The dense fog that covered the line of the front in eastern Ukraine it was an unexpected ally for Russian troopswho took advantage of these climatic conditions to use civil vehicles y motorcyclesmore and more.
This was revealed by a video that went viral over the weekend on social networks, and that seemed to have been recorded on the road. Selidove-Pokrovsksouth of the city, shows a large contingent moving in broad daylight in cars and motorcycles, protected by smoke and low visibility.
The Ukrainian 7th Airborne Corps has confirmed that the lack of visibility has allowed Moscow over Pokrovskone whose defense has become in the last year a symbol of resistance, and wear, for kyiv.
Russian forces have been trying to capture this town for more than a year. Last week, the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, estimated that there were up to 300 Russian soldiers fighting inside the cityalthough the Ukrainian military confirmed on Wednesday that the figure could have increased up to 500 troopswith several southern areas already under Russian control
A battlefield in the fog
For several days, aerial visibility was practically zero. “The dense fog prevented the recognition“, reports ‘Goose’Ukrainian drone pilot from the Shershni Dovbusha unit of the 68th brigade. In an interview with the BBCexplains that this loss of eyes in the sky gave Moscow room to “dare” to launch vehicle column attacks which, under normal conditions, would have been destroyed immediately. The fog, however, acted as an unexpected shield.
‘Goose’ details that his unit frequently detected and neutralized small Russian groups advancing on foot or motorcyclea means of transportation increasingly used to between buildings, narrow streets or difficult terrain.
They also participated in repelling the attack seen in the video, allegedly recorded on Sunday. “The convoy was partially destroyed”he points out, although the lack of visibility prevented recording the moment of the counterattack, so he could not confirm if all the attacking units were hit.
In these fragmented urban combats, the distances are diluted“Much of the city is a gray area that neither party completely controls,” describes the pilot. “We can occupy positions in one building, but the enemy may be in the one next door. They try to attack us from behind“he adds.
The front tightens beyond Pokrovsk
Monitoring maps from the Ukrainian organization DeepState indicate that Russian forces are encircling much of Pokrovsk and moving towards the neighbor Myrnohrad. Moscow seeks to form what the military calls a “cauldron”: a partial or total siege that suffocates Ukrainian logistics routes.
Although the lid of the cauldron “is not closed,” military sources warn, Russian FPV drones already control most entry and exit routes. To relieve pressure, Ukrainian troops counterattacked last week in Suvorova y Rodynskastopping the closure of the fence in its eastern part. For now, they have managed to keep a gap open between the two Russian flanks.
The problem is that Russian pressure is not limited to the east. The Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief, Oleksandr Syrskyiconfirmed that the situation in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia has “worsened significantly”, following the loss of three settlements. Also, to the northeast, Moscow claims to have surrounded the city, although the spokesman for the Joint Forces Operation, Viktor Tregubovhe denies it. He admits, however, that Russian troops are present in the south of the town and that the situation is “difficult.”
The president of Ukraine, echoed on Tuesday the information offered by Syrskyi about the tension experienced in those areas. “Our main target right now is the Pokrovsk direction and the Zaporizhzhia regionwhere the Russians are increasing the number and magnitude of attacks. The situation there continues to be difficult, in part due to the weather conditions that favor attacks,” he said on his social networks.
Still, he tried to convey a message of resistance and gratitude towards those who continue to fight: “We continue to defeat the occupier, and I thank each of our units, each soldier who participates in the defense of Ukrainian positions.” He also highlighted the progress made in Kupianskwhere the situation “is somewhat more favorable: our forces have obtained results there, and this has been the trend in recent weeks.”
Finally, he spoke about the preparations for new attacks long-range: “The specific guidelines and results we expect.” “Long-range sanctions against Ukraine must take effect daily, and we are achieving this. Thank you for your precision! Glory to Ukraine!” he concluded.
Russian attacks that combine drones and disguises
Russian attacks seek cut off Ukrainian supply routes both from the airewith artillery and drones, as from tierradeploying small assault groups to infiltrate behind the defensive lines.
“This tactic is called infiltration and has proven to be quite successful,” explains the military analyst Kostyantyn Mashovetsdetailing that Russian forces have focused part of their efforts on attacking Ukrainian FPV drone pilots, weakening their surveillance capabilities.
In urban environments, he adds, some Russian soldiers even infiltrate disguised as locals or Ukrainian soldierswith the aim of sowing confusion before a major advance.
