Russia preparing new offensive in eastern Ukraine, scaling back assaults to amass forces
Photo: The Ukrainian Armed Forces explained why Russia has reduced the number of attacks in the east (Getty Images)
The Russians are preparing an offensive to reach the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk and Donetsk regions. To do this, the Russian occupiers are amassing forces, so they have reduced the number of assaults, according to the Vuhledar tactical group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
During April 16-22, Russia significantly reduced the number of assaults in the area of responsibility of the Vuhledar tactical group - 106 attacks compared to 158 last week.
Ukrainian Defense Forces explain that this is partly due to Vladimir Putin's recent so-called Easter truce. However, the main reason is the accumulation of Russian personnel and equipment near the contact line.
“In the south of Donetsk region, preparations for a major offensive are actively underway to reach the administrative border of Dnipro and Donetsk regions by May 9,” the statement said.
To this end, the enemy has tripled the number of reconnaissance flights of Orlan 10, Supercam, and Zala drones over Ukrainian positions. It has also increased artillery shelling and the use of guided aerial bombs by 2.5 times. In addition, the Russians are actively using light cross-country vehicles. These include buggies, ATVs, and motorcycles, which are used to reach Russian positions to amass for further offensive.
However, Ukrainian defenders are constantly eliminating Russian personnel and equipment with bombs, artillery, FPV, MLRS, and mortars. Over the past week, 648 Russian occupants were wounded and killed in the area of responsibility of the Vuhledar tactical group. Also destroyed:
- 2 tanks,
- 1 troop-carrying AFV,
- 8 vehicles,
- 66 motorcycles,
- 2 MLRS,
- 1 anti-aircraft system,
- 10 antennas,
- 9 warehouses,
- 1 electronic warfare vehicle.
Russian offensive
Last week, the Ukrainian Defense Forces stopped a large-scale Russian assault in the Zaporizhzhia region. The battle lasted for 2.5 hours, and Russia sent at least 320 troops, 40 armored vehicles, 3 tanks, and about a dozen buggies to the assault.
The Vuhledar tactical group also warned that Russia plans to reach the administrative border of the Dnipropetrovsk region by May 9. In early April, Russia conducted 2 massive offensives. Ukrainian soldiers successfully stopped Russia's assault operations.
Earlier, the head of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that Russian troops had launched a new offensive in Kharkiv and Sumy regions.
