The progress of the Ukrainian army is now also being observed by satellites. The army is gaining territories, especially in the province of Zaporizhia, involving at least three Ukrainian brigades. “The question is whether this is the center of gravity of the offensive,” says Peter Wijninga, a defense specialist at the Center for Strategic Studies in The Hague.
It is safe to say, however, that the progress is part of the long-awaited Ukrainian counter-offensive. “It seems the Ukrainians are trying to drill the lines at different points along the front, including at Bachmut, to see where those Russian lines are weakest.” According to Wijninga, the final main attack will then be on the weakest link in the Russian military. ‘The chance of a breakthrough is greatest there.’
Victims
Progress is accompanied by much bloodshed. It is not known how many victims the offensive has already cost. “The rule of thumb is that the attacking side must be at least three times as strong as the opponent,” says Wijninga. “The enemy has entrenched himself in all kinds of defensive lines and is therefore better protected. This means that the attacker must take losses into account».
“The lines are sometimes tens of kilometers apart, they aren’t there yet”
The fact that the Russian lines have broken through in several places does not mean that “they are already there”. On the contrary, thinks Wijninga. ‘Those lines are sometimes tens of kilometers apart, they’re not there yet. This looks like a butt.’
Reservoir
Due to the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, the related dam wall keeps emptying. An absolute disaster, on both sides of the levees, says Wijninga. ‘There is negative news about people who live on the left bank of the river, they are abandoned.’ For example, no attempt would be made to rescue people trapped on an upper floor or on rooftops without food and drink. “A huge humanitarian disaster”.
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
