07-26-2023, 01:09 PM
Apparently, according to the NYT and the US government, the "real" counteroffensive is now on. The Russian Defense Ministry's spokesperson agrees. So it looks like the long wind-up is over and the pitch is on the way.
The assault involves more than 100 Leopards and Bradleys and the foreign-trained troops that had been held in reserve are now pouring in. The thrust appears to be in the Southeast, with Tokmak being the first objective and Melitopol the follow-up.
Mines, artillery, and "withering air strikes" seem to be the main impediments.
The ISW map does not seem to show much progress, and I note that Tokmak seems to be heavily fortified according to ISW.
Thoughts? Any chance this is a feint and a second thrust will only appear after Russia rushes every spare resource to Tokmak?
The assault involves more than 100 Leopards and Bradleys and the foreign-trained troops that had been held in reserve are now pouring in. The thrust appears to be in the Southeast, with Tokmak being the first objective and Melitopol the follow-up.
Mines, artillery, and "withering air strikes" seem to be the main impediments.
The ISW map does not seem to show much progress, and I note that Tokmak seems to be heavily fortified according to ISW.
Thoughts? Any chance this is a feint and a second thrust will only appear after Russia rushes every spare resource to Tokmak?