War in Ukraine: First signs of a Kiev counter-offensive and drone attack on Sevastopol

In the midst of an attack by Ukrainian drones on the port of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea and the discovery of one such drone near Moscow, the possibility that Ukraine is ready to launch the long-awaited spring counter-offensive.

Successfully established the Ukrainian military forces locations on the eastern side of the Dnieper RiverThere was speculation on Sunday that the breakthroughs could be an early sign of Kiev’s long-awaited spring counter-offensive, according to a new analysis.

The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, reported it on Saturday geolocated videos of military bloggers in favor of the Kremlin indicate that Ukrainian troops have been placed near the village Oleshkyalong with “stable supply lines” for their positions.

Analysts widely believe that if Ukraine goes ahead with a spring counteroffensive, a major goal would be to break through the land corridor between Russia and the annexed Crimea peninsulawhich would require crossing the Dnieper River in the south of the country.

Patience

In response to reports in the Ukrainian press that the establishment of such positions would mark the start of the counter-offensive, Natalia Humeniuk, spokeswoman for the Ukrainian Southern Operational Command, asked for patience.

While he did not confirm or deny the institute’s report, he only stated that the details of the military operations in the Dnieper delta cannot be disclosed for operational reasons and security.

On Ukrainian television, Humeniuk added that it is “a very difficult job” because “it is necessary to overcome an obstacle like the Dnieper, when the front passes a wide and mighty river.

More than a year after the Russian invasion, recent fighting has turned into a war of attrition where neither side managed to gain momentum.

However, Ukraine has recently received sophisticated weapons of its Western allies and new troops were trained in the West, leading to growing anticipation of a counter-offensive.

Last week Patriot missiles have arrived in the country made in the United States, and army spokesman Yuriy Ihnat told Ukrainian television on Sunday that some have already entered service.

The fiercest fighting has occurred in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russia is fighting to encircle the city of Bakhmut despite stubborn Ukrainian defense.

The drone attack

The Russian military repulsed a Ukrainian attack on the port of Sevastopol on Monday, Russian-appointed authorities in Crimea said.

According to local media reports, he was also found a drone in a forest near Moscow.

The destroyed army at dawn a Ukrainian maritime drone that it was trying to attack the port, said Mikhail Razvozhayev, a Moscow-appointed leader for the Crimean city of Sevastopol. Another drone exploded harmlessly.

The incident was in addition to another series of attempted attacks on Sevastopol, the main naval base in the Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

Ukrainian authorities did not immediately comment on Monday’s events. After earlier attacks in Sevastopol and other areas, the Kiev authorities stopped short of claiming responsibility, although they stressed the country’s right to attack any target in response to the Russian invasion.

On the other hand, Russian media reports indicated on Monday that an explosive drone had been found in a forest nearby 30 kilometers east of the Russian capital.

Although the device did not explode, the incident was underscored the Ukrainian ability to reach the heart of Russiaamid expectations that the Ukrainian military would embark on a spring counter-offensive to recapture the occupied areas.

Observers believe that the operation will most likely target Russian-controlled parts of the regions of Zaporizhia and Chersonesos, In the South. If successful, it would allow Ukraine cut the land connection between Russia and Crimea.

bakhmut

Russian forces continue the effort that began nine months ago For capture Bakhmut’s Ukrainian stronghold in the eastern Donetsk region.

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky stressed the importance of defending Bakhmut in an interview with the Associated Press last month, saying his downfall could allow Russia to rally international support for a deal that requires unacceptable concessions in Kiev.

Both Ukraine and Russia have described the battle for Bakhmut, the longest of the warcrucial to exhausting enemy forces and preventing them from advancing elsewhere on a 1,000 kilometer front.

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