Russia tightens grip over eastern Ukraine
India Today
For past few days, elements of Russian convoys were captured in satellite imagery, moving along the highways towards south and west, from the eastern borders.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches its 50th day, Russian troops seem to be repositioning rapidly in the east and south of Ukraine. Carrying the profound baggage of an unprecedented setback of failure on the northern front and discernible failure to capture Kyiv in the earlier stages of the operation, the Russian military leadership under the command of a new general seems to focusing on ground-domination of the eastern front.
Analysis of publicly available visuals along with commercial satellite imagery shows Russia tightening its grip in the region. A recent estimate by the U.S. Department of Defence (DoD) suggested that Russia is now operating at nearly 80 percent capacity of its combat power that was preassembled before invasion.
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For past few days, elements of Russian convoys were captured in the satellite imagery, moving along the highways towards south and west, from the eastern borders. New backward support positions have also been noticed in Russian territories, close to the borders. The renewed Russian offensive is supported by regular stream of support convoys coming through Ukraine from Soloti and Valuyki regions of western Russia.
Recently collected high resolution satellite pictures provided by Maxar Technologies show newly deployed armored vehicles, tents and support equipment in the area west of Soloti. Situated almost 8 km from the Ukraine border, the fields hosting the backup positions are located near the Russian towns of Dubrovka, Biriuch and Leonovka.
On Wednesday, a senior U.S. DoD official confirmed active Russian convoy north of Ukrainian city of Izium. Estimated to be about 60 km from the city, the likely resupply convoy with some command-and-control elements and enablers is seen moving inside the Ukrainian territory from the north east towards south. “We don't really have a whole lot more information about what's in that thing (convoy) and we do assess that it's moving, but not at breakneck speed” a DoD official told reporters in a background briefing at Pentagon.
Elements of Russian military convoys with armoured vehicles and trucks are seen passing through Ukrainian cities of Vilkhuvatka, Bilokurakyne, and Kyslivkain the latest imagery. A common feature is lack of off-roading due to muddied ground conditions. The heavy Russian military vehicles found it difficult to navigate through the wet lands in the earlier phase of the Russian campaign. Ukraine had taken advantage of an earlier stalled Russian military convoy and attacked it with help of armed UAVs.
