Our journalist spent three days collecting stories about life and survival in occupied Kherson. All these accounts are very different: from happy to tragic. Through them, we will try to recount how the southern Ukrainian city lived during these 8 months.
Full-scale invasion and national resilience, broadcasted live.
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Ukraine’s masterful attacks continue; Phase IV tough but success expected
UA has been masterful thus far in attacking & defeating RU forces that have occupied their sovereign land. As I said last week, phase IV of this fight will be tough…I've outlined the reasons why. I remain convinced Ukraine will succeed, w/ NATO & US support. 18/18
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Trench breaches and river crossings: Ukraine’s toughest military challenges ahead.
If attacking a trench line with a breach is the hardest mission, an opposed river crossing and the continuation of an assault is a close second. This is what a large part of the UA will have to do to continue the attack east, toward Melitopol, and beyond. 17/
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Dnipro width and destroyed bridges challenge troop river crossing
And beyond looking at this map, one must understand the width of the Dnipro, and that most of the E-W bridges have been destroyed. These 2 pictures, taken in peacetime near Kherson city, give an idea of how challenging a river crossing will be with massive amounts of troops. 15/
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New phase demands maneuver, precision strikes, special ops, river crossing
Different from attacking a dug-in defending enemy in the NE, this fight will require more maneuver, precision strikes, special operations…and river crossing ability! Those who are saying "UA must continue to roll east" haven't looked at this map. 14/
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Kherson Oblast fight requires crossing Dnipro with conventional and resistance forces
Let's turn to the SE, Kherson Oblast. This fight will require a different approach, using conventional forces (with good intel, solid maneuver and firepower, precision targeting) as well as help from territorials & resistance, And, it will require crossing the Dnipro! 13/
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Ukraine faces tough fight to regain Donbas with precision and time
To regain the Donbas, Ukraine's Army will face a tough fight. They will need precision artillery, great leadership, & ever-increasing combined arms capability. In addition to being a tough fight, it will also take time to attrit the RU force. They'll succeed, but not fast. 12/
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Ukraine fighting returns to trench lines despite recent major gains.
Though fighting has been extensive these last few months, & UA has made some major gains, both sides are back to previous LOC (line of contact): the trench line. 4/
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UKR villages shelled and mined; RU failed territorial gains objective.
Small UKR villages were shelled & extensively mined. Prior to 9/24 there weren't many territorial gains by either side. Expanding this area was an early (& failed) RU operational objective. A July @TheStudyofWar map/article is a terrific primer https://
understandingwar.org/backgrounder/r
ussian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-20
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Trench warfare in Donbas since 2014; Russia’s frozen conflict attempt
1st, let's discuss the NE, Donbas. Since 2014, trench warfare in the Donbas has been prevalent. The line between the falsely described "people's republics" of Donetsk & Luhansk has become a no-man's land, and Russia's attempt at a "frozen conflict." 2/ https://
washingtonpost.com/world/interact
ive/2022/ukraine-russia-front-line/
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