Russians set fire to minefields to stop Ukrainian counteroffensive – The New York Times
In order to stop the advance of Ukrainian troops in Zaporizhzhia region, the Russian occupiers have invented a new tactic – they pour flammable substance on minefields and set them on fire
This is stated in the article by The New York Times.
Thus, the Russian invaders are pouring flammable substances on the territories where minefields are located. During demining attempts by the Ukrainian military, the occupiers drop grenades from drones, “causing a sea of fire and explosions.”
According to the Marines, the Russians are using this tactic to make the already treacherous minefields even more deadly.
It is noted that Russian positions are fortified with minefields and trenches. That is why the Ukrainian Defense Forces are forced to fight for every house and conduct heavy defense
“Mining makes it necessary to control paved roads; these are the safest routes because mines are easier to spot and remove. The Russians know this and have set up defenses along T0158 with concrete bunkers for machine gunners. Russian drones keep the roads under constant surveillance,” the authors add.
In addition, the Russians use hundreds of small assault teams, usually consisting of eight to ten soldiers. Each of these groups has a specific task, such as attacking trenches, forest belts, or houses.
According to experts, such tactics of warfare require great effort and risk for both sides of the conflict, but the captured Russian fortifications left over from this offensive can serve Ukrainian troops as a base for planning further operations.
Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive in the south: chronology
- On June 12, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had liberated 7 settlements and advanced 6.5 kilometers.
- Later, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine officially confirmed the liberation of the village of Pyatikhatky in Zaporizhzhia region. Units in the Tavriya sector advanced up to 7 km.
- On June 24, the Ukrainian Defense Forces confirmed the liberation of the territories near Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region, which had been under occupant control since 2014.
- Later, it became known that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had de-occupied the village of Rivne, Donetsk region. It is located in Volnovakha district of Donetsk region. The Russian army occupied the settlement in March 2012.
- On July 5, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy established ten military administrations in Zaporizhzhia region and appointed their heads.
- On July 27, the 35th Separate Marine Brigade together with the 129th Brigade of the Arei TRO liberated the village of Staromayorske in Donetsk Oblast.
- On July 31, it was reported that during the counteroffensive, the Ukrainian military liberated more than 204 square kilometers of territory in the south.
- On August 4, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that the Defense Forces had already broken through the first line of defense in the south and moved to the intermediate line.
- On August 16, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar reported that the Ukrainian military had completely liberated Urozhayne in Donetsk region. The defense forces are consolidating their positions on the lines they have reached.
- On August 17, the General Staff reports that Ukrainian troops have succeeded near Urozhayne. Later, it became known that the enemy tried to regain the lost position near Urozhayne, Donetsk region, but to no avail.
- On August 19, British intelligence said that the Defense Forces continue to advance along the Mokry Yaly River in Donetsk Oblast.
- Ukrainian forces advanced north of Robotyne in western Zaporizhzhia region. According to ISW analysts, this will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to launch an offensive in less mined areas of the Russian defense line and will help them reach Ukraine faster.
- On August 23, the General Staff reported that the Defense Forces were successful and were consolidating their positions at Novodanilivka and Novoprokopivka in Zaporizhzhia region.
- On August 27, the spokesperson for the Tauride Defense Forces press center, Oleksandr Stupun, reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were advancing south of Robotyno in Zaporizhzhia region to the village of Novoprokopivka.
- On August 28, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said that the Ukrainian military had officially liberated the village of Robotyno, Zaporizhzhia region.
- On August 29, the General Staff reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces were successful in the direction of Novodanilivka – Verbove in Zaporizhzhia region.
- On August 30, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke in France about the success of the counteroffensive of our soldiers in the village of Robotyno, Zaporizhzhia region.
- The White House said on Friday, September 1, that the United States has seen significant progress by Ukrainian defenders south of Zaporizhzhia over the past 72 hours.
