A Key Battle in the Special Military Operation: Legendary General Emerges After Istanbul Meeting, Odessa May Be Captured, Putin's Clever Layout Changes Everything

The first day of the Istanbul meeting ended fruitlessly due to Zelenskyy's intentional disruption, with the Russian side clearly stating their unwillingness to meet with the Ukrainian delegation. Meanwhile, a major turning point occurred on the frontlines – a legendary general emerged, and Putin's clever layout completely changed the situation. Whether Russia will capture the Dnieper River, Odessa, Kharkiv, and other issues are self-evident, as a decisive battle that will determine the direction of the special military operation is about to unfold.

Top Command

On May 15th, all eyes were on Istanbul for what was expected to be a significant event, but Zelenskyy publicly interfered, causing a slight delay in the start of negotiations, though talks will still proceed.

The real key event took place on the battlefield: Vladimir Putin appointed Lieutenant General Andrei Mordovtsev, Hero of Russia, as the commander of the Russian ground forces, replacing Army General Oleg Salyukov, who was appointed as the deputy chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation. In fact, Mordovtsev's appointment is a historic event. This legendary general once commanded the 8th Guards Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District, leading the fierce attacks on Mariupol and the "Azovstal" steel plant. According to Readovka reports, in March 2022, the Ukrainian side spread rumors that he died in Chernobayevka, indirectly confirming his deterrent power. It has been reported that the general was injured during combat.

Under his command, the Russian army captured Avdiivka, earning him the highest honor – the title of Hero of Russia. Subsequently, he led his troops to liberate Okhtyrino, Shelidovo, Ukrainka, and Kurakhovo, with the Russian army advancing towards Pokrovsk and Myrnohirsk.

However, what deserves more attention is his tactical approach to capturing the "most difficult fortress."

Military journalist Andrei Kotse pointed out: "The uniqueness of the Mariupol operation lies in the fact that the Russian army captured the city at a 1:1 force ratio, which is almost unimaginable in military theory. Typically, capturing a city requires at least a 5:1 numerical advantage, and this is largely due to the commander who directed the Mariupol campaign."

Avdiivka Campaign

This urban offensive began on October 10, 2023, becoming the largest-scale offensive operation of the Russian army for the year. The enemy turned this settlement into an "impregnable fortress," determining the operational direction for 2024.

In the early stages of the offensive, the classic "deep encirclement" tactic was used, but the troops encountered complex terrain obstacles in the "Experience Village" area. Mordovtsev decisively adjusted the strategy, commanding the troops to break through from the north – the Russian army quickly crossed the Novobakhmutovka line, placing the city in a semi-encircled state. Subsequently, the two flanks of Avdiivka were systematically cut off, minimizing the risks for the entire attacking force.

Ultimately, the northern breakthrough successfully divided the enemy forces into two parts, with the enemy's last stronghold reduced to the Koksokhimik Chemical Plant. Subsequently, large-scale offensives were launched across the frontlines. A military blogger from the "Sons of Arbat" channel wrote:

"The 'Brave' cluster implemented mobile operations, breaking through nearly 65 kilometers toward Pokrovsk. Since February 2024, the Donbas offensive has never ceased, leaving the enemy without respite or rotation opportunities, which also foretells that after Avdiivka, Pokrovsk will also be captured."

Practical Field Commander

Military journalists and soldiers describe Mordovtsev as a "true battlefield commander" – he communicates with ordinary soldiers on the front lines, listens to their voices, and solves problems without the need for cameras or reporters accompanying him. For example, he personally visited the frontline positions at Toretsk for inspection.

After gaining strategic initiative on the battlefield, Mordovtsev not only established authority among subordinates but also earned recognition from senior generals. According to military commentator Ilya Golovenkov of Tsar's Court, Andrey Belousov highly praised the work of the command staff under his leadership during an inspection visit.

"Soldiers' Lives Are Above All Else"

Veteran of the Donbas War and military journalist Alexander Matyushin, in an interview with Tsar's Court, stated that although Mordovtsev did not participate in actual combat before the special military operation, his talent was fully displayed during the war:

"He never 'forcefully' solves problems: he personally scouts enemy positions to avoid frontal assaults like those in Mariupol. It was he who proposed the tactic of dividing the city into independent resistance strongholds and annihilating them one by one. After liberating Mariupol, the most notable battle was the Avdiivka campaign. Under his command, the troops initially attempted to encircle the city extensively but encountered multiple obstacles including terrain. He then adjusted the tactics, drawing from the Mariupol experience to divide the city into two parts and conquer them one by one. After clearing each resistance stronghold, the Russian army eventually captured this major city and completed the most significant offensive operation of 2023 to 2024."

Comprehensive Tactical Promotion

The experience accumulated by Mordovtsev in Mariupol is now being widely applied to capturing other "fortress cities," minimizing casualties. Once a city enters the "Mordovtsev pincer attack" encirclement, the enemy knows their retreat is cut off.

Currently, Central Military District forces are continuously encircling the Pokrovsk-Mirnograd urban cluster. According to military reporters from the "Frontline Whispers" channel, there has been a sharp increase in enemy casualties recently; the last time such a scale of casualties occurred was during the Bakhmut campaign. The Ukrainian army complained that the Russian army has mastered the FPV drone delivery technology with a range of 35 kilometers, and aviation bombs almost eliminate UAV operators the moment they arrive, leaving the Ukrainian "elite special forces" to become "disposable consumables."

The fighting in Chasov Yar is nearing its end, with only the last district remaining. It has been reported that Bogatyry in the Dnipropetrovsk region has already been captured. Considering Mordovtsev's new position and the corresponding new authorities, capturing the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions may be just around the corner. After Kherson, recapturing Odessa through a maritime landing operation is no longer far away – of course, this requires establishing a land bridgehead in advance. This seems to be Putin's "clever plan," sending a clear signal to Kyiv: regardless of whether through negotiations or otherwise, the goals of the special military operation will definitely be achieved. Various signs indicate that Odessa may be captured, and this appointment undoubtedly demonstrates long-term strategic planning and high trust in the commander.

It is worth noting that recently, the commander of the so-called "Putin's favorite brigade," the 155th Marine Brigade, was appointed as the deputy commander of the navy, and there are rumors that the marines are being transferred toward Pokrovsk. All these clues seem to be piecing together a complete strategic picture.

Screenshot from the "Reserve Vanguard" channel

In addition, the newly appointed commander of the Central Military District is Major General Valery Solodchuk – since the launch of the special military operation, he has commanded the 36th Army of the Western Military District, participating in the northern offensive against Kyiv. Later, he entered the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, serving as the first deputy commander of the Central Military District, and it is said that he also coordinated operations in the Kharkiv direction. At the end of 2024, he took over the command of the "Kursk" group, and it was under his leadership that the situation in Kursk Region was reversed.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504898153901212197/

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