Kupiansk circular defense and situation in Maryinka: Expert insights
Ukrainian soldiers hold the defense along the entire frontline in the east (Getty Images)
Russian troops have launched a large-scale offensive in the east. A ring defense is already being built around Kupiansk, the enemy is pressing west of Bakhmut and has almost captured Maryinka. Oleksii Hetman, an expert and reserve major of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, spoke about the situation near Kupiansk, Bakhmut, and Maryinka in a commentary to RBC-Ukraine.
Last week, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration (KhRMA), Oleh Syniehubov, without going into details, announced the construction of a ring defense in Kupiansk, following the example of Kharkiv. This is a so-called circular defense so that the enemy cannot enter from different sides. It's a defense and at the same time a rocky road (for maneuvering troops).
If the circular defense is completely closed, you can quickly move forces from one area to another. Relatively speaking, if you can walk around the city in trenches, it gives you an advantage. Because we will be able to move troops quickly and, most importantly, safely to where the enemy is trying to put more pressure.
The Russians have intensified their attacks in the Bakhmut direction. According to Army Commander Oleksandr Syrskii, the enemy's goal is to reach Chasiv Yar, and then Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka, Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, and the administrative borders of the Donetsk region. As for Chasiv Yar, as long as they are advancing, the threat cannot be ignored. Through their media, they reported the capture of the village of Khromove. This is not quite true, it is still a gray area, Khromove is only a hundred meters from the western outskirts of Bakhmut. And Chasiv Yar is a few kilometers away. Of course, they will try to reach Chasiv Yar. Will they succeed? Let's hope not.
According to various analysts' reports, the western suburb of Donetsk, Maryinka, is almost captured by the Russians. Or rather, what is left of it. However, the defense operation is not over. Even the ruins are still our territory, and we will retreat only to positions that have been prepared in advance. Only then does it make sense.
So far, we have been destroying a large amount of enemy forces and equipment there, and we are more or less doing well. We will continue the defense as long as we can with minimal losses on our part. If there is a danger of heavy losses, of course, we will withdraw. This is a simple military tactic, the rules of contact combat, when decisions are made to move to other positions based on the specific situation on the battlefield. Strategically, we are not going to give up a single meter of our land. And tactically, if there are more convenient positions, it makes sense to move back, for example, a kilometer, where the enemy will suffer heavy losses.
