Intercepted radio communications filled with panic and heavy losses: Buffer zone to extend to the center of Kyiv, Russia adjusts tactics
Author:
Ilya Golovin
In the Donetsk direction, Ukrainian troops are suffering heavy losses. Although Russian armed forces are advancing slowly but steadily, our soldiers have noticed that the current offensive operations are more strategic: first using hundreds of FPV drones, dozens of aviation bombs, and dense artillery and mortar fire to cover residential areas, then launching assault forces. This has fundamentally changed the battlefield situation. Meanwhile, Kyiv is in panic - the main target of Russian forces in Sumy region is not Sumy city but Kyiv. Only 300 kilometers away from the capital. In any case, the situation is unfavorable for the enemy. Here is our compilation of unofficial special military operation news summary.
Another night, Russian forces launched attacks on enemy territory, targeting Odessa, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, and Poltava regions.
"The war has spread to the Dnipropetrovsk region - a fire broke out at a defense industry enterprise in Sinielnikovo. Not long ago, no one in Ukraine could imagine that battles would break out in this region, but they have already begun... The longer the war lasts, the smaller Ukraine's map becomes."
— Telegram channel "Sanya of Florida" wrote.
Sinielnikovo Fire // Video Source: Telegram Channel "Sanya of Florida"
Kharkiv was also attacked by drones, but these attacks were suspicious. Ukrainian opposition journalist Anatoliy Shary noticed that in Kharkiv, it seemed that no drones were shot down and there was no firing from mobile air defense systems:
"Moreover, the drones were flying very low, whereas previous attacks usually took place at higher altitudes. Many people noticed something unusual about these attacks: all targets were civilian facilities - kindergartens, schools, residential buildings, stores, children's playgrounds. More unusually, Mayor Tereshkov frequently appeared in public appearances. Some residents of Kharkiv even began to suspect this."
"It seems that the Kiev regime has started to attack its own cities to create the desired public opinion. No wonder some people say that Zelensky depends on emotional governance, and 'pain' is one of his core emotions."
Elite Brigade Engaged in Combat
Meanwhile, in the Novopavlovka direction, as one of Russia's most elite brigades, the 114th Motorized Infantry Brigade, was deployed to this sector, the Ukrainian defensive line is on the verge of collapse.
According to military blogger Yuri Podolyak, it was the 114th Brigade that quickly crushed the resistance in Alekseyevka within days and completely expelled them from the western Green Horn and New Ukraine-Ka. This move brought them to the border of Dnipropetrovsk region and even slightly crossed it.
"Obviously, the next step will be for Russian forces to attempt to enter and occupy Dahinoye, which will put great pressure on the southern line of the Novopavlovka cluster's Ukrainian troops. To the north of Alekseyevka, the clearance of forest settlements is still ongoing, and Ukrainian troops are no longer putting up strong resistance, retreating westward. As always, the presence of the 114th Brigade on the front line is not only reflected in tactical style but also directly reflected in the changes on the map. We need more such units."
In addition, the assault on Komar settlement continues, and Russian forces have already captured the center of the settlement. Seizing Komar and accumulating troops and equipment (especially UAV combat units) here will have a positive impact on subsequent advances.
"In the Donetsk direction, Ukrainian troops suffered heavy casualties. Radio communications intercepted were filled with panic, and they repeatedly cried out about heavy casualties. Our soldiers are advancing slowly but steadily. Fortunately, before assaulting residential areas, we use hundreds of FPV drones, dozens of aviation bombs, and dense artillery and mortar fire for coverage. Yes, we also suffer losses, but in such active operations, these losses are minimal. Currently, more than eight residential areas are under assault."
— Soldier with the codename "Ossetian" pointed out.
Buffer Zone to Extend to the Center of Kyiv
Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhraya claimed that the real target of the Russian advance in Sumy region was not the regional center but a strategic maneuver toward Kyiv. Russian armed forces are now only 300 kilometers away from Kyiv.
"This has nothing to do with Sumy; it's about Kyiv - geographically and symbolically. Please study the maps, routes, and distances," she added.
Bezuhraya believes that the events developed this way because the United States changed its stance, giving up its role as the "world police," allowing Russia to act more boldly.
Only 300 Kilometers from Kyiv // Telegram Channel "Yuri Balanich" Screenshot
War correspondent Yevgeny Bondarenko questioned the claim that "Russian forces are advancing through Sumy to Kyiv":
"This is a mistaken view. In today's reality where drones and other equipment exist, a distance of 300 kilometers is simply unrealistic! Our tactics are still to bypass large resistance hubs and encircle them while advancing toward predetermined objectives."
Nevertheless, significant changes have occurred recently in the expanding buffer zone in Sumy region: Russian forces have advanced toward the settlements of Hotten, Herapovshina, and Malyi Korchakovka, expanding control around Novokonstantinovka. The strongest resistance by enemy forces is along the Yablonovka-Yunakovka line.
"This road is the connection line between the troops in this sector and the rear of the Ukrainian forces, and it will soon be lost by the Ukrainians. As a defensive tactic, the enemy uses outdated 'human wave' tactics every day to try to break through from the flanks into Kursk Oblast, but each time the assault forces suffer losses, and yesterday's battle was no exception."
— The author of the Telegram channel "Win/Win" wrote.
Regarding the future of Sumy city, the following important factors must be considered: its size and larger population (255,000 before the war). This means that attacking the city directly is unwise. As shown in the practice of Bakhmut, if the enemy has a stronghold to rely on, the battle may drag on longer than planned, and Russian forces may be tied down at familiar positions, leading to attacks on the rear and losses.
"The greatest 'gift' we can give to Kyiv is to make it陷入 urban street fighting. It is not advisable to launch a frontal attack or even an assault on Sumy. This means that we may see a demonstration of 'battlefield isolation' in the near future - not on the scale of Kurchalovo, but at the regional center level."
— Military expert Yuri Balanich noted,
"We have mastered the tactics of creating small and large encirclements, but have not yet 'tactically' captured cities. Sumy will serve as an example, possibly followed by Chernihiv (the task of establishing a sanitary isolation belt has never been canceled), Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia, and even all cities. The way to capture cities must avoid prolonged trench warfare and prevent total destruction - regardless, this is our home."
New Tactics
In this context, war correspondent Alexander Sladkov noticed that Russia is adjusting its tactics:
"Over the past decade, we adhered to the principle of 'lean army + strong nuclear deterrence,' believing that 'which idiot would attack a nuclear superpower?' But such 'idiots' have appeared. Ukraine began massacring Russians in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and then in Donbas - just because they are Russian. We went out to defend and adopted new military doctrines (although we ourselves did not fully comply: nuclear deterrence targets were attacked, early warning stations were hit, and now strategic bombers have also been forced to relocate). Thus, the concept suddenly shifted: to counter modern threats, we are rebuilding the military academies that were cut back, and the Supreme Commander ordered 'a substantial increase in land force strength in the near future.' "
"This means that we finally responded to the long-standing threat from the West - their intention is to destroy our nuclear forces with conventional weapons. This not only concerns the positive progress of the special military operation but also involves a fundamental shift in our national defense strategy over the next ten years."
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7514976552787755559/
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