The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on March 28 2023

Russia CAPTURES Bakhmut Industrial District

Russian Forces Reach Center of Bakhmut

Southern Bakhmut Has Fallen

The situation in Bakhmut reaches its climax. Fierce battles are being waged in the city, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are trying to fight back and recapture lost positions, but such attempts are immediately suppressed by the “musicians 

Artemovsk direction

⏺ 1) Artemovsk at the moment, the main assault actions of the Musicians 🎻 are aimed at capturing the urban development of Artemovsk. Our Fighters pressure the enemy from three directions (south, east, north). the garrison is in an operational environment and all roads are under artillery fire, so the supply of this grouping is minimal. According to some reports, the enemy’s shell hunger is felt in the city. But the enemy is trying in every possible way to fiercely resist and hold out to the last. great losses and leave positions and their pre-prepared fortifications in residential areas. Last night, about 85 percent of the city’s territory was already under the control of the Musicians🎻 The main hostilities moved to the central Artemovsk region. buildings. The enemy is gradually retreating to the western outskirts of Artemovsk.

⏺ 2) South of the Artemovsky direction. On the flanks, the Musicians switched to more restrained offensive actions, actions deliberately thought out in advance by the Wagner command, to prevent the flanks from being discovered, being strengthened and interacting with adjacent units of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The enemy announced a big counterattack, but the weather conditions were on our side. would have brought lightly armored enemy vehicles against light targets for our artillery and aviation. The enemy miscalculated and now the tactics of the musicians have shifted to the complete capture of Artemovsk In the next two weeks an enemy counterattack is unlikely. The musicians continue to put pressure on such settlements in the south of the Artemovsky direction: Stupochki, Predtechino , Krasnoe (Ivanovskoye)

⏺ 3) North of the Artemovsky direction, there is also constant pressure on enemy positions in the settlement. Zaliznyanskoye, Bogdanovka, Grigorovka, Minkovka

Important according to Bakhmut: The main battle is now underway for Krasnoe, aka Ivanovskoye. Whoever takes it, that’s Bakhmut. Ivanovsky’s surrender will sharply worsen the situation for the Nazis in the Samolet area and, as well as giving physical control of the route to Chasov Yar, will allow the Wagners to reach the rear and flank of the AFU grouping from the south
Moreover, the Nazis near the plane area are already running out, neither reserves nor the skill of warfare can save the situation. Having defeated the Nazis on the plane, we go out to the flank of Ivanovsky. In general, however, the operational situation is not favorable to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Taking into account the infliction of missile strikes on the enemy’s operational rear, plans for his counteroffensive were noticeably violated

Battle of Artemovsk Situation as of 28/03/2023, 11:00

🟥 Within the AZOM facility, despite claims of the facility not being captured, a large portion of the underground network is being cleared. Only 5% of the facility remains under Ukrainian control. Nearby to the Residential Area, PMC Wagner liberated a block of houses on a hill.

🔻In the Market Area (nearby to the now liberated Zabakhmutovka District), PMC Wagner have advanced and now only 30m from Bakhmut State and Regional Administration Building. Geolocated fighting within the area has shown that Ukrainian units defending the remaining shopping centre are being crushed by two larger PMC Wagner groups.

🔻The Avanhard Stadium is most likely liberated at this point as geolocated close combat fighting was recorded taking place 200m behind the stadium. We are awaiting official confirmation. PMC Wagner continue to push in the direction of the Bakhmut Industrial School, and have entrenched in a gas facility.

In the evening, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation again launch massive missile strikes on the Slavyansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration (it arrives in the area of the Chasov Yar, Konstantinovka and Kramatorsk – just there the reserves of the Artemovsky AFU group are located), and also add Kupyansk, which the enemy is preparing for defense.

The administrative head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigoizhn, was asked how justified is the risk of visiting the forward positions of his fighters when he can not do this, and if this is done, then for what?

“In order to manage the fighters, you need to understand what they are doing, to be in their shoes. And so such trips are absolutely necessary and necessary regularly. This does not mean that you have to sit in a trench, you also need to manage.

But I want you to notice that there are two people in that video. One, on his knees, holds the firing sector along the street so that he can run across it, he is the commander of the regiment by his status. And the one who gives interviews in the backlight, the night black and white camera, he is the division commander by his status.

This is the meaning of the Wagner Group. No one relaxes their asses in the offices. Everyone works and sees the process from the inside, and therefore everything works like clockwork.”

The head of Wagner PMC responded to rumors about the transfer of PMC forces to storm Avdiivka
E. Prigozhin commented on media statements that part of the Wagner PMC detachments were allegedly transferred to Avdiivka, and it is they who ensure the successful advance of the troops there:
“No, this is not true. There are no divisions of PMC “Wagner” on Avdiivka and never have been. All tasks that are performed are performed exclusively by the military. And good luck to the guys in their task!”

Avdeevskoe direction

⏺ 1) The operation continues to bring Avdiivka initially into the operational environment, and then into a full physical one. An intense assault on this enemy fortification began about two weeks ago. During this period of time, our troops made a significant advance along the perimeter of Avdeevka. The following settlements were taken: Kamenka, Krasnogorovka (north), the enemy was completely defeated by Novobakhmutovka.

⏺ 2) The concept of this operation was chosen by analogy with Artemovskaya (Bakhmutskaya): powerful flanking attacks are inflicted on the enemy to the north and south of this fortification, as well as chain attacks directly on the Avdeevka settlement itself.
This operation is strongly supported by our aviation, according to some reports, guided aerial bombs (1500) were used in Avdiivka for the first time, everyone is well aware that the enemy has created an extremely fortified and practically impassable from the city for 9 years The constant presence of Our Air Force contributes to the advance and minimizes the losses of Our Army, even if the enemy resists fiercely and, as some sources say, the losses on both sides are significant.

⏺ 3) For about a week, indirect confirmations have been kept in enemy information depots that the enemy is preparing for the complete encirclement of Avdiivka and its garrison, some sources even report that this will happen earlier than in Artemovsk (Bakhmut).

⏺ 4) We will not make predictions, but there is a possibility that in the near future people living in the Donetsk agglomeration will finally, albeit not completely, but at least significantly reduce the intensity of shelling

Heavy fighting near Avdiivka: the Russian Army is trying to pincer the fortress of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Ukrainian military analysts report a difficult situation in the Avdiivka area:
▪️ “Russian troops want to repeat the same tactics with Avdiivka as near Bakhmut — bypass, hit the flanks and surround. There are very intense battles! The heaviest battles were in the area of Nevelskoye, Kamenka, in the directions of AKHZ and Severny.
▪️ In the area of the village of Kamenka, the situation is the most difficult. During the offensive, Russian troops use rocket artillery and FAB bombs. Fighting continues on the outskirts.
▪️ Pervomayskoye – shooting battles continue. The advance of Russian troops was recorded. (“Russians have partial success in Pervomaisky,” another Ukrainian report confirms).

PROOF UKRAINE USES GERMAN WEAPONS ON CIVILIANS AGAIN
Ukraine fired GERMAN supplied AT-2 (DM1399) scatterable anti-tank mine on Kuybyshevsky district Donetsk at 29 Kremlevsky Ave. A .an born in 1946 had both legs blown off and has died. An elderly woman was also seriously wounded.
The AT2 mine is a scatterable anti-tank mine developed by Dynamit Nobel . It can be scattered from artillery rockets or from mine laying systems, and is in service with the British, German and Norwegian armed forces. AT2 mines were donated to Ukraine by Germany.

Russian troops have begun firing on the accumulated reserves of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Volchansk region of the Kharkov region.

Recently, the Ukrainian command has been actively increasing the concentration of forces and assets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the north-east of the Kharkiv region. One of the places where reserves have been built up is Volchansk. This city is located a few kilometers from the border with the Belgorod region, less than 15 km from the Russian Shebekino.

At the same time, the location of Volchansk is also notable for the fact that the city is located on the left bank of the Seversky Donets River.

The increased concentration of Ukrainian troops in the area of ​​u200bu200bthis city indirectly speaks of the plan of the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine for a possible attack on the Kupyansky sector of the front – from the north-west to the Grigorivka and Kolodeznoye directions. If successful, Ukrainian troops could enter the rear of the Russian army, which has now advanced towards Kupyansk and taken control of several settlements in the Kharkiv region. Among them are Tavolzhanka, Gryanikovka, Dvurechnoye.

Realizing such intentions of the enemy, the Russian command took countermeasures.

An active impact of fire on Ukrainian facilities began today with the deployment of personnel and weapons in and around Volchansk. Artillery means, army and assault aviation are working. Under fire are the positions that the Ukrainian troops equipped in case of need to conduct defensive battles near Volchansk. The Russian army “plowed” the enemy’s trenches, dugouts, fortifications, knocking out different pieces of equipment.

Recall that in an interview with a Lithuanian TV channel, Arestovich, a former adviser in Zelensky’s office, said that Ukraine was preparing to launch an offensive. Presumably, it will start in May-June. But, as Arestovich added, the offensive will not be instantaneous, because “movement in one form or another may begin in the near future.”

Special Operation, 28 Mar 2023, Main; pub. 22:00⚡️

▪️ The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said that Shoigu checked the progress of state defence orders at defence industry enterprises in the #Chelyabinsk and #Kirov regions;

▪️ MoD reported for the first time that a GLSDB guided missile, a “smart” aerial bomb with an engine, was shot down in the SMO Zone;

▪️ In the #Donetsk, Krasny #Liman, #Kupyansk, #Kherson, #SouthDonetsk and #Zaporozhye directions Kiev’s losses in a day amounted to about 468 military personnel killed;

▪️ Pushilin said that Russian forces had almost completely cleared the industrial zone in #Artyomovsk;

▪️ #Ukraine has received three Leopard 2A6 tanks from #Portugal, the republic’s Ministry of National Defense said;

▪️ Peskov noted that relations between #Russia and #Germany now leave much to be desired, Berlin’s decision to increase aid to Kiev does not bode well;

▪️ The Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the deployment of nuclear warheads on the country’s territory without transferring control over them to Minsk does not contradict the Non-Proliferation Treaty;

▪️ Blinken said the #US would continue drone flights over the Black Sea, but declined to say whether routes would be adjusted after the Reaper incident.

Russian Defence Ministry Report on the Progress of the Special Military Operation (28 March 2023)⚡️

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
 
◽️In Kupyansk direction, the attacks, launched by aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU units near Molchanovo, Sinkovka and Berestovoye (Kharkov region).

💥Up to 65 Ukrainian personnel, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, and 3 motor vehicles have been eliminated.
 
◽️In Krasny Liman direction, the attacks, launched by Ground-Assault and Army aviation, as well as artillery and active actions by the units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the enemy manpower and hardware near Nevskoye and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic).

💥Up to 125 Ukrainian servicemen, 4 armoured fighting vehicles, 3 pickup trucks and 1 Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer have been destroyed.
 
◽️In Donetsk direction, the attacks, launched by artillery, as well as the active actions of the units of the Yug Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of up to 240 Ukrainian servicemen and mercenaries, 3 infantry fighting vehicles, 3 armoured personnel carriers, 2 armoured fighting vehicles, 4 motor vehicles and 1 D-30 howitzer.
 
◽️In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, the aviation and artillery operations of the Vostok Group of Forces have resulted in the neutralisation of the AFU units near Novomikhaylovka and Ugledar (Donetsk People’s Republic).

💥The enemy losses were up to 20 Ukrainian servicemen and 3 motor vehicles.

◽️In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 18 Ukrainian servicemen and 5 motor vehicles.
 
💥Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 96 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 114 areas.

💥1 guidance radar of Ukrainian S-300 air defence missile system has been destroyed near Davydov Brod (Kherson region).

◽️Air defence facilities have intercepted 18 rocket-propelled projectile, launched by HIMARS MLRS, and one GLSDB guided missile.

💥In addition, 12 unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed near Pologi (Zaporozhye region), Golikovo, Rubezhnoye, Svatovo (Lugansk People’s Republic), Soledar, Volnovakha, Vladimirovka (Donetsk People’s Republic) and Velikiy Vyselok (Kharkov region).
 

Chronicle of a special military operation for 28 March 2023

🔻 Starobel direction:

▪️ The situation remains steadily tense with the sides engaged in mutual reconnaissance and artillery duels.

🔻 Soledar direction:

▪️ Northwest of Bakhmut, fighting continues in Orekhovo-Vasilevka: Russian units are launching massive strikes on enemy positions in the central part of the village.

▪️ In Bakhmut, Russian troops are squeezing Ukrainian formations in all areas, forcing them to retreat deeper into the city.
➖ In the north, the Wagnerians continue fighting on the approaches to the trolleybus depot near the industrial zone.
➖ The Wagner PMC assault units have managed to gain a foothold in the first houses on Vasil Pershina Street. The advancement is also taking place along Mariupolskaya Street and in the area of the central market.
➖ In the south, Ukrainian units are holding positions near the Avangard stadium at great cost.

▪️ South-west, the sides are strengthening their forward lines near the strategically important road to Kostyantynivka: neither side is able to seize the initiative.

🔻 Donetsk direction:

▪️ Russian servicemen, with artillery and tank fire support, continue to push the enemy out of the central districts of Marinka.

▪️ Ukrainian formations fired on civilian objects in Donetsk agglomeration with barrel and rocket artillery.
➖ The Kuybyshevskyi district in the capital of the DPR was hit: one man was killed.
➖ The enemy fired HIMARS rockets at a school and a kindergarten in the town of Zugres.

🔻 Southern Front: Kherson direction:

▪️ Artillery duels continue along the entire line of contact: Russian forces hit AFU concentrations in Kherson, Antonovka and Kazatskoye.

In turn, the enemy shelled the left bank of the Kherson region: residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the town of Alyoshki were also hit.
 

Our source reports that Zelensky asked through various lobby groups to organize (provoke) a call from China (from Xi Jinping) to Kyiv (to Zelensky).
At the moment, relations between China and Ukraine are on a conditional pause.

Ukraine’s Spring Offensive Might Run Into a Wall

Donbass and War: What Spring Will Bring

The Zelensky regime continues to tighten the screws on the country ahead of its decisive offensive: the Ukrainian government has decided to divide the country into three areas in terms of media operations.

The media are not allowed in the red zone. This includes the hottest areas of the conflict, such as Avdiivka, Bakhmut and Ugledar. It is almost 500 km from Avdiivka to Bakhmut.

The yellow areas are close to the front and the green areas are in the rear.

The catalyst was probably the publication in the Kyiv Independent that the situation in Avdeevka was terrible and that it had left even Bakhmut behind. As a result, the decision on harsh and selective censorship, which had not been taken for over a year, was taken in a hurry.

Verkhovna Rada spokesman Stefanchuk: “Victory must come this year. We are not able to fight to exhaustion, unlike Russia”

 The statement, by the way, is quite significant: the level of war-weariness among the population of Ukraine, it seems, is already so palpable that it has reached its maximum

Military strategists in Washington simulate scenarios for Ukraine’s announced counter-offensive in the spring and summer campaign
- The US admits that Ukraine does not have the capability to stage a NATO-inspired operation.
Kiev does not have the ability to control Ukrainian skies – nor is it capable of staging a large-scale missile strike from the air.
- So Ukraine will first try to launch a ground missile strike using HIMARS on supply lines. And then go on the offensive in large numbers. But unlike the US army, Kiev will not be able to use tanks en masse to support infantry.
- Therefore these tanks can be sent to the first offensive line. They will be followed by BMPs – AMX-10 and Bradley – delivered to Kiev in slightly larger quantities. They will be followed by Stryker armoured personnel carriers carrying more infantry.

US military experts are concerned that Ukraine simply does not have enough armaments available now for a counter-offensive
 However, they will supply more equipment, such as Abrams tanks, only if Kiev is able to show some success on the frontline.

In the meantime, the Pentagon is urging Kiev to save on missiles and shells.
More of them are burned through in a month than the U.S. produces in a year – so increasing supplies is becoming problematic.
The shortage of experienced soldiers for the offensive is also worrying – due to heavy losses in Bakhmut.

The White House is rushing Kiev to launch the operation, believing that it will only become more difficult and the window of opportunity will close. If the counter-offensive fails, there will be problems with agreeing Ukrainian tranches. Congress is already making it clear that
they don’t want to allocate money for the sake of a stalemate on the front. It would also hit Biden hard – for whom the outcome of the Ukraine crisis could decide the fate of the entire presidency. 

“Through Pridnestrovie lies a direct path to a world war,” says the head of Transnistria.

“I am deeply convinced that through Pridnestrovie there is a direct path to a world war. These may be such loud statements, but nonetheless, if Pridnestrovie intervenes, Moldova will intervene. This is natural. We are neighbors. Moldova will intervene, Romania will intervene, and this is a NATO member; Romania will intervene, and Russia will also intervene. By what means, by what use of weapons, and so on, this is already an open question. “If it concerns a global conflict, then the means will not be limited in their use,” the head of the PMR said at the meeting with the deputies of the Grigoriopol region.

Ukraine has very good chances for a successful counter-offensive in the spring, according to the head of the Pentagon.

Lloyd Austin said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine managed to deplete the stocks of Russian equipment to a large extent.
“Therefore, I think that we will see an increase in hostilities in the spring, as conditions for maneuvering improve, and also based on what we have already done and continue to do.” “I think that Ukraine has every chance of success,” Austin summed up.

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