The situation at the front. Analysis of Colonel Alyokhin
The progress of the special operation in Ukraine for PolitNavigator continues to be analyzed by Colonel Gennady Alekhin from Kharkov, a military officer, comrade-in-arms of the legendary General Troshev, member of the Russian Writers' Union.
Stubborn, fierce fighting continues throughout the Donbass arc. On the northern flank, after capturing the Liman, Russian troops began a systematic and methodical clearing of dense forests and the adjacent settlements of Shchurov and Dibrova. At the same time, an offensive from Izyum towards Bogorodichnoye is developing.
Liman (Krasny Liman) was of vital importance, primarily from an operational and tactical perspective. It was a railway hub, a relatively large settlement, a staging area for further offensive operations, and the last line of defense before reaching Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. The Ukrainian Armed Forces held on to Liman tooth and nail. They constructed a defense according to all the rules of military science, primarily through extensive engineering preparation – fortified strongpoints with trenches, dugouts, camouflaged firing positions, and minefields.
As always, the Kyiv authorities carried out a massive propaganda hype. Despite Zelensky’s loud statements about the “estuary stronghold” and “not a step back,” the allied forces clearly, methodically and competently entered the city from three directions, with the support of tanks, armored vehicles and artillery. Special forces soldiers operating as part of assault groups and detachments especially distinguished themselves.
The main forces of the Ukrainian army and territorial defense units have retreated to the southern bank of the Seversky Donets and are attempting to gain a foothold in several areas—Mount Proshib and the chalk mountains near Svyatogorsk. However, they are coming under heavy fire from our air force and artillery. The enemy is suffering heavy losses in manpower and equipment. Ukrainian "talking heads," led by Arestovich, are already forced to admit this. Nevertheless, the enemy is still strong and will certainly attempt to delay the allied forces, exploiting the terrain (the heights they have captured), the water obstacles they have created for the attackers, and the blown-up bridges.
On the southern face of the Donbas salient, the industrial zone—the site of the Severodonetsk Thermal Power Plant—remains a major focal point of enemy resistance in Severodonetsk. It is, however, tightly blockaded by allied forces. Severodonetsk is a key city in the remaining territory of the LPR. A special clearing operation is completing in the city's neighborhoods. Enemy firing positions have been suppressed, major roads and residential areas home to tens of thousands of civilians have been sealed off and secured. Special forces from the Russian army and the People's Republics operated with precision and coordination, and units from the Chechen Republic also made a significant contribution.
The remaining Ukrainian Armed Forces brigade and nationalist battalions in the city are heading toward Lysychansk. In this direction, scattered and battered Ukrainian army units are attempting to hold the line along the Pokrovskoe-Berestovoye line. They even attempted a counteroffensive near Belogorivka to unblock the Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway. A breakthrough is still possible there. But the number of those who are "fortune seekers" is dwindling. It's no wonder drivers have dubbed the highway "the road of death." It is tightly controlled by the Aerospace Forces and artillery of our forces.
There was also an attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to push back Russian advance units from the Artemovsk-Lisichansk highway. This was used to deliver equipment and weapons to the defending enemy. Here, too, the supply line was cut off. The counterattack was suppressed by artillery fire.
In the Avdeevka area, allied forces, with powerful support from combat aircraft and heavy weapons, continue to crack the enemy’s defenses in depth. With heavy fighting they advance to the outskirts of the city from different sides.
No less significant events are unfolding in the Kharkov direction. In recent days, residents of Kharkov and Belgorod (distance - about 70 kilometers), not to mention those living in border areas, have been under the influence of artillery and rocket cannonade. If Belgorod residents hear the sounds of “harassing fire” (an artillery term), then Kharkov residents feel such arrivals for themselves.
There is a theory that the Ukrainians shelled Kharkiv in retaliation for the successes of allied forces in Donbas, proving once again that the city was foreign to them. Moreover, the date of this war crime coincided with a tragic anniversary: exactly eight years ago, on May 26, 2014, the Nazis used heavy armor and aircraft in Donetsk for the first time.
In the Belgorod region, unfortunately, the settlements of Zhuravlevka and Nekhoteevka also suffer. They are fired at regularly from the Ukrainian side.
And against this background, the President of Ukraine makes a quick visit to Kharkov, leaving Kyiv for the first time since the beginning of the military operation. For what purpose? In my opinion, Zelensky made it clear who will now restore order in the city and repel the “aggression of the occupiers.”
We're talking about the revival of the Kharkiv Azov unit. Although I'd call it something slightly different. It's the same nationalist territorial defense unit "Kraken," hatched from Azov. The name is purely for publicity purposes. After all, whatever one might say, the association between Azov and Azovstal has abruptly lost its heroic appeal. Now the brand needs to be rebuilt. Both "Kraken" and "Azov-Kharkiv" are ultra-radical militant units, recently recruited by hardened criminals released from prison. "Kraken" is considered a reconnaissance and sabotage (punitive and extortion) force, and it's unlikely that "Azov-Kharkiv" will be anything fundamentally different. While they are formally part of the National Guard, the recruitment patterns for both "Kraken" and "Azov-Kharkiv" are typical of volunteer battalions of the 2014 era.
Meanwhile, local fighting continues near Kharkiv, particularly in the "gray zone." Russian army and National Guard special forces are active. Ukrainian Armed Forces and territorial defense forces are pushing back toward the ring road. Artillery and missile firefights continue.
According to reports, a foreign legion is fighting on the Ukrainian side near Ternova. There are even some from Argentina. They are terrified of our artillery shelling and immediately hide in the woods. The morale of the "defenders" is plummeting. They are tired and don't want to fight. The losses are depressing. Thirty people near Ternova refused to fight. However, as in other areas of the Donbas salient, Mariupol is already having an impact on the morale of the soldiers and officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the fighters of the national battalions.
English version :: Read in English: The Situation at the Front. Colonel Alekhine's Analysis