The Armed Forces of Ukraine needed to stop the Russian offensive, primarily in the Donetsk direction. The Ministry of Defense understood that sooner or later it would be necessary to launch a counteroffensive in the Kharkov direction, so they waited for the right moment.
The Ukrainian defenders did everything possible to prevent the occupiers from advancing in the Donbas. Vadim Skibitsky, a spokesman for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, spoke about this.
Russia's weak point
Skibitsky noted that a month later, the Russian command transferred all troops to the South. This created the conditions for an offensive in the Kherson and Kharkov directions.
Back in the spring, it was clear that Russia's weak point was Balakleya. In June it became obvious that an offensive in the Balakley direction was possible. The actions that we planned in the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions helped build on the overall success of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Skibitsky summed up.
He also added that the main goal is the de-occupation of all occupied territories. At the same time, the threat to Kharkov still remains.
Which areas are the Russians most focused on
Due to the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the invaders take up a defensive position. They are concentrating their forces in the Donbass and Zaporozhye. The General Staff noted that the Russian military is trying to strengthen its first line of defense in two areas. Therefore, the invaders have to overturn the reserves from the units of the third army corps. In addition, the remnants of units that managed to escape in the Kharkov direction are used for reinforcement.
At the same time, the Russians may have serious problems – they will have nothing to defend themselves with. The Armed Forces of Ukraine do not give them the opportunity to establish logistics.
Successes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the front: in short
- Occupiers, most likely, cannot strengthen the new front line after the de-occupation of the eastern part of the Kharkiv region. The occupiers are actively leaving the area or are relocating to other areas.
- Deputy Defense Minister Anna Malyar said that in just a few days the Armed Forces of Ukraine fired 300 settlements in the Kharkiv region, but the real figure could be much higher.
- Advisor to the Office of the President Oleksiy Arestovich said that if the Armed Forces of Ukraine take over the Liman of the Donetsk region, then the entire defense line in the north-east of Ukraine will “fall apart” in the Russian army.
