Once again Mark has posted another wonderful article on the situation that is the tip of the spear, so to speak. Because of Mark I have kept my eye on this area as it is the eastern edge of the Ukrainian controlled front, the area that has not moved much in two months despite the fact that the RU has thrown lots of metal and blood at it. It is of incredible importance that UKR hold onto this region. Without it, the whole flank is exposed for the town of Lysychans’k. We don’t need any more towns being taken and the attending horror stories that follow. Ukraine knows this and is clearly doing everything they can to hold the line. And they will.
Once again it looks like they have chosen an excellent position to pick off anyone dumb enough to come from the east.
Protected by the river to their left, the Ukrainian Ground Forces (or ZSU) can overlook the entire approach from above. There is one local river crossing with the ability to feed Russian gear towards the front, and it looks like this.
So they have the minor route under control. The main road in this water drainage area is just south rolling up to the town of Orikove, another town mentioned by Mark as being attacked today.
Every step the RU takes westward is up this grade toward tree lines and railroad embankments that make great cover. Not something I would want to do with no air support or competency. I suspect that these two villages will be in the news tomorrow.
The third town under attack in the title map is Zolote. Again, it overlooks a small river valley across from the Russian held town of Pervomais’k.
This whole area has been fortified by the sound of things for a long time. The Ukrainians are ready. They are trained. And I hope they are well supplied, because I don’t see this going any better than the last couple days of RU pushes. Remember the series of skirmishes to the west of Izyum? The ZSU let them get only as far as the next place to ambush them and drive them back. The only significant territory the RU gained in the area looks like this.
Beautiful country indeed. But hardly worth a damn if you’re trying to drive an armored column through it. So the ZSU gave up some marsh and trees along the Siverskyi Donets River. But see that high ground on the other side of the valley? That’s where the ZSU is waiting.
So, Russia, if you’re reading this. Turn around. Go home. Hug your families again. Please. This will not end well for you.