The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on March 19 2023

Putin marks the anniversary of Crimea’s annexation with unexpected visit to the region

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a working trip to Mariupol, where he inspected a number of city facilities, talked with local residents, received information on the progress of construction and restoration work, and also examined the coastline of Mariupol and memorable places in the city. This was reported by the press service of the Kremlin.

CNN called Putin daring after his visit to Mariupol

The Russian leader stopped to talk with residents of the Nevsky district of the city, he was invited to the house of one of the residents. The statement does not specify when the visit took place.

The visit is likely to be seen as especially provocative by Ukrainians, as Mariupol has long been a “symbol of resistance” and has seen some of the most intense fighting ever. 

Vladimir Putin personally drove through Mariupol by car

 Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin told the President of Russia during his visit that the residents of Mariupol are returning to the city more actively.

The President, in turn, noted the quality of local roads. According to him, they are not just “more or less”, but “excellent”.

“The number one question that people ask is jobs. And the people began to return. When they saw that the restoration was underway, the people began to actively return. There is a population growth”: Putin

 “Convenient, beautiful”: Putin liked the restored Mariupol Philharmonic

The President examined the situation inside the building and assessed the quality of the work carried out. For a few seconds, the head of state became a “spectator” in the front row of the concert hall.

Thank you for the victory! : Residents of Mariupol welcomed and thanked President Vladimir Putin

Man:   I didn’t expect that! Can I say hello to you? We’ve only seen you on TV!
Putin: Well, we have to start getting to know each other better! Do you live here?
Man: Yes, we live here. We lost everything, but we got an apartment! ( The Russian government has given them apartments.)
Woman: We are grateful to you, we wish you health and happiness, and we pray for you. Thank you for the victory. We waited.
Man: You can go see the apartments if you want.

A Mariupol man invited Putin to visit and didn’t warn his wife.
“And how many rooms do you have here?” – [Answer : three] . There were three, and they gave you three. We won’t bother you. Please excuse us for dropping by so unexpectedly “: Putin

 Ukrainian units have begun their counteroffensive effort within Artemovsk.

Despite the beginning of the counteroffensive, Wagner forces were able to liberate majority of the microdistrict adjacent of Mariupolska Street and continued their advance overnight in the AZOMPROM Facility vicinity.

[ BAKHMUT ] 500 METERS FROM ADMINISTRATION BUILDING – Wagner Forces progress in the S & SW Bakhmut

Wagner Advances Further Within Bakhmut

Russian Forces Pierce Central Bakhmut

Bakhmut is strategically decisive

Battlefield Ukraine Russian Double Envelopment of Siversk

In the north of the city, fighters of PMC “Wagner” are successfully advancing in the shops of the AZOM plant

PMC “Wagner” were able to advance in the south of the city and entered the area of the construction market – the Avangard stadium.

In the west of the city, advancement in the Dubovo-Vasilyevka area.

 -Z Committee 

Avdeevka Encirclement + US Prepares Ukraine for “Last Chance” Offensive, Surging Ammunition

The Russian Army launched an Active Offensive in the Avdiivka! The Backbone of the AFU is Broken!

Battle for Avdiivka situation as of 14.00 March 19, 2023

🔻After the liberation of Krasnogorovka, Russian units continued their offensive further to the west with the task of bypassing the Avdeevsky fortified area from the north. Over the past few days, control has been established over a hill next to the railway line at Petrovsky.

▪️ At the moment there are positional battles with the active use of artillery and assault aircraft. Moving further towards Petrovsky will cut off the supply of Avdiivka by rail.

▪️ Also, the military personnel of the Russian Armed Forces were able to expand the zone of control to the west of Vesely, gaining a foothold in positions near water bodies and completely occupying the road to Krasnogorovka.

🔻 To the south, Ukrainian formations attempted to attack the positions of Russian troops near Vodyanoye and Experienced. The fighting went on for several days, but the Russian Armed Forces repulsed the attack, and the assault detachments of the 147th battalion of the Territorial Defense Brigade to the Severny. The losses of the 116th brigade were seven killed, 14 wounded.

🔻Successes in the Avdiivka sector became possible thanks to the massive use of artillery along with aviation. As a result of pinpoint strikes by high-precision projectiles on rear facilities and ammunition depots, significant damage was inflicted on the enemy and a springboard was provided for the offensive of ground forces.

@Boris_Rozhin : It is reported that, to the south of Orekhovo (Orikhiv), the enemy (AFU) again conducted reconnaissance combat with up to two battalions in the morning. Previous attempts near Orekhovo and Pologi ended unsuccessfully for the AFU. However, attempts to find weaknesses in the formation of our troops as well as to assess the speed of reaction to the actions of the AFU are expected to continue.

Zaporozhye direction (19.03.23) – reconnaissance in combat “double two”

 While writing and editing the previous video, information was received about another attempt to conduct reconnaissance in force from the enemy in the Zaporozhye direction.

So far, judging by the information coming from the field, the forces involved (up to two companies reinforced with tanks) are about the same.

And the result is also about the same. Our defense “worked normally”:

It is reported from the field that in the Pohovsky district of Zaporozhye, a new attack by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

 According to the Military Chronicle, two armored groups of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, units of the 106th and 129th Territorial Defense Brigades are trying to probe the defenses of the RF Armed Forces south of Orekhov, between Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka.

Like last time, the column of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was detected from the air, and artillery fired at it almost immediately.

Zaporozhye region, Russia.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to probe the presence of weakly fortified areas before the upcoming offensive.

The current situation is such that all the forces accumulated for our previously planned winter offensive are waiting for the offensive of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the subsequent counter-strike.

The enemy understands this and isn`t a hurry to attack with the main forces. In this situation, we benefit from the position of the West, which sooner or later will push Ukraine to take this step.

@romanov_92

 #Zaporozhye Direction

 (https://t.me/dva_majors/11257)An enemy convoy was detected near #Belogorye at the formation stage.

Our artillery worked on them and dispersed the AFU column.

An artillery duel began.
 

AFU Attack in #Orekov Section, #Zaporozhye DirectionðŸ“

 (https://t.me/dva_majors/11256)According to Military Chronicles (https://t.me/milchronicles), two armoured groups of the AFU’s 128th Mountain Assault Brigade AFU, units of the 106th and 129th Territorial Defence Brigades are trying to probe the Russian Defence south of #Orekhov, between #Novodanilovka and Malaya Tokmachka.

The AFU convoy was detected from the air and was almost immediately hit by artillery.

“If Ukraine cannot defend its independence, we will have no choice, we will be forced to enter into conflict” Polish Ambassador to France Jan Emeric Rostiszewski in an interview with the French channel LCI.

A large-scale campaign to recruit volunteers for military service has begun in Poland.  Recruiting centers are opening all over the country.  Representatives of the strong half of humanity are persistently offered to sign a contract with the armed forces.  Earlier, Polish President Andrzej Duda announced plans to create the largest land army in the EU.  Now armored vehicles, missile and artillery systems are being purchased.  But there is no one to operate military equipment.  Therefore, it was decided to recruit more people in order to double the size of the Polish army (now it has 150,000 troops).  South Korea is ready to sell 980 K2 Black Panther tanks to Poland.  The contract is valued at $14.5 billion.  Warsaw will also buy 600 self-propelled howitzers and 50 combat aircraft.
 Source: https://rusnext.ru/news/1679185687868758

Chronicle of the special military operation for 18-19 March 2023

Kursk region:

- The Ukrainian Armed Forces shelled the village of Krasnooktyabrsky and the village of Yelizavetovka, Glushkov district: residential buildings, a medical centre and a former House of Culture building, as well as power lines were hit.

- In the Korenevsky district, the enemy struck the village of Troitskoye: the civilians were not hit.

Starobelskoye direction:

- In the Kupyansk sector, the Russian Armed Forces are advancing near Gryanikivka, having taken control of several strongholds.
- The Ukrainian Armed Forces are moving fresh territorial defence units to the Khatnoye-Olkhovatka and Petropavlovka-Sinkovka lines, while continuing to withdraw troops to the right bank of the Oskol River.

Fighting continues in the Liman sector near the Zhuravka gully.
- Before Kremenna, Russian servicemen are advancing west from Krasnopopovka.

🔻 Soledar direction:

▪️In northeast of Bakhmut, Vagner PMC attack aircraft are opening up the AFU defence in Orekhovo-Vasilevka.

▪️In Bakhmut fierce fighting continues in the northern and southern districts of the city.
- In the north of the city, fighting is going on in the industrial zone near the Artemivsk Metal Processing Plant.
➖ In the south, Russian forces are gradually advancing towards the centre of the city.

▪️near Chasov Yar, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are preparing strike groups to attempt possible counterattacks.

🔻Donetsk direction (map):

▪️In Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka AFU hit several AFU facilities.

▪️ Nord Avdeevka The Russian Armed Forces are developing an offensive to the west of Krasnogorovka towards the village of Petrivske.
➖ The Ukrainian armed forces make unsuccessful counterattack attempts near Vodyane and Opytne by the territorial defence forces.

▪️ Ukrainian formations again fired indiscriminately at Donetsk agglomeration.
➖ The AFU fired at least three rockets from HIMARS rocket launchers at Khartsyzsk. ➖ The shells hit civilian objects and at least one house burned down.
➖ Residential houses and infrastructure were damaged in the capital of the DPR: at least five people were injured.

🔻 Zaporizhzhya direction (map):

▪️ Ukrainian units attempted a reconnaissance battle near the village of Rabotino. Enemy accumulation was detected in advance, as a result of which the attacking forces were destroyed.

▪️Near Charivnoye, the AFU attempted to attack the RF Armed Forces’ positions, but it did not come to a direct engagement: the enemy units were dispersed by artillery fire.

🔻 Southern Front. Kherson direction:

▪️Sabotage- AFU reconnaissance groups are operating on islands in the Dnieper delta. Ukrainian commanders are preparing for amphibious operations aimed at diverting attention from actions in other directions.

▪️continue mutual shelling along the entire line of contact: Russian forces hit enemy concentrations in Kherson, Dniprovske and Berehove.

For their part, Ukrainian formations shelled the left bank of the Kherson region: residential buildings in Novaya Kakhovka, Hola Prystan and Kairi were hit.

#Summary #Report on the March 19, 2023

The situation last week was characterized by the activation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Zaporozhye sector of the front. The enemy conducts reconnaissance in combat, the tactics of actions resemble the period of the end of September 2022, after which the Armed Forces of Ukraine broke through the front in the Kherson direction, advancing from Zolotoy Balka to Dudchan. At present, our troops in the Zaporozhye direction have strengthened their positions, prepared communications, and are conducting effective reconnaissance. However, the enemy concentrated at least 40,000 personnel to break through to the Sea of Azov. The attacks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were repulsed on March 15, today the enemy was also covered by artillery, which frustrated his plans in the morning.

In the Kherson direction, the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not reduce the activity of SGs and artillery. There are dead and wounded on both sides. There was information about the use of the GUR special forces by the enemy. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are concentrating up to 11,000 people for a landing operation designed to pin down the forces of the Russian Armed Forces on the Dnieper and prevent the transfer of reserves to the Zaporozhye sector.

The most fierce battles are taking place in the Artyomovsky (Bakhmut) direction. PMC “Wagner” are developing an offensive to the north-west of the city in the direction of Slavyansk, they occupied Zaliznyanskoye. It was not possible to completely encircle Artyomovsk, but the few remaining routes to the city were under fire from our artillery. In the city itself fighting, there is advancement from all directions. The enemy is fighting for every house, throwing reserves into the city. The counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Artemivsk is still difficult due to the slush.

There are no significant changes in the front from Kupyansk to Kremennaya . Attacks are being made on places of accumulation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Maryinka and Ugledar, as well as Avdeevka – high activity of the Russian Armed Forces, but without significant results.
The front-line regions of Russia are being shelled along the entire front line. Only the Belgorod region this week was subjected to 15 attacks per day.

Problems persist in the information space : the inability of the Russian Foreign Ministry to explain the need to extend the Grain Deal raises questions, and the timing of its validity remains controversial. An important moment was the visit of the Supreme Commander to Mariupol.

In terms of logistics, questions remain about providing the front with shells, boats, off-road vehicles, drones of all kinds, and means of communication.

Report prepared by: Two majors 

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (19 March 2023)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

💥In Kupyansk direction, Operational-Tactical aviation, artillery, and heavy flamethrower systems of the ‘Zapad’ Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close to Dvurechnaya, Timkovka, Olshana (Kharkov region), and Novoselovskoye (Lugansk People’s Republic). Up to 50 Ukrainian personnel, two armoured fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles were eliminated.

💥In Krasny Liman direction, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the ‘Tsentr’ Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and military hardware close to Nevskoye, Belogorovka (Lugansk People’s Republic), Yampolvka and Grigorovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The enemy has suffered losses of over 90 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, and D-20 and D-30 howitzers in this direction in the past 24 hours.

💥In Donetsk direction, the units of the ‘Yug’ Group of Forces conducted a complex fire attack to annihilate over 80 Ukrainian troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, four pick-up trucks, three Grad MLRS vehicles, one Msta-B howitzer, and AN/TPQ-36 radar system in the past 24 hours.

💥In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Operational-Tactical Aviation and artillery of the ‘Vostok’ Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on the AFU units close to Novomikhailovka, Ugledar, Prechistovka, Privolnoye (Donetsk People’s Republic) and Orekhov (Zaporozhye region).
The enemy’s losses have amounted to over 50 Ukrainian troops, three pick-up trucks, and one D-30 howitzer in this direction during the day.

💥In Kherson direction, Russian troops have neutralised up to 20 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, and two Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers during the day.

◻️Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 92 artillery units at their firing positions, enemy manpower and hardware in 114 areas during the day. Two hangars storing armaments and military hardware of the 122nd Territorial Defence Brigade have been neutralised close to Otradokamenka (Kherson region).

✈️Fighter aviation shot down one Mi-8 helicopter of the Ukrainian Air Force near Kupyansk (Kharkov region).

💥Air defence forces have intercepted nine HIMARS and Olkha MLRS projectiles during the day.

💥Moreover, seven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been shot down close to Kotlyarovka (Kharkov region), Chernopopovka, Golikovo (Lugansk People’s Republic), Blagodatnoye, Kirillovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), and Staraya Zburyevka (Kherson region).

📊In total, 402 airplanes and 222 helicopters, 3,464 unmanned aerial vehicles, 414 air defence missile systems, 8,338 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,069 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 4,388 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 9,011 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Russia Laughs at ‘Arrest Warrant’. US Banking Crisis Will Benefit Russia. 200 Banks FACE BANKRUPTCY

Update on Ukraine, Putin in Crimea and Donbass, Trump, Banking Crisis, Russia’s Economic Success..

Col. Macgregor: Ukraine is CRUMBLING Under Putin’s Military Offensive