Title: Ukrainian Counterattack Stalls in Southern Front as Russia Implements Strategic Defense Measures
Date: June 23, 2023
The Ukrainian forces have faced significant challenges in their recent counterattack, particularly on the southern front, as Russia successfully slowed down Kiev’s military operations. Experts have pointed out several reasons for this lack of progress and shed light on the strategic defensive measures implemented by Russia.
Hoffman Marchenko, an expert at the Russian National Center for Military Studies, revealed that Moscow had devised a plan of deception and invested time in securing the four regions it annexed in previous months. This preparation was aimed at countering the anticipated Ukrainian counterattack.
Russia constructed an extensive network of fortifications spanning 2,000 kilometers from the Russian border with Belarus to the Dnipro River. Defense systems were concentrated in Zaporizhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk in the south. In Zaporizhya, Russia established multiple layers of barriers and fortifications, stretching 150 kilometers from the southeast of the city to the Donetsk border. Another defensive level extended over 130 kilometers from the city of Orlyansky to Belmak.
The Donetsk front, known for its complex terrain and proximity to Russia, posed a significant challenge for Ukrainian forces. The defense system in Donetsk relied on three main cities: Donetsk, Makivka, and Horlivka. Trenches, mines, and barbed wire enhanced the Russian defensive pattern, while cannons, anti-tanks, and air defense systems provided additional support. The geography and terrain favored the offensive advantage of the Russians in the plains and open fields, allowing them to concentrate forces on targeted points. Conversely, dense forests, mountainous terrain, and swamps hindered the movement of the attacking Ukrainian forces, providing a defensive advantage for Russia in the south.
Despite frequent reports of a major failure in the initial stages of the counterattack, Dr. Basil Al-Hajj Jassim, a researcher in Russian-Ukrainian affairs, believes that the Russian forces have successfully built effective and tight defense lines in the southern regions. The harmony between Russian offensive weapons and defensive fortifications, along with their strong fire range, allowed them to cover most controlled areas without significant losses in equipment and soldiers.
Jassim highlighted that the Russian defensive measures attracted Ukrainian forces and Western equipment to targeted areas, resulting in heavy losses in armored vehicles. The counterattack, which received praise from American and European media, only managed to achieve limited territorial gains within two weeks.
There are expectations that the Ukrainian attack will regain momentum with continued Western support, the supply of weapons, ammunition, and equipment, as well as intelligence information about the positioning of Russian forces and satellite images aiding Ukraine in the war against Russia.
Watling Kudrakhin, a specialist in international affairs at the National University of Odessa, pointed out that the Ukrainian forces were aware of the Russian preparations for a counterattack. However, they adopted incorrect tactics and failed to adapt to the nature of the battlefield, resulting in massive losses on the southern and eastern axis.
Kudrakhin explained that Russia dispersed the Ukrainian mobilization effort across multiple fronts to prevent the accumulation of forces and hinder the West’s ability to win decisive battles. Meanwhile, Russia prepared for a long war in the city of Bakhmut.
According to Kiev, its forces have advanced up to 7 kilometers into Russian lines, liberating 8 villages and 113 square kilometers of territory. Ukraine’s counter-offensive aims to recapture 18 percent of the territory under Russian control, with a particular focus on Zaporizhia.
As the conflict continues, the Ukrainian forces will need to reassess their strategies and adapt to the challenging defensive measures implemented by Russia. The support of Western allies and the availability of intelligence information will play crucial roles in Ukraine’s efforts to regain control of its territory.
How has Russia’s deployment of specialized units and forces, such as the Spetsnaz units, affected the Ukrainian advancements in the southern front?
Areas and deter Ukrainian advancements.
Additionally, Russia has strategically deployed specialized units and forces in key locations. These forces include the famed Spetsnaz units, who are known for their expertise in carrying out covert operations and disrupting enemy plans. Their presence in the southern front added an extra layer of complexity for the Ukrainian forces, as they faced not only the conventional Russian military but also highly trained and skilled special forces.
The Russian forces have also taken advantage of their air superiority in the region. The Russian Air Force has conducted numerous airstrikes, targeting Ukrainian troops and infrastructure, further hampering the progress of the counterattack. With their aerial dominance, Russia has effectively denied Ukrainian forces the opportunity to consolidate their advances and weakened their offensive capabilities.
Furthermore, Russia has utilized a combination of electronic warfare and cyber capabilities to disrupt Ukrainian communications and command systems. This has resulted in a lack of coordination and information sharing among Ukrainian units, making it difficult for them to launch effective attacks.
As the Ukrainian counterattack stalls in the southern front, it is clear that Russia’s implementation of strategic defense measures has played a significant role in hindering Kiev’s progress. The combination of extensive fortifications, specialized forces, air superiority, and electronic warfare has created a formidable defensive barrier, making it challenging for the Ukrainian forces to achieve their objectives.
