It is the stated goal of the Ukrainian government to retake the territories in the south of the country occupied by Russian troops. Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov recently announced a major offensive involving one million soldiers. How realistic this announcement is in the face of significant losses is questionable. But Russia apparently takes the danger seriously: according to British intelligence, the occupiers are strengthening their defensive positions in southern Ukraine.
Between the major cities of Mariupol and Zaporizhzhya and in Kherson there are “movements of personnel, equipment and defensive supplies,” according to the British Defense Ministry’s daily intelligence update on Twitter. Russian forces also increased their security measures in the occupied southern Ukrainian city of Melitopol.
Ukrainians attacked command posts
According to British intelligence, the Russian defensive measures are likely in response to Ukrainian attacks on command posts, logistics hubs and troop concentrations. Kiev has been putting pressure on Russian-occupied areas in the Kherson region for more than a month and further offensive measures are planned.
British experts say the reinforcements in the south show how seriously the Russians take the threat of a counter-offensive. At the same time, the battle for the Donbass continues unabated. A double burden for Russian troops, who are increasingly faced with a shortage of personnel.
Moscow: Weapons Shipments Destroyed
Meanwhile, the invaders reported successful new attacks in Ukraine. The Russian military has destroyed numerous weapons supplied by the United States and other NATO countries, a spokesman for Russia’s defense ministry said on Sunday. In Odessa on the Black Sea, a Harpoon missile depot was destroyed, and in the Donetsk region, a US-supplied HIMARS missile launcher was destroyed.
In the Kharkov region, Russian forces shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 air defense fighter jet from the ground and an Mi-17 attack helicopter with a fighter aircraft in the Sloviansk region of the Donetsk region. About 200 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the attacks in the Kharkiv region, ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
This information could not be verified by an independent party. Experts point out that the HIMARS systems are difficult to locate and destroy. According to Ukrainian sources, the harpoon missiles have recently been used repeatedly against the Russian navy.
NASA data shows fewer Russian shelling
The Ukrainians also described the use of the multiple rocket launcher HIMARS as successful. According to the American think tank ISW, this is confirmed by data from NASA. Because the number of heat anomalies in the Donbass has decreased in recent days. The probable reason: Because Ukraine is destroying Russian ammunition depots with HIMARS systems, Russian forces cannot handle high levels of artillery fire along the front lines.
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.
