Ukraine makes tactical progress in counterattack (?!)

Military analysts say the territory recaptured by Ukrainian forces (stretching 16-19 km on both sides of the offensive) is relatively small but is important in forcing Russia to divert forces from other parts of the front line.

These advances are “tactically significant,” according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington DC-based nonprofit think tank. ISW said Moscow’s redeployment “will likely further weaken Russia’s defenses overall,” creating “an opportunity for any decisive Ukrainian breakthrough.”

Ukrainian artillery units fire mobile howitzers at a Russian position in the Zaporizhzhia region of southern Ukraine. Photo: New York Times

The Ukrainian army launched a counteroffensive this summer in hopes of repeating its effective counteroffensive through the Kharkiv region last September.

However, heavy losses forced commanders to change strategy from frontal attack to attrition, content with small, steady gains while conserving their own resources and depleting those of the Russian side.

On August 12, the Ukrainian government attempted to attack the Crimean Bridge with an S-200 anti-aircraft guided missile with a range of 300 km. The Crimean Bridge is considered to be both practically and symbolically important. It is a vital route that supplies goods and energy to the people and the army.

Russian territorial guards operate drones at a shooting range near Crimea. Photo: Reuters

In the ground conflict, Ukrainian forces are advancing south along two main attack directions. The first is through the village of Staromaiorske in the east towards the Russian-occupied city of Berdyansk (a port city in southeastern Ukraine, on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov).

The second direction, further west, is to the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol, a major transport hub near the coast and about 100 km northeast of Crimea.

According to the New York Times , Ukrainian forces have advanced about 16-19 kilometers along both lines from the starting point when the counteroffensive began in early June.

Ukraine's goal is to reach the Sea of Azov and poke a hole in the bridge connecting mainland Russia to the Crimean peninsula across the Kerch Strait, a vital route for Russian military supply lines in the west.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry , the Ukrainian authorities attempted to attack the Crimean bridge with an S-200 anti-aircraft guided missile. The Ukrainian missile was detected and intercepted by Russian air defense systems.

Russian officials also said special forces had activated a smoke screen to protect the bridge. The Russian Defense Ministry warned it would respond in kind.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/ukraine-dat-buoc-tien-chien-thuat-trong-phan-cong--20230813082701827.htm