1/ Ukraine TVD, 1-31 JAN 23. The first month of 2023 saw a determined effort by the VSRF to finally seize control of Bakhmut in central Donetsk, blunt ZSU advances in Luhansk, and expand territorial control in Zaporizhzhia. #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.
3/ Luhansk OD. This OD remains an important disruption zone for Russian & Ukrainian forces. For the ZSU, the Luhansk OD still presents the best opportunity for victory in the Donbas. Expect continued Ukrainian efforts to liberate Svatove. #Luhansk
4/ Donetsk OD. The reintroduction of VDV forces into offensive operations in the Bakhmut area has allowed the SVRF in the Donetsk OD to finally make the marginal tactical progress it should have exploited after the breakthrough at Popasna in early May 2022. #Donetsk
5/ Bakhmut AO. Bakhmut remains the most critical Objective Point of Maneuver in the Ukrainian TVD. Seizure of this point opens the possibility for the OGORFV to pivot on multiple axes in central Donetsk, most important of which is an advance NW on the M-03 Highway. #Bakhmut
6/ Zaporizhzhia OD. This OD remains the most vulnerable for the SVRF. The SVRF will continue its efforts to capture Orkhiv & Vuhledar at whatever cost is required. Expect an increased reliance on VMF Naval Infantry, Wagner PMC, and the VDV to achieve objectives. #Vuhledar
7/ Kherson OD. Russian forces will continue an active defense in along the Dnipro River with a focus on retaking Velykyi Potemkin Island while deploying reinforcements into fortified defensive positions along the M-17 and P-47 Highways. #Kherson
8/ Ukraine OTMO. Despite an increase in localized naval activity the Black Seas Fleet remains focused on force protection of vessels, facilities, & personnel rather than offensive operations or active patrolling of sea lanes & the northern Black Sea coast / littoral. #Sevastopol
9/ Ukraine SVKO. Russian aerospace forces will priorities targeting Ukrainian critical infrastructure and troop concentrations over the suppression of Ukrainian air defenses. Ukrainian HIMARS & UCAVs will continue targeting Russian supply & command nodes. #airdefensefofukraine
10/ I would like to thank everyone for their continued support. This is a short update as I get back into the swing of things, but more expanded content & analysis will be coming.
12/ 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.
13/ 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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1/ UTVD Operational Update: ZSU Counter Offensive in Kharkiv, 10-12 Sep 22. The past 48 hrs continues to see ZSU forces exploiting their breakout from the T2110 Hwy line between Balakliya & Semenivka. The resulting advance has caused the defeat of the SVRF in Kharkiv.
2/ The successful liberation of Kupyansk by ZSU forces on 10 September provided the necessary pivot of operations to turn the weak left flank of OGORF-V and attack to seize the decisive geographic points of Velyki Burluk & Vovchansk on 11 September 2022.
3/ The defeats in Kharkiv & Izyum has forced the Russians to form a defensive line along the Oskil River. The ZSU has achieved a major political objective, the liberation of Kharkiv Oblast. pointhttps://twitter.com/DefMon3/status/1569243133925367809?s=20&t=dtlIhdkgAeudyYrl2G2Qvw
1/ UTW – Operational Update: ZSU Counter Offensive in the Donbas, 04-10 Sep. The ZSU is engaged in what may likely become the most stunningly successful counteroffensive since the IDFs OPERATION GAZELLE during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. #ukrainecounteroffensive#UkraineWillWin
2/ The ZSU has successfully utilized the concept & practices of reflexive control to create maneuver space for a division-equivalent force to penetrate, exploit, and breakthrough the dangerously vulnerable left flank and rear of the Operational Group of Russian Forces Izyum.
3/ By taking the time to properly shape the conditions for success, the ZSU has in one-week undone months of VSRF operational progress. As of the timing of this assessment, ZSU forces have already pushed further north into northern Kharkiv Oblast toward Velykyi Burluk.
1/ Ukrainian TVD, Day 159-172. The first half of August has seen an emerging shift in the strategic initiative moving decidedly away from the Russia to that of Ukraine. With fall fast approaching the next several weeks may prove as critical as the early days of the war. #Ukraine
2/ I have included a few charts in this thread that address common phrase and acronyms used in the graphics below with their corresponding definitions. This listing will expand as needed.
3/ Weather Outlook. Forecast for the next 10-days will see temps range from 35-28 C during the day & 22-18 C at night. Cloud cover will not degrade air & missile strikes, while 71.5%-night illumination will significantly aid ZSU SOF/Partisan activity.
1/ Ukrainian TVD, Day 148-158. The last 10-days of July saw the Ground Forces of the Russian Federation (SVRF) offensive in northern Donetsk stall while the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU) make incremental gains in Kherson as they prepare for a counteroffensive. #UkraineRussianWar
2/ Weather Outlook. The 10-day Forecast will see temps range from 33-27 C during the day & 18-17 C at night. Cloud cover will not degrade air & missile strikes, while 25%-night illumination will aid ZSU infiltration activity. Wind Speed & direction favors SVRF artillery.
3/ Kharkiv OD. The Kharkiv OD remains an important disruption zone for the SVRF & ZSU. Intense positional engagements continue all along the Forward Line of Troops (FLOT) with increased Russian raids against likely lightly defended ZSU sectors. #Kharkiv
1/ Ukraine SVKO, Day 124-148. Russian Strategic Aerospace Operations (SVKO) remains focused east of the Dnieper River, particularly in north central Donetsk Oblast and along the Black Sea Coast in the Odesa region. #UkraineRussiaWar
2/ Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) have been conducting an extensive suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD) campaign for the past 3-4 weeks here with little results. Air engagements between VKS & Ukrainian fights in the Odesa region has led to minor losses on both sides.
3/ It is likely the Russian MoD intends to severely weaken Ukrainian Air Defenses in the south to allow for VKS air & missile strikes to have greater latitude in interdicting the flow of military supplies from west Ukraine into the east.
1/ Black Sea OTMO, Day 124-148. The Russian blockade of Odesa has been severely degraded as UAF air, artillery, & UCAV pressure (notably the introduction of improved anti-ship missile capabilities like the Harpoon) has loosened the Russian grip on sea lanes of the NW Black Sea.
2/ The inability of VKS & SVRF air defense systems to provide an umbrella of protection from Snake Island for VMF vessels against Ukrainian air and maritime forces has also been a decisive factor in freeing the NW Black Sea of a VMF presence.
3/ The danger to VMF task forces in sustaining the Russian presence on Snake Island coupled with the cost of maintaining its defense proved too high for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (VSRF).