Upwind before the start of autumn
Zelensky’s “gorgeous guys” continue to conquer
September 17, 2023, 10:04 p.m
According to its own statements, the Ukrainian army recaptured two places from the Russians within a short period of time. This could help to clamp down on Bakhmut. Every success comes in handy for the Ukrainians, as autumn with muddy soil is approaching. The verdict of a US general also comes in handy.
The Ukrainian army says it has recaptured a second strategically important town near the war-damaged city of Bakhmut within a few days. The Russian troops have been driven out of Klishchiyivka, the commander of the Ukrainian land forces, Oleksandr Syrskyj, said in online networks. On Friday, Ukraine announced the capture of the town of Andriivka near Bakhmut, but Russia has so far denied this.
“Today I would like to especially mention the soldiers who are gradually taking back Ukraine’s property, especially in the Bakhmut area,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his daily video message. “Klishchiyivka. Stunning guys,” he announced.
There had been bitter fighting for weeks over Klischchiivka, which was occupied by the Russians at the beginning of the year. With the liberation of the town, the tactical situation of the Russian occupying troops in Bakhmut itself deteriorates. The Russian military now faces the danger of being held in a pincer from the north and south.
How long will the weather last?
Any success is currently a good thing for the Ukrainians. From October onwards, experts expect more difficult circumstances for the counteroffensive due to the traditionally wet and muddy autumn in Ukraine. When the ground is muddy, tracked vehicles have difficulty moving off well-maintained roads. If there is ground frost in the winter months when temperatures are even colder, tanks benefit again. According to their own statements, at least in the area around Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast, the Ukrainians have now made progress before the start of the autumn period.
The Ukrainian army’s counteroffensive to recapture Russian-occupied areas in the south and east of the country has been underway since June. Especially at the beginning of the counteroffensive, there was a lot of frustration about slow progress and tank losses on the Ukrainian side. There was always a view of the time window until autumn.
According to US Chief of Staff Mark Milley’s current assessment, the Ukrainian armed forces “have not failed” in their counteroffensive. “You didn’t fail,” Milley told US broadcaster CNN in a recent interview. I know there are some comments that this offensive somehow failed. “It didn’t fail,” said Milley. There were partial successes, and Ukraine also had great fighting power. The counteroffensive progressed more slowly than expected, said Milley, but it was “consistent.”