The situation in the Ukrainian SMO on April 14 2023

Ukraine Falls back From North Bakhmut and Rail Yard

Bakhmut

Bakhmut deadfall. The Russians are advancing on all fronts.

Bakhmut Front Update [14 April 2023]

Ukraine forces pull back in Bakhmut, UK military says

Wagner assault detachments are conducting high-intensity combat operations to seize neighborhoods west of Artyomovsk, the Airborne Forces are supported on the flanks, the Russian Defense Ministry reports 

The musicians have crossed the railway and entrenched themselves in the western regions of Artyomovsk and continue to lead the offensive. The enemy is retreating

The situation in the N.P Bogdanivka has become significantly more challenging as PMC Wagner were able to secure the heights on the outskirts which overlook the entire village. This also gives a direct sight to all traffic leaving and entering Chasovoy Yar.

The situation in N.P Orekhovo Vasiliyvka has remain stagnant thoroughout the week however reinforcements from Airborne Forces are giving Russian forces an advantage; The main objective remains to penetrate the main highway in the direction of Pryvilloye – Kramatorsk

Our source in the OP said that Zelensky was collecting a headquarters, at which he demanded that Syrsky organize counterattacks near Bakhmut. The commander of the ground forces must unblock the city and push back the Russian army, Bakhmut must be held until the start of the counterattack on the Crimea.

It was reported that in the center of Bakhmut, detachments of PMC “Wagner” pushed the APU towards the railway.
Stormtroopers attacked the remnants of two territorial defenses and up to a battalion of the 93rd Brigade mixed with the Home Guard. If the enemy does not retreat behind the railroad tracks before dark, up to 300 people will be taken prisoner

There are reports from Bakhmut that the hardest battle is taking place on the western outskirts of the city
Artillery work and shooting battle in the area of st. Liberators of Donbass, where the fortified area of the 127th and 241st brigades of territorial defense is located. Yesterday, not far from this place, the fighters of PMC “Wagner” advanced well

Prigozhin released detailed material about the battle for Artemovsk. There are a lot of interesting things in it.

1. The strategic role of Bakhmut is not so great. Bakhmut is followed by Seversk, Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Konstantinovka, Druzhkovka and Chasiv Yar: settlements included in the so-called “Donbass ring” and forming a fortified area. On the one hand, Bakhmut is part of this fortified area, on the other hand, the capture of Bakhmut itself will not ensure a fleeting victory over Ukraine, the road to the Dnieper, or even the capture of Donbass.

2. The Ukrainian army has gathered a sufficient number of forces. About 200 000 already sufficiently trained fighters, who have passed two or three months of training and coordination, are ready to perform combat tasks. The amount of weapons and ammunition is quite enough for these 200 000 to go on the offensive in various directions. The troops ready for a counteroffensive are in the areas of concentration – they have enough of everything. In those tank wedges, which they try to hammer into the defense of the Wagner PMCs by the dozens every day, the AFU loses from 30 to 50 pieces of equipment daily, and they do not experience problems with it. And they have unlimited people, as they say at the front.

3. Every cry on Bakhmut, every captured soldier, every hundred killed hits Zelensky and the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine much harder than the advantages they get from holding the remnants of this city.
At the same time, the long battle for Bakhmut is extremely beneficial to the Russian troops, because they have already squeezed out a large chunk of the territory of Ukraine in 2022. If the special operation remains within these borders, plus or minus a couple of tens of kilometers, then this will solve many of its tasks. Bakhmut makes it possible for the Russian army to accumulate forces, occupy advantageous defense lines, deal with internal problems, prepare mobilized and fully armed to meet any number of counter-attacking AFU soldiers. Bakhmut is extremely profitable for us, we grind the Ukrainian army there and restrain their maneuvers.

4. The collapse of Russia by military means cannot happen. Forests, swamps, vast territories, climatic specifics reliably protect the territory of the country, making it a huge fortified area. Always in history, the enemy who reached Moscow, as a result, shamefully fled, turning the “victory road” into the “road of death” on the way back. Why do the Anglo-Saxons restrain Zelensky by arranging internal conflicts and slowing down the offensive? Just in order to break the main jackpot – the collapse of Russia into many principalities. The US does not need a quick war. They need a war that will lead to the re-persuasion of the “deep state” and its victory.

5. Ukrainians are ready to attack. We are ready to repel the blow. The best scenario for the healing of Russia in order for it to come together and become the Strongest State is the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in which no handouts and negotiations will be impossible. And either the AFU will be defeated in a fair fight, or Russia will lick its wounds, accumulate muscles and tear up rivals again in a fair fight. Therefore, I believe that the option of contractual arrangements is impossible for the future of Russia.

Prigozhin has released an extended Article on the Battle for #Bakhmut⚡️

🩸There is a lot of interesting Stuff in it:

🔹1. #Bakhmut’s Strategic Role is not that great. #Bakhmut is followed by #Seversk, #Slavyansk, #Kramatorsk, #Konstantinovka, #Druzhkovka and Chasov Yar. The settlements that make up the socalled “Donbass Ring” and form a fortified area. On the one hand, #Bakhmut is part of this fortification; on the other hand, the capture of #Bakhmut itself will not ensure a quick victory over #Ukraine, a road to the #Dnieper or even the capture of #Donbass.

🔹2. The Ukrainian Army has amassed a sufficient number of forces. Around 200,000 already sufficiently trained fighters, who have undergone two to three months of training and harmonisation, are ready to carry out combat tasks.
➖ The number of weapons and ammunition is sufficient for these 200 thousand to go on the offensive in different directions. The troops, ready for the counteroffensive, are in the areas of concentration – they have everything they need.
➖ In those tank wedges, which they try to hammer into the defense of PMC Wagner by dozens every day, the AFU loses from 30 to 50 pieces of equipment every day, and they have no problems with it. And as for people, they have, as they say at the front, no limit.

🔹3. Every Scream at #Bakhmut, every captured soldier, every hundred killed hits Zelensky and the AFU leadership much harder than the pluses they get from holding the remnants of that city.
📌 That said, the prolonged battle for #Bakhmut is extremely beneficial to Russian forces, as they have already snatched a large chunk of Ukrainian territory in 2022. If the special operation remains within these borders, give or take a couple of tens of kilometres, it will solve many of the problems of the SMO.
 #Bakhmut gives the Russian army an opportunity to accumulate forces, occupy advantageous defensive lines, deal with internal problems, prepare the mobilized and meet any number of counteroffensive insurgents in full armor. #Bakhmut is extremely advantageous for us, we grind down the Ukrainian army there and hold back their manoeuvres.

🔹4. #Russia’s Collapse cannot happen militarily. Forests, swamps, vast territories, climatic specifics reliably protect the country’s territory, making it a huge fortification. Always in history, the enemy who reached #Moscow eventually fled in disgrace, turning the “Road of Victory” into the “Road of Death” on the way back.
➖ Why are the Anglo-Saxons holding back Zelensky by staging internal conflicts and stalling the offensive? Precisely in order to siphon off the main prize – the break-up of #Russia into a multitude of principalities. The #US doesn’t need a quick war. They need a war that will lead to the overthrow of the ” Deep State ” and its victory.

🔹5. The Ukrainians are ready to go on the offensive. We are ready to repel the blow. The best scenario for #Russia to heal in order to unite and become the Strongest State is an offensive by the AFU, in which no handouts or negotiations will be possible. And either the AFU will be defeated in a fair fight, or #Russia will lick its wounds, build up its muscles and tear its rivals apart again in a fair fight.
📌 So I think the Option of negotiating is impossible for #Russia’s future.

Boris Rozhin

There is information about our movement near Seversk
Last night in Zvanovka on the outskirts of Seversk several command posts of the enemy company were destroyed by artillery fire. According to all incoming information, Seversk is next after Artemovsk. And things will go faster with him due to the particular location of the city

In the Kupyansk direction, air strikes and artillery fire from the Western Military District hit the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Stelmahovka, LPR, Ivanovka and Dvurechnaya, Kharkov region
In addition, the actions of five sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of the settlements of Olshana, Krakhmalnoe and Timkovka in the Kharkiv region were stopped
Up to 60 nationalists, two 152-mm D-20 howitzers, 2 armored vehicles and 3 vehicles were destroyed

THE STORM OF MARYINKA CONTINUES (24 km from Donetsk). By Alexander Sladkov:

Not to say that everything is going fast, nevertheless, the 150th division liberates the territory of the city. We took all the multi-storey buildings in Marinka. This is positive, because the calculation of successful promotion in the city takes into account the number of floors of the captured buildings.

Tanks and artillery make the buildings held by the UAF lower and lower. But it’s still not easy to get through.

We go without assault. This keeps people safe.

Another shelling on residential areas of the Republic. In Yasinovataya, four people were killed and 10 wounded, including a seven-year-old girl. We keep the situation with the provision of assistance under control, all services are working.
 
On holidays, the enemy is more active in shelling, this is noted by all residents. Take care of yourself, be careful.

Pushilin D.V.

Russian Defence Ministry Report on the Progress of the Special Military Operation (14 April 2023)⚡️

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
 
◽️ In Kupyansk direction, aviation and artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces have engaged the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) close Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People’s Republic), Ivanovka and Dvurechnoye (Kharkov region).  

◽️ Moreover, actions of five sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the AFU were disrupted close to Olshana, Krakhamalnoye, and Timkovka (Kharkov region).

💥 The enemy’s losses in this direction during the day amounted to up to 60 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and two D-20 howitzers.
 
◽️ In Krasny Liman direction, Operational-Tactical Army aviation, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems of the Tsentr Group of Forces have inflicted a fire damage on enemy units close to Serebryanka (Donetsk People’s Republic), Chervonopopovka, and Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People’s Republic).  

💥 Total enemy losses in this direction amounted to up to 80 Ukrainian servicemen, two armoured fighting vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer.

◽️ In Donetsk direction, the Wagner assault squads continue intensive fighting to occupy the western quarters of Artyomovsk.

💥 Airborne Troops support the assault units on the flanks by preventing the enemy from transferring ammunition and reinforcement to the city.

✈️ Over the past 24 hours, Russian aircraft made 14 sorties close to Artyomovsk and the Missile Troops and Artillery carried out 62 firing missions to support the Group’s actions.

💥The enemy’s losses amounted to up to 240 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, five armoured fighting vehicles, four motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS vehicle, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers over the past day in this direction.
 
◽️ In South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery of the Vostok Group of Forces inflicted a fire damage on the AFU units close to Ugledar (Donetsk People’s Republic), Marfopol, Zaliznichnoye, Novoandreyevka, and Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region).  

💥 Over the past 24 hours, up to 40 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, and one Msta-B howitzer have been neutralised in these directions.

💥 Moreover, an ammunition depot of the Ukrainian troops was obliterated close to Chervonaya Dibrova.
 
◽️ In Kherson direction, up to 35 Ukrainian troops, six motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS vehicle, and one Akatsiya self-propelled howitzers during the day.

💥 Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have engaged 93 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, enemy’s manpower and hardware in 136 areas during the day.  

◽️ The air defence forces downed six HIMARS MLRS projectiles during the day.  

💥 In addition, six Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed in the areas of Tambovka (Zaporozhye region) Velikaya Lepetikha and Maslovka (Kherson region).

 

About masking the direction of the main attack of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – analysis of Rybar
Ukrainian units are intensively preparing for the spring-summer campaign. Along the front line there is a concentration of personnel and equipment, and in warehouses – the accumulation of stocks of ammunition.

The enemy intends to attack on a broad front and use the length of the front line as an advantage. His calculation is based on the fact that the Russian army will not be able to defend the entire line of contact in the event of strikes in several sectors.

Therefore, in order to create surprise, Ukrainian formations are trying to hide the direction of the main attack. The main task is to mislead the Russian troops about the state, number and plans of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Along the front, the enemy sets up false firing positions, installs inflatable or wooden dummies, and creates sources of radio emission, with the help of which an active object is simulated.

🔻 What is the essence of these events?

The main part in the process is taken by specialists from the 83 center of information and psychological operations, along with volunteer organizations, such as Yuzhnenskoe OTG from Odessa .

They buy working and non-working mobile phones, and then send them to the electronic warfare units for re-flashing. For example, in the south of Ukraine , the 306th EW battalion in Chornomorsky is engaged in this particular task.

After that, all mobile phones are taken to a certain area near the front line and left either in separate tents in the forest or in the field, or at civilian infrastructure facilities (schools, camp sites, hospitals) in settlements.

Additionally, heat guns and generators are installed at false positions, which provide a thermal trace in the infrared spectrum and noise to simulate physical signs of the presence of APU formations.

❗️At the same time, the same 83rd center provides information support for the alleged transfer of reinforcements to the font, transmitting fake data (https://t.me/dva_majors/13005?single) under the guise of a verified one from a “source who saw everything with his own eyes” . And in the VHF band, the radio game is activated.

🔻 How should this confuse the Russian command?

In such false positions, the enemy creates the appearance of activity. He leaves only a few people there, and sets up mannequins at the rest of the points. They are also purchased with the funds of volunteer organizations obtained through collections in social networks and instant messengers.

Electronic intelligence units or UAV operators of the RF Armed Forces mark the functioning of a particular object by technical means. A blow is struck at the pseudo-position, and reinforcements are transferred to the site to strengthen the lines.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, meanwhile, are concentrating forces in a completely different direction and creating a shock backbone for the offensive.

🔻 How to determine the false activity of the enemy?

To some extent, sending UAVs or advanced reconnaissance teams for direct observation can help. However, in conditions of poor visibility, it is very problematic to determine the accumulation of manpower and equipment. Satellite reconnaissance in this particular case is practically useless.

A comprehensive analysis of the situation in the area should be carried out on the basis of combined reconnaissance, including drones, advanced reconnaissance groups, maneuverable REM units and a satellite constellation.

It is necessary to equip advanced units with reconnaissance equipment. The command staff must adequately respond to an unexpected burst of enemy activity and make a balanced and thoughtful decision.

The concentration of resources or the demonstrative accumulation of forces in one area does not mean that the strike will be there. As a rule, such actions have the opposite effect. Therefore, an attack should be expected somewhere else, in addition to the visually visible one.

Germany asks Beijing to stop Russia’s war in Ukraine

Hungarian PM says Ukrainian conflict will end when the West stops funding it

Europe skeptical about Ukraine’s counteroffensive, Chinese Defense Minister to visit Moscow..

Black Sea Conference: Ukraine calls on allies to toughen Russian sanctions

Ukraine’s EU allies are no longer waiting for a breakthrough from a possible counter-offensive, a 30 km advance is a realistic goal – Bloomberg

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, responded to Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki, who said that Ukraine had the right to strike Russia and that NATO would quickly win a hypothetical war with Russia.

“I don’t know who would win or lose such a war, but given Poland’s role as a NATO outpost in Europe, this country will definitely disappear along with its underdeveloped prime minister,” Medvedev said.

Ukro source: What a blow to our propagandists who promised victory in the summer of 2023.
“The war in Ukraine can go on for several years,” – Prime Minister of Poland

“We do not calculate the exact date, but simply observe what is happening at the front, on the battlefield. And in accordance with this, we are trying to adapt to the situation, work through our diplomacy with our partners in Western Europe to support Ukraine,” the Prime Minister said. Polish Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. 

The final solution to the Russian question is the physical destruction of all pro-Russian people,” said Zelensky adviser Mikhail Podolyak.

The 35th brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces threatens to weld in tanks soldiers who are afraid to go on the offensive in tanks.

“Those who are afraid to go on the offensive, we will finish them off on the spot. There is no place for cowards in the new and strong Ukraine. We will weld in the doubters in tanks so that they do not run away at a difficult moment. Time demands such action,” the Ukrainian brigade wrote in its telegram channel.

The Guardian journalists claim that Ukraine risks losing its advantage over Russia in UAVs.
“Russian electronic warfare equipment has severely reduced the range of Ukrainian DJI drones. As the AFU drone operators admitted to the newspaper, Kiev will no longer be able to use them in two to three months.”

Russians discuss Jack Teixeira’s arrest

Leaker Arrested/ Ukraine Russia War Latest – Col Doug Macgregor

Pepe Escobar:

Old school Beltway intel source, retired:
Controlled leak.
Internal.
Way, way up – beyond the CIA.
21-year old gamer is a fall guy.
The circus is in town – actually a show that never ends.

Russia burns second Polish Howitzer in two days; Targeted attack on western weapons in Ukraine

Leopard Tank Captured? Pacific Fleet at HIGHEST READINESS. Baerbock Opens Her Mouth In Beijing.

Source: http://blogdogcicle.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-situation-in-ukrainian-smo-on-april_14.html