Tom Cooper frisko
I know, it’s going to sound unfair towards all those holding the line and keeping a watch on the barbaric invaders on the other side, but cannot avoid the observation that developments on the frontlines have, generally, ‘settled down’, and there’s relatively little to report.
Quite a few in the West are ‘alarmed’ by Putin issuing a decree ordering an increase of the total manpower of the Russian Armed Forces up to 2 million. From my POV, it’s simple: the last such decree was authorizing the armed forces of 1 million, and these couldn’t find more than about 850,000, perhaps 900,000. Thus, ‘good luck’ with finding yet additional volunteers now…
BATTLE OF DONBASS
Generally, combat activity in most sections of the frontline is low. The Russians are trying to re-gain the initiative by running ‘reconnaissance here and there’ but, in grand total, none of efforts in question is ‘something special’, or particularly effective. For example, in the Izium area, the VSRF withdrew back to Andriivka, Brazhikivka and north of Dovhenke; in the Siversk area, the VSRF is heavily shelling the town and Soledar, south of Siversk; Russian PMCs and Separatists are still trying to push on Bakhmut and Kodema, but not making any progress.
SOUTH
Kherson….since securing Blahodatne, about a week ago, the Russians are pushing on Partyzanske and the Pervomaiske area. Minimalistic aim seems to be to reach the Inhulets river in this area, i.e. force Ukrainians back to its western side. Measured by the total extension of the frontline, this is a ‘diminutive’ effort: one run by 3–4 BTGs on a frontline that’s about 5–6km wide. But: it’s one of very few offensive operations either side is running these days. And, apparently, it’s all the reinforced 49th CAA can do right now. This operation is supported by massive volumes of artillery, and dozens of air strikes (all along the ‘spray and pray’ principle). Pervomaiske is the principal target, but the Russians are attacking Kvitneve and Kyselivka, too. Notably, Kyiv is zip-lip about the situation there.
Perhaps as a diversion, the Russians have also re-attacked Oleksandrivka, on the coast, two-three days ago: as soon as they moved out into the open, they were hit by Ukrainian artillery and forced to withdraw.