The Azov Brigade suffered heavy losses on the Lyman front.

The Ukrainian army once again had to send the Training Service Battalion to the front, and the Azov Brigade counterattack suffered heavy losses on the Lyman front.

In contrast to the quick end of the war between Iran and Israel, the Ukraine conflict, which is clearly characterized as a long-term war of attrition, would also be an absolute advantage for the Russian military (RFAF), which enjoys comprehensive superiority on the battlefield.

Although the RFAF has maintained all-out pressure along a frontline of more than 2,000 kilometers, the RFAF’s current offensive strength at the end of June is significantly lower than the pace at the beginning of the month. It is clear that the RFAF, accustomed to a 15-day rest after a 45-day offensive, will launch a new large-scale offensive in early July to mid-August.

Although the RFAF is adjusting its deployment and rotation of troops, as soon as it finds a weakness in the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the RFAF immediately attacks without mercy. While the AFU is short of troops, it has to send its training service force to the battlefield.

On June 27, many Russian sources revealed that although the AFU announced that the Russian army's offensive in the Sumy border area had stopped, the AFU's 214th Training Service Battalion (OPFOR) was still transferred to the Sumy front.

The 214th Training Service Battalion, established in 2016 on the initiative of US military advisors, is specialized in playing the role of “enemy” in military exercises, aiming to create realistic combat situations for regular troops. It is also the only unit of the AFU with such specialization.

After the outbreak of the Russo-Ukrainian War, the 214th Battalion was sent to the front line only once, when Kurakhovo was about to fall, but suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat to western Ukraine to replenish its forces. This was the second time the Battalion was sent to the front line; thus, in order to hold the city of Sumy, the AFU General Staff also tried its best.

The next counterattack by the Ukrainian Azov Brigade in the direction of Lyman failed. On June 27, the AFU launched a counterattack in the Redkodub area north of Lyman, with the main counterattack force being the 3rd Shock Brigade. But their attack was eventually defeated by the Russian 20th Army.

However, the AFU's 3rd Assault Brigade, also known as the "Azov Brigade", was now divided into several small units and deployed in the direction of Kupyansk and Lyman. Despite being severely beaten by the RFAF, the Brigade was not completely disbanded.

The reason why the AFU still launched a counterattack despite not having enough troops was mainly because the AFU in the Redkodub area was in a desperate situation, as the Russians were gradually pushing the Ukrainian troops in the area to the banks of the Oskol River and the Oskol reservoir. While the Russian Air Force had also destroyed the only major bridge in the area.

Once the Russians launched a full-scale offensive, the AFU, within dozens of square kilometers of the area, would have to abandon all heavy weapons and retreat towards Izyum. To avoid this dilemma, the AFU launched a counterattack, but it still failed due to insufficient numbers and firepower, and paid a heavy price in combat losses.

Finally, the AFU once again changed its commander on the battlefield. On June 27, Ukrainian media reported that the commander of the AFU's 72nd Motorized Infantry Brigade, Colonel Ohrimenko, was dismissed, and the chief of staff of the AFU's 59th Air Assault Brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Roman Reytor, took over his position. (Photo: Lieutenant Colonel Roman Reytor, new commander of the 72nd Motorized Infantry Brigade).

Since the defense area of ​​the 72nd Motorized Rifle Brigade was mainly located in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk, it can be reasonably inferred that the RFAF's advance in the direction of Dnipropetrovsk was too rapid, forcing the AFU to change its command on the battlefield. (Photo: Colonel Ohrimenko, former Brigadier General of the 72nd AFU Brigade).

While the Ukrainian army was desperately resisting the RFAF's all-out offensive on a frontline of more than 2,000 km, the rear received very depressing news: According to Russian statistics, the AFU's recent use of tanks has decreased by about 40% compared to before the Kursk operation.

The reason is simple, the Kursk campaign caused the AFU to lose too many tanks. According to Russian combat reports, the AFU lost about 400 tanks, while according to NATO statistics, the number is more than 280, close to 300. In addition, because the recent combat operations of the AFU have been mainly defensive, tanks, which were originally offensive weapons, are now mainly used as ground artillery.

However, there is also good news for the AFU on the front, in addition to the first batch of decommissioned Abrams tanks from Australia that have been shipped to Poland and repaired, and may be used by the AFU in the near future. This batch of tanks, a total of about 49, should theoretically be enough to support the AFU for a while. The only problem now is the increased number of artillery shells, may not be enough to meet the AFU's needs?

In addition, South Korea's sale of K2 Black Panther tanks to Poland has left Poland with a large surplus of T-72 and PT-91 tanks, which could be used to aid Ukraine in the distant future. This has become a familiar tactic and has been deployed many times in the past; it is also good news for Ukraine. (photo source: Military Review, Al Jazeera, Kyiv Post, TASS).

Artillery of Russia's Army Group Center strikes in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk province. Source: Military Review

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/lu-doan-azov-chiu-ton-that-nang-o-mat-tran-lyman-post1553248.html