MOSCOW, Oct 14 — RIA Novosti, Andrey Kotz. The Kiev regime continues to transfer troops to the east. The APU, inspired by the success in the Kharkiv region, want to occupy as much territory as possible before the autumn thaw. They are going to attack in several directions.
Painful blows
At the beginning of the week, Moscow radically changed its tactics in Ukraine. On Monday alone, the Russian army fired several dozen high-precision missiles and kamikaze drones at military command, communications and energy facilities of the Kiev regime. There have been no such massive strikes since the first days of the special operation. Explosions occurred in Kiev, Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Khmelnytsky, Konotop and a number of other major cities. Many settlements were left without electricity, water supply was partially disrupted.
Striking at the infrastructure of the Ukrainian army. Video frame Image source: © RIA Novosti / Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Then the Russian rocket scientists focused on the transport infrastructure. In particular, several missiles hit a railway station in Shepetovka, Khmelnytskyi region. Troops are supplied through this important logistics hub.
Military analysts believe that strikes on critical infrastructure can change the situation at the front. Firstly, the transportation of manpower and military equipment by rail is becoming more complicated. Secondly, problems with Starlink systems make it difficult to manage departments. Finally, the destruction of repair plants slows down the maintenance of military equipment. However, this is not enough.
"Yes, some power plants have been damaged. But I am sure that most of it can be restored in a short time, — says Konstantin Sivkov, Doctor of Military Sciences. — Most likely, these are warning strikes — a demonstration of our ability and determination to carry out such massive actions. This is also indicated by the fact that the key buildings where the military and political leadership of the country is located were not beaten."
Saboteur activity
At the same time, Kiev decided, apparently, to arrange another "information victory" on the front line. For several days, reports have been received about the tightening of large AFU forces in the Zaporozhye direction.
Ukrainian servicemen Image Source: © AP Photo / Evgeniy Maloletka
"We are tracking the transfer of their troops," says an officer of the DPR army with the call sign Klim. — Echelons and columns go almost daily. According to our data, an offensive is being prepared at the Orekhovsky and Gulyai-Pole sites. The goal is to cut the front and reach Melitopol and Berdyansk. If these cities are captured, Kiev will regain access to the Sea of Azov and will be able to attack in three directions: Kherson from the east, Crimea and Mariupol."
One of the alarming signs is the high activity of sabotage and reconnaissance groups. They identify artillery and air defense positions, direct fire, mine objects in the rear, and also hunt high-ranking army commanders.
"The DRG is thrown to us regularly, probing the defense," said Vladimir Rogov, a member of the main council of the administration of the Zaporozhye region. — I am aware of at least seven similar cases on a fairly small sector of the front. That's a lot."
Foreign aid
According to Rogov, at the end of September, about 450 Special Operations Forces fighters who had trained in NATO countries returned to Ukraine. Probably, the unit will be used to capture the Zaporozhye NPP. They will be supported by foreign mercenaries, of whom there are many in the Zaporozhye region. Rogov assures that there are up to five thousand Poles alone at the line of contact.
This is confirmed by a video published recently by the Deputy Minister of Information of the DPR Daniil Bezsonov. The footage was allegedly taken by a helmet-mounted camera of a member of the "International Legion" who was ambushed near the village of Pologi. The lens caught the faces of colleagues. Some were identified, for example, German Jonas Kratzberg, a veteran of the Bundeswehr, who has been fighting for Ukraine since early spring.
Russian special forces destroyed this DRG, but it is not known how many of them are still operating in Zaporozhye. The situation is heating up every day, and, perhaps, fierce battles will unfold there very soon. On this sector of the front, the Russian military has already finished erecting a defense line and has transferred significant reserves here.
Kherson confrontation
It is not easy in the neighboring Kherson region either. On Thursday, the acting governor of the region, Vladimir Saldo, asked the Russian authorities to organize the evacuation of local residents, since the APU is constantly bombing Kherson, Novaya Kakhovka, Bare Pier, Chernobayevka and other settlements.
Military in Kherson Image Source: © AP Photo
The battles (generally positional) are in two directions — Andreevsky and Berislavsky. The APU is pulling forces across the Ingulets River and in the south-east of Nikolaev. And they meet organized and fierce resistance on the whole front. According to local authorities, several waves of attacks have already been repelled.
It is still unclear which of the two directions Kiev will choose for the offensive — Kherson, Zaporozhye or both at once. However, analysts do not rule out that the activity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in these regions is just a distraction, and the main blow will be elsewhere. One way or another, everything will be decided in the coming weeks.
