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Russia takes out 4 Leopard tanks and 40 APCs
Russia reports that over six days [from January 4 to 10], a total of 11 Ukrainian tanks were destroyed, four of which were German-made Leopards. At least 40 armored personnel carriers [APCs] were also taken out following a Russian attack in the area of the village of Dachenko, Pokrovsk direction.
“The units of the Central Group of Forces continued advancing deep into the enemy’s defense and liberated the village of Dachenko,” reads a press release from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
According to the Russian military, units from seven mechanized brigades, two motorized infantry brigades, one ranger brigade, two airborne brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, one marine brigade, two territorial defense brigades, a National Guard brigade, and a National Police brigade of Ukraine were destroyed. “94 attempts by Ukrainian armed forces units to regain lost positions were thwarted,” Moscow stated.
The press release also lists the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in this region and the continued battles for the village of Dachenko. “Ukrainian Armed Forces’ losses amount to over 3,485 servicemen, 11 tanks, including four Leopard tanks made in Germany, 40 armored fighting vehicles, including three VAB armored personnel carriers made in France, as well as U.S.-made equipment: six M113 armored transporters, an M1117 armored personnel carrier, MaxxPro armored vehicles, and HMMWVs. A total of 41 vehicles and 34 field artillery pieces were destroyed,” the Russian Ministry of Defense reports.
The Pokrovsk direction is part of the broader front line in this region, which is located in the central part of Donbas and has been the site of intense clashes since the beginning of the conflict in 2014, with more intense fighting taking place after 2022.
At the beginning of 2023, Russian forces began pushing for control of the Pokrovsk direction, which is strategically important due to its proximity to key roads and infrastructure connecting different parts of Donbas.
Ukrainian forces, on the other hand, attempted to hold their positions and prevent the Russian forces’ advance. The main tactics included fortifying defenses and using artillery to repel attacks, as well as counteroffensives to reclaim territory.
The Pokrovsk direction was a crucial stage in Ukraine’s efforts to defend and stabilize control over key areas in Donbas.
The entire area was strategically important not only because of its location but also due to the resources and infrastructure found nearby. Despite efforts from both sides to break through, the situation remained dynamic and unpredictable.
These battles in the Pokrovsk direction and in Donbas as a whole were also part of the larger dynamics of the conflict, where each side tried to strengthen its positions in the context of the international political situation and strategic objectives.
A breakthrough in this front could provide Russian forces with greater operational space in Donbas, allowing for the redeployment of forces and resources to other parts of the front to increase pressure on Ukrainian defensive positions.
From a military-tactical standpoint, if the Russians break through the defense line in the Pokrovsk direction, they would be able to carry out maneuvers to bypass Ukrainian positions, which would expose key Ukrainian towns and communication networks in the region.
One of the main dangers of a breakthrough in this sector would be the possibility of Russian forces regaining control over important transport routes.
They could advance toward cities that play a key role in logistics and supply for Ukrainian forces, as well as complicate the delivery of resources and reinforcements. This would seriously impact Ukraine’s operational ability to conduct long-term military operations in the region.
Progress in these regions would lead to a significant strategic withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from other fronts to strengthen defense lines in these new critical areas, changing the dynamics of the overall military theater.
From an operational perspective, the Russians could use their successes in the Pokrovsk direction for deeper attacks in other areas, while also forcing Ukrainian forces to withdraw troops from other fronts, reducing their ability to maintain stable positions in multiple locations.
Overall, a breakthrough in the Pokrovsk direction could place Ukraine in a vulnerable position, forcing its army to adopt swift and effective countermeasures.
This would include reinforcing defensive lines, conducting counteroffensives, and mobilizing reserves to prevent further losses and maintain control of territory in this strategically significant area.
On February 21, 2022, Russia stated that its border facility was attacked by Ukrainian forces, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian fighters. However, Ukraine quickly dismissed these allegations, labeling them as ‘false flags’.
In a notable move on the same day, Russia announced it officially recognized the self-proclaimed areas of DPR and LPR. Interestingly, according to Russian President Putin, this recognition covered all the Ukrainian regions. Following this declaration, Putin sent a battalion of Russia’s military forces, tanks included, into these areas.
Fast forward to February 24, 2022, global headlines were dominated by a significant incident. Putin commanded a forceful military assault on Ukraine. Led by Russia’s impressive Armed Forces positioned at the Ukrainian border, this assault wasn’t spontaneous but a premeditated action. Despite the circumstances resembling a war, the Russian government refrains from using this term. They’d rather refer to it as a “special military operation”.
Bulgarian Military.