves challenges and losses. The outcome relies on the abilities and determination of individual commanders and soldiers, their resilience and skills, which ultimately determine the strength of our defense and the effectiveness and balance of our offensive actions.

In the south, the Armed Forces are executing their plans and carrying out offensive actions. The Russians can only rely on their ammunition for defense. 

According to Commander Dmytro Linko from the Stuhna military unit in the Zaporizhzhia direction, there have been active offensives and breakthroughs of the first line of defense. The combined efforts of artillery, infantry, and assault units are causing significant losses to the enemy, as confirmed by intercepted radio communications. In certain areas, our forces have managed to break through kilometers of territory, including mine barriers and trenches. Currently, battles are ongoing to break through the second line of defense and advance further into operational areas. However, the enemy's air dominance poses challenges for us.

Commander Linko emphasized that a third of the unit's operations involve sabotage tasks. In recent actions, they have successfully stormed and cleared forward trenches in the Zaporizhzhia direction. Regular units of the Ground Forces then occupy and hold these positions. However, it is a difficult task as the enemy heavily mines the area after withdrawal. Clearing these mines in the midst of combat conditions is challenging, leading to significant losses and injuries.

Regarding UAVs, there is an insufficient supply to meet the demand. Volunteers struggle to bring in drones, and they are often lost the following day. During operations, 8-10 crews work in a single area to monitor and maintain the flow of information on the progress of the operation. Consequently, a considerable number of drones are lost daily, resulting in significant financial losses. In terms of personal protection, most units are adequately equipped at this stage, unlike the beginning of the war when supplies were scarce. This issue has been resolved.

Night attacks and sorties are also carried out, although working with night vision devices requires extensive training and unit coordination. Successful small-scale assaults, sweeps, and sabotage missions occur during these operations. Both sides can detect each other at night, making it equally risky for both parties. 

Artillery fire from the enemy is intense, targeting our front-line positions as well as rear positions. They constantly try to locate our artillery, highlighting the importance of counter-battery measures. To protect our advancing infantry and counter the enemy's artillery, sufficient resources are needed, which are currently lacking. Although we don't possess a significant advantage, we continue to carry out assigned tasks and make progress in displacing the enemy from their advanced positions.

Commander Linko added that the Russian units on the front line are the weakest, as the "elite" units are positioned further back and avoid direct engagement. The demoralized soldiers on the front line primarily rely on their vast ammunition supply for defense. They lack the motivation to engage in substantial battles or take the initiative.

Can Ukraine use the S-200 system to attack Russia?

In Russia, there is a claim that the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched missiles at targets in Crimea, as well as the Rostov and Kaluga regions on July 9. According to the Russian military official, Ukraine has converted S-200 air defense missiles into an attack version to hit ground targets. If this is true, it would increase Ukraine's strike capabilities. Is it possible to modify the S-200 system for this purpose?

Former Deputy General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ihor Romanenko, mentioned that the S-200 system is quite outdated. It is primarily used as an air defense system with a range of 220-240 km. However, during tests, some of these missiles flew for 600 km when they lost control. We have seen examples of modifying the S-300 system for ground attacks, and these missiles can also carry nuclear warheads.

The Russians wanted to show that Ukraine is using Storm Shadow missiles on Russian territory. Later, they showed a missile similar to the S-200 or Kh-22. Romanenko believes that there is a possibility of modifying and repurposing these missiles. 

He also mentioned that these missiles have been in operation for 60 years and are still used in countries like Moldova and were present in Poland until recently. The two-component engine system provides potential for increased range. The key is to accurately target the desired ground objective.