On the first day of the three-day ceasefire (May 8-10), the Ukrainian military (AFU) launched a counterattack on the city center of Toretsk (Dzerzhinsk in Russia) on the morning of May 8, aiming to stage a propaganda victory, rather than achieve any meaningful military gains.
This AFU counter-offensive operation, aimed at planting the Ukrainian flag in the center of Toretsk and demonstrating to Western audiences that the AFU was still on the offensive, ended in utter failure, with all attacking forces being destroyed by the Russian Armed Forces (RFAF). Details of this failed operation are emerging.
The AFU commander, wanting to make a splash in the media, ordered the mechanized infantry to attack the center of Toretsk ahead of the 80th anniversary of Russia's Victory Day (May 9) with a clear goal: to raise the Ukrainian flag on a building and film it with a UAV, creating the illusion that they controlled the city.
The AFU offensive, carried out by surprise, despite the ceasefire, was not aimed at seizing territory, but at creating a media victory, a desperate attempt to overshadow Russia's celebrations.
However, the counter-offensive quickly collapsed; although the AFU counter-attack briefly penetrated the city center, it was ambushed and completely destroyed by the Russians with artillery and infantry assaults.
The armored column, including Western-supplied vehicles, was wiped out before reaching its intended target; they were unable to plant flags and film, leaving only burned-out wrecks and dead Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.
The main firepower of the Russian army in destroying the Ukrainian assault troops was FPV UAVs and artillery; the Russian infantry played a decisive role in repelling the attack. Of which, the Russian FPV UAVs destroyed 5 armored vehicles, including 3 M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 1 US-made M113 armored personnel carrier; 1 German Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicle.
Destroyed armored vehicles, geolocated on social media videos, showing Ukrainian troops scattered across the battlefield, confirmed the failure of the Ukrainian counterattack. Instead of a symbolic victory, the AFU suffered catastrophic losses for the sake of political propaganda.
The counter-offensive in the center of Toretsk on May 8 highlighted Kiev’s growing reliance on propaganda as its armed forces struggle on the battlefield. A reckless counter-offensive cost the AFU a lot of weapons and personnel, all for the sake of political propaganda.
Meanwhile, the Russian army in Toretsk, despite the ceasefire, maintained high combat readiness. And they immediately counterattacked with the strongest firepower, causing the Ukrainian army's counterattack into the city center to be reduced to only smoke rising from destroyed armored vehicles.
Meanwhile, the ultimatum that Ukraine and Europe issued to Moscow for an immediate ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine battlefield was assessed by French General François Chauvancy as “complete nonsense”. According to General Chauvancy, Russia is on the way to victory militarily and does not need to meet the demands of Kiev and Europe.
General Chauvancy believes that the Russians are now gaining control of a few square kilometres each day and are confident of victory. As long as they believe they can win and take new territory, they will continue to advance. Negotiations can only begin when real difficulties arise; but so far Moscow has not encountered any serious difficulties.
General Chauvancy assessed that perhaps this year the Russian economy will have difficulties and then Moscow's stance may change. "This may be a difficult year for them economically, but on the battlefield, they have no difficulties," General Chauvancy emphasized.
It is worth noting that the leaders of the three leading European countries, Germany, Britain and France, announced a day earlier that if Moscow does not cease fire without preconditions from May 12, additional sanctions will be imposed on Russia.
This ultimatum was not even welcomed by the Western press, as in the European media it was noted that Europe itself was suffering great losses due to the sanctions imposed on Russia earlier.
On the contrary, military experts, commenting on the statements of European politicians, emphasize that Kiev is simply trying to get Russia to temporarily cease fire, in order to replenish the Ukrainian army with troops and weapons; especially the Ukrainian air defense forces are currently in great difficulty. While the Russian army is massively advancing in almost all directions of the battlefield. (photo source Military Review, Topcor, Ukrinform).
Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/cuoc-phan-cong-tham-hoa-cua-quan-doi-ukraine-o-toretsk-post1541397.html
Comment (0)