While a relatively smaller victory, this action by UA in the Donbas is *after* the RU pulled forces to head south, again showing offensive spirit by Ukraine. 15/
Full-scale invasion and national resilience, broadcasted live.
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Ukraine targets Russian forces with precision weapons
UA is targeting key RU w/ precision weapons, confusing a RU force that already has very low morale and poor leadership, with a relatively small combined arms (tanks, infantry, artillery, engineers, logistics, etc) force. All while RU has depleted BTG w/ little supplies. 13/
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Russian troops retreat to Beryslav bridgehead, risk entrapment across wide river
There are also indications RU troops are falling back to the Beryslav Bridgehead (see box area on map) as part of a "refit" & "reconsolidate" operation. Once there, it'll be hard for them to get back across the VERY WIDE river to escape (Note only 2 Bridges in Kherson). 12/
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Ukraine uses HIMARS on bridges and attacks Russian forces in intense fighting
In the last few days, UA has used HIMARs to "drop" the bridges, while also attacking RU forces I won't draw military arrows or objectives, but reports indicate UA has been involved in intense fighting in Vysokopillya, Arkhangelske & Potemkine. (boxes on the map) 11/
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Destroy two bridges on M14 to trap Russian forces
Poor RU leadership pushed many BTGs over the Dnipro because Putin wanted Kherson City, Mykolayiv, and eventually Odesa. But on the M14, there are only 2 Bridges across the Dnipro. Destroy those bridges…and logistics & a trapped force becomes a RU problem. 10/
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Ukraine shifts forces to Kherson exploiting Russian supply vulnerabilities
After successfully defending in the Donbas against repeated unsuccessful RU attacks, UA began shifting forces to Kherson when they saw an opportunity. That opportunity was a large RU force in Kherson, with a river at their back & limited supply lines. 9/
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Target key enemy elements, shift main attack to Kherson
So as a commander, what would I do with that small force? Same thing I would do with artillery: Target key enemy elements. Attack those that are the most vulnerable. Shifting to the Kherson as the main attack was brilliant for many reasons. 8/
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Ukraine’s attacks destroy Russian forces and morale, boosting maneuver freedom
Not only do these actions destroy (and shape) the RU forces so they are more vulnerable to attack, they also lower RU morale by killing a lot of RU soldiers & destroying equipment. All that contributes to UKR – even with a smaller force – having greater freedom of maneuver. 7/
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Offensive advantage: Ukraine strikes at will with HIMARS and SOF
When the enemy (RU) is on the defensive & trying to secure ground, UA can strike at the time & place of their choosing. That's the advantage of the offense. Having precision weapons (HIMARS) & good Special Operating Forces (SOF) contributes to that. 6/
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Ukraine’s shaping operations using artillery, SOF, and teams
A few weeks ago, UA started "shaping operations." I won't go into a doctrinal definition, but that means countering the enemies ability to affect ur maneuver. UA used LONG & SHORT range artillery strikes, SOF, small unit teams, resistance/territorials.5/