Russia counterattacks quickly, Ukraine's 33rd Brigade meets a bitter end

After the direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine ended, the intensity of the fighting between the two sides increased rapidly, especially the scale of cross-border airstrikes increased sharply. Photo: TASS

According to the news site Avia.pro on May 18, early in the morning of the same day, the Russian army once again mobilized more than 200 drones to conduct airstrikes, maintaining such a high intensity of attacks for many consecutive days. In addition, Russian ground attacks also increased significantly, especially in some key areas, the intensity of Russian attacks almost doubled. Photo: DailyGuardian

In the face of a new wave of Russian military attacks, the Ukrainian armed forces are stepping up the recruitment of foreign mercenaries. Recently, the 3rd Strike Brigade of Ukraine received two companies and a battalion of foreign mercenaries. Photo: TASS

Two of the companies were mainly soldiers from Latin American countries, each with about 100 people, while the other battalion consisted of mercenaries from Portugal and Spain, with a total of about 400 people. Illustration: QQNews

These mercenaries are being trained at training camps in Kyiv and Zhytomyr, under the guidance of NATO instructors, to learn attack tactics as well as how to use advanced Western equipment. This information, once leaked, will certainly become the next target of the Russian military's air strikes. Photo: Reuters

The Ukrainian army is now increasingly reliant on mercenaries, not only because of its pre-existing shortage of manpower but also because of the increasingly serious desertion problem. According to an analysis by observer Yuri Podolyaka, the number of Ukrainian soldiers deserting each month this year has ranged from 17,000 to 21,000, with the area between Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka recording a particularly high number of desertions. Photo: Reuters

A Polish observer revealed on social media that the collapse of Ukraine's defenses in this area was much faster than expected. The units that were stationed here, the 109th and 117th Territorial Defense Brigades of Ukraine, were almost completely destroyed, with the 109th Brigade apparently having completely retreated to the rear. Illustration: DeepState

Currently, the defense line in this area is undertaken by temporarily assembled forces, including part of the 117th Brigade, the 157th Brigade, the remnants of the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Brigade, less than a tank battalion of the 1st Armored Brigade, along with the 1st Battalion of the 425th Regiment and the 26th Battalion of the 210th Regiment. With such a formation, the combat capability of this defense force is almost equivalent to a weak brigade. Photo: TASS

The pace of the Russian army’s advance on multiple fronts is now drawing attention. They have now successfully penetrated the central part of Novopoltavka and advanced about 3 kilometers north of Malynivka. Due to the rapid pace of the recent advance — more than 10 kilometers have been pushed back in just the past week — the Russian army has temporarily adjusted the tempo of its offensive and begun to regroup its forces in preparation for a new offensive. Photo: Google Maps

In the southwest of Pokrovsk, to prevent Russian troops from continuing to approach Dnipropetrovsk province, the Ukrainian army urgently mobilized the reserve forces of the 425th Assault Regiment. This regiment has been launching close-range counterattacks against the Kotlyarivka area for many days in a row. Photo: TASS

Each counterattack came at a cost in manpower, with an average of one infantry platoon lost. Although Ukraine was unable to hold the recaptured positions, in the short term the action effectively curbed the Russian advance. Photo: Top War

However, in the long run, Ukraine has exhausted a large number of its reserves, while the Russian army is advancing on many fronts. This puts the border area of ​​Dnipropetrovsk province in a serious threat, as the Russian army can break into this area from any front. Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense

On the southern front, after half a month of fierce fighting, the Russian army finally pushed the main Ukrainian forces out of the village of Bohatyr on May 17. This village, although small, is located in an extremely important strategic position, with many key routes passing through it, leading directly to Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia and the city of Pokrovsk. Photo: Top War

The loss of Bahatyr was a major blow to the Ukrainian army, as once it took control of the area, the Russians could quickly use the transport system to push the front line straight from Dachne to Zaporizhzhia province. Photo: Ukrainian Ministry of Defense

Immediately after Russia captured Bahatyr a week ago, Ukraine immediately mobilized the reserve forces of the 33rd Mechanized Brigade to launch a counterattack, aiming to take advantage of the moment when the Russian army was not yet stable to regain control. Photo: TASS

In the following days, the front line continued to fluctuate, until 2 p.m. on May 17, when the Russians, with heavy artillery and air support, completely cleared the village of Ukrainian forces and began to advance westward. They gradually formed a siege of Odradne and simultaneously captured Oleksiivka. The Ukrainian defense line in this area quickly collapsed. Photo: Google Maps

At the current pace of the offensive, the Russians are expected to soon capture Odradne and approach the village of Komar – a location of obvious strategic significance. The three points of Komar – Bahatyr – Velyka Novosilka form a vital traffic junction, playing a vital role for Ukraine. Photo: Google Maps

Since the summer of 2023, Ukraine has relied on this “traffic triangle” to launch a counterattack, with the goal of advancing to the Azov coast, cutting off the land route between Russia and Crimea. However, so far, only Komar has not been captured. Once the Russian army controls this position, Ukraine’s initial counterattack plan will completely collapse. Photo: TASS

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/nga-phan-cong-chop-nhoang-lu-doan-33-ukraine-nhan-cai-ket-dang-post1542384.html