(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian medium range strike operations against Russian ground lines of communication are disrupting enemy logistics across the entire theatre of operations, from occupied Luhansk region to Crimea, according to a new assessment by the Institute for the Study of War.
The report, cited by UNN, concludes that these strikes are producing cascading consequences on the battlefield and hindering the Russian advance.
“These strikes have been creating logistical problems for Russian forces throughout southern Ukraine in recent weeks and are now also affecting Russian logistics in the occupied Luhansk region,” analysts at the Washington based think tank stated.
Russian military bloggers have acknowledged that Ukrainian drones are now penetrating Russian air defences throughout the occupied Luhansk region and reaching the border with the Rostov region of the Russian Federation. Simultaneously, Ukrainian medium range strikes are significantly disrupting Russian logistics along the land corridor connecting occupied Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions with Crimea, as well as throughout occupied Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
“Ukrainian forces are effectively expanding the deep zone of drone activity from medium range to the front line, which disrupts Russia’s ability to transport personnel to the front, supply and maintain frontline positions, and employ the infiltration tactics that Russian forces have relied on for advancement over the past few months,” ISW concluded.
Third Army Corps Operations in Luhansk Region
Drones of the Third Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck enemy targets at the Izvaryne checkpoint, located 205 kilometres from the front line, placing all key logistics of the Russian occupiers in temporarily occupied areas of the Luhansk region under the fire control of Ukrainian forces. The corps confirmed the operation in a statement carried by UNN.
“In response to the enemy’s claims of the alleged total capture of the Luhansk region, we are announcing an operation to control logistical routes in the Luhansk region and Eastern Slobozhanshchyna. Luhansk, Starobilsk, Alchevsk, Brianka, Kadiivka – from now on, all of this is under the close supervision and control of the UAVs of the Third Army Corps,” stated corps commander Brigadier General Andriy Biletsky.
The deep raid was planned and executed by the “Z Kaifom” strike wing platoon, a battalion of unmanned systems belonging to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade of the Third Army Corps. During the operation, fighters destroyed and damaged armoured vehicles and trucks carrying ammunition on the enemy’s critically important logistical routes. The operation was developed and led by strike UAV platoon commander Hero of Ukraine Oleksandr “Skhid” Ivantsov, who in 2022 parachuted into besieged Mariupol and, following the completion of its defence, made his way back to Ukrainian controlled territory on his own.
“Luhansk, Starobilsk, Brianka, Alchevsk – these are our native cities. From now on, they will not be a safe rear for the enemy. We, the fighters of the unmanned systems battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, officially declare: there are no more safe places for the occupiers in the Luhansk region. We will find and destroy you everywhere – even at the Izvaryne checkpoint and other sections of the border,” Ivantsov emphasised.
The entire crew that carried out the strikes at the border consists exclusively of natives of the Luhansk region, as does a significant portion of the unit. They are currently liberating their home region using modern technologies.
Russian Logistics Adjustments on the Novorossiya Highway
The Russian command has introduced new rules for transporting military cargo on the R-280 Novorossiya highway following significant losses from Ukrainian drone strikes, according to the ATESH partisan movement, which cited its agent within one of the units of the Russian Dnipro grouping of forces.
Under the new orders, convoys must move primarily at night or during unfavourable weather conditions, maintain a speed of at least 120 kilometres per hour, and include a third serviceman equipped with a UAV detector in every vehicle. Additionally, the occupiers have begun to use civilian trucks more actively to disguise military transport.
ATESH reported that observers with drone detectors for escorting convoys are being recruited directly from frontline positions. Scarce electronic warfare systems are also being redeployed there, weakening the protection of units on the front line against Ukrainian drones.
According to the movement’s agent, the Russian military themselves criticise such decisions, as most Ukrainian drones utilise Starlink satellite communications, which are resistant to the mobile electronic warfare systems available to the Russian Federation. ATESH stated that all collected information has already been handed over to the Defence Forces of Ukraine.
Be First to Comment