At some factors within the warfare, it’s been not solely attainable, however smart, to doubt experiences from both facet, particularly after they have sounded too rosy. Russia has repeatedly made claims and even proven movies that had been completely at odds with the experiences of these on the bottom—that features happy-happy-joy-joy movies exhibiting smiling individuals within the areas occupied by Russia going about their day in cities unscarred by weeks of pounding artillery. There’s completely little doubt that Ukraine has additionally utilized spin to the general public data it releases, partly to guard troops within the subject, and partly to maneuver the information needle in ways in which make it extra more likely to obtain the help required to outlive the invasion.
However relating to what’s occurring in Severodonetsk, there’s not a lot doubt about what’s occurring. As kos has identified, that’s as a result of from the city of Lysychansk, simply throughout the river, it’s attainable to look down into the streets of Severeodonetsk. Meaning not simply that Ukrainian troopers in these streets are in a position to information artillery to very exact places, it additionally signifies that observers have a ringside view to what — in accordance with a few of these gathered — has been Russia’s worst loss for the reason that warfare started.
On Thursday, Russia had taken 80% of Severodonetsk. Professional-Russian sources had been bragging that the town had already fallen, and Chechen baddie Kadyrov’s forces put out their second video wherein they pretended to be strolling round in a peacefully captured Severodonetsk, surrounded by adoring followers. Then on Friday, Ukraine started a counterattack that appeared to rapidly retake about 20% of the town. Even then, Russian media retailers insisted that Ukraine was merely losing the hassle. Ukraine was, it mentioned, “sending in overseas mercenaries as a result of it had no different troops to ship,” and even these mercenaries had been “struggling 90% losses” as Russia took what remained of the city.
Besides by Saturday, Ukraine once more managed at the very least 50% of Severodonetsk. And on the finish of the day on Sunday, that quantity seems to be more like 70%.
In the meantime, within the space close to Izyum, Russia reportedly captured Dovhen’ke on Saturday, however subsequent experiences point out that Ukrainian forces there as soon as once more repelled an assault. As a substitute, Russian forces shifted to the southwest, attacking down the highway towards Barvinkove, however getting stopped simply east of the village of Virnopillya.
Additional to the east, Russia had extra success, lastly taking the city of Studenok, together with two different villages on the east facet of the river. Ukrainian troops have reportedly both moved again from one other pair of villages, and could also be getting ready to relocated throughout the river at Svyatohirske, which might basically cede the north financial institution of the river in that space. Ukraine nonetheless has management of bridges and the power to withdraw in good order. To this point, Russia doesn’t seem to have made a crossing within the space west of Severodonetsk.
On the far finish of the realm on the map, Russia has apparently surrounded the city of Komyshuvakha, a couple of kilometers north of Popasna, which Ukraine snatched again over every week in the past. In the mean time, there nonetheless appear to be some Ukrainian forces within the city, and Russia has been repulsed on a number of earlier makes an attempt, however this time is trying powerful.
Within the Kherson space, Russia has reportedly rushed extra forces into Davydiv Brid, however Ukraine doesn’t really look like making an attempt to actively take the city. As a substitute, they’re guarding in opposition to Russian forces transferring down from that course and steadily widening the bridgehead round their pontoon bridge about 4km to the south. Russia reportedly made two makes an attempt to take again Vysokopillya on the northern level of this space, however each had been repelled.
On the far finish of the road, Ukraine is continuous to press the counteroffensive that has recaptured a number of villages west of the Siverskyi Donets within the final two days. Nevertheless, Sunday as soon as once more noticed a repeat of some odd artillery exercise within the low-lying space instantly throughout the river from Rubizhne. This got here late on Sunday, on the similar time that Russian channels on Telegram had been indicating a brand new Russian offensive within the space. That is the third time this similar space has been hammered by artillery. The primary time corresponded with Ukrainian forces transferring north and trying to seize the arear across the bridge (the bridge itself is down). The second time got here as Ukrainian forces had reportedly crossed the river each at Rubizhne and Staryi Saltiv and had been reporting to be transferring north. The third time is over the past two days when there was hearth directed right here, and likewise throughout the bridge by Startsya farther to the north. And it means … ???
One in every of Dimitri’s newest translations helps to clarify why few DPR and LPR infantry items are being talked about in latest information.
“…each the Individuals’s Militia of LPR, and the Individuals’s Militia of DPR, if we think about their composition as of Feb. 24, most of them died within the first weeks, if not days, of the warfare.” … “Poor coaching, poor gear, shoddy provide and the shoddy high quality of many of the imported “advisors,” has systematically lowered the fight readiness of the troops…”
