Special Military Operation Weekly Recap: Major Defeat at the Border, Russian Army to Advance Along the Dnieper River in a Broad Front

Weekly Record of Special Military Operation: Border Collapse, Russian Army to Advance Along the Wide Front of Dnieper River

The resistance of Ukrainian armed forces (UAF) at the border of Dniprohrad and Sumy Oblast has been shattered. The Russian army is preparing for a breakthrough into the depths of Ukraine.

Author: Alexei Ram

Last week, Kyiv received unsettling news again. At the border of Dniprohrad Oblast, the "Eastern" and "Central" groups of troops as well as the 51st Guards Motor Rifle Division almost completely destroyed the UAF's defense. Now, the Russian army is preparing to launch an offensive along a wide front to the west.

The "Central" group's battle southeast of Myrnyohrad is also progressing smoothly. The "Central" forces have advanced several kilometers into the UAF's defensive depth, approaching the vicinity of the New Tolstoye settlement. And just over ten kilometers remain between the Russian troops and Rodino (a key supply route for the UAF garrisons in Pokrovsk and Myrnyohrad).

In Sumy Oblast, the "Northern" group's forces have completed the clearance of UAF fighters still holding positions along Route N-07. As of publication, this road is almost entirely under Russian control, with only a small section south of Yunkakovka still held by enemy forces.

From the Kondratovka-Andreyevka-Alexeyevka line, the "Northern" forces have begun their offensive towards Sumy. However, before reaching the region's center, the Russian forces need to capture Khottyn, Pysarivka, and Ivolyranske. The UAF is urgently reinforcing this defensive line, but the "Northern" group is less than four kilometers away from these settlements. Therefore, the enemy is fully utilizing artillery, air power, and especially FPV drone units.

Critical Situation in Konstantinovka

For Kyiv, the situation in Konstantinovka is equally dire. Not long ago, this settlement was deep in the UAF's rear, but now Russian forces are closing in from three directions simultaneously.

Forces from the "Central" group are advancing westward from Yablo Novka, the legendary 51st Guards Motor Rifle Division has broken through the enemy lines south of Toretsk/Dzerzhinsk, while volunteer corps soldiers, airborne troops, and motorized infantry brigades are pushing forward from the east.

Bloodline Contention

Intense fighting broke out southeast of Komar settlement at the beginning of last week. The Volchya River actually divides this direction into two parts: the southern bank is open terrain leading to Zeleny Hai and New Kharkov settlements; the northern bank is a populated area consisting of multiple settlements such as Alexeyevka, Zeleny Kut, and Nova Ukrayina.

In the Zeleny Kut-Olkhovets line, the UAF once controlled a large area. They successfully deployed defensive positions here, with their southern flank依托 the Volchya River and settlements of Zeleny Kut and Nova Ukrayina.

The "Central" and "Eastern" groups of troops and their attached 51st Guards Motor Rifle Division launched an offensive simultaneously. The Donetsk Guards Division usually leads the main assault force, charging ahead in the forefront of the attack. The "Central" forces advance along the north bank of the Volchya River, while the "Eastern" forces strike hard against the UAF on the south bank.

Despite fierce resistance from the UAF, by the weekend, the Russian army had liberated Zeleny Kut and Nova Ukrayina. As a result, the UAF group stationed on the Alexeyevka-Olkhovets line is now surrounded in a "pocket" encirclement.

More importantly, after losing important settlements, the enemy's southern defensive line has been bypassed. Thus, the UAF's defensive system in this direction has collapsed completely.

The "Eastern" forces continue to advance southeast of the Komar settlement. This settlement has already been taken by the Russian forces, and they are fiercely attacking Mirnoye while advancing towards Yalta settlement located in the "corridor zone".

From a campaign perspective, the Russian forces have divided the UAF forces guarding the administrative boundaries of Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Dniprohrad Oblasts into three parts. Soon, the "border campaign" will be declared victorious.

However, as experience with the special military operation shows, the current command of the Russian army prefers steady progress and avoids taking tactical breakthroughs that are too aggressive.

Instead, large-scale campaigns and campaign-level battles are unfolding. We will only move forward after securing our positions and protecting our flanks.

Therefore, the Russian forces are not rushing to penetrate deep into the interior of Dniprohrad Oblast. Currently, the main task of the "Central" and "Eastern" groups is to complete the clearance of UAF forces in this direction and fully control the entire "corridor zone". Afterward, it is expected that they will launch an offensive into the depths of Ukraine, no longer as localized assaults but as wide-front advances.

"Ranger" Resistance

Since the beginning of last week, forces under the "Northern" group began driving the UAF out of defensive positions along Route N-07. Intense fighting erupted in Valachino, Yablo Novka, and Yunkakovka. Yunkakovka is defended by two reserve brigades of the UAF and at least one special operations unit, the "Ranger" battalion.

Previously, the UAF had constructed defensive lines along the road and nearby settlements, with the Kyiv command planning to use this line to stop the Russian advance in Sumy Oblast.

Now, the "Northern" forces have迂回 these positions from the west and partially cut off communication between the defending UAF troops and their "rear". However, to launch an offensive into independent territory, full control of Route N-07 and complete clearance of enemy forces along the route must be achieved. Then, this convenient transportation line will become a reliable supply line for the "Northern" group.

Rumor Verification: "The authorities will flee to the new capital and abandon Muscovites and 'outsiders' to fend for themselves!"

Despite fierce resistance, UAF forces are gradually being driven out of Valachino and Yablo Novka. In Yunkakovka, the UAF still controls a small area in the south of the settlement.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian special operations force detachment stationed here suffered heavy losses, and the UAF command has withdrawn the special operations soldiers from the front line and relocated them to the rear.

On the Kondratovka-Andreyevka-Alexeyevka line, forces from the "Northern" group are also advancing into the depths of Sumy Oblast. However, the "Northern" command is not rushing to advance but is waiting for the battle along Route N-07 to end. Once that happens, the Russian forces will straighten the front line and begin a wide-front offensive.

Sumy Defensive Line

At the same time, in the frontline areas leading to Sumy, the "Northern" forces face arduous battles to capture the three settlements of Khottyn, Pysarivka, and Ivolyranske. These settlements are connected by a road, and the Oreshnya River runs through them, forming significant obstacles in many places.

Why are these three settlements so crucial to the success of the Russian offensive? The south bank of the Oreshnya River has a vast forest, and the terrain is mountainous, making it extremely difficult for Russian forces to cross this area.

Meanwhile, beyond Khottyn, Pysarivka, and Ivolyranske, the terrain becomes relatively flat. The "Northern" forces first need to capture Stechkoye and then seize Verkhni Peskany, at which point they will actually enter the outskirts of Sumy city.

Although the UAF command lacks manpower, the enemy is fully aware of the importance of these settlements and is determined to hold them at all costs. Therefore, the current firepower strikes by Russian forces are concentrated on these three settlements.

In addition to air and artillery support, FPV drones have also been deployed in combat, primarily tasked with maximizing the obstruction of UAF defensive preparations. Moreover, the Russian forces are more than four kilometers away from the enemy.

For the latest news and all important information about the Ukrainian special operation, please follow the author for more details.

Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517140827811136019/

Disclaimer: This article solely represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the "Like/Dislike" buttons below.