1/ Surmising Ukraine’s Strategic Options. Earlier this week I speculated on what a revised Russian OPLAN may look like. Today I will surmise on likely strategic options Ukraine may pursue to defeat Russia…and win. Another long thread. #UkraineRussiaWar #UkraineUnderAttack Image
2/ I ended the surmised Russian OPLAN thread with a very brief discussion regarding the challenge how sparse data on the Ukrainian Armed Forces makes it difficult to forecast its operational direction. If anything, this shows the strength of UAF operational security.
3/ One speculative statement I made guessed that the Ukrainian military may be stretched too thin for major counteroffensives, especially of the kind I suggest in this thread. However, I do feel the potential for the action I describe is there for a few reasons.
4/ First, the steady rearming of the Ukrainian military by the West. Second, unlike Russia, Ukraine does have a functioning strategic reserve force & robust domestic/foreign recruitment. Finally, & most importantly, well-motivated Soldiers & competent leaders.
5/ To date, Ukraine has conducted a successful defense in depth along the breath of Russia’s original invasion axes. It was an operational approach that maximized Ukraine’s strength’s while positioning Russian forces to expose their weaknesses.
6/ A key component of Ukraine’s defense in depth was revealing Russia’s principal operational shortcoming, logistics. Ukraine understood how vulnerable Russian logistics were, trading space for time outpaced Russia’s organic ability to support sustained ops & obtain rapid results
7/ Ukraine now faces a similar dilemma. How well the Ukrainian military can transition from an active defense in depth to a more offensive focus to defeat and drive out Russian forces from Ukrainian territory will mean the difference between victory and a renewed frozen conflict.
8/ I have previously stated that the decisive point of a battlefield is determined by the character of geographic positions, the value of the strategic object in view, and the arrangement of the contending forces.
9/ Bearing these in mind we can surmise what seems most important for Ukraine to focus the weight of offensive action to achieve its war aims. Ukraine must now answer the same three questions Russian forces have faced in devising their operational plans.
10/ First, what military conditions much be produced to achieve the strategic goals? Second, what sequence of actions is most likely to produce these conditions? Finally, how should forces and resources be arrayed to accomplish that sequence of actions?
11/ The logical conditions Ukraine must achieve to meet its strategic goals are ability to retain the Severodonetsk Salient, hold Kharkiv & its environs, & recapture the Kherson Oblast and/or a major counteroffensive east of Kharkiv to cut Russian GLOCs to Belgorod.
12/ The logical sequence of actions to obtain these conditions is to conduct simultaneous operations in designated Disruption Zones in the Donetsk & Zaporizhzhia Oblasts, and a series of sequential offensive actions in the Kherson and/or Kharkiv Oblasts.
13/ The current line of contact running from Kharkiv to Kherson (note, this is not a contiguous LOC) generally resembles a classic convex order with a center salient. The advantage this order offers is the ability to direct efforts against the center or one wing.
14/ The reason this is advantageous is that the Ukrainian military can execute a false attack against a portion of the line while applying localized overwhelming force more readily to a weakened defensive sector before the Russians can adjust forces to prevent a breakthrough.
15/ A successful breakthrough on one of the extremities of the convex lines would unravel Russia’s own offensive approach, forcing them into a strategic defense where the initiative would pass decidedly toward Ukraine who could then set the conditions for favorable negotiations.
16/ The Ukrainian military has the potential to execute such an ambitious plan because it has a functioning strategic reserve. Though I am speculating as to the size of this force pool, there are forces that can be repositioned to the east that would enable scalable operations.
17/ Ukraine’s primary focus will be first to defeat the Russian offensive in the Severodonetsk Salient. Russian forces here constitute the last of the Russian military’s immediately available offensive force. Image
18/ It will take until early fall for Russia to reconstitute more forces remotely capable of executing sustained offensive action (assessed as 30+ continuous days in combat). Defeating Russian forces here will remove the potential of shifting these forces to other sectors.
19/ Simultaneously, Ukraine will need to disrupt Russian disruption efforts in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Actions here would mostly by SOF/Partisan/Guerilla activity to target Russian logistics and prevent effective control of occupied cities & towns. Image
20/ Even if Mariupol falls, it is likely that a substantial part of its defenders will go to ground and continue guerilla activity to hamper Russian activity to incorporate it into the DPR while denying it as a reliable operational base to extend operations into western Donetsk.
21/ The Kherson Oblast is likely become Ukraine’s primary battle zone. Ukrainian forces are already encroaching on Kherson’s defenses. By assuming risk in the Odesa area, the Ukrainian military could reallocate maneuver forces to reinforce those already west of Kherson. Image
22/ A major counterattack here would be bloody and take considerable time, as Russia would fight a determined battle to hold Kherson. If the city can be retaken Ukrainian forces could advance south and east of the Dnieper River to cut Russian rail GLOCs out of Crimea.
23/ Ukraine could potentially follow up this success by advancing toward the Kherson Oblast border & threaten Russian control of Melitopol. The loss of the Kherson Oblast would be a major defeat for Russia, threatening its hold on Crimea & ability to control the Donbas.
24/ To the north, Ukraine could assume risk around Kyiv & in the NE to reinforce the Kharkiv area and conduct a major counterattack to push Russian forces to the international border and east of the Siverskyi Donets River. Image
25/ This would set conditions for a major counteroffensive east of the Siverskyi Donets that would likely seek to recapture the decisive geographic points of Vovchansk, Velykyi Burluk, and Kupiansk. Recapturing these towns would sever Russian GLOCs to Belgorod from Izium.
26/ With GLOCs to Belgorod blocked, Russian forces in the Izium area would either counterattack north to reestablish access to Belgorod or move east across the Oskil River and establish a new eventual line of defense to protect their hold on northern Luhansk.
27/ Concurently the recapture of Kupiansk would offer the Ukrainian military a new pivot of operations to either eventually advance into northern Luhansk or turn south and attack Russian forces toward Izium.
28/ The Izium area could be turned into a cauldron in which Ukrainian air & artillery strike could devastated a tightly compact Russian defense as it attempts to maneuver out of the kill zone.
29/ As with my Russian OPLAN assessment my estimation of Ukrainian options will likely end up being wildly off the mark. The point of such an exercise is more to illustrate that Ukraine has a variety of operational pathways it will undoubtedly explore and exploit.
30/ Both Russia and Ukraine have several weeks of hard fighting ahead. Though the situation currently favors Ukraine circumstances are always changing. Russian forces may be able to rally, or they could completely break. One thing is certain, it will be a long and deadly summer.

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More from @JominiW

Apr 23
“Because sometimes peace is another word for surrender…”

1/ It is a foregone conclusion that, in its current form, the peace process aimed at ending the war in Ukraine has failed. #UkraineRussiaWar Image
2/ With details of his “final offer” already leaked over the Easter weekend, VP JD Vance outlined today during his trip to India the conditions proposed by the Trump administration to bring about an immediate end to hostilities. President Zelensky rejected the main points of the proposal, causing the talks scheduled for today in London between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and delegations from Ukraine, France, and Germany to be canceled. Although lower-level diplomats still met to discuss the technical aspects of implementing and monitoring a ceasefire, there is little expectation that discussions will enhance the likelihood of a ceasefire being brokered anytime soon.
3/ The Trump peace proposal heavily favored Russian war aims, providing tangible economic and political gains for the Russians, which include retaining occupied territory and its associated industrial and mineral potential, access to navigation along the Dnieper River, energy produced from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the lifting of sanctions imposed since 2014, enhanced economic cooperation with the United States, and barring Ukraine from NATO membership.
Read 10 tweets
Mar 21
1/ Daily Tactical Update (DTU), Ukrainian TVD Day 1121: March 17-18, 2025, was marked by a significant escalation in ground and air operations across multiple fronts. In the north, Ukrainian forces have largely withdrawn from the Kursk region while simultaneously launching a surprise offensive in Russia's Belgorod Oblast.

The Donbas Strategic Direction, particularly in the Donetsk and Luhansk Fronts, remains heavily contested, with the largest concentration of Russian and Ukrainian forces. In the Southern Strategic Direction, the Russian buildup of forces, which started in December 2024, has now transitioned into a renewed offensive push to the west of Orikhiv. This push is likely to isolate the city and force a Ukrainian withdrawal to the Stepnohirsk-Novopavlivka line.

Air operations have intensified, with Ukraine launching a major drone attack on Russia's Engels airbase, involving 54 drones, while Russia retaliated with massive drone and missile strikes across Ukrainian cities. The naval theater remains relatively quiet.

Diplomatically, discussions around a temporary ceasefire focusing on energy and infrastructure targets are ongoing without concrete resolutions. The conflict continues to have significant economic impacts, exacerbating inflationary pressures and trade disruptions. The situation remains highly dynamic and volatile, with both sides engaged in intense combat operations and strategic maneuvers across multiple regions. #UkraineRussiaWar #Kursk #Sudzha #Belgorod #ZaporizhzhiaImage
2/ Operational Terms: Here is a list of commonly used terms and their definitions to help you understand the thread's graphics. Image
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3/ Operational Direction Orikhiv: From February 25 to March 20, 2025, intense combat operations took place in Operational Direction Orikhiv. Russian forces made gradual gains along the Lobkove-Stepove-Mali Shcherbaky line at a significant cost in personnel and equipment. However, Ukrainian troops demonstrated resilience and tactical effectiveness in their defense of the region, successfully thwarting many Russian advances.Image
Read 8 tweets
Mar 18
1/ Daily Tactical Update (DTU), Ukrainian TVD Day 1119: The period of March 17-18, 2025, was marked by significant Russian territorial gains, particularly in Kursk Oblast. These gains were balanced by continued Ukrainian resistance and offensive capabilities. The high casualty rates and extensive infrastructure damage underscored the war’s continued intensity.

The partial ceasefire agreement on energy infrastructure attacks represents a notable diplomatic development, though it falls short of a comprehensive resolution. The strategic landscape remains complex, with both sides maneuvering for military advantage while engaging in high-stakes diplomatic negotiations that will shape the conflict's future and the broader geopolitical environment.
#UkraineRussiaWar #Kursk #Sudzha #toretsk #ZaporizhzhiaImage
2/ Operational Terms: Here is a list of commonly used terms and their definitions to help you understand the thread's graphics. Image
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3/ Toretsk-Nui York Area of Operations: OTU Luhansk demonstrated superior effectiveness in its initial assault to retake Toretsk, which began on February 25. This is evidenced by the swift and brutal attack led by elite Ukrainian units, particularly the Lyut brigade, which overran the exhausted Russian defenders, setting the tone for the entire operation.

While Russian forces have implemented defensive measures and counter-strikes, they have struggled to match the effectiveness of the Ukrainian operations. The effectiveness of the Ukrainian counterattack puts pressure on Russian military leadership. The need to defend Toretsk while maintaining operations elsewhere may force a reevaluation of Russian military objectives and resource allocation.Image
Read 10 tweets
Mar 14
1/ Daily Tactical Update (DTU), Ukrainian TVD Day 1114: Fierce combat persisted across the Donbas Strategic Direction, especially north of Chasiv Yar and in the Kostiantynopil regions. Russian troops made attempts to penetrate Ukrainian defensive positions using heavy artillery and infantry assaults but encountered strong resistance, leading to limited territorial advances.

In the Southern Strategic Direction, Ukrainian forces executed precise strikes on Russian ammunition depots in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which disrupted supply lines and hampered Russian artillery effectiveness.

The Northern Strategic Direction saw an uptick in cross-border shelling from Russian forces into Sumy and Kharkiv Oblasts, which led Ukraine to bolster its defensive setups in these areas.

Concurrently, Russian missile and drone attacks on critical Ukrainian infrastructure continued, with Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepting most incoming threats; however, there was some minor damage to energy facilities in Kyiv and Dnipro.
#UkraineRussiaWar #Kursk #SudzhaImage
2/ Operational Terms: Here is a list of commonly used terms and their definitions to help you understand the thread's graphics. Image
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3/ Operational Direction Kursk: In the past two and a half weeks, OUV Kursk has effectively utilized its operational advantages over recent months to defeat OTU Siversk in the Kursk Oblast. While it is nearly certain OTU Siversk will shift to a defensive posture in Sumy Oblast, it’s uncertain how much force structure OUV Kursk will retain for future operations.Image
Read 11 tweets
Mar 12
1/ A breakthrough or a deadlock? The Jeddah agreement, reached on March 11, 2025, between U.S. and Ukrainian officials, marks a significant development in efforts to address the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This comprehensive agreement includes a cease-fire proposal and economic terms, with mixed reactions from Russia. As the world watches, all eyes are on Moscow's response. Will this lead to peace or another impasse? Is this the road to Minsk III? Here are the key details:
#UkraineWar #Ceasefire #Geopolitics

x.com/Mylovanov/stat…
2/ Cease-Fire Proposal
The centerpiece of the Jeddah agreement is a U.S.-proposed 30-day cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia. The main aspects of this cease-fire include:

1. Duration: An immediate, interim period of 30 days that can be extended by mutual agreement.
2. Scope: The ceasefire encompasses the entire front line of the conflict, including aerial and naval operations.
3. Comprehensive coverage: It encompasses all forms of combat, including missile, drone, and bomb attacks.
4. Conditional implementation: The cease-fire depends on Russia's acceptance and simultaneous implementation.

x.com/ChrisO_wiki/st…
3/ Humanitarian Efforts
As part of the cease-fire agreement, several humanitarian initiatives are proposed:

1. Exchange of prisoners of war.
2. Release of civilian detainees.
3. Return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children. Image
Read 8 tweets
Feb 25
1/ Ukrainian TVD Operational Update (Day 1096): February 2025 saw intensifying military operations throughout the Ukrainian TVD, with both sides focusing on strategic air campaigns and continued Russian offensive on multiple fronts. Russia continued its missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian critical infrastructure, targeting energy grids and transportation hubs to disrupt military logistics and civilian morale. Meanwhile, Ukraine escalated its use of long-range drones and precision missile strikes, hitting Russian oil refineries and logistical hubs deep in Russian territory, including key sites in Belgorod and Kursk.

On the political front, Ukraine secured additional Western military aid, including French Mirage 2000 fighter jets, while NATO reaffirmed its support amidst growing concerns about potential escalation. Domestically, Russia faced increasing discontent among its population due to Ukrainian strikes on its territory, while sanctions-induced economic stagnation and logistical strain further challenged its war effort.

Economically, Ukraine struggled with energy shortages caused by continued Russian strikes, but international financial aid and grain export corridors through the Black Sea provided a lifeline. The conflict remains entrenched, with both nations locked in a war of attrition, as neither side achieved decisive breakthroughs on the battlefield or in negotiations. #UkraineWar #Donbass #Pokrovsk #Kupyansk #Pishchance #VelykaNovosilka #Kurakhove #ChasivYar #siverekImage
2/ Fourth Year of the War Begins: Today marks a solemn day for Ukraine and the international community. Three years have passed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced. Three years later, much has changed, but one constant that has remained is the resolve of the Ukrainian people to defy Russian aggression and the conviction of those in the West willing to oppose it. Ukraine has shown the world what Patriots are made of. #SlavaUkraini
x.com/ZelenskyyUa/st…
3/ Operational Terms: Here is a list of commonly used terms and their definitions to help you understand the thread's graphics. Image
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Read 25 tweets

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