The disastrous counterattack by the Ukrainian army in Toretsk

On the first day of the three-day ceasefire (May 8-10), the Ukrainian Army Force (AFU) launched a counter-offensive on the center of Toretsk (known as Dzerzhinsk in Russia) on the morning of May 8, aiming to stage a propaganda victory rather than achieve any significant military gains.

This counter-offensive by the AFU, 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 complete failure, with all attacking forces annihilated by the Russian Armed Forces (RFAF). Details of this failed operation are now being revealed.

Wanting to create media buzz ahead of Russia's 80th Victory Day (May 9), the AFU commander ordered mechanized infantry to attack the center of Toretsk with a clear objective: to raise the Ukrainian flag on a building and film it with UAVs, creating the illusion that they controlled the city.

The AFU's attack, carried out unexpectedly, despite the ceasefire, was not aimed at seizing territory, but rather at creating a media victory, a desperate attempt to overshadow Russia's celebrations.

However, the counter-offensive quickly failed; although the AFU's counter-attack force briefly penetrated the city center, it was ambushed and completely annihilated by Russian artillery and infantry assaults.

The armored convoy, including vehicles supplied by the West, was wiped out before reaching its intended target; they were unable to plant flags or film, leaving behind only charred wreckage and fallen Ukrainian soldiers on the ground.

The main firepower of the Russian forces in repelling the Ukrainian invading troops was FPV drones and artillery; Russian infantry played a decisive role in pushing back the attack. Specifically, Russian FPV drones destroyed five armored vehicles, including three M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, one American-made M113 armored personnel carrier, and one German Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicle.

The wreckage of destroyed armored vehicles, geolocated in videos on social media, shows Ukrainian troops scattered across the battlefield, confirming Ukraine's failed counteroffensive. Instead of achieving a symbolic victory, the AFU suffered catastrophic losses simply because of politically motivated propaganda.

The counteroffensive on central Toresk on May 8th underscored Kyiv's growing reliance on propaganda as its armed forces struggled on the battlefield. In this reckless counteroffensive, the AFU suffered heavy losses in weapons and personnel, all for the sake of political propaganda.

Meanwhile, despite the ceasefire, Russian troops in Toresk maintained a high level of combat readiness. They immediately counterattacked with their most powerful firepower, rendering the Ukrainian counter-offensive into the city center nothing more than 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 deemed "completely meaningless" by French General François Chauvancy. According to General Chauvancy, militarily, Russia is gaining the upper hand and does not need to meet the demands of Kyiv and Europe.

General Chauvancy believes that the Russian army is currently gaining control of several square kilometers each day and is confident of victory. As long as they believe they can win and seize new territories, 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 the Russian economy might face difficulties this year, and Moscow's stance might change as a result. "This could be a difficult year for them economically, but on the battlefield, they are not facing any difficulties," General Chauvancy emphasized.

It is noteworthy that the leaders of three leading European countries—Germany, the UK, and France—had declared the day before that if Moscow did not cease fire without preconditions by May 12, additional sanctions would be imposed on Russia.

This ultimatum was not even welcomed by the Western press, as European media outlets noted that Europe itself was suffering greatly due to the sanctions imposed on Russia earlier.

Conversely, military experts, commenting on the statements of European politicians, emphasized that Kyiv 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, which are currently struggling. Meanwhile, the Russian army is massively advancing in almost every direction of the battlefield. (Image source: Military Review, Topcor, Ukrinform).

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/cuoc-phan-cong-tham-hoa-cua-quan-doi-ukraine-o-toretsk-post1541397.html