Russia opened three elite wings, planning to hold back Ukrainian forces: “Great end” in Donbass?
Manh Kien |
Mar 25, 2022 20:00
Defeating a large part of the Ukrainian army in the Donbass would give Russia two strategic goals, including the condition that Moscow can claim a victory.
10 Interesting Facts About Earth’s Oceansfeatured by
- HOT: The Russian army occupies the center, the strategic stronghold Mariupol-Ukraine is on the verge of collapse
- UNIAN: Ukraine declared “concreting”, broke 9 waves of assault – killed 200 Russian soldiers in 24 hours
- Overview of the latest developments in Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine at noon on March 25
- Forbes: Ukraine counter-attacks in Kyiv, 10,000 Russian troops besieged
All roads lead to Donbas
Western analysts and defense officials say the Donbass was the starting point of tensions between Russia and Ukraine eight years ago and will also be a decisive place for Moscow’s military campaign, when forces This adjusted tactics and refocused forces to encircle the Ukrainian army.
It will be a blow to Kiev’s efforts if Russia succeeds in controlling influence in the Donbass. Although the current exact number of Ukrainian troops in the area is unclear, up to 40,000 ground troops, or about a quarter of Ukraine’s ground forces, were stationed there when Moscow launched the four-week campaign. prior to.
“That’s the area that we’re most concerned about and where the Russians have made the most progress,” said a Western defense official. I don’t think there’s a danger of the Ukrainian army being surrounded but It’s something to watch for.”
Russia’s success in the Donbass would represent a major military advance for Moscow. At the beginning of the campaign, the Russian army made observers difficult to understand when focusing its forces on one or two main attacks, as well as capturing a large city.
Lightning strikes exposed Russian units, and while Ukrainian resistance proved effective, the Russian offensive quickly stalled.
RELATED NEWS
- The war in Ukraine turns unpredictable: Because of something that cannot be “won”, will Russia withdraw its troops?
- NATO warns Belarus is about to enter war in Ukraine: Russia escapes stalemate, immediately changes strange tactics?
But now, analysts and Western defense officials say, the Russian military may be consolidating its military advances into a more structured two-pronged approach.
The first involves “crushing” besieged cities like Kharkiv with artillery and missile attacks, then taking control of the surrounding areas, so that it can be used as a bargaining chip. in peace negotiations.
The second part involved a concerted effort to defeat the Ukrainian army in Mariupol and encircle Ukrainian forces in the Donbas.
“Mariupol is important for many reasons. It’s a gateway that makes it easier for the Russians to access Crimea,” a senior US defense official told the Financial Times.
“It is also the southernmost point of Russia’s goal of a lockdown, keeping Ukrainian forces in check and unable to defend cities further west, including Kiev.”
Russia’s strategic goals
Defeating a large part of Ukraine’s regular army in the Donbass could also give Russia two strategic goals, analysts say.
First of all, this will be a mental blow to Kiev. With that, control of the Donbass could also allow President Vladimir Putin to claim a victory.
“The encirclement and defeat of a large portion of regular Ukrainian forces could demonstrate victory conditions for Russia in two ways,” said Samuel Cranny-Evans, a military science analyst at the Royal United Services Institute. in London, said.
It could lead to a “collapse of will” that would make a protracted siege of Kiev unnecessary. Along with that, this could also allow Moscow “to declare that it has achieved its goal of demilitarizing Ukraine and allowing the fate of the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk to be decided”.
Analysts say that the current Russian contingent is one of the most capable and is advancing on three broad fronts.
Crowding from the northeast in Crimea are well-armed corps from Russia’s 58th General and 22nd Army, which defense officials say could launch a ferocious assault on Russia. Odesa port.
RELATED NEWS
- 4 times in a row was reported dead in battle: Why is the Russian general so vulnerable in Ukraine?
- Opening the Ukraine campaign, Russia “left the key at home”: Where has this power gone?
“Is it a diversionary tactic… to hold back and immobilize the Ukrainians in the south so they can’t come to relieve their comrades in Mariupol?” said John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesman. “It’s hard to know”.
Meanwhile, advancing south from near the Russian border, bypassing the besieged city of Kharkiv, were the 1st Guards Tank Army and the 6th Combined Arms Army.
“If those forces are linked with forces that are pressing in from the north… then you need to keep a close eye on them,” a NATO intelligence official said.
Finally, pushing west from the Donbas are the separatists and Russia’s 8th General Army, “reformed, with additional armor, for breakthrough operations,” says Cranny-Evans. .
“Russia has the military force to disrupt the Ukrainian army in the Donbas and the fact that they are acting in a methodical way is worrying.”
Russia encounters “suicide squad” in Ukraine: This opponent has never known – Very dangerous?
javascript:if(typeof(admSspPageRg)!=’undefined’){admSspPageRg.draw(2018327);}else{parent.admSspPageRg.draw(2018327);}
Read more about:
Ukrainian army, Donbass, Russia
+++