'This Will Be The Largest Encirclement Of Russians Since The Beginning Of The War'
22- 20.08.2024, 15:27
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'Cauldron' in the Kursk region is closing.
Ukraine destroyed three bridges over the Seim River in the Kursk region. Ukrainian forces is also hitting pontoon crossings. Western media started talking about a possible "cauldron" for thousands of Russians.
What does the situation really look like? Charter97.org asked political expert Oleksandr Musienko, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Military and Legal Studies, to comment on this:
"As of now, indeed, Ukrainian troops are conducting offensive operations in two directions: from the south (from the Sumy region) towards the settlement of Tetkino, as well as from the east towards Korenevo and towards the Glushkovsky district.
The third direction is the river, so in order for Russian troops to maintain combat capability, receive ammunition, weapons, personnel on time, they need bridges. But they're blown up.
Russian troops tried to direct two pontoon crossings — they were destroyed. There was information that the third crossing was also affected. Now we are waiting for a report on the work.
Accordingly, this all complicates the retention of defence by Russian troops in this direction. Plus, the AFU strikes at command posts, trying to disorganize the enemy, knock down normal communication, cut off command support.
I must say that Russian troops are now resisting. The fighting continues, and Ukrainian troops are gradually closing the ring.
The Russian grouping in this direction has quite high risks of being surrounded. There can be from 2.500 to 3.500 Russian troops.
In terms of the success of this operation and the advance of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, it could end with the largest encirclement of Russian troops since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
It is possible that the occupiers may undertake acts of desperation, trying to make a breakthrough, but in general, the numerical advantage of Ukrainian units and logistics affects. Russian forces are being depleted faster.