LVIV – On August 29, the Kakhovka Operational Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched a video during which it mentioned that its troopers had damaged by way of the primary line of protection of the Russian navy within the Kherson area – a transfer that many Ukrainians consider was the beginning of a significant counteroffensive within the south geared toward liberating town of Kherson. However officers in Kyiv have mentioned little concerning the counterattack, and so they requested residents to not disclose any data they might have concerning the assault.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned there could be no “specifics from any really accountable individual” concerning the counteroffensive.
In the meantime, the Russian navy, Mr. Zelenskyy mentioned, ought to know that the Armed Forces of Ukraine “will drive them to the border; in the event that they wish to survive, then it’s time for the Russian navy to flee.”
The Kakhovka Operational Group – a part of the Operational Command South of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – launched one other video during which a Russian soldier might be heard talking concerning the Ukrainian navy’s success within the Kherson area.
The group additionally famous that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had gained floor in retaking areas round Kherson.
“The 109th regiment of the so-called DPR [Donetsk People’s Republic] withdrew from its positions within the Kherson area, and the Russian paratroopers supporting them fled the battlefield,” the group mentioned within the video.
“Ukraine has a superb likelihood to regain its territories as a result of, with the assistance of HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems], virtually all giant bridges have already been destroyed – the Russian military was minimize off from the availability of weapons and personnel from Crimea,” the group added.
The Russian Ministry of Protection admitted that there was an offensive, however mentioned that it “failed,” and added that the Ukrainians suffered “big losses.”
The claims made by members of the Ukrainian and Russian navy couldn’t be independently verified.
In keeping with unofficial knowledge from the Institute for the Examine of Warfare (ISW), the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated 5 settlements within the Kherson area throughout the first day of the counteroffensive.
Particularly, based on CNN, the Ukrainian navy liberated the villages of Pravdyne, Novodmytrivka and Tomina Balka within the Kherson area.
CNN’s supply additionally mentioned that Ukrainian forces recaptured Arkhangelsk on the jap financial institution of the Ingulets River, south of the border between the Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk areas of the nation.
The ISW mentioned it couldn’t confirm these claims.
On August 29, Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Operational Command South of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, confirmed that the counteroffensive within the Kherson area had begun, however she famous that the enemy’s forces “are fairly sturdy.”
She additionally careworn that the Ukrainian authorities didn’t wish to reveal extra data than needed concerning the operation.
“Any navy operation requires silence. Within the circumstances of a hybrid struggle, such a response to the information from the entrance harms the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There’s information concerning the offensive alongside the southern axis, and it impressed Ukrainians. However for now it’s needed to understand that actions should first be accomplished; solely then will they present outcomes. Now we’ve to attend and perceive the foundations and sequence of actions of navy models,” she informed reporters throughout a press briefing on the Ukraine Media Heart in Kyiv.
Although the Russian navy is taken into account to be far superior in manpower and assets, the Ukrainian navy has had success in concentrating on Russian warehouses, ammunition and navy tools, Ms. Humeniuk.
“Our actions have weakened the enemy, however they’re nonetheless compelling. Even the truth that they’re morally disoriented performs into our arms, however it’s too early to calm down,” Ms. Humeniuk mentioned.
She famous that each one Ukrainians who’re nonetheless in Russian occupied territory ought to discover shelter and observe security guidelines issued by Kyiv.
Ms. Humeniuk mentioned Russia was making an attempt to herald reserves from the left financial institution of the Dnipro River to strengthen their place within the Kherson area, however that they may not accomplish that as a result of the Ukrainian navy had destroyed numerous bridges.
“It’s as a result of we used warning and precision when hitting the bridges, that are the principle transport arteries throughout the Dnipro, that they turned impassable for heavy equipment. That is why the enemy is making an attempt to arrange different crossings. However the geography of the river and this space is such that they solely managed to arrange a crossing downstream in the identical space the place [the Antonivskyy]bridge is positioned. That’s why they once more got here below our hearth, specifically, and we additionally destroyed the choice crossing,” Ms. Humeniuk mentioned.
Russia was transferring models between populated areas to supply the looks of reinforcements, she mentioned.
“The destruction of enemy logistics routes, reserves and management factors continues,” she added. “The enemy is usually demoralized however continues to withstand. Throughout the fight day, our rocket and artillery models practiced strikes on 4 management factors of the enemy troops and 4️ transport arteries – Kakhovskyy, Darivskyy, and two Antonivskyy bridges. The diploma of harm limits their use as a lot as attainable.”
The Ministry of Protection of the UK additionally confirmed {that a} counteroffensive by the Ukrainian navy had begun within the south of the nation.
In an intelligence word, the ministry mentioned the Ukrainian formations pushed again the entrance line “a ways” in some locations whereas encountering a “comparatively weak Russian protection.”
“In keeping with its doctrine, Russia will in all probability now attempt to shut gaps within the entrance line utilizing pre-assigned cellular reserve models. This may possible embody some [units]from the Jap Group of Forces,” the ministry’s intelligence word, revealed on Twitter, mentioned.
Russian troops have been “in some circumstances” retreating in Ukraine, based on U.S. Division of Protection spokesman Patrick Ryder, although he declined to supply further particulars.
“What I’ll say is that we’re conscious of Ukrainian navy operations which have made some ahead motion, and in some circumstances, within the Kherson area. We’re conscious, in some circumstances, of Russian models falling again. However once more, so as to protect operation safety and to offer the Ukrainians the time and the house that they should conduct their operations, I’m not going to enter that stage of element from the rostrum,” he mentioned throughout a briefing with the press.
A Pentagon spokesman added that the U.S. and its allies are “centered on working with the Ukrainians” to make sure they’ve “what they should battle Russia on their homeland.”
In preparation for Ukraine’s counteroffensive, the US referred to as on Kyiv to restrict its operation by way of targets and geography to keep away from overstretching forces and getting “caught” on a number of fronts concurrently, based on a CNN report.
In the meantime, U.S. Gen. Pat Ryder confirmed to CNN that members of the U.S. navy common communicate with members of the Ukrainian navy.
“We is not going to touch upon the specifics of those interactions. On the whole, we offer Ukrainians with data to assist them higher perceive the threats they face and shield their nation from Russian aggression. In the end, Ukrainians make the ultimate selections about their actions,” Mr. Ryder mentioned.
