With the delivery of modern multiple rocket launchers that can hit targets more accurately, the US wants to give the Ukrainian military a powerful weapon to push back Russian forces. The decision is controversial, because there are fears of Russian reprisals if these weapons are used to hit targets on Russian territory. However, for Austrian military expert Colonel Michael Reisner, the multiple rocket launchers are “the only way to fight back the Russians”. Because: “The situation is getting worse for Ukrainians in the east of the country.”
According to the head of the development department of the Theresa Military Academy, 10,000 to 12,000 Ukrainian soldiers are threatened with encirclement in an area 40 by 40 kilometers between Lyman, Artemisk, Popsana and Sieverodonetsk. “There is only 20 kilometers to go and the Russians can close the bag.” That could well happen in the coming weeks.
Both British intelligence, which is constantly publicly analyzing the situation at the front on the basis of available information, and the US Department of Defense now admit that Russian forces in eastern Ukraine are making steady progress.
Ukrainian soldiers complain about missing weapons
Videos are emerging from the disputed territory of Ukrainian units turning to their superiors or President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, complaining about the lack of weapons and ammunition, and complaining that they are not trained enough for combat. According to Reisner, there are already at least 13 such videos. According to the statements in the videos, some of these soldiers were transferred from the west of the country to the disputed east and were not prepared for the heavy artillery fire.
Believing that the Russians could run out of ammunition would be an illusion, the army officer warns against false messages on social media. The Russians have hundreds of thousands of projectiles of so-called unguided bombs and rockets. It is not known how many guided missiles, such as cruise missiles or ballistic missiles, they still have. More than 2,200 have been laid off so far, which would be about 60 percent of Russia’s total arsenal. But the unguided missiles also have sufficient effect.
Putin’s “infernal machine” and the new phase of the war
Reisner points to TOS-1 thermobaric missiles with multiple rocket launchers (see image below). This weapon system is called “Putin’s infernal machine”. Where such a thermobaric warhead strikes, temperatures of 1400 degrees Celsius prevail within a radius of 25 meters for one and a half seconds. The sky is on fire. An extreme pressure wave is created. No body can handle it, says the expert.
Now “third phase” of the war
In summary, Reisner sees the war entering a new phase. The first phase lasted six of the 14 weeks. It was marked by the major attack on February 24, also on the capital Kiev, which the Ukrainians repel. In the second phase, Russia withdrew to the north and concentrated on the Donbass to the east. According to Reisner, a new, third phase started last weekend.
“The Russians have the initiative again, at least locally.” The Ukrainians dug into the Donbass and would defend their positions with courage and tenacity. But the Russian artillery wears them out: “Russia is firing one after another at Ukrainian front positions, ready for an attack,” says the historian. And they cut off one of the two Ukrainian supply routes.
Russians Check “Road of Life”
Russian forces have taken control of the vital highway T1302 (dubbed the “Road of Life” by the Ukrainians) connecting the twin cities of Sievarodonetsk and Lysyhansk in Luhansk Oblast with Donetsk Oblast. The Russians were able to be driven back once more, but their artillery hit the road and made any movement impossible.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
