The year of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine is drawing to a close. In the 10 months that have passed since the invasion of February 24, our country has turned from one that was predicted a few days before surrender into a strong state with a powerful army, which has seized the initiative at the front and has every chance of defeating the Russians.
Andriy Ryzhenko, a military analyst and former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Ukrainian Navy, spoke about the main events and conclusions of this difficult year Channel 24. According to him, about a year ago, the West began to voice assumptions about Russia's plans for aggression against Ukraine.Ukraine resisted
Indeed, the groups that Russia concentrated on the borders with Ukraine, the dynamics and trends of their actions showed that separate military exercises would not be enough there. A full-scale invasion was prepared by the enemy very systematically.
I can say unequivocally that the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people showed very serious resistance. With all the perfidy that has been since the beginning of hostilities, we resisted, – Ryzhenko emphasized.
A significant contribution to this was made by our Western partners, primarily providing information assistance. After all, the Russians failed to destroy all the most important military targets and military installations of Ukraine, mainly due to the fact that our side had information about the intentions of the aggressor, and they were redeployed thanks to the maneuver.
How do Ukrainians differ from Russians
According to Ryzhenko, the essential difference between the Ukrainian and Russian armies lies in two points. The first is the use of maneuvers, because our troops use mobile defense, that is, they try not to stagnate in one place and are constantly moving. This is a serious tactical advantage.
The second point is the so-called mission command – trust and granting tactical level commanders the authority to independently make decisions and act on the battlefield. This not only makes them real commanders, but also gives them the opportunity to act outside the box, quickly and as efficiently as possible in the current conditions of the operation.
Despite the fact that the Russian army significantly prevailed at the beginning of the invasion, the heroic Ukrainian troops were able not only to stop the offensive, but also to win 3 important victories. Firstly, they pushed the enemy back from the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions. Secondly, they launched a counter-offensive in the Kharkiv region, freeing a huge territory from the invaders. And thirdly, our defenders pushed the enemy back from the right bank of the Kherson region.
“These are 3 serious operations that gave us determination and self-confidence,” Ryzhenko emphasized.
Help from the West
The military analyst added that the equipment of our partners, NATO equipment, as well as tactics helped the Ukrainian army to win these victories. Now, in certain positions, Western equipment actually dominates the one that was in the Armed Forces of Ukraine before the start of the war, that is, Soviet.
In addition, it is very good that Ukrainian troops are adapting to Western rules for the preparation and use of equipment. According to Ryzhenko, this is probably what gives us the prospect that we will get more and more capable and efficient equipment, like Patriot or HIMARS, and then, perhaps, aircraft and long-range missiles.
This will allow us to continue the liberation of our territories and ensure the ultimate goal of the actions that we are now taking, that is, to restore our territorial integrity and sovereignty,” Ryzhenko summed up.
What to expect at the front in winter
- According to Kirill Budanov, the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, one should not expect radical changes at the front in the near future. Russia is at an impasse, and the only place where it makes attempts to break through is Bakhmut, but it has no success there either.
- Apart from Bakhmut, the invaders are trying to concentrate their forces north of the city, as well as in the direction Zaporozhye. But they have no real opportunity to achieve something – all offensive attempts end in failure.
- Budanov noted that even mobilized, undergoing combat coordination will not be able to influence the situation.
