Mini update.
While the Ukrainians have been slowly giving ground north of Sievierodonetsk and chewing up Russian units with ambush and retreat tactics something magical happened on the Russian flank west of Izyum...
The Russians repeated the mistake of inserting rebuilt elements of 35th CAA into the line to protect the flank of their attack southwards.
35th CAA is known AKA the Butchers of Bucha. Wherever they appear in the line the Ukrainians go after them like mad dogs.
...
As previously, the 35th CAA collapsed like a house of cards.
Map on the left from April 18th. Map on the right from April 30th.
Ukrainian 93rd Mech Brigade tearing a hole in the Russian flank and driving on the key road junction of Izyum.
@Render
So, I'm assuming that they are getting the snot kicked out of them by the 92nd & 93rd?
If the 93rd can control rt M-03, that whole CAA group in the bulge will be limited to one main supply road through Gorohovatka and Borova. And that's a bridge!
The rest are much smaller roads. Logistics opportunity?
@jurban Yes, very much so.
Ukr's 92nd and 93rd Mechanized Brigades are mechanized in name only. At this point, between the two of them they probably have more tanks than the entire Russian 1st Guards Tank Army. And most of those were captured from the Russians.
@Render
It wouldn't take much road-damage to remove all fuel re-supply. A commando operation could do that if they can get that far.
- Bridge/tunnel on Rt E40/M03 at the Teplyanka River (49.475082, 37.123482)
- Bridges over the Voloska Balakiliika river (49.561075, 37.211680) and (49.54423269349243, 37.04037989867385)
- Tunnel/bridge over the Serednya river (49.62014315149549, 37.008119562912285) just north of Volokhiv.
Does the UA have enough force & logistics to snip off those 15 units of RA? It looks like a classic chance to encapsulate and force surrender or create a wipe out.
It looks good on the map but there is so much more on the backside that can effect it. Does Ukraine have enough horsepower to close that loop?
@AndersonArtwork I believe that they do have the capability to close off one or several pockets of Russians. I'm less positive that they have the manpower to keep those pockets closed for any great length of time.
@Render @AndersonArtwork
It's about the rate of replenishment.
The more friction in the tubes the faster the tanks run out of diesel and the more hungry and demoralized the Russian troops.
@jurban 55th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade has one BTG north of the maps that I posted. It's a composite unit made up of the survivors of 41st CAA from NW of Kyiv.