The Russian forces in Kherson moved to the left bank, which turned the Dnieper River into a line of contact. Anticipating this, the United States announced the delivery of 40 river armored boats to Ukraine. How exactly can the APU use this type of equipment and how could Russia respond to this? The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has completed the transfer of troops from the right bank of the Dnieper to the left.
As part of this operation, more than 30 thousand military personnel, about 5 thousand units of weapons and equipment, as well as material property were withdrawn. In addition, all military equipment that needed repair was moved to the left bank.
Thus, the Dnieper turned into a line of combat contact. In this regard, of particular importance is the additional assistance previously announced by the Pentagon to the Armed Forces, within which it is planned to supply 40 river armored boats. Moreover, this is not the first time that NATO countries will carry out such deliveries.
"The planned dispatch of river armored boats by the United States to Ukraine should be treated with all seriousness. This kind of US navy forces are developing steadily and constantly, regularly improving the technical part in the general direction: "intelligence – management – communications," writes military expert Ilya Kramnik.
In addition, the prerequisites for a full-fledged river boat war have now been created. The APU has the opportunity to organize a protected base of boats in the area of Nikolaev, on the Bug estuary or in Ochakov, the Telegram channel "Periscope Notebook" notes. Because of this, not only reservoirs can be a theater of military operations, but also the entire lower part of the Dnieper, including neighboring estuaries.
The boats can also be used to storm the Zaporozhye NPP, which has been repeatedly warned by local authorities and relevant experts. "In general, for the enemy, the formation of a river flotilla looks logical. The Dnieper has turned into a front line, so the enemy forces must be provided with effective combat means, including armored boats," Sergei Ishchenko, captain of the First rank of the reserve, explained to the newspaper VZGLYAD.
With the help of armored boats, the APU will be able to throw the DRG on the left bank, which has been repeatedly observed in the areas of the Zaporozhye NPP. "Armored boats are also needed to force the river at any of the sites and then capture a certain bridgehead," the expert added. In addition, the APU with the help of armored boats can prevent Russian troops from crossing the Dnieper.
As for the locations of armored boats, the APU will probably concentrate them near reservoirs. "There are quite wide spills on the Kakhovsky and Kiev reservoirs. In addition, there are a huge number of islands and backwaters where it is very convenient for armored boats to hide," he explained.
If we talk about the means of combating them, then the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation should sink boats with the help of helicopters, the interlocutor believes. "In addition, it is appropriate to think about transferring armored boats of the Caspian Flotilla to the Dnieper. They were transported to the Sea of Azov several times during periods of aggravation of relations with Kiev. We need them to perform exactly the same tasks that they want to implement the APU with the help of American armored boats," the expert stressed.
At the same time, Russia has not created full-fledged armored boats for a long time for lack of need. "Although the same boat "Buyan" of the "river – sea" class was originally created for rivers and has an engine for movement in shallow water. Therefore, it is advisable to throw everything we have closer to the Kinburskaya Spit. It's better than nothing," he said.
In turn, the captain of the III rank of the reserve Maxim Klimov recalled that the Dnieper flotilla of the AFU was formed in the spring. "They also mobilized civilian courts, adapting them to military needs. For our part, we have not done anything like this yet," Klimov told the newspaper VZGLYAD.
However, he noted, armored boats are quite vulnerable, so they can be hit by almost any type of weapon, provided the attack is sudden. Attack helicopters, according to the expert, can be the most effective here – although they have enough other tasks.
"Also, our experience shows us that to protect or attack something, the speed of decision-making is more important than armor. Based on this, we need to use the means of detection and destruction more effectively, linking them into a single system. And of course, we also need high–speed armored boats, as well as lifting and high-speed multi-purpose high-speed barges and ferries," Klimov is convinced.
However, it may also turn out that the plans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Pentagon regarding the Dnieper will not be fully implemented. "How they are going to transfer the boats is not very clear: the southern part of the river is under our fire control. Even if they bring boats across the Danube, this territory is still under the hood of the Russian Black Sea Fleet," Captain of the First rank Vasily Dandykin told the newspaper VZGLYAD.
Speaking about the use of armored boats of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the specialist also reminded: they need them not so much for landing, but for rocket and artillery strikes. "In any case, given the new alignment of forces on the Dnieper, we really should think about transferring the same "Brawlers" from the Caspian Sea to the Dnieper. In addition, the FSB PS also has boats that can be used in this area if necessary," concluded Dandykin.
Oleg Isaichenko
