According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the defenders destroyed 230 Russian artillery guns last week. This is the highest value since the start of the war. The previous record was 229 guns and was set two weeks earlier. In total, the invaders lost 651 of the important guns over the past three weeks – an average of more than 30 per day.
The importance of these setbacks cannot be overstated. Because they are of enormous importance for the defense of the occupied territories. According to Dan Rice, a former adviser to Ukrainian General Valery Salushni, the artillery is responsible for 80 percent of the losses on both sides: “This is a gigantic artillery duel.”
Weekly Russian artillery gun losses
The most intense fighting is currently taking place around the village of Verbove on the southern front. According to several sources, Ukrainian forces are trying to penetrate the northwestern tip of the settlement. Despite heavy losses, Ukraine is making progress step by step. Video footage from the area shows intense trench warfare that is reminiscent of the gruesome images of the First World War.
Despite the high pressure from Ukraine, Russian units at Robotyne repeatedly try to launch counter-offensives. A tactic that, according to the latest ISW report, raises eyebrows among both Ukrainian and Russian military experts. The battle-hardened troops deployed for this purpose are usually wiped out without having had any effect. According to experts, a withdrawal with a reorganization would make more sense at this time. According to Ukrainian military observer Konstiantin Mashovets, the willing sacrifice of elite units would only make sense if Russia was playing for time: time to organize for a major counterattack or time to build new defense lines.
The Institute for War Studies (ISW) speculation goes one step further: Moscow has ordered that the positions be held at all costs. The goal is to be able to present your own campaign as a success – and the Ukrainian campaign as a failure. This story is intended to undermine Western support for Ukraine. The origins of this strategy are controversial. The ISW speculates that this could even be a result of Putin’s micromanagement.
Another theory is that Defense Minister Shoigu was given one month’s notice by Putin to stop the Ukrainian offensive. Shoigu is now trying to get the lucky blow with counterattacks at all costs.
The affected units take little joy in the loss-making and unsuccessful rush forward. The ISW quotes a Russian military blogger who almost panicked when describing the situation around Verbove and the poor morale of the Russian units. The American analysis portal suspects a tactical exaggeration – to give Mikhail Teplinski more room to maneuver.
Teplinsky, who effectively took over command of the Ukrainian war as Gerasimov’s deputy, is very popular among ultranationalists and army members. The late Wagner boss Prigozhin also always spoke highly of him. Teplinsky, like Prigozhin once, does not mince his words and sometimes sharply criticizes his superiors in the Kremlin. He is therefore a thorn in the side of Defense Minister Shoigu. The struggle also continues on the political stage.
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Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
