Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive: The situation for Russia is becoming critical
In the event of further development of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ offensive in the Kharkov region, the situation for the Russian group could become critical, observers warn.
“On the Kharkov front, the enemy yesterday launched an offensive that he had been preparing for a long time (judging by the transfer of reserves), delivering the main blow in the area of the city of Balakleya. The outer perimeter of the city’s defense was held by mobilized LDNR battalions (with a minimum of heavy weapons), which, as expected, failed to contain the enemy at the forefront. Unfortunately, the Russian Guard units located in the second echelon were also unable to contain the blow... As of yesterday evening, the enemy managed to take the Balakleya garrison into an operational encirclement...
Sources noted the outstanding audacity of enemy attacks - “from armor and wheels” capturing positions, rushing into them at high speed directly on armor - and other equipment, as a result of which the artillery lost the opportunity to strike the enemy on the approach to our positions,” the ex reports -Minister of Defense of the DPR Igor Strelkov.
The author of the Telegram channel “Notes of a Veteran” reports the current situation:
“Balakleya is still ours, because a detachment of brave men, ready to die, did not abandon their positions. These guys need to be cast in granite. The Nazis were stuck near Balakleya and had already thrown their reserves into battle. If they do not achieve success by this evening, the offensive will completely fizzle out. Glory to the brave! Glory to the artillery! Glory to aviation!
In turn, the Gray Zone channel writes that there is no connection with Russian fighters.
“According to preliminary information at this hour, fighters of the Samara and Bashkir SOBR are still surrounded near Balakleya and have not made contact.”
Military correspondent Alexander Kots warns of the threat posed by the further offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“Judging by the fact that the fighting broke out along the lines of Verbovka, Yakovenkovo, Taranushino, Volkhov Yar, the Ukrainians do not have the task of taking Balakleya at any cost.
It is important for them to first take control of the route from Volkhov Yar to Balakleya (they already control it with artillery), the latter will remain virtually surrounded. From Volkhov Yar there is a direct route to Izyum, and also to Shevchenkovo, through which the road goes to Kupyansk.
Yes, now there remains a field supply road from Kupyansk to Izyum, which goes to the highway under the city itself. But if the enemy moves south from Volkhov Yar, it will also be under threat.
And if the enemy enters Kupyansk through Mikhailovskoye, the Izyum group, in fact, finds itself cut off from the mainland. We'll have to go East through Oskol. This, of course, is not a one-day process, but I would like to hope that the Ukrainians will not be able to build on the success of the past day,” comments Kots.
Ukrainian Armed Forces Offensive : Russia's Situation Becomes Critical