The successful counteroffensive of the Ukrainian military on the Kharkiv-Izyum line is being discussed very actively in Russia. The Russians are in a panic – they blame the Russian command for everything.
This is stated in the report of analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). They note that the last time such a reaction to the actions of the military command was recorded in May, when the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the Paton crossing in Belogorivka. information space and undermine the credibility of the Russian command to a degree that has not been seen since the unsuccessful crossing of the Russian river in mid-May, the message says.
Russia's silence is not good
The report notes that the Ukrainian command stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine advanced 50 kilometers deep into Russian defensive positions north of Izyum on September 8, but the Russian Ministry of Defense did not release a single statement about Ukraine's advance in the Kharkiv region.
Ukraine's successes and the silence of the Russian Defense Ministry have prompted many Russian military experts to criticize and discuss Russia's failed attempts to maintain control over the city of Balakleya, analysts add.
A split among “experts” too: how the military leadership is criticized for the loss of Balakliya
Some experts claimed that Russian forces completely or partially left the Balakliya in the proper order, while others stated in horror that Ukrainian forces drove the Russian army out from the settlement.
Some noted that the units of the National Guard operating in the area did not coordinate their defense and did not have sufficient artillery capabilities to prevent Ukrainian counterattacks in the region.
They also note that the same “experts” allegedly warned of an upcoming Ukrainian counter-offensive northwest of Izyum days before the Ukrainian offensive, saying that the Russian command was not prepared for “obvious and suspected” Ukrainian counter-offensives.
Others admit that Ukrainian forces completely outmaneuvered the Russian military command in Balakliya. There were those who encouraged the Russians to wait and abstain from discussing Russian losses from criticism until Russian forces stabilize the front line.
