1/ Ukraine TVD, 1-7 FEB 23. The first week of February saw the Russian Winter Offensive move into full swing as major pushes were made in Kreminna, Bakhmut, and Vuhledar. The Russians made some gains but Ukrainian defenses held. #UkraineRussiaWar #RussianArmy #UkraineFrontLines
2/ Operational Terms. To assist in easy of comprehension of the threads graphics, here is a list of commonly used terms and their definitions. (note: I am still refining and updating this list, please bear with me as I do, thank you).
3/ Luhansk OD. Svatove remains a critical pivot of operations for both sides. Action over the past week did not see major changes to the line of contact north of Novovodyane. To the south the Russians launched a sustained offensive out of Kreminna towards Yampolivka. #Luhansk
4/ Kreminna AO. Elements of the VDV, SVRF, and BARS battalions advanced deep into the Serebryanka forestry, to within 2km of Yampolivka, and into Makilvka. This offensive threatens to destabilize the ZSU line and force a withdrawal west of the Zherebets River. #Kreminna
5/ Although the offensive push from Kreminna is well resourced, Russian Ground Forces are having a tough time breaking through Ukrainian defenses. Steady progress is being made. The next week will determine how long the Russian can keep this pace.
6/ Donetsk OD. The main effort of the current Russian offensive remains focused on Bakhmut. The scale, focus, and direction of Russian assaults suggest an attempt to achieve control of Donetsk's principal political, economic, and cultural heartland by winter's end. #Donetsk
7/ Bakhmut AO. Bakhmut remains the most critical Objective Point of Maneuver in the Ukrainian TVD. It is unclear how long Ukrainian forces can continue to hold here. Wagner PMC, VDV, and SVRF units continue to make daily gains along multiple axes. #Bakhmut
8/ Fighting in Bakhmut is fierce, Ukrainian units hold on to every inch of territory as long as possible until conditions force a withdrawal. Likewise the Russians are willing to pay a high cost for success. Exshaution may over come both sides soon.
9/ Zaporizhzhia OD. The SVRF will continue its efforts to capture Orkhiv and Vuhledar at whatever cost is required. Russia's ability to shift the strategic front north is vital to the sustainability of the Crimea Land Corridor. #Zaporizhzhia
10/ Vuhledar AO. Since 24 JAN the Russians have committed no less than 4x maneuver brigades supported by attack aviation and massed artillery in an attempt to seize Vuhledar. These assaults have been defeated, causing substantial losses in Russian personnel & equipment. #Vuhledar
11/ This high rate of loss is not sustainable for the Russians, yet they will likely continue to feed troops and equipment in new attacks to gain control of this decisive geographic point. Anticipate Wagner PMC & newly raise VDV units to be employed here.
12/ Kherson OD. Russian forces will continue an active defense in along the Dnipro River with a focus on establishing control over the Dnipro Delta while deploying reinforcements into fortified defensive positions along the M-17 and P-47 Highways. #Kherson
13/ Operational Forecast - Weather. Temperatures will remain at or below freezing over the next 10 days, with cloud cover affecting UAV recon and attack aviation support. Snow mid-week will likely slow ground movement. Wind direction and speed with favor Ukrainian artillery.
14/ This is another short update focused on ground actions of last week as I still get back into the rhythm of posting. I want to thank everyone for their continued support of these efforts to report on events in Ukraine. I look forward to bringing you all deeper content.
15/ This open-source operational summary of the Ukrainian TVD is based on publicly available information from the ZSU daily operations brief, VSRF daily operations brief, various Ukrainian & Russian Telegram channels, western intel agencies public statements, & military analysts.
16/ Any errors to the information presented here is strictly my own and will be corrected as soon as it is discovered.
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