Ukraine loses control of Berdychi; has the AFU reached its breaking point?

Telegram pages monitoring the war in Ukraine reported on the morning of April 14 that the Russian Army had taken complete control of the strategic town of Berdychi, located on the defensive line behind Avdeevka, which the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) had been defending for weeks.

This means that the new AFU defense line has collapsed and the Russian Army will have more space to continue advancing towards the strategic targets of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

In the direction of Novokalynove and Semenivke, the Russian side is still continuing to attack, but thanks to the surrounding lake system, the ability to advance quickly will be limited.

The Tonenke and Vodyane directions were also wide open. The advantage of flat terrain and superiority in artillery bombs helped the Russians advance quickly towards Umanske and Yasnobronivka. The Russian advance could only be stopped at the Durna River, when the assault forces needed to stop to re-consolidate and avoid the risk of being flanked.

Heavy weapons, including glide bombs, have helped the Russian army win many important victories in Ukraine recently. (Photo: Getty)

After the Russian Ministry of Defense officially announced that it had taken control of Pervomaiske south of Avdeevk, the units of the 45th AFU Brigade basically had no more fighting objectives and surrendered. The Russian army also continued to advance west of Tonenke, taking control of new plantations near Yasnobrodivka and Umanske. This could be the new Ukrainian defense line after Berdychi changed hands.

Assessing the current state of the AFU, the US newspaper The Washington Post commented that if the AFU does not receive support in terms of military equipment, Kiev will suffer defeat in the conflict with Russia. This is a special comment from American and Western press publications that have always supported Ukraine.

The Washington Post quoted a Ukrainian soldier from the AFU's 45th Airborne Brigade: “If we don't have enough ammunition, we will lose this war.”

At the same time, The Washington Post also pointed out that in a military confrontation with Russia, Ukraine will rely more on drone attacks than using other conventional weapons.

Previously, former British Army Commander Richard Barrons made a prediction about the outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Specifically, Kiev could suffer defeat in 2024 due to lack of ammunition, manpower and anti-aircraft weapons.

Regarding the Chasov Yar front, military expert Anatoly Matviychuk said that the AFU will try to hold this town at all costs.

“ For the AFU, the loss of Chasov Yar is, first of all, a loss of image, and secondly, it is a tactical loss. Because with the fall of Chasov Yar, the stability of the AFU defense system in the Kramatorsk-Slavyansk direction is completely disrupted. They will have to mobilize, withdraw troops and lose other strategically important positions,” said Anatoly Matviychuk.

According to a retired Russian Army colonel, in case of losing Chasov Yar, the AFU will be forced to organize Kramatorsk as the last point of defense.

“ That means they are directly subjecting Kramatorsk to attack. For us, this is an excellent condition that allows us to cut off the AFU's logistical routes and go directly to the outskirts of Kramatorsk to carry out the next siege,” the Russian military expert assessed.

AFU has not found a way to stop Russia's attack in the East. (Photo: AFP)

The AFU is currently focusing its resources on strengthening the defenses at Chasov Yar. However, the problem lies in the fact that Chasov Yar lacks a solid fortification system to defend it, and the Russian Army currently has a variety of heavy weapons for offensive purposes, as well as the experience of its units in urban and siege warfare. This makes the AFU's efforts to defend Chasov Yar more difficult.

On April 4, Donetsk region leader adviser Igor Kimakovsky said that the AFU had closed the exit from Chasov Yar to civilians remaining in the city. The Ukrainian army has equipped many defense structures in residential and urban areas of the town.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/chien-su-nga-ukraine-hom-nay-ngay-1442024-ukraine-mat-kiem-soat-berdychi-afu-da-toi-diem-kiet-que-314694.html