Russian troops want to prevent a counter-offensive

class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>

As tensions continue to mount along the Ukrainian and Russian fronts, reports are emerging that the Russian offensive as a whole is nearing its peak. Both Ukrainian and Russian sources have noted a decline in Russian offensive operations. Some reports suggest Russian troops are making little progress in Ukraine, according to the US think tank ISW.

The head of the Council of Reserves of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, Ivan Tymochko, reported that while Russian forces are fighting all along the front line, little progress is being made. The current Russian attacks are said to be aimed at diverting Ukrainian forces to prevent a joint Ukrainian counter-offensive.

Several Russian commentators also highlight Russian preparations for an expected Ukrainian counter-offensive. This shift in emphasis suggests that the Russian offensive as a whole is nearing its end.

Russians prepare for counter-offensive

An interesting factor in the dynamics of the conflict is the use of artillery by the Russian armed forces. Former security minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic and current commander of the Vostok battalion Alexander Khodakovsky has reported that the Russian leadership has decided to almost completely halt the daily distribution of ammunition to front sectors where no active offensive operations are taking place.

This rationing of artillery ammunition is said to have resulted in part from preparations for a Ukrainian counter-offensive. It suggests that because of the shortage, the Russian command has to set strict priorities in supplying artillery ammunition, the ISW said. The high demand for shells by Russian forces shows that the Russian armed forces continue to rely heavily on artillery to fill important combat capability shortfalls.

Because the Russians use heavy artillery strikes to destroy cities before launching ground attacks. This allows Russian forces to avoid infantry attacks or airstrikes with scarce precision munitions. These are all maneuvers that require well-trained soldiers and the right equipment. Things that the Russian army does not currently have.

Ukraine is low on ammunition

By contrast, the Ukrainian armed forces reportedly use a third of as much ammunition as the Russian armed forces and conserve ammunition by carefully prioritizing their targets, sources say. Ukrainian forces are more accurate and benefit from being on the defensive in most areas, which usually means more artillery is needed. Despite this, the Ukrainian army also suffers from a lack of ammunition.

As the conflict unfolds, it remains to be seen how the dynamics on the battlefield will change. However, it is clear that both sides are actively preparing for the possibility of a counter-offensive.

Source: Blick