Valerii Fedorovych Zaluzhnyi, is earning a hero’s reputation every bit as deserved as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. What is happening on the Kherson front is as brilliant and well timed as their liberation of most of the Kharkiv Oblast. The image above is today’s map. The pieces are in place, men and women are in motion and another rout is on the lips of commenters from both sides.
The current drive from the North, using the Dnipro River as it’s right flank has drawn elements of the 45th Spetsnaz Brigade, the 83rd Guards Brigade, the 126th coastal guard brigade and most importantly, the 80th motorized rifle brigade to the line of contact. But look what is possible 20 miles to the west.
The bridgehead at Davydiv Brid is now wide open to drive straight south to threaten Charivne and most importantly Nova Kakhovka. It’s only 20 miles, and see the 24th Mechanized Brigade positioned in Ukraine’s backfield? What are the odds that they are ready to be the spearhead on that drive with the 35th Marine Brigade, 61st infantry brigade and the 46th air mobile brigade providing flanking cover?
We’ve seen that with shattered lines, the Ukraine army can slice up 20 miles quicker than Putin can issue his next nuclear threat. We know how important Nova Kakhovka is as one of the few crossing of the Dnipro and the source for Crimea’s fresh water. Mark and Marko have talked repeatedly about shaping the battlefield. And this area has been set up for weeks. It sure looks like this is the drive we have been waiting and rooting for. And to this amateur observer, Zaluzhnyi has done what it takes to divide and conquer not one but two pockets of the invaders on the west bank of the Dnipro. The only force on the ZSU’s right flank headed from Davydiv Brid to Nova Kakhovka is the 205th motor rifle brigade defending the important town of Snihurivka. If they pull out to stop that drive, the ZSU can start to pressure everything on the west bank of the Inhulets River. The invaders just don’t have the numbers to protect everything at this point.
Of course this a very over simplified map and assessment of what on the ground and where. But the way we have seen Ukrainian forces exploit and outmaneuver the Orcs, now that they are trained and equipped, has been a cause for celebration for everyone who believes in Freedom and Democracy. Too bad Carlson will be crying on his fish sticks this week.