Military and political analyst Dmitry Snegirev. Photo: armyinform.
Military expert: Russian Federation activates armoured vehicles, trying to advance in Donetsk region
Russian occupiers have increased the use of armoured vehicles in the tactics of small assault groups in Donbas. According to TimeUkraineIsrael, citing the FREEDOM TV channel, military and political analyst Dmytro Snegirev noted that the intensification of armoured vehicles in attacks is due to the occupiers’ urgent need to reach the administrative boundaries of Donetsk region.
After a period of summer tactics of small mobile groups borrowed from the Wagner PMC, the occupiers have significantly increased the use of armoured vehicles in attacks on the Ukrainian Defence Forces. According to Snegiryov, in recent weeks, Russia has been using up to 30 armoured vehicles in some assaults, which is a significant increase compared to the previous period. The analyst emphasises that the occupiers are ready to suffer significant losses due to time pressure.
Deficit and wear and tear of Russian armoured vehicles
However, according to OSINT researchers, the occupiers will face a critical shortage of armoured vehicles by 2025. In the long-term storage arsenals of the Russian Federation, the remains of Soviet equipment are in an extremely worn-out condition, and many vehicles are only suitable for donating spare parts. According to analysts, the Russian military-industrial complex does not have time to compensate for losses – the annual production of tanks in Russia is limited to 60-80 units, which is not enough for active combat operations.
Situation in the area of Pokrovsk: attempts to encircle and increase pressure
According to Snegiryov, the occupiers are trying to create a threat to the operational encirclement of Ukrainian units near Pokrovsk by advancing from Selidove and Myrnohrad. This may create certain challenges for the Ukrainian Defence Forces, but a serious breakthrough by the occupiers towards Dnipro or Zaporizhzhia is unlikely. The analyst believes that such statements are part of Russia’s information and psychological operations (IPO) aimed at destabilising the situation and spreading panic.
Disinformation about the situation in the Kursk region and attempts to accuse of “nuclear terrorism”
In addition to Donbas, Russian propaganda is promoting versions of the Ukrainian Defence Forces allegedly being “pushed out” of their positions in the Kursk region. However, according to Snegiryov, this is another information operation that does not correspond to reality: Ukrainian troops continue to manoeuvre and even demonstrate some success in this area.
The analyst also draws attention to the occupiers’ attempts to use the Kursk NPP to accuse Ukraine of “nuclear terrorism”. According to him, the Russian side could have been preparing the plant for a possible explosion in order to create a pretext for international accusations against Ukraine. However, Ukrainian troops weighed all the risks and avoided active hostilities in the immediate area of the nuclear power plant.
Threats to Ukraine and Russia’s tactical steps
The Russian occupiers, suffering significant losses and facing a lack of armoured vehicles, are trying to force events in Donbas and simultaneously conducting information operations to intimidate Ukrainian society and the international community. However, despite the difficult situation on some parts of the frontline, experts point to the ability of the Ukrainian Defence Forces to effectively resist and even achieve success in the face of increasing military pressure from the occupiers.
