Also: the remnants of Russia’s VDV were on the west bank. If that group is captured or KIA, it would be a blow to Russian capabilities, and a major achievement and psychological victory for UAF. If Russia’s most famous units were destroyed the news would spread fast (/8)
Full-scale invasion and national resilience, broadcasted live.
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Russia leaves west bank after HIMARS destroy supply routes
Why is Russia leaving? Once Ukrainian forces damaged main routes to the west bank using HIMARs this summer, (for example the Antonovsky bridge) and Russian forces could not repair it, the west bank became an untenable military position to hold. (/7)
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Ukrainian soldier: Russian positions well-prepared, difficult to push out
Another Ukrainian soldier says: “The Russians have very good, well-prepared positions in this area so it’s difficult to push them out,” (/6)
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Ukrainian defender says Russian paratroopers fight honestly and well
One member of Ukraine’s territorial defense noted Russian forces on the west bank had prepared dense defensive positions, and noting “The paratroopers fight honestly. They fight well,” (/5)
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Russian west bank forces experienced and exhausted, not motley crew
By accounts of local Ukrainian soldiers in the area, the Russian grouping on the west bank has not been considered a motley crew. It was considered an experienced and exhausted force with prepared positions (/3)
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Ukraine says elite Russian units concentrated in Kherson
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate says“the most trained and most capable Russian units are currently in Kherson. A large share of them are from airborne troops of the Russian Federation, Russian special operation forces and the naval infantry”
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Russian elite VDV units deployed to Kherson west bank
First, a word about the forces in Kherson. From @JominiW and @HN_Schlottman
’s maps, the forces deployed to the west bank are (or were) considered some of Russia’s best units – multiple VDV units like the 76th, 98th,7th, 108th, and others (/2) -
Russian controlled withdrawal from Kherson west bank differs from Kharkiv collapse
Russian forces are in the middle-to-late stage of a controlled withdrawal/retreat from the west bank of the Dnipro River in Kherson. A few thoughts about why it’s different than the panicky collapse near Kharkiv, and things to consider moving forward (/1 )
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Sullivan in Kyiv: US reaffirms sustained support for Ukraine
Just in: Biden National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was in Kyiv today. His clandestine visit was to show continuing, sustained support for Ukraine and to reinforce commitments that President Biden has made to Ukraine. President Zelensky’s office confirms their meeting.
