And Vladimir Putin instructed the Defense Ministry to respond to the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge
The Russian army has used a new tactic of counter-battery warfare in the zone of its own, sources told Izvestia. Largely due to this, only over the past two days, 162 effective strikes were inflicted on the artillery units of the VFU in firing positions. This significantly reduces their effectiveness, experts are sure. Also, the Ministry of Defense will have to respond to the terrorist attack of the Kiev regime on the Crimean Bridge. Vladimir Putin said this on July 17, assuring that "there will be a response from Russia, of course." Experts note that our armed forces could strike at important ports of Ukraine, and then at the military and political centers of the enemy directly in Kiev.
A reciprocal promise
Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Defense to prepare a response to the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge organized by the Ukrainian regime.
— There will be a response from Russia, of course. The Ministry of Defense is preparing relevant proposals," Putin stressed during a meeting on the evening of July 17.
A military response could be an adequate response to the terrorist attack on the Crimean Bridge, ex-Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ordzhonikidze believes.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Vasily Zaitsev
Image source: iz.ru
— This is a terrorist act that is directed against civilians. Both organizers and performers need to be brought to their senses, to make it clear that such actions will not go unpunished," the diplomat noted.
Military expert Vladislav Shurygin also stressed the need for a tough response to the terrorist attack.
— I would consider the possibility within the next week to bomb the entire Odessa port as such, including oil, grain and other terminals, — he told Izvestia. — At the same time, the problem with the future of the grain deal would be solved. And then he would take up the military-political center — Kiev. After that, it would be worth declaring a hunt for all the top military and political leadership of Ukraine.
New tactics
Planes and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces, rocket troops and artillery on July 16 and 17 inflicted 162 strikes on the artillery units of the VFU in firing positions, the Russian military department reported.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Image source: iz.ru
According to Izvestia sources familiar with the situation, the Russian armed forces have applied an updated scheme of counter-battery warfare. It was developed earlier and allowed to quickly hit Ukrainian howitzers and MLRS. Adjustments have now been made and the result of our counter-battery work has improved.
According to the interlocutors of the publication, although the Ukrainian artillery remains a dangerous enemy, its effectiveness continues to fall. As the sources of the publication noted, there is a noticeable shell starvation, as well as accurate return fire from the Russian troops.
There was information that Ukraine had received artillery cluster shells, and the VFU began firing them at everything they could reach, military expert Alexei Leonkov told Izvestia.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
— Not on the battlefield, but in peaceful cities, in order to inflict as much damage to the civilian population as possible. — he said. — The only way to combat these cluster shells is to destroy the artillery installations themselves. 73 fire strikes in just one day, on July 17, is a very good indicator. This suggests that counter—battery warfare is working for us - we detect and destroy enemy artillery. Moreover, methodical work is underway to knock out artillery systems, and this is important. Without them, neither the offensive nor the defense can be organized.
The enemy is trying to attack
During the day, the armed formations of Ukraine continued to attack in the Donetsk and Krasnolimansk strategic directions, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
— In the Donetsk direction, as a result of the coordinated and courageous actions of the units of the Southern Group of Troops, air strikes and artillery fire, 13 enemy attacks were successfully repelled in the areas of the settlements of Berestove, Belogorovka, Kurdyumovka, Pervomaiske and Maryinka of the DPR, — said the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.
In addition, ammunition depots of the operational tactical group "Liman", the 53rd mechanized and 25th airborne brigades of the VFU were destroyed in the areas of the settlements of Novoegorovka in the LPR, Kramatorsk and Vodiane in the DPR.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Image source: iz.ru
In the Krasnolimansky direction, units of the Center group of troops repelled two enemy attacks in the areas of the settlements of Chervonaya Dibrova and Karmazinovka in the LPR. They also inflicted fire damage on the units of the VFU in the areas of the settlements of Chervonopopovka in the LPR, Terny, Yampolovka and Grigorovka in the DPR.
In the Donetsk and Krasnolimansk directions, enemy losses amounted to up to 380 servicemen and 19 pieces of military equipment, including Rapier anti-tank guns and a US-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar.
Amulet for the sniper
The work of Russian snipers was observed by the military correspondent of Izvestia Kirill Olkov.
For a sniper, the most important thing is a reliable disguise and shelter. Their tactic is "shot out of nowhere": one target — one cartridge.
Photo: RIA Novosti
Image source: iz.ru
There is work for our snipers every day. The goals are always different: to work on infantry, on the crew of heavy equipment. This deprives Ukrainian militants of the opportunity to fire at populated areas.
— It was a heavy machine gunner. Periodically shelled the settlement, there were also our "three hundredth" (wounded. — "Izvestia"). The guys informed us that they could not work properly and observe. We went into position, found him and destroyed him," said the commander of the subgroup of heavy snipers of the Pacific Fleet Marine Corps with the call sign Kubik.
According to him, the armed formations of Ukraine tried to find Russian snipers, lifted drones into the air. The enemy was even able to calculate their location, but the means of radar warfare silenced the drone and our fighters managed to escape.
Snipers also have their own mascots. One of the servicemen carries a small stuffed rabbit with him on combat missions.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
— This toy was given by my niece. She is five years old, her name is Katya. There is another toy — Masha gave it to her, she is four years old. I love them very much. These toys are like amulets for me. There was even a case, a "bird" with "eggs" rose (a drone with shells. — "Izvestia"). And everything was successful thanks to this amulet. I love these kids, I love my mom. I love my homeland. And I will protect them, do everything so that this evil does not come to their home," a sniper with the call sign Mace shared with Izvestia.
The Liman group was deprived of fuel
During the day, the losses of the VFU in the zone of the special operation amounted to at least 695 people and 47 units of military equipment, including howitzers, self-propelled guns and armored vehicles, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
In the Zaporozhye region, the ammunition depot of the 33rd mechanized brigade of the VFU was destroyed. In the area of Kramatorsk in the DPR, the fuel storage for military equipment of the operational-tactical group "Liman" was hit.
In the DPR, the LPR and the Zaporozhye region, the activities of three Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were suppressed.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
Russian air defense systems shot down three Storm Shadow cruise missiles, three HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and 19 Ukrainian UAVs during the day.
Andrey Fedorov
Julia Leonova
Bogdan Stepovoy
