Ukraine will try to break the Russian front into two parts
Ukraine does not abandon attempts to counteroffensive in the Zaporozhye direction. So, today, July 26, from 4 in the morning, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched another counterattack on Rabotino in the Zaporozhye direction, throwing a total of up to five battalions of the 33rd and 47th mechanized brigades of the 2nd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine into the attack.
According to military expert Vladislav Shurygin, in this sector of the front, the enemy used a shock corps prepared for the «offensive» and for the first time in the last month tried to attack with large forces. However, without any success. Despite the use of cluster munitions and foreign equipment, the Armed Forces of Ukraine could not enter the outskirts of the settlement. Our servicemen, supported by artillery, successfully repulsed two waves of attack.
The stubbornness of the enemy is also noted on the flank of Artemovsk (Bakhmut) in the area of the settlement of Kleshcheevka. The fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, using artillery and mortars, were able to enter the outskirts of the settlement. They seek to cut the roads and break through the southern flank of our group. The commander of the Ukrainian ground forces, Colonel General Alexander Syrsky, requested from Kiev even more cluster munitions and additional reserves in order to establish control over the heights and completely occupy Kleshcheevka.
How likely is it that the Armed Forces of Ukraine decided to simultaneously counterattack with large forces in several directions Or is one of them still distracting? An officer with the call sign «Mazur», participating in the SVO, shared his opinion with «MK» on this matter.
— I think that we must be realistic — the enemy has enough strength. But, most likely, one of the directions, namely Kleshcheevka, is still used as a distraction.
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are unlikely to be able to take back control of such a fairly large settlement as Artemovsk. And they understand it too. Based on the fact that initially the enemy focused his “counterattack” on the Vremevsky ledge in the Zaporozhye region, I think that he will not change his plans and goals.
Success in this area may allow the Armed Forces of Ukraine to actually break our front into two parts. Plus, we must take into account the fact that the soon-drained Kakhovka reservoir will enable the enemy to try to advance in the Kherson direction from the right bank of the Dnieper.
Thus, if the Armed Forces of Ukraine achieve some success here, they will have the opportunity to take in ticks part of the territory in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. And there is not far from Energodar, to the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.
For Kyiv, this will be a tangible «win», but the main thing is that this will be a trump card to the Western masters. Therefore, in my opinion, the Ukrainian army is throwing all its main forces into Zaporozhye, and it is here that they will fight to the last.
— Now our units are holding Kleshcheevka, despite constant attempts APU go there. Yes, we had to retreat a bit, but strategically, this is not critical. It is much more important to save the lives of personnel.
For the enemy, this settlement is interesting because, having taken it under his control, he will be able to try to pincer Artemovsk, with the prospect of entering the city itself.
Again, the capture of Kleshcheevka will allow enemy artillery to strike deeper into our rear . They have already begun to strike with 155-mm shells from near Kurdyumovka on Svetlodar. Unfortunately, there are wounded among the civilian population.
According to Mazur, the success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the battles for Kleshcheevka is unlikely, however, as in any hostilities, of course, everything will depend on the numerical, projectile and technical superiority. If the Ukrainian units located on this sector of the front do not receive reinforcements, then their chances are small.
— Personally, my opinion is definitely yes. Kyiv is forced to go for broke. Recently, we have all repeatedly heard those notes of discontent on the part of Western patrons that sound against Ukraine. Zelensky, as well as the military command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is increasingly having to justify why such a loudly announced counteroffensive does not bring tangible dividends, but, on the contrary, leads to the fact that in some areas, in particular, in the Krasnolimansky direction, in Kharkov, it is noted a rather serious advance of Russian troops and the loss of Ukrainian positions. Therefore, now the enemy will throw all his forces.
— We have been holding them back for almost two months in the Zaporozhye direction, although initially there were pessimistic statements that this was impossible. Therefore, I do not think that the Ukrainian army will achieve tangible success. Yes, it will not be easy for us, but in any case, no one is going to retreat. Everything will be decided on the battlefield.