1. Ukraine forces attacked Kherson Air Base in the south probably with artillery or rockets from the pictures. The base is being used by Russian helicopters. In web comments, there are cautions that the damage may not be as extensive as initially believed. One comment says some of the helios may be Ukrainian, left behind when Kherson fell to the Russians. Myself I don’t think this is plausible: Kherson was under attack for several days, Ukraine would have evacuated its helicopters.
2. Overall, the ground war seems to be in a stand-still phase. The happy explanation: Russian forces are worn down. The unhappy explanation: Russian forces are reorganizing, though what they have left by way of combat troops is unclear.
3. Remember, Ukraine is still to commit 10-12 “main force” brigades it is holding back while inflicting attrition on the attackers. This is not a cost-free strategy as the defenders are taking casualties. But do also remember Ukraine has deployed several territorial brigades in the front line.
4. Fourth Russian general killed, commander of 150 MR Division. This is from Russian sources. This doesn’t count the Chechen Major-General killed. Now, in principle its good to have your division commanders at the front to unjam own blockages and raise morale. But the idea is they command their divisions, not get killed left and right. Naturally one wonders if Ukraine guerrillas are using SIGINT to target Russian generals regardless of where they are. This a possibility, but pure speculation on my part.
5. Rumors says Russian offensive, particularly in the north, have stalled because conscripts are refused to fight. While this may be true, there are plenty of other explanations which we’ve touched on: Ukraine deliberate flooding in the north, the spring thaw – read about Barbarossa 1941 to understand what the thaw does to movement of even tracked vehicles – supply and maintenance issues, insufficient engineers etc etc. So without firm proof we don’t need to add the rumor the conscripts are refusing to fight. Though there’s plenty of reason for them and many younger Russian volunteers not to.
6. Please note that when Ukraine counterattacks in the north, if it moves along the Ukraine-Belarus border, four Russian armies will be in danger of getting cutoff. I have no information this is what Ukraine plans, but its logical given the number of intact, uncommitted formations.
Ravi
www.John1911.com
“Shooting Guns & Having Fun”
His latest, “An analysis of India’s ability to fight a 2-front war” (Amazon Kindle) is 184,000 words long and has sold five copies in three weeks. For him, that’s a best-seller.
Ravi is also a perpetual student, though he took his first bachelors only in 1994. He is currently doing a seventh masters, in Intelligence Management. Two PhD theses are held up because he hasn’t been able to pay fees.
- Ukraine Quick Update 6-20-22 - June 22, 2022
- Mariupol Order of Battle - May 2, 2022
- Ukraine update April 14, 2022 0900 US EDT - April 14, 2022
