Since the beginning of January, an average of 150 combat engagements daily in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The frequency of attacks varies depending on the different sectors of the front and indicates the places where the situation is most critical.
According to the media cities like Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Chasiv Yar, Kupiansk and Velyka Novosilka are mentioned more and more frequently in the news. The media has spoken with some of the soldiers who are on the front line, and has listed “the most challenging areas and the risks and threats that arise“with the passage of time.
The Pokrovsk Front
According to the information collected by the media, on the Pokrovsk front the situation is critical. “The Ukrainian army is losing settlements daily on this front and has not been able to stabilize.”
At this time, “Russian forces have decided not to attack Pokrovsk directly, but to surround it from the south and cut off Ukrainian logistics“Thus, they have cut off numerous main roads and destroyed multiple Ukrainian vehicles. Serhii Filimonova Ukrainian army commander on the front, told the outlet that it is “almost certain” that the enemy will use the railway route to block access to the city.
In addition, the publication assures that the equipment, weapons and personnel, are not working efficiently in this part of the front. “There is a shortage of infantry and their level is inadequate“.
Frente de Nova Pavlivka
In this front area, “the situation is approaching a critical point“. On January 18, several Russian units managed to break through and enter this town in central Ukraine. “The timing of the attack was perfectly calculated, as it occurred during two hours when it was snowing and the conditions made drones were ineffective due to zero visibility“.
According to the media, there is a risk that Ukrainian forces “be surrounded” in the front. “The distance between the Russian flanks that are trapping the Ukrainian forces is less than 3 kilometers.” In an interview with the media, one of the Ukrainian commanders on the front explained that the Russians “will try to open the encirclement, although significant forces will be required to do so.”
In this place, kyiv soldiers face some challenges. But the most serious, “the lack of infantry.” Particularly, “in the 110th Brigade, which is key for this front.” In fact, it has only received 20 troops since the siege began in the city.
The Toretsk front
In Toretsk the situation is difficult. Ukrainian forces control about 30% of the city, but “intense urban battles are being fought“. The media confirms that the current task of the kyiv army is “to detect and destroy Russian infantry infiltrating between buildings.”
Thus, losing control of the city would pose an enormous risk for Ukraine given “its strategic position to carry out radio and electronic reconnaissance“. Furthermore, the capture of Torestk would pave the way for a Russian advance from the south. “This would mark the beginning of battles for the large and strategically crucial agglomeration of Kramatorsk, which is densely populated with civilians (more than 100,000 people live there )”.
Regarding the challenges facing Ukrainian forces on this front: the lack of infantry and the low quality of ammunition. “The quantity has increased in recent weeks, but the quality varies. There are different batches and manufacturers. Some produce ammunition without defects and their projectiles fly as they should, but there are others that are returned before even reaching the firing position.”
Frente de Kramatorsk
On the Kramatorsk front the situation has also become difficult. The fighting does not stop and in mid-January the Ukrainian troops “had to withdraw from the refractory plant in Chasiv Yar“.
Ukraine faces the risk of losing the rest of the city, which is “an important area of high ground and a large city with reliable fortificationsIn addition, the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops “would open another route for the Russians to advance on Kostiantynivka from the east,” as the Ukrainian newspaper explains.
Furthermore, it is detailed that “one of the Russian hideouts at the front“, are the enormous pipes under the city. These, “are more than two meters in diameter, allowing the Russians to move through them without being seen at full height and accumulate forces for assaults.”
Kupyansk Front
The situation for Ukrainians in Kupiansk is difficult. Ukrainian forces have long managed to contain Russian attempts to cross the Oskil River. Still, earlier this year, Russian forces deployed additional reserves to the front and “assaults with armored vehicles have become more frequent“.
“The Oskil River makes it difficult for the Russians to employ their usual and proven tactics,” the publication states. “North of Kupiansk, the Russian army is likely to try to move along the right bank of the river and along the road connecting the city with Dvorichna.”
Lyman Front
On the Lyman front the situation is tense, Russian troops “managed to break through to the western bank of the Zherebets River.” Besides, Attacks have increased in the area in recent days.
A soldier consulted by the media states that “the Russians are sending a mix of infantry units into the battle on the Lyman front, both experienced fighters and people who really don’t know what they should be doing.” Even so, the enemy army far outnumbers the Ukrainian units.
