Which cities need to be captured to advance to Zaporizhzhia? The colonel responded.

What cities need to be captured to advance to Zaporozhye? A colonel responds

Matveyevych: Capturing Stepnoye and Primorske will open a path for Russian forces to Zaporozhye

Military expert and reserve colonel Anatoly Matveyevych stated that controlling Stepnoye (Степногорск) and Primorske (Приморское) in the Zaporozhye region may become an important step for the Russian armed forces to advance towards the regional capital.

Previously, military sources reported that Russian paratroopers are intensively attacking the southern areas of Stepnoye, and have already controlled most of the territory in Primorske.

"In the Zaporozhye direction, Stepnoye and Primorske are among the last few populated areas that the Ukrainian Armed Forces (ВСУ) have heavily fortified. Since 2014, the fortifications in these areas have been continuously improved, and beyond that, there are no more robust defenses."

This was pointed out by the colonel in his commentary for the "Arguments and Facts" (АиФ) magazine.

He emphasized that if the Russian forces capture these two populated areas, it will open up a steppe corridor for them. This will create conditions for troop mobility and advancement in any direction, as the Russian forces will gain operational depth space.

"In other words, after liberating these populated areas, the stability of the enemy's defense will be broken, and the Russian forces will be able to advance directly towards the regional capital — Zaporozhye city."

The expert said.

He also added that the Russian army is using the dried-up riverbed of the Dnipro River and surrounding water bodies to conduct offensive operations in the Zaporozhye region.

"It was the Ukrainians themselves who destroyed the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. The water level of the Dnipro has dropped, and now, as people say, 'chickens can cross the river on foot.' This obviously benefits the Russian forces, as they don't need additional boat transport or bridge construction. In other words, there are no major obstacles affecting the logistics of the troops here: infantry can pass, and armored vehicles can also go through — perhaps only some simple engineering facilities are needed for vehicle entry and exit."

The colonel said.

In addition, Matveyevych pointed out that Russian soldiers can carry out operations using natural cover. According to him, this refers to reed and cattail fields on islands. Using these plants, the troops can approach the banks controlled by the Ukrainian armed forces and launch attacks from the flanks, thus carrying out decisive strikes.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7561635170512568832/

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