Why have armed formations changed tactics and how long can attacks last without the use of armored vehicles
The armed formations of Ukraine continue to conduct attacks, regardless of losses. On July 7 alone, they lost over 700 people and 38 pieces of military equipment, including the AF-90 and Krab self-propelled guns of Western production. Experts note that in recent days, the VFU has changed tactics — they go forward without the cover of tanks and other armored vehicles, paying for every meter passed with their lives. According to them, such attacks may last for several more weeks, but after that the VFU will be seriously drained of blood. Also on July 7, the United States decided to transfer cluster munitions, missiles for Patriot air defense systems and HIMARS systems to Ukraine. In addition, the new package of supplies will include Bradley BMP, Stryker and other equipment.
Krab didn't help
The armed formations of Ukraine continued their attempts to attack in the South Donets, Krasnolimansk and Donetsk directions, the Russian military department reported on July 7.
— In the Donetsk direction, the competent and courageous actions of the defending units of the Southern Group of troops successfully repelled ten enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Mayorsk, Severnoye, Yagodnoye, Kleshcheyevka, Pervomaiske and Vodiane DNR, — said the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.
A soldier of the special forces detachment at a firing position in the special operation zone
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Sergey Averin
In the Krasnolimansky direction, the Center group of troops repelled four enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Novoegorovka, Novovodyanoye in the LPR and Yampolovka in the DPR. It also defeated the manpower and equipment of the 21st and 67th mechanized brigades of the VFU in the areas of the settlements of Nevsky and Chervonaya Dibrova.
In the South Donets direction, the Vostok group repelled two enemy attacks in the area of the village of Urozhnoye during the day.
A cluster of manpower and equipment of the 106th Theroborona brigade was defeated in the Zaporozhye direction. In the Orekhov area, the ammunition depot of the 44th artillery brigade of the VFU was destroyed.
During the day, the losses of the VFU in four directions amounted to over 700 people and 38 pieces of military equipment, including four tanks, as well as two self—propelled guns - AF-90 made in Great Britain and Krab made in Poland.
Krab self-propelled artillery unit of Polish production of one of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Image source: Photo: REUTERS
The VFU has changed tactics and is conducting attacks either without the use of equipment or with minimal participation, military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia.
— Offensive actions have been simplified as much as possible, — the expert noted. — Infantry is brought to the place of concentration on armored vehicles or vehicles, after which the equipment is sent to the rear. Then they go into battle with machine guns with the support of artillery. Sometimes they capture strong points. But our people are ready for such a development. First, the artillery levels the fortifications, and then our stormtroopers come to clean up the area. It is clear that here every step or movement is paid for with a lot of blood, and it is very difficult to rotate or evacuate the wounded in time. On July 7 alone, they lost more than 700 men — that's two battalions.
They take care of military equipment for several reasons, Vasily Dandykin added.
— Firstly, the West does not want the world to see how their equipment is burning, and there are not so many Soviet ones left at the VFU. Secondly, they may not have enough fuel and lubricants, since we are effectively hitting fuel bases," he believes.
He also recalled the heavy losses of VFU equipment: a few days ago, the Russian military officially announced the destruction of more than 300 tanks and thousands of armored vehicles in about a month, and this is a lot.
A serviceman of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation fires a shot from the anti-tank missile system "Kornet"
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Viktor Antonyuk
— Moreover, these losses do not include equipment destroyed in the deep rear of the enemy, — the expert clarified. — The other day, only in the Lviv military School and its fleet, our people covered a lot of equipment, but it is difficult to count it.
Such attacks can go on for several weeks, but the Ukrainian forces will be severely drained of blood, Vasily Dandykin said.
— Until July 11 or 12, when the NATO summit will be held in Vilnius, they will continue to attack, — the expert is sure.
Counter - battery fighting
Alexey Poltoranin, a correspondent of Izvestia, observed the work of Russian gunners who destroyed an enemy stronghold.
— The self-propelled howitzer "Msta-S" leaves the shelter for another hunt. A command came from intelligence: it is necessary to destroy the enemy position. Rapid fire is being conducted on the enemy. Only three shots. Now we will find out if the target is hit," the correspondent said.
A serviceman of the artillery crew of the Msta-S self-propelled artillery installation puts ammunition in a combat position
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Alexey Maishev
The Msta-S self-propelled gun is called a sniper and for good reason, it hit the VFU stronghold the first time. After the goal is completed, the calculation goes to the shelter. The gunner of the gun with the call sign Legalaz said that initially the enemy "behaved actively, but now quietly, calmly, he has no chance against us."
The task of the gunners is to stop the attacks of sabotage and reconnaissance groups and prevent Ukrainian militants from shelling our villages. To do this, they need to destroy the VFU artillery.
Russian calculations work closely with intelligence, which constantly reveals the coordinates of the enemy.
— The counter-battery struggle is becoming more intense. We are working on a multiple rocket launcher system, according to the enemy's mortar calculations. They hit the control point with drones, the enemy's pickup truck," said the commander of the battery with the call sign Irtysh.
The calculation of the self-propelled artillery installation "Msta-S" is firing at the positions of the artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Konovalov
Each crew of "Msta-S" has five people. Our servicemen are already experienced, they mastered the technique quickly. The fighter with the call sign Ragorm used to be a programmer, now the commander of a self-propelled howitzer.
— First of all, when we came here, we shot two ammunition sets in two days. To understand: one ammunition is 46 shells, there was such intense shooting," Ragorm said.
Russian servicemen strike at the positions of the VFU every day. As soon as a target comes from intelligence, it must be destroyed immediately.
Ukrainian Su-25 shot down
During the day, at least 820 people and 58 pieces of military equipment, including tanks, howitzers, self-propelled guns and armored vehicles, were lost in the special operation zone of the VFU, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported.
The Tor M2U anti-aircraft missile system of the Russian Armed Forces operates in the zone of a special military operation
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
In the LPR and the Zaporozhye region, the activities of four Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were suppressed.
Russian air defense means in the Odarovka area of the Zaporozhye region shot down a Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force. In addition, 21 multiple rocket launchers HIMARS, "Hurricane", as well as 13 Ukrainian UAVs were intercepted.
American aid for the VFU
The United States has decided to transfer cluster munitions to Kiev, National security adviser to the American president Jake Sullivan said at a briefing at the White House.
"Ukraine has provided written guarantees that it will use these munitions very carefully — in such a way as to minimize any risks to the civilian population," he said, acknowledging that the use of these weapons carries risks for civilians.
Actually, it was for this reason that Washington postponed the decision on their transfer, he added. According to him, the Ukrainian side has committed itself to further mine the area where these shells will be used. He also noted that Kiev will allegedly use cluster munitions on its territory.
The White House stressed that Washington still does not intend to participate in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, does not plan to provide Kiev with weapons for attacks on Russia.
In addition, Jake Sullivan stated: the Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing hard, but Kiev, according to him, is determined to continue its actions. At the same time, Ukraine, according to him, did not use the significant resources that it currently has.
In addition, the United States will supply the Ukrainian army with ammunition for the Patriot air defense system and HIMARS systems. The new package of so-called assistance will also include Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, Stryker armored personnel carriers, planning ammunition, systems for clearing obstacles, destroying minefields and spare parts, said Colin Kohl, US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Political Affairs.
However, Jake Sullivan also confirmed that Ukraine will not join NATO following the results of the upcoming alliance summit in Vilnius, which will be held on July 11-12. Nevertheless, in Lithuania, the allies will discuss the reforms that Kiev must still carry out in order to become a full-fledged member.
Andrey Fedorov
Julia Leonova
Bogdan Stepovoy
